Residents in Northeast Bexar County will have a different water source for the next several weeks as the San Antonio Water System addresses water concerns from Lake Dunlap.
The affected area of customers are between IH-35 and IH-10, inside 1604 -- an area previously served by BexarMet. Those customers are now using Edwards Aquifer water for the time being.
SAWS Spokeswoman Anne Hayden said warmer weather in the shallow lake Dunlap caused algae to flare up.
"While the algae is filtered we have to make sure that chlorine or chloramine levels are high enough that the water stays disinfected," Hayden said.
The water may taste or smell differently for a few days, but the utility stresses it is safe to drink. Hayden said Hospitals and dialysis centers have been notified to make appropriate changes to water treatment.
"Individuals who may be keeping live fish in either ponds or aquariums may double check to make sure that the disinfectant they’ve using will work with chlorine disinfectant instead of chloramine," Hayden said.
This is isn’t the first time SAWS customers in the northeast have switched sources, but the move is necessary to preserve water quality in Lake Dunlap.
The switch over will last several weeks with no determined end date.
