Five Cities residents may notice chlorine taste, odor in their water next week

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. - Some people in the Five Cities area may soon notice their water has a different taste and smell.

The San Luis Obispo County Public Works Department is going to change the disinfectant in the Lopez Project distribution system from November 4 through November 18.

The county says people in Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Oceano, Avila Beach, and Port San Luis will be converting to free chlorine, which is supposed to be a stronger disinfectant. Officials say this will prevent any harmful bacteria from getting into the water supply.

Public Works says everyone has different sensitivity levels, so some people might notice no change in water taste or odor, but others may notice a similar taste or smell to a swimming pool.

The county says the best way to minimize the taste or smell is by boiling your water, running it through a carbon filter, or filling a container with water and leaving it to vent overnight.