Chlorine in Water

For decades, chlorine has been used in municipal water treatment as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria in water and the lines that carry it to your home. With the addition of chlorine to drinking water, we have seen a decrease in waterborne illnesses. Water treatment plants and systems have found chlorine essential for disinfecting water, and it is especially needed to keep water safe in the water distribution system, but once the water is in your home, chlorine is no longer necessary.

Chlorine can be drying to skin, causing it to be flaky, red and irritated. It can also dry out hair, making it brittle and unmanageable. According to the CDC, drinking water containing up to 4 milligrams per liter is considered for consumption, but some people will notice the following signs with even a little chlorine is present in water.

When chlorine reacts with organic matter in the water, it can produce byproducts that can cause illness if consumed regularly over an extended amount of time. In addition, chlorine may lose its potency before it reaches the far ends of the water distribution system, hindering its disinfection effectiveness. As a result, many municipalities are switching from chlorine to chloramine, which is an inorganic compound created by combining free chlorine with ammonia.

Chlorine levels in your home’s water supply should be safe for consumption, since water is regulated by the US EPA with set maximum contaminant levels that the municipal water companies must maintain. Homeowners who use chlorine to treat water from a private well are responsible for making sure the chlorine levels in their water are safe. Recently, more and more people are understanding the downsides of having water in their home that contains chlorine or chloramines and are interested in a water filtration system to significantly reduce chlorine or chloramine levels in their water.  

How Kinetico Can Help 

Whole-home or point-of-use carbon filters significantly reduce chlorine from water. Kinetico offers a variety of system options for those who are interested in chlorine-free water.  

Dechlorinator
The Kinetico Dechlorinator is a simple, single tank solution for whole-home chlorine removal. With this system installed, you will be providing chlorine-free water to each water faucet in your home. 

Carbon Backwashing Filter
The Kinetico Carbon Backwashing Filter is a dual tank system that removes chlorine and other tastes and odors from your water. The system can provide your whole home with an unlimited supply of chlorine-free water, on-demand. 

K5 Drinking Water Station
The Kinetico K5 Drinking Water Station is a state-of-the art reverse osmosis system that significantly reduces chlorine and other contaminants in your drinking water. Focusing on the water used for cooking and drinking, the K5 provides the cleanest, freshest drinking water possible.  

Contact your local Kinetico dealer for a free water test to determine which option is best for you.