Tap water all around the globe, including the US, contains chlorine. Water suppliers make use of chlorine as a disinfectant to kill bacteria and other toxic organisms. The primary intention of adding chlorine to public water is to make it safe for drinking purposes.
However, it is important to note that continuous exposure to water that is affected by chlorine is not good for humans. That is why medical experts and doctors to always dechlorinate water before drinking it. You don’t need to look around. In this article, we are going to explain how you can efficiently dechlorinate tap water.
Why is it necessary to dechlorinate tap water?
There is no doubt that chlorine is added to tap water as a disinfectant to kill bacteria, pathogens, and other microorganisms. However, consuming water that has higher chlorine levels can result in several health issues.
For example, it can result in irritation of skin, eyes, or even respiratory. Apart from this, higher levels of chlorine can also damage both the taste and odor of the water, making it unpleasant to drink.
Due to these reasons, it is necessary to dechlorinate tap water.
How to Perfectly Dechlorinate Tap Water – Different Ways
There are a number of ways through which you can efficiently dechlorinate the water; some of the common and effective are discussed below.
1. Letting it sit:
You should let it sit in the chlorine-affected water for up to 24 hours. The chlorine particles will naturally evaporate, making them safe and pleasant to drink. This is the simplest method that you can consider following.
The good is that it does not require a single penny. However, it does take you valuable as you have to wait for around 24 hours so that chlorine can dissipate. This can become a real hassle if you have multiple members in your home and have large water usage.
2. Boiling:
We believe everyone knows what we are going to discuss in this way. However, some of you may have a question in your mind that boiling water only removes bacteria and organisms from it…how does it remove chlorine? Don’t worry; let us provide you with the answer.
Chlorine is volatile, so whenever water is polluted with it boiled, the chlorine will evaporate. For efficient removal, it is necessary to boil water for at least 10-15 minutes. And just remember, if your tap water contains other impurities and contaminants such as viruses, sediment, or heavy metals, then even boiling water will not remove them.
3. Make use of reverse osmosis filters:
Reverse osmosis (RO) filters are the most advanced type of filters that are not only good at removing chlorine from the water but also eliminate several other contaminants and impurities. These systems make use of a special semipermeable membrane that efficiently captures chlorine substances, providing totally clean and safe drinking water.
4. Use activated carbon filters:
Activated carbon filters are a type of water filtration that is considered effective at removing contaminants. These filtration systems work by absorbing the chlorine onto the surface of carbon, effectively removing it from the water.
5. Ultra-violet treatment
This treatment makes use of ultra-violet light beams in order to efficiently neutralize chlorine and other hazardous microorganisms in the tap water.
The UV treatment is often used with a combination of other filtration systems. A UV lamp is installed in a water filtration system. When the tap water flows through the lamp, the UV light efficiently breaks down the molecules of chlorine and toxic pathogens in it.
6. Consider using dechlorination products:
This is the final way on our list through which you can efficiently dechlorinate the tap water. You can easily find a number of dechlorination products, such as vitamin C tablets or sodium thiosulfate. Both these can greatly help in neutralizing chlorine.
All you have to do is just add them to the tap water. However, it is a must for you to follow the provided instructions.
So, these are some of the effective yet easy ways that you can consider following in order to perfectly dechlorinate tap water.
Benefits of Consuming Water That is Free From Chlorine
There are a number of benefits of consuming water that does not contain chlorine.
1. Water will taste & smell good:
The presence of chlorine molecules in tap water can greatly affect both its overall taste and odor, making it unpleasant to drink.
So, obviously, the removal of chlorine will definitely result in improving the overall taste and smell. This will encourage people to drink, consume the maximum amount of water, and live healthy lives.
2. Reduced risk of skin and respiratory infection or irritation:
Continuous exposure to chlorine-affected water can potentially lead to either skin or respiratory infection. This can be especially true for individuals with already bad health. However, when they drink water that is free from chlorine, the chances of skin and respiratory infection are greatly reduced.
3. Better for aquatic:
If you have a fish pond in your home or office, giving them chlorine-affected water can be dangerous. So, avoid it and start giving dechlorinated water for better health.
So, these are some of the benefits of using dechlorinated tap water.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I determine that my tap water is affected by chlorine?
You can usually tell tap water is contaminated by chlorine by tasting or smelling it. Water that is affected by chlorine often has a distinct odor and a bleach-like taste.
How can I know that my tap water is perfectly dechlorinated?
You can make use of a chlorine kit. It will provide you with information about the chlorine levels after the dechlorination process.
Final Words:
It is crucial to dechlorinate tap water to get rid of health issues and improve the water’s taste. There are a number of ways through which you can efficiently dechlorinate the water, including letting it sit, boiling, using water filters, and UV (Ultraviolet) treatment.
Chlorinated water tastes better, and it reduces the risk of skin. It often reduces the risk of respiratory issues and is safer for aquatic life.
