They will implement temporary disinfectant conversion from chloramines to free chlorine
(6p.m. Update) – The Bell County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 (WCID) is providing an update on the issues occurring within its water system and announcing their next steps amid the city-wide boil water notice in Killeen.
WCID provides wholesale water service to the cities of Belton, Copperas Cove, Killeen, Harker Heights, Nolanville and the Fort Hood Military Reservation. Beginning today, WCID says it is temporarily converting the disinfectant in its water treatment process from chloramines to free chlorine and that conversion will take place from Oct. 21 through Nov. 21. This began about 1:30p.m. today. During this time, customers in all areas may experience taste and odor changes associated with temporary disinfectant conversion.
Disinfection is a critical part of the water treatment process that keeps drinking water free of harmful microorganisms, such as parasites and viruses. Disinfection involves a two-step process that first treats the water at the treatment plan, and then chloramine disinfectant (chlorine + ammonia) is added to maintain water quality. During the temporary change, WCID will suspend adding ammonia and use free chlorine to keep water disinfected as it travels through pipes.
WCID is partnering with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and local entities to implement a temporary disinfectant conversion to free chlorine to maintain the system and water quality. TCEQ teams are headed to Killeen to work with the City and WCID and advise on the next steps. We should be able to release a better timeline after their advisement.
The City of Killeen distributed a boil water notice on Oct. 19 through our daily and quarterly testing, which found chlorine residuals below TCEQ guidelines in samples taken from six of nine sites. Data from our required tests samples versus those of surrounding cities are as follows:
- Killeen: 120 monthly tests; an additional 12 daily tests; an additional 8 quarterly tests of 9 sites
- Copperas Cove: 40 monthly tests, 12 daily tests, 5 quarterly tests
- Harker Heights: 30 monthly tests, 9 daily tests, 4 quarterly tests
A thorough flushing of the entire water system will begin tomorrow. Residents are encouraged to use their water as regularly as possible to help flush the system— running sprinklers, washing cars, watering grass is fine.
Ricky Garrett, General Manager of the Bell County WCID #1, is available for questions at
(254) 501-9243.