If Your Collier County Water Tastes or Smells Different Right Now — Here's Why. It's Routine, and It's Safe.

If your tap water in Collier County has tasted, smelled, or looked slightly different in the past few days, you're not imagining it, and there's nothing wrong with your water.

Collier County Public Utilities is conducting a routine disinfection and flushing of the water system that began July 31 and runs through August 28. During this period, some customers may notice a slight difference in the taste or smell of their water. This is normal, expected, and temporary. The water is safe to drink throughout the entire process.

The county is also flushing water mains and fire hydrants; that process began August 2 and will continue through September 18, with crews working around the clock seven days a week throughout the service area.

The temporary change in disinfection is a routine practice recommended by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for water utilities that use chloramines as their primary disinfectant. Chloramine is the compound used year-round to keep Collier County's water supply free of harmful bacteria. Once a year, the county temporarily switches to a different disinfection method, a standard industry practice that helps prevent the buildup of certain microorganisms in the system that can develop resistance to chloramine over time.

During the transition period, the smell or taste change some customers notice is the result of the different disinfectant chemistry, not a sign of contamination or a water quality problem. Even during this routine maintenance period, Collier County's water meets or exceeds all state and federal standards.

While the water is safe for the general public, two specific groups should take precautions during the disinfection change period:

Dialysis patients using a machine at home: Contact your equipment supplier or physician immediately to take the proper steps to accommodate the change in disinfectants. Home dialysis machines process large volumes of water, and the chemistry change affects how the water should be prepared for that use. Do not wait; contact your supplier or doctor now.

Fish tank and aquarium owners: Contact a local fish store for appropriate pretreatment of water before adding any tap water to your tanks during this period. Fish and aquatic species are far more sensitive to changes in water chemistry than humans, and the disinfection transition can affect them even when the water is perfectly safe for people to drink.

Cloudy or discolored water may occur temporarily when flushing crews are working near your area. This is normal and resolves quickly. Run your tap for several minutes to clear the water before use. The cloudiness is caused by air or sediment disturbed during the flushing process, not by contamination.

For questions about the disinfection change or flushing:

📞 Collier County Water: 239-252-6245

For service issues, report through NotifyNow at collier.gov/NotifyNow

Information sourced from WGCU and the Collier County Public Utilities Division.