Special notice for customers who use water for kidney dialysis machines, fish aquariums, or other chlorine-sensitive uses: Please be aware that water may contain chlorine, chloramines, or a mixture of the two during the months of March and April.

February 27 through April 6, 2026, you may notice a stronger chlorine smell in your water due to a temporary change in our disinfection process, which happens each year. The Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility, which provides drinking water to Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and the Wake County portion of Research Triangle Park, normally uses chloramines, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, for the disinfection process. The State of North Carolina encourages all water systems that add ammonia to cleanse their system annually by switching to chlorine only and flushing the system by opening fire hydrants.

Chlorine Odor

Some may notice a more distinct chlorine odor during this time. However, the water remains safe throughout this process. If you would like to reduce the amount of chlorine in the drinking water to improve its taste and odor, you may do so through several methods, including filtering the water using an activated carbon filter, letting the water sit out for a day or so, boiling the water for one minute, or adding a few lemon slices to a pitcher of water. The lemon has ascorbic acid, which will naturally dechlorinate the drinking water. Learn more through our Disinfectant Fact Sheet. 

Discolored Water

Some may notice temporary water discoloration due to nearby hydrant flushing. Citizens are encouraged to check their water before washing white clothes. If the water appears discolored, run a cold-water faucet in a bathtub to try to clear the discoloration.

Citizens who have questions or who have water that fails to clear should contact Cary by calling 311 or (919) 469-4000 outside town limits.