Grand Rapids begins water chlorination in response to Legionnaires'

GRAND RAPIDS— Grand Rapids Public Utilities began chlorinating its water on Monday, June 24 as part of its efforts to combat an outbreak of the pneumonia-like Legionnaires’ disease.

The implementation of chloramine — chorine and ammonia — disinfection is permanent, GRPU General Manager Julie Kennedy said. The decision leaves Brainerd as the only large city in the state without permanently chlorinated water.

GRPU’s model predicts distribution of the disinfectant can take anywhere from a week to a month, depending on water demand. Right now, it's on track for one to two weeks. But Kennedy said public water supplies are a shared responsibility.

“We can get chlorine throughout the entire system, but it takes that responsibility of the individual building owner or homeowner to pull it through their building,” she said.

Residents should flush plumbing to pull water in, Kennedy said. Flushing is also recommended if residents experience discolored water. The black or reddish-brown water is caused by sediments in the system and is still safe.

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Grand Rapids to chlorinate water in response to Legionnaires' outbreak

Megan Buffington

Grand Rapids Public Utilities' decision comes after months of testing and analysis. The city's outbreak has lasted over a year, with three new cases in the last 10 days.

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Those with water softeners may need to backwash them in the coming weeks. People with medical devices and fish tanks may also need additional information.

“Again our number one recommendation is continue to go to our website,” Kennedy said. “That is where we’ve got additional information on chloramine and what people can do within their building.”

The implementation of disinfection in Grand Rapids’ water system is the second part of GRPU’s response to the Legionnaires’ outbreak, which began in April 2023. The first was weekly testing throughout the city.

The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed 23 cases in the Grand Rapids area since the outbreak began.

Residents can also request testing for chlorine and legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, on the city’s website.