Miami-Dade County's drinking water will taste and smell different for two weeks starting Monday, Sept. 28.

The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) will switch from its standard chloramine disinfection to free chlorine from Sept. 28 through Oct. 11, according to a notice posted by Bal Harbour Village. The switch is considered effective at clearing bacteria from distribution pipes, WSVN reported.

Miami Beach, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands and Surfside all receive their tap water from WASD. Miami Beach alone buys water wholesale from the department and distributes it to roughly 10,000 customers, according to the city's annual water quality report. That water comes primarily from WASD's Hialeah and John E. Preston Water Treatment Plants, which serve the area north of Southwest Eighth Street up to the Miami-Dade/Broward county line.

The City of Miami Beach confirmed the conversion on its verified X account on Sept. 16. The city noted WASD has conducted the annual chlorine purge for more than 30 years alongside the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County and the Miami-Dade Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER).

WASD said in a press release that any change in taste, smell or water clarity is a temporary cosmetic effect and does not compromise water quality. Crews will flush lines throughout the county during the two weeks, which may cause brief drops in water pressure or cloudy taps.

If water appears cloudy, WASD advises running the tap for three to five minutes until it clears.

Two groups should take extra steps. Dialysis patients should consult their doctors during the conversion period. Owners of tropical fish and businesses with fish-holding tanks should contact an aquarium maintenance professional for guidance.

The conversion is separate from the Miami Beach Fire Department's annual hydrant flushing, which ran citywide Sept. 14 through Sept. 25.

WASD said it will continue providing information to residents throughout the two-week period. Residents with water quality questions can call WASD's Laboratory Division at 786-552-4738. That line serves customers north of Southwest Eighth Street, which includes Miami Beach, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands and Surfside. Customers south of Southwest Eighth Street can call 786-552-4181.