Clean Water Current

The supply issues related to sodium hypochlorite and other chlorine products appear to be resolving, with a chlor-alkali facility in Washington State back to full operations. Supplies of sodium hypochlorite and other chorine products had been reduced due to equipment failure and other problems at this production facility and facilities in other locations.  The supply reductions primarily affected utilities on the West Coast, but also in some other parts of the country. 

EPA published instructions for water utilities on how to use Section 1441 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) or the Defense Production Act to obtain chlorine or any other chemicals needed for treating drinking water or wastewater. NACWA understands that some utilities submitted Section 1441 requests, and that distributors of sodium hypochlorite were prioritizing deliveries to water utilities. 

EPA hosted a June 30 webinar, Is Your Sodium Hypochlorite Supply Stable? Don't Wait to Find Out, with technical information about sodium hypochlorite and other disinfection chemicals and recommendations for how utilities can be prepared if shortages arise again. A recording of the webinar will be available soon. 

Any NACWA members that are still experiencing problems with sodium hypochlorite supplies are asked to contact Cynthia Finley, NACWA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs.  NACWA also encourages members to continue sharing their experiences with the supply shortages on NACWA Engage.