Tap water may be affected by chlorine maintenance, Pembroke Pines officials warn
Pembroke Pines residents may soon notice a difference in the taste, smell or appearance of their drinking water, according to officials.
Upkeep on the city’s water distribution system is scheduled for March 22 through April 12 and could cause a “slight chlorine taste and/or chlorine odor in the water,” the city announced in a news release.
That’s due to a “chlorination preventive maintenance procedure,” which officials describe as pumping free chlorine through water mains to disinfect drinking water and remove biofilm — a slimy layer of bacteria, algae and fungi — from pipes.
Free chlorine is a stronger alternative to the chloramine, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, commonly used to disinfect water systems and is used to “deep clean” pipes as needed.
Increased chlorine levels aren’t expected to cause adverse health effects, according to officials, and all drinking water will still meet state and federal quality standards.
Residents on kidney dialysis or those who have medical conditions that could be impacted are told to ask their doctors and health care providers about how to navigate the temporary change.
Those with pet fish or aquariums should take “necessary precaution” and contact their pet supply store about how to dechlorinate water for marine animals sensitive to free chlorine.
If you’re worried about whether you’ll be able to stomach your tap water, the city warns that its taste, smell and color could take a hit.
How to manage without stocking up on bottled water?
“Keep an open container of drinking water on your counter or in your refrigerator to allow the chlorine to dissipate,” officials say.
Also part of upkeep is the flushing of fire hydrants across the city, meaning residents could see a slight drop in water pressure that shouldn’t last longer than 30 minutes, per officials.
Hydrant flushing might also stir up sediment and minerals in pipes, leading to short-term cloudy water. If that’s the case, residents are told to run cold water from their tap until it clears up.
A full return to chloramine starts April 12 and will be complete within 24 hours, according to the city.
For more information on the maitenance process, call the Utilities Customer Service Department at 954-518-9000 and visit the city’s website for chlorination updates.
This story was originally published March 11, 2026 at 12:34 PM.
