Most of the water supplied to our homes is treated by chlorine. While the good news is that chlorine is very effective in killing the harmful bacteria and viruses from the water, the bad news is that it can also cause various illnesses in the long run.
So if you’re looking for methods of removing chlorine from drinking water or if you hate that awful taste and bleach-like smell of your water, then you don’t have to worry anymore!
Because in this article, we will tell you about the 5 best methods to remove chlorine from your water.
So let’s get started!
5 Tips to Remove Chlorine from Water
1. Removing Chlorine From Water By Evaporation
If you’re searching for a cost-effective way of removing chlorine from your water, we recommend you opt for the evaporation method.
Chlorine is an easily evaporating chemical. At room temperature, it changes into a gas. As a result, the warmer the air, the quicker the chlorine will evaporate.
For removing chlorine with the evaporation method, fill a bucket of water and place it in an area with adequate sunlight. The chlorine in the water will evaporate due to exposure to the sun and air over time.
Also, check the water at regular intervals with the help of a chlorine test kit to determine the amount of chlorine left in the water.
2. Boiling To Dechlorinate The Water
Boiling is one of the most common methods of removing chlorine from water. It requires minimal effort and no equipment is required to boil the water, other than a container. Furthermore, boiling is a cost-effective method and you don’t need to worry about any chemicals added to your water.
However, boiling doesn’t work well in eliminating chloramine, which is ammonia + chlorine. In addition, boiling water for drinking water daily is not a very feasible option.
While the time you boil depends on the amount of water, we recommend that you boil it for at least 15-20 minutes.
3. Reverse Osmosis (RO) To Remove Chlorine From Water
RO or the reverse osmosis process is known to be the most effective method of dechlorination as it can eliminate up to 99% of chlorine from water.
You can buy a RO water purifier or set up a reverse osmosis system in your kitchen (under the sink).
An RO system consists of a semi-permeable membrane that prevents bacteria and viruses from passing into the water and filters out any impurities, even dissolved compounds. It has a multiple filtration process:
- Firstly, the water travels through the sediment filter, which removes all solid pollutants.
- Then the water goes through an activated carbon filter, which eliminates the chlorine from the water. Reverse osmosis alone can’t remove chlorine and due to this reason, an activated carbon filter is installed in a RO system.
- Finally, the water travels through a post-carbon filter to enhance its color and taste.
4. UV Light To Dechlorinate The Water
Using UV lights or bulbs to remove chlorine from water is an effective method. A UV light removes both chlorine and chloramine and the best part is, it offers chemical-free purification. You can either purchase a UV light from the market or get a UV water purifier installed.
The science behind UV lamps is simple: chlorine is sensitive to light, so UV radiation penetrates the chlorinated compounds and destroys them. The more chlorine is exposed to UV radiation, the higher its dissipation.
However, a UV light isn’t budget-friendly since you will have to replace it every year, or else, it will render less effective. Also, UV radiation can be harmful to health in the long run.
5. Chemical To Neutralize The Water
Chemical neutralization is a lesser-known method for reducing the chlorine content in drinking water. This is done by using chemicals that can effectively remove chlorine.
You can buy one of the most popular chemical disinfectants, potassium metabisulphite, which is mostly available in tablet form. Once the chemical is dissolved in your drinking water, it helps neutralize the chlorine or even removes it completely.
Additionally, you can also use vitamin C tablets to remove chlorine. Both forms of vitamin C, ascorbic acid, and sodium ascorbate are excellent options when it comes to dechlorinating water.
It is economical, safe, and an eco-friendly alternative. All you need to do is to sprinkle ascorbic acid on water and mix well.
Why Is Chlorine Added To Drinking Water?
Now that you know the various methods of removing chlorine from water, let us also inform you why it is added to water. The reason is – it acts as a disinfectant and makes the water safe for drinking.
Chlorine works wonders when it comes to removing harmful bacteria and viruses from the water. It kills bacteria and viruses by disrupting the chemical bonds in their molecules. It also helps in the reduction of bad tastes and odors in water.
How Much Chlorine Is Too Much?
Drinking water with small amounts of chlorine protects you from a variety of waterborne diseases. However, high chlorine doses can induce many ailments in the long run.
The level of chlorine in drinking water should not exceed 4 milligrams per liter, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
That’s why we recommend having your water tested to ascertain its chlorine levels.
Health Impacts Of Drinking Chlorinated Water
Some of the health concerns linked with drinking chlorinated water are:
- Respiratory issues include wheezing, shortness of breath, and asthma, among others.
- Birth problems – Pregnant women who drink chlorinated water have a higher chance of having babies with birth defects.
- Increased risk of bladder cancer – Recent studies have found that chlorine can cause bladder cancer.
- Irritation of the eyes and skin, etc.
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FAQs
1. What are the signs that my drinking water contains too much chlorine?
The bleach-like smell and discoloration of water, and physical symptoms such as diarrhea, and vomiting, etc, are some of the warning signs of high levels of chlorine in your drinking water.
2. How long does chlorine take to evaporate from water?
The time it takes for chlorine to evaporate from water varies from 24-72 hours, depending on the amount of water.
Conclusion
By now, we hope you are aware of the different chlorine removal methods. While chlorine is necessary for destroying harmful bacteria and viruses in your drinking water, there are health hazards associated with drinking water that has excessive levels of chlorine.
Therefore, if you find that the amount of chlorine in your water is too much, you can opt for any of the removal methods that we have listed above.
If you still have any questions, please let us know in the comment section below. We will be happy to help you. Also, do let us know which method grabbed your interest the most!
