D.C area residents can expect a slightly different taste, smell and color in their drinking water for the next few weeks, due to recent water treatment changes.

The Washington Aqueduct, a division of the United States Army Corp of Engineers, has begun to add chlorine to the disinfectant used at water treatment facilities through May 4.

Rich Giani, water quality manager for the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority, said nonharmful bacteria builds up over time, forming a protective coating in the pipes. The Washington Aqueduct injects chlorine every year for roughly one month to disintegrate the coating and clean out the pipes.

WASA notes that the water still complies with the safe water standards and poses no health risks.