Remove Chlorine from Your Water

I. Sources of Chlorine in Water and Health Risks

1. Common Sources of Chlorine

 ● Disinfection of Municipal Water Supplies: Chlorine or sodium hypochlorite (bleach) is commonly used in waterworks to kill pathogens, with residual chlorine concentrations usually ranging from 0.2-2mg/L.

 ● Swimming Pool Water Treatment: Chlorine is continually dosed in the recirculation system to inhibit algae, with concentrations of up to 1-3mg/L.

 ● Industrial Wastewater: Organochlorine compounds (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) may be present in the papermaking and textile industries. Special treatment is required.

2. Hazards of Chlorine Residuals

 ● Sensory Impacts: Residual chlorine causes the water to have a pungent odor, which affects the taste (e.g., deterioration of the flavor of coffee and tea).

 ●Health risks:

   Long-term consumption of chlorinated water may increase the risk of bladder cancer (WHO studies show a 20-40% increase in risk).

   Dry skin and red eyes after swimming (chlorine reacts with sweat to form chloramines).

 ● Equipment damage: corrosion of water heaters, washing machine seals, shorten the service life.

II. 6 mainstream dechlorination technology comparison

III. Home Scenario: 3 Steps to Solve Drinking Water Chlorine Problems

Step 1: Test Residual Chlorine Concentration

 ●Use a residual chlorine test kit (e.g., Hach brand) or an electronic detector to distinguish between free chlorine (Cl₂) and total chlorine (with chloramines).

Step 2: Select a dechlorination device

Step 3: Maintenance Points

 ● Activated carbon cartridge is replaced every 3-6 months (shorten the cycle when the water quality is poor).

 ● RO membrane desalination rate once a year test, below 90% timely replacement.

V. Chlorine removal technology selection principles

1. Concentration priority:

 ● Low concentration (<1mg/L): activated carbon or ultraviolet light.

High concentration (> 5mg / L): chemical neutralization or catalytic dechlorination.

2. Cost Orientation:

 ● Operational cost ranking: chemical neutralization > catalytic dechlorination > RO > UV > activated carbon > stationary volatilization.

3. Sustainability:

 ● Prioritize technology without chemical addition (e.g. UV, RO) to avoid secondary pollution.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can boiling remove chlorine from water?

 ● Partially! Boiling can accelerate the volatilization of free chlorine, but the removal rate of chloramine (combined chlorine) is less than 30%.

Q2: How to remove chlorine from fish tank water quickly?

 ● Use fish dechlorinator (containing sodium thiosulfate) or storm air for 24 hours to avoid direct water change with tap water which may cause fish death.

Q3：Do I need to re-chlorinate the water after dechlorination?

 ● Municipal water supply does not need to be re-chlorinated; industrial recycled water needs to adjust the disinfection strategy according to microbiological risk.

VII. Health Risk Tips

 ● Risk of excessive dechlorination: complete removal of chlorine may trigger the growth of pathogens such as Legionella, it is recommended to keep the residual chlorine in drinking water at 0.05-0.5mg/L.

 ● Alternative disinfection solutions: for chlorine-sensitive people, ozone or chlorine dioxide can be considered for disinfection, but professional equipment is required to operate.

  Conclusion: Removing chlorine from water requires a balance between efficiency, cost and health and safety. Home users recommend activated carbon + RO combination of solutions, industrial scenarios recommend the use of UV + chlorine synergistic disinfection system. For customized chlorine removal solutions or equipment selection advice, please contact our technical team for professional advice!