Our water is treated with chloramines for 11 months out of the year. During the month of March, Harnett County Public Utilities, along with other municipalities in North Carolina, switches from chloramines to chlorine in an effort to “purge” the water distribution system. While both chlorine and chloramines are effective agents for disinfection of our water, chloramines last longer in the system while chlorine is a stronger disinfectant. By making the switch once annually, integrity of the water quality is preserved, protecting human health.