The Cary-Apex water treatment facility has temporarily stopped adding ammonia to its disinfection process. The move is required of all municipal water systems on an annual basis under state and federal law.

The water plant will resume adding ammonia to the water treatment process on April 1.

The plant uses chlorine as a disinfectant in its water treatment process but began adding ammonia in 1993 to help reduce the amount of trihalomethanes, a byproduct formed when water is disinfected with chlorine.

The state requires all water systems that add ammonia to cleanse their system annually by switching to free chlorine.

Customers who use kidney dialysis machines should note that the water may contain chlorine, ammonia or a mixture of the two chemicals in early and late March.

Otherwise, residents in Cary and Apex should not experience major changes in their water quality, officials said. "A few residents may notice an increase in chlorine odor and, in some cases, water may be slightly discolored," said Jamie Revels, Cary's utilities director.

Customers are encouraged to check their water before washing white clothes. If the water appears discolored, flush all house faucets for a few minutes.

For more details, call Cary's public works and utilities department at 919-469-4090, or visit townofcary.org.

Fuquay shooting investigated

FUQUAY-VARINA Police were questioning "persons of interest" related to a shooting outside a North Main Street restaurant. But as of early this week, they had not named a suspect.

Adrian Kyree Evans, 18, was found shot about 2 a.m. Saturday outside a Cook-Out restaurant at 1422 N. Main St., police said. Evans, who was shot in the lower back, was taken to WakeMed, where he remained Saturday afternoon.

Fron Cary News and News & Observer staff reports