Chlorine and chloramine are chemicals added to most public water supplies to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. By the time that treated water reaches your home, the disinfecting job is done. Unfortunately, chlorine in drinking water doesn’t just disappear. It comes out of your tap, showerhead, and appliances — and can have negative effects on your health, comfort, and home.
If you’ve ever noticed a chemical taste in your tap water or irritation on your skin after a shower, you’ve already experienced some of the impacts of chlorine. Understanding how to remove chlorine from water is an important step for improving your household water quality.
Why Chlorine Is in Tap Water
Municipal treatment plants add chlorine or chloramine to make sure water is safe to drink when it leaves the facility. Chlorine levels are usually measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L). While regulated amounts are considered acceptable, even small amounts can create disinfection by-products (DBPs) when chlorine interacts with natural organic matter in the water supply.
These DBPs, sometimes called trihalomethanes, can be released into the air during daily activities like showering, bathing, or washing dishes. The result: you don’t just drink chlorine — you also inhale and absorb it through your skin.
Health Effects of Chlorine in Drinking Water
Removing chlorine from drinking water isn’t just about taste. Many people report physical side effects from regular exposure.
- Skin and hair problems: Chlorine strips natural oils, leaving hair dry and skin irritated. Some people experience rashes, redness, or eye and throat irritation.
- Respiratory issues: Inhaling chlorine vapors while showering can irritate lungs and airways. This is especially concerning for people with asthma or allergies.
- Digestive discomfort: Strong chlorine taste or odor in tap water can cause nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset.
- Nutrient interference: Chlorine can bind to certain vitamins and minerals, reducing your body’s ability to absorb them properly.
Even if water is labeled “safe to drink,” these health effects show why homeowners often choose to install water filtration systems.
Household Problems Caused by Chlorine
Chlorine doesn’t only affect people — it also impacts appliances, plumbing, and even pets.
- Appliance wear and tear: Continuous exposure shortens the life of dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters.
- Taste and odor issues: Chlorine gives tap water a chemical flavor that ruins coffee, tea, and cooking.
- Fish tanks: Chlorine is toxic to aquatic life. Even 20 gallons of water for a small tank must be treated before it’s safe for fish.
- Scale buildup: While chlorine itself doesn’t cause hardness, it interacts with minerals already present, worsening buildup in pipes and fixtures.
The solution is simple: remove chlorine from water before it circulates through your home.
Proven Ways to Remove Chlorine from Water
There are several methods for removing chlorine from drinking and household water. Each has its advantages depending on your needs.
Whole-House Filtration
A catalytic activated carbon filter is one of the most effective ways to remove chlorine throughout the entire home. Installed at the entry point of your water supply, this system ensures that every faucet, shower, and appliance is protected. You don’t have to worry about chlorine in the water you drink, cook with, or bathe in.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Reverse osmosis systems filter water at a specific point of use — usually under the kitchen sink (and can be hooked up to your refrigerator water/ice dispense, as well). The process pushes tap water through a semi-permeable membrane and multiple pre-filters, including an activated carbon filter that removes chlorine. This method is excellent for providing clean, great-tasting water for cooking and drinking.
Custom Water Filtration Systems
Every household’s water quality is unique. That’s why HQ Water Solutions designs custom filtration systems based on water test results. We measure factors like hardness, chlorine or chloramine levels, and contaminants, then recommend the right combination of filters.
Other Simple Ways to Reduce Chlorine
If you’re not ready for a full system, there are smaller steps you can take.
- Let water sit for 24 hours: Chlorine can evaporate naturally. Leaving tap water uncovered for a day reduces chlorine, though this doesn’t work for chloramine.
- Boil water: Heating water for 15–20 minutes helps remove chlorine from water. This is practical for small amounts but not for daily household use.
- Pitcher or faucet filters: Many small water filters contain carbon media that remove chlorine. However, they only work at one source and must be replaced often.
- Vitamin C for aquariums: Fish tank owners often add vitamin C or water conditioner to neutralize chlorine in 20 gallons or more at a time.
While these methods help, they’re not as reliable or comprehensive as dedicated water filtration systems.
Why Testing Your Water Matters
Even if you trust your municipal water provider, it’s smart to have your tap water tested. Testing reveals exactly how much chlorine, chloramine, or other contaminants are present in your home.
A water test measures levels in milligrams per liter, showing if they’re within recommended limits. But “within limits” doesn’t always mean safe or comfortable for your household. Testing ensures you choose the right solution, whether that’s a reverse osmosis system, an activated carbon filter, or a whole-house setup.
For example, the City of Lancaster’s 2024 water quality report showed a monthly average range of chlorine being 0.62 – 0.75ppm (parts per million). HQ Water Solutions has had several customers reach out for specific concerns related to the chlorine they can taste/smell in their public water.
Benefits of Removing Chlorine from Water
Taking steps to remove chlorine from water has long-term payoffs:
- Cleaner, better-tasting drinking water
- Softer skin and shinier hair
- Longer lifespan for appliances
- Safer water for pets, especially fish
- Peace of mind about water quality
Ultimately, removing chlorine from drinking water makes your home safer, healthier, and more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
Chlorine serves an important role in protecting public health, but once the water is in your home, its job is finished. Leaving chlorine in drinking water can lead to health effects, appliance damage, and unpleasant taste or odor.
The good news is that you have options. From reverse osmosis systems to whole-house activated carbon filters, HQ Water Solutions provides proven methods for removing chlorine from water.
Don’t wait until you notice the health effects or damage to your appliances. Schedule a free water test today and discover the best way to improve your water quality.
Request a quote now and enjoy chlorine-free water in your home.