Removing Chloramines from Tap Water

Chloramine is a compound obtained when chlorine and ammonia react. It is widely used for water treatment, and approximately one in every five Americans has access to water that’s undergone chloramine treatment. Chloramine has many attributes that qualify it as a perfect water purifier. However, although it is not harmful to ingest, it still has downsides that necessitate further water treatment.

Where do Chloramines come from?

Due to their high stability, these compounds have long-lasting disinfecting properties. Although they are weaker disinfectants compared to chlorine, they can stay longer without losing potency, continuing to clean long after all the chlorine has been broken down. This compound is also less likely to produce ‘disinfection by-products’ (DBPs) when used, while DBP production is one of the known adverse effects of chlorine use.

Chlorine and Chloramine: What Is the Difference?

To understand chloramine, it’s important to first understand its predecessor — chlorine. Both chlorine and chloramine are disinfectants used by municipal water systems to kill harmful bacteria and pathogens in the water supply. However, they differ in several ways:

Chlorine:

A highly reactive chemical used for water disinfection.
Evaporates relatively quickly, which is why you may notice the chlorine smell in tap water.
Typically removed through boiling, sitting, or filtration.

Chloramine:

A more stable chemical compound, formed by combining chlorine and ammonia.
Unlike chlorine, chloramine does not evaporate quickly, so it lingers in the water longer.
Requires more specialized methods for removal, which we will discuss below.

Understanding the differences between these two disinfectants can help you better decide how to get chloramine out of your water.

Why Should I Remove Chloramines from Drinking Water?

Unfortunately, the chloramines water treatment plants are not 100% reliable. That is why you need further purification. When exposed to excess chloramine, here are the effects on humans and the environment:

Skin irritation
Eyes and nose irritation
Corrosion
Breaks down rubber
Bad taste and odor
Plant and aquatic toxicity
Very detrimental to patients undergoing hemodialysis

Is Chloramine in Water Dangerous?

While chloramine is considered safe at low levels for most people, it can have harmful effects under certain circumstances:

Health Risks:

Chloramine, when consumed in large amounts, can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
It can also affect people with compromised immune systems or respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Pets, especially fish, are highly sensitive to chloramine. High concentrations can harm aquatic life.

Taste and Odor:

Chloramine can impart a distinct, unpleasant taste and odor to water, making it less enjoyable for drinking or cooking.

In the next sections, we'll explore how to safely remove chloramine from your water supply.

Signs of Chloramine in Water

There are several indicators that your water may contain chloramine:

Unpleasant Odor and Taste: The most noticeable sign of chloramine in water is its distinctive taste and odor. This can often be described as a chlorine-like smell that lingers.
Skin and Eye Irritation: When chloramine concentrations are high, you might experience irritation when swimming or washing with the water. This includes red or itchy eyes, or dry, irritated skin.
Health Issues: If you're sensitive to chemicals, chloramine can cause minor health symptoms like nausea or headaches, especially if you drink a significant amount of chloramine-treated water.
Aquarium Problems: If you have fish or aquatic pets, they might show signs of distress if your tap water contains chloramine. This includes abnormal swimming patterns or lethargy.

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s worth investigating whether chloramine is present in your tap water.

Best Filters for Chloramine Removal

These are the three types of water filters that can remove chloramine from water:

Reverse Osmosis (RO) System: This is the best choice for effective water filter chloramine removal. The system's processes are a slow but sure method of filtration, producing incredibly pure liquid for cooking and drinking.
Whole House Systems: Though not as efficient as RO, these systems are excellent for cleaning drinking water and provide a comprehensive solution for household water treatment.
GAC Filters (Granular Activated Carbon): These filters, containing activated carbon, are a great option for whole-house filtration, effectively removing chloramines and other contaminants.

Chlorine Water Filtration for Home

CThe United States Environmental Agency (EPA) has set contaminant levels for chemicals that can be used as disinfectants in water treatment. Yet in 2021 alone, over 1.4% of people reported violations related to these contaminant levels, including common disinfectant chemicals such as chlorine (Cl).

Prolonged exposure to these disinfection chemicals can cause detrimental effects on your health, environment, and appliances, and it's important to protect your household against such chemicals in excess.

How Do You Treat Cl in Water at Home?

Fortunately, there are several methods for treating and removing chloramine from water supply. Some options are quick and easy, while others are more long-term solutions.

Boiling

Boiling water is an effective way to remove chlorine but is not efficient for chloramine removal. Chloramine’s strong bond makes it resistant to the effects of boiling. While boiling does reduce some chlorine content, chloramine remains largely intact. For that reason, boiling is not a reliable method for treating chloramine.

Sitting

Allowing the water to sit exposed to air is a common method used to remove chlorine. However, this process does not effectively eliminate chloramine, which is much more stable than chlorine. Sitting can reduce the chlorine content but will not make a significant difference when it comes to chloramine.

Filtering with Carbon

Activated Carbon Filters are one of the most effective and affordable methods to remove chloramine from water.

How it Works: Activated carbon works by adsorbing the chloramine molecules, removing them from the water as it passes through the filter.
Types of Carbon Filters:

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): These filters are commonly used in pitcher filters, faucet-mounted filters, or whole-house filtration systems.
Carbon Block Filters: These filters offer a more efficient way of removing chloramine due to their dense structure, providing greater surface area for adsorption.

Carbon filters are highly effective in treating chloramine, but they do require regular maintenance and replacement to ensure continued performance.

Filtering with Reverse Osmosis

One of the most effective methods for chloramine removal is using Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration systems.

How it Works: RO systems use a semi-permeable membrane that filters out contaminants from water, including chloramine. The membrane allows water molecules to pass through but blocks larger molecules like chloramine, chlorine, and other impurities.
Does Reverse Osmosis Remove Chloramine?

Yes, reverse osmosis does remove chloramine. In fact, it is one of the most efficient ways to eliminate chloramine from your drinking water.
RO systems can remove up to 95% of chloramine, making them highly effective for those who want to ensure their water is free of chlorine-based chemicals.
RO systems are available for both under-sink and whole-house installations, depending on your needs.

Is Chlorine Harmful?

It is a potent disinfecting agent, but it's harmful when ingested in large doses over time. The effect might not show immediately, but over time, it can lead to health issues. Large doses of Cl element in your liquid can also damage appliances and clothes in the long run.

Where to Buy the Best Chloramine Remover?

Getting a mechanism that helps with the filtration of this substance is necessary for every home. You can buy the most reliable removers from online retailers, or place an order at Filterway.

Whether it's chloramine or chlorine, water treatment is essential for ensuring safe and clean drinking water. Understanding the methods to remove these chemicals and investing in the right filtration systems can protect your health and enhance the quality of your water.

Conclusion

Chloramine in your water can lead to unpleasant tastes, odors, and potential health issues. While traditional methods like boiling and letting the water sit may help remove chlorine, they are ineffective against chloramine. To ensure clean, safe water for you and your family, you need specialized filtration systems.

Activated carbon filters can effectively adsorb chloramine, making them an affordable option for many households.
Reverse osmosis systems offer a high level of efficiency in removing chloramine, ensuring your water is purified and safe.

By choosing the right filtration method and regularly maintaining your system, you can effectively eliminate chloramine from your water supply, improving both taste and safety. Whether you choose a carbon filter or invest in an RO system, you’ll enjoy fresher, cleaner water free of chloramine.