Arlington’s water will start tasting like chlorine on Monday, March 23.
The change is a result of the region’s annual switch in water disinfectant, from chloramine to chlorine, according to the Department of Environmental Services. The change, which helps clean the area’s water distribution system, will last until May 4.
“Local water authorities recommend running the cold water tap for approximately two minutes and refrigerating tap water to reduce the chlorine taste and odor,” DES spokeswoman Jessica Baxter said in a press release. “Water filters are also effective for reducing chlorine taste and odor.”
The county, in its frequently asked question page about the disinfectant switch, says if you don’t want to refrigerate your tap water, run the tap for 5-10 minutes before drinking to remove the chlorine taste and smell.
The change is not made at Arlington’s water treatment facility, it’s made by the Washington Aqueduct, which supplies all the drinking water to D.C., Arlington and Fairfax County from the Potomac River.