Fort Lauderdale residents may notice temporary change in water color during plant maintenance March 30 through April 5

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Residents in parts of Fort Lauderdale may notice a temporary change in the appearance of their tap water later this month as city crews carry out scheduled maintenance on a key section of the local water system.

City officials announced that maintenance work will take place at the Fort Lauderdale Country Club Wellfield beginning Monday, March 30, and continuing through Sunday, April 5. During that time, the Peele-Dixie Water Treatment Plant will be temporarily taken offline while crews complete the planned maintenance work.

As a result of the shutdown, neighborhoods located south of Broward Boulevard that normally receive water from the Peele-Dixie facility will temporarily be supplied by another facility, the Fiveash Water Treatment Plant.

City officials say residents may notice a slight difference in the color of their water during this period. While the change could be surprising to some households, officials emphasize that it is expected and does not indicate any safety issue.

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The temporary shift in water supply stems from differences in how the two treatment plants process drinking water.

The Fiveash Water Treatment Plant relies on a lime-softening process, a common water treatment method that removes minerals and impurities using lime-based chemicals. Meanwhile, the Peele-Dixie Water Treatment Plant uses advanced reverse osmosis technology, a more modern process that filters water through specialized membranes.

Because these systems treat water in different ways, the finished water can sometimes appear slightly different in color, even though it remains safe to drink.

City officials stressed that the quality of the water will not be compromised.

“Please be assured that the water is safe and meets all primary drinking water standards.”

The reassurance is intended to address any concerns residents might have if they notice the subtle shift in water color during the maintenance window.

Public works officials say the temporary change is simply a byproduct of the treatment process used at the Fiveash facility. Once maintenance at the wellfield is completed and the Peele-Dixie plant resumes normal operations, water service will return to its usual supply route.

In the meantime, all drinking water distributed by the Fiveash facility will continue to meet the same regulatory standards required for public water systems.

City staff note that routine maintenance like this plays an essential role in maintaining the reliability of Fort Lauderdale’s water infrastructure. Water treatment plants operate continuously throughout the year, and periodic inspections and upgrades help ensure that equipment remains functional and safe.

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Such work is often scheduled carefully to minimize disruption for residents while allowing technicians to maintain and improve the system behind the scenes.

Although many residents may not notice any change at all, those who do observe a difference in color are encouraged not to worry.

Officials say the water remains fully compliant with federal and state drinking water regulations.

For residents who have questions or concerns during the maintenance period, the city encourages them to contact the customer service team for assistance. The City of Fort Lauderdale Customer Service Center can be reached by phone at 954-828-8000.

While the temporary shift may cause a small visual difference in water coming from the tap, city leaders say the maintenance work will help keep the system operating efficiently for the long term—ensuring safe, reliable drinking water for the community in the months and years ahead.