— WELLINGTON UTILITIES • PLANNED TREATMENT CHANGE
Why Wellington water may smell like chlorine October 5–26
Wellington Utilities will temporarily use free chlorine instead of its normal chloramine treatment from October 5 through October 26 as part of routine system maintenance.
- The change applies to all Wellington Utilities water customers from October 5 through October 26.
- Customers may notice a stronger chlorine taste or smell while crews flush the distribution system.
- This is planned maintenance—not a boil-water notice or a statement that contamination was found.
- Olympia, Buena Vida and VillageWalk residents are directed by Wellington to Palm Beach County Water Utilities and should not assume this notice applies to them.
What is Wellington changing?
Wellington Utilities normally uses chloramine, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, to maintain a disinfectant residual in its drinking-water system. The utility says it will temporarily switch to free chlorine from October 5 through October 26, 2026, and conduct hydrant flushing during the maintenance period.
Wellington says it will test the water daily and that the water remains safe to drink during the temporary treatment change.
What might customers notice?
Some customers may notice a change in chlorine taste or odor. Hydrant flushing can also change flow conditions in nearby distribution lines. When Wellington returns to chloramine, the utility says a temporary color change may occur and advises customers to run the tap for one to two minutes.
If water is severely discolored, service pressure is lost or another unusual condition persists after flushing, contact Wellington Utilities rather than assuming it is part of the scheduled maintenance.
Who is covered?
The notice applies to all Wellington Utilities water customers. The utility name on the current bill remains the best confirmation for one address.
Wellington's official new-resident instructions direct Olympia, Buena Vida and VillageWalk residents to Palm Beach County Water Utilities. Customers of that separate system should follow County notices instead.
Who should take special precautions?
Wellington advises dialysis patients to contact their physician or dialysis provider. Owners of aquariums, ponds or other aquatic systems should use the normal appropriate treatment for both chlorine and chloramine before adding tap water. Businesses using treated water for a specialized process should review their usual disinfectant-removal procedures.
Will a home carbon filter help?
Whole-home carbon treatment can be evaluated when reducing disinfectant taste or odor is the goal. Equipment should be selected for Wellington's normal chloramine treatment and the home's actual flow—not only for this temporary free-chlorine period. Catalytic carbon is commonly considered for chloramine service, but media type, bed volume, contact time and peak household flow all matter.
A complimentary home check can measure hardness, total dissolved solids and pH for a treatment decision. Those field measurements do not prove that water is safe or test for lead, PFAS, bacteria or another health-specific contaminant; those questions require the appropriate laboratory method.
What should residents do?
- Confirm the provider. Look for Wellington Utilities on the current water bill.
- Expect a temporary taste or odor change. The utility describes this as routine maintenance.
- Follow special-use guidance. Dialysis, aquatic systems and specialized businesses may need additional precautions.
- Call the utility for system questions. Wellington Utilities Customer Service lists 561-791-4010.
— OPTIONAL WELLINGTON HOME-WATER HELP
Want help evaluating chlorine taste or odor at one home?
Florida Premier can evaluate whole-home carbon options around Wellington's normal chloramine treatment, household flow and measured water conditions. Health-specific questions require an appropriate laboratory test.
Read the verified Wellington Utilities water report →
Check current Palm Beach County water alerts →
Published October 1, 2026. No corrections posted.
This page will be updated if Wellington Utilities changes the schedule or publishes a completion notice.
Sources
- Wellington Utilities: free-chlorine maintenance, October 5–26, 2026
- Wellington: new-resident utility instructions
Sources reviewed October 1, 2026. Utility schedules can change; confirm current instructions before acting.