Starting Monday, August 29th, the City of Hays will begin its routine bi-yearly water distribution system burn out to control biofilm. According to Utilities Director Bernie Kitten, bibiofilm must be eliminated to ensure proper water infrastructure maintenance and quality. Biofilming occurs as a slight light film growing inside distribution pipes, causing water to have a bad taste and smell and lead to nitrification and corrosive water.
Residents can expect a slight chlorine odor as the procedure moves through the system. The odor should not last more than a couple of days. The water is not harmful and is perfectly safe to use and consume.
Once the burn out is completed, the city will return to its normal process of combined chlorine. Hays previously used the burn out procedure in 2009 and 2006.