Late this afternoon Cobb County government spokesman Ross Cavitt said a “slight” chlorine smell has been detected in water coming from the James E. Quarles Water Treatment Plant on Lower Roswell Road in East Cobb, but it’s safe to drink and use. 
He passed along the following statement from the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority:
“This afternoon, a malfunction in dilution of sodium hypochlorite at the Quarles Water Treatment Plant resulted in an overfeed of the disinfectant, with chlorine levels leaving the plant detected at slightly over 4.0 mg/L, a little over twice the normal level. Pumping from the plant was suspended for approximately one hour, and flushing from the major transmission lines leaving the plant is ongoing. As of now, samples collected at the flushing sites have shown chlorine levels only slightly higher than normal. Consumers, particularly in the vicinity of the Quarles Plant, may experience a temporary elevation in chlorine levels (detectable through smell and taste). Water is safe to use for all purposes, but customers may desire to flush their plumbing systems if chlorine levels are unpleasant.
“CCMWA will continue to flush and monitor chlorine levels at several locations until assured that there are no further concerns with water quality, and will notify our wholesale customers if there are any significant changes.”
One suggestion Cavitt added for dissipating the odor if it’s coming through your faucet: leave a cold water tap running.
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