07/31/2017
Is Chlorinated Water Safe to Drink?
Chlorination is the hallmark of water treatment. But is it safe?
You’ve smelled chlorine at the pool and at your tap. It’s a water disinfectant in widespread use. But, why? And have you ever poured a glass, only to hesitate at taking a sip?
You’re not alone.
Let’s explore chlorine as a water treatment, the pros and the cons.
The History Of Water Chlorination
Chlorine was first used to treat water in 1894. And since then, large outbreaks of deadly diseases like Typhoid and Cholera have ended in America. It’s saved millions of lives.
Before 1894, we didn’t know much about waterborne disease. And shared cups at public fountains were common.
How It Works
Chlorine is effective in killing most dangerous organisms quickly. By attacking cell walls and structures, deadly water can become safe in just seconds to an hour.
So by the time it gets to your tap, chlorine will have done its job. But you’ll still smell and taste it.
Health Concerns Of Chlorination
Water chlorination is among the greatest public health systems created. But after more than 100 years of widespread use, a question must be asked.
Can we do better?
High levels of chlorine can leave an unpleasant, bleach-like taste in your food.
Beyond poor smell and taste, chlorination can create irritating side effects. That includes dry hair, skin, and even rashes. And if you have hard water, the problems can be worse.
But chlorine often causes serious, potentially dangerous disinfection byproducts. Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Halo-acetic acids (HAAs) are two of the most common disinfection byproducts. These dangerous compounds are linked to kidney failure, brain damage, cancer, and birth defects.
You can be exposed to disinfection byproducts through
• Drinking
• Water absorption
• Inhalation, such as while showering.
• Eye contact
Disinfection byproducts like THMs and HAAs form when organic materials in water mix with chlorine. And many factors determine how THMs and HAAs form, such as:
• Chlorine levels
• Water temperature
• Water pH
• Eye contact
Every water system is different and these factors can quickly change the levels of disinfection byproducts.
Chlorine Disinfection Byproducts Are Very Common
In 2011, 201 large American municipal water systems were tested for THMs. All came back positive.
The number of known disinfection byproducts extends past 600. And most of those haven’t been well studied and are rarely tested for. So, the EPA sets limits for only small number of byproducts.
Safer Alternatives To Chlorine
Cities and towns can switch to more expensive treatment options, such as use UV ionizers or ozone. They work just as well as chlorine but without all of the side effects. But the cost of switching is high, especially because chlorine is so cheap. And even these more advanced systems come with problems.
For the foreseeable future, chlorine will be the primary tool for water disinfection. And as long as that’s true, you have the option to remove it.
An inexpensive whole-home filter can remove chlorine and disinfection byproducts. And a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system, reduces a wide-range of contaminants, including lead.
Bottomline
Is chlorinated water safe to drink?
It depends on your standards. Water safety has come a long way since chlorination was first invented, but we still have a long ways to go. If you let your water sit, the chlorine will eventually dissipate. But disinfection byproducts like THMs and HAAs will remain. You’ll need to decide if you can tolerate that risk.
To test your water or discuss water treatment for your home, contact your local Culligan Man today.
Better water is one call away.
254-291-5487.
