When we think of chlorinated water, we usually think of swimming pools. However, chlorine is also found in our tap water. We probably wouldn’t drink from the pool, so why is it okay from our tap? In fact, chlorination plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality of our drinking water.
We’re here to explain why the chemical is intentionally added to our drinking supply. Find out why it has chlorine, how much is in our tap, and ways to reduce our intake.
What Is Chlorine?
Chlorine is a chemical element typically found as a gas. Its liquid form is commonly used as a disinfectant in swimming pools and cleaning products, but is also used in purification. Chloramines, chemical compounds consisting of chlorine and ammonia, may also be used.
The Role of Chlorine as a Disinfectant
Chlorination is used to prevent waterborne diseases and meet safety standards. As a disinfectant, chlorine kills pathogens and bacteria responsible for disease, such as cholera and hepatitis.
Public water supplies vary, and some sources are more contaminated than others. Contaminants found in groundwater can cause adverse health effects, which is why municipal systems use disinfectants to kill disease-causing bacteria before they reach households.
Chlorine Levels in Municipal Water Supplies
As water travels through the municipal distribution system, the chlorine level gradually decreases. Municipal supplies must maintain a certain level to ensure the water remains safe as it travels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a minimum level of 0.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L) and a maximum of 4 mg/L.
How Much Chlorine Is in Tap Water?
Several factors influence chlorination. The EPA established guidelines for safe chloramine and chlorine levels in the drinking supply. Both have a limit of 4 mg/L.
As water travels, chlorine levels decrease, so they may be higher if you live near your city’s treatment plant. Bacteria levels may change seasonally, and places with more water quality issues may require higher levels of disinfection.
Because chlorination is regulated, most homeowners choose to address high chlorine levels due to taste and odor rather than health effects. Long-term exposure to high levels can cause eye and nose irritation or stomach discomfort, but it’s difficult to attribute this directly to tap water.
It’s easier to notice high chlorine levels through smell and taste. However, some people can taste or smell it at concentrations below 0.2 and 4 mg/L, meaning you may pick up on the chemical even if it’s within the set regulations.
Nonetheless, if the chlorine in your tap is noticeable, you’ll likely want to reduce it. While the chemical is intentionally added for safety, treatment is designed to effectively kill bacteria in the drinking supply as it travels from the plant to your house. Once it reaches home, it’s perfectly safe to reduce or remove the disinfectant.
Health Implications of Chlorine In Drinking Water
While chlorine reduces waterborne disease risk, it also raises some health concerns. The disinfectant can irritate the eyes, respiratory tract, and lungs. It can cause an itchy nose and throat, dryness, burning sensation, shortness of breath, headaches, and coughing. Prolonged exposure can heighten these effects.
High chlorine levels also produce an unpleasant taste and odor. This can discourage people from drinking their recommended water intake and lead to subsequent health effects.
Safe Chlorine Concentrations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a safe chlorine level of up to 4 mg/L. This amount is considered safe, where harmful health effects are unlikely to occur. However, if consumed at high levels, chlorine and other chemicals can be dangerous to children and immunocompromised adults. The disinfectant can kill good bacteria and compromise the immune system if levels exceed the recommended amount.
Understanding Disinfection By-Products
Chlorine and chloramine are the two main disinfectants used to treat drinking supplies. When these chemicals react with water, they produce hypochlorous and hypobromous acids when bromine is present. When either acid reacts with organic matter, disinfection by-products (DBPs) are formed, such as chloroform, bromoform, bromodichloromethane, and dibromochloromethane.
Monitoring and Managing DBPs
DBPs are chemicals that form when disinfectants react with organic materials and other substances in water. DBPs are common when surface water is the primary supply because these sources are more likely to contain organic materials, such as leaves and vegetation.
Long-term exposure to DBPs has been linked to many health concerns, including liver and kidney problems, nervous system effects, and an increased cancer risk. To minimize risk, the EPA has set Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), which limit the levels of DBPs allowed in public drinking supplies.
What Are Alternatives to Chlorinated Water?
If you’re concerned about chlorinated water, you’ll likely want to avoid your tap. Luckily, there are alternatives.
Bottled Water vs. Tap Water
Bottled water tends to have less chlorine than tap water because manufacturers use alternative processes to disinfect the source. However, most bottled alternatives are sourced from tap water, which could have been disinfected with chlorine.
Microplastics in bottles also raise health concerns. Microplastic contamination can affect metabolism, reproduction, and oxidative stress. Single-use plastic also results in negative environmental effects. Plastic waste ends up in landfills and oceans, and because it isn’t biodegradable, it affects the ecosystem. While the bottled alternative may have lower chlorine levels, it cannot entirely be called a safe drinking option.
Water Filtration Solutions
Filtration is a more reliable way to reduce chlorine levels while ditching the plastic alternative. Woder’s Advanced Water Filter removes 99% of chlorine and other contaminants, odors, and bad tastes. Its Selective Filtration™ technology removes 99.9% of impurities without stripping essential minerals.
Whether you’re hooking your filter under the sink or directly to a supply line, Woder has a filtration system that fits your needs.
How to Filter Chlorine from Water
Standing is a simple process of letting tap water sit in an open container for up to 24 hours and allowing chlorine to evaporate. Of course, this process is time-consuming, and it’s not as effective against chloramine.
For a faster solution, consider boiling tap water. Chlorine is very volatile and will evaporate at relatively low temperatures. When you boil water, it greatly speeds up the evaporation, and in 15-20 minutes, the disinfectant levels should be reduced significantly. While quicker than standing water, boiling it still requires a time investment, and it’s never entirely clear if the chemical has been removed.
By far the most effective way of filtering chlorine from the tap is with a filter. Woder’s filtration systems effectively remove the chemical without stripping essential minerals. In addition, filters can remove other contaminants that methods such as boiling cannot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Drinking Tap Water Have Chlorine?
Yes, tap water typically has chlorine. The disinfectant kills bacteria and pathogens that cause waterborne diseases, making tap water safe to drink. Chlorination is regulated, but can still cause an unpleasant smell or taste. If this is the case, consider a filter.
Is There Chlorine in My Sink Water?
Yes, there is likely chlorine in your sink water. The chemical is used to disinfect the water traveling from the treatment plant to your home, making it safe to drink. However, it’s perfectly safe to remove it through filtration because it has already served its purpose once it reaches your sink.
Does Chlorine Stay in Tap Water?
The amount of chlorine in tap water depends on several factors. The further you live from the treatment plant, the less disinfectant in your water because it dissipates as the water travels. The chemical also dissipates if it’s left standing for an extended period or if it’s boiled.
Understanding Chlorine, Protecting Your Health, and Choosing Effective Filters
Chlorine is added to the drinking supply to protect your health, but it provides little benefit once it arrives at your home from the treatment plant. If you’re concerned about chlorinated water, invest in an effective filter.
Woder’s Advanced Water Filter reduces 99% of chlorine, odors, bad tastes, and other contaminants while maintaining beneficial minerals. It’s available in under-the-sink installation and inline connection, depending on your needs and preferences.
Woder is open to long-term business relationships. We can provide filtration solutions for your organization. Contact us today for a discounted quote.
