We’ve been getting a lot of questions about chlorine since we posted our most recent edition of What’s in My Water? These FAQs are helping us continue the chlorination conversation!

Why is there chlorine in my water?

Chlorine is added to our municipal water supply to kill bacteria. It’s used as a disinfectant during the water treatment process, and amounts of chlorine remain in our tap water as it travels through the pipelines to our homes.

I can’t smell the chlorine—how do I know it’s there?

Our water treatment plants are required to put disinfectants in our drinking water. Chlorine is used because it stays active even as the water travels to our homes. The EPA mandates that our municipal treatment plants “maintain a detectible disinfectant residual in the distribution system.” Even if you can’t smell the chlorine it’s still in your water…because it’s required to be there.

What’s the problem with chlorine?

Chlorine is used as a disinfectant in our water because it kills bacteria. (It’s also used as bleach for making paper and cloth.) Ingesting too much chlorine has serious health concerns and irritates the eyes, nose, and stomach.

I already have a water softener—doesn’t that remove chlorine?

Water softeners remove the “hard” minerals in the utility water we use for dishwashers and laundry machines, but they don’t really take care of cleaning our drinking water. Removing chlorine needs extra filtration.

What can I do to remove the chlorine?

There are lots of options for installing a filtration system to remove the chlorine (and other harmful elements) in your family’s water. Some systems use a series of carbon filters to purify drinking water, and others use reverse osmosis. But for clean water at every tap and fresh, filtered shower water, a whole house system is best.

What are the benefits for removing chlorine?

Chlorinated water is dry. It dries out our skin in the shower, makes our hair and nails brittle, and even dries out the rubber seals in our home appliances. When we filter our water and remove chlorine, our appliances last longer, our skin feels better, clothes keep their color longer, and water, coffee, and tea taste better. Plus, filtered water is healthier for the whole family. Once you know the facts behind chlorinated tap water, it’s easy to see that chlorine-removal units are a great investment. With the right water system in place, you’ll be able to enjoy chlorine-free water at every tap in your home!