Chlorine vs. Chloramine: What's in Your Dallas-Fort Worth Tap Water?

Have you ever turned on your kitchen faucet and smelled pool water? If so, you are not alone. Many families across the Dallas-Fort Worth area notice a strong chemical smell in their tap water. This smell comes from the disinfectants that cities use to clean our water.

Cities must clean the water to make sure it is safe from harmful germs. The two most common chemicals they use are chlorine and chloramine.

While both chemicals kill germs, they are very different. Let's learn about chlorine and chloramine, how they affect your home, and how you can get clean, fresh water.

What is Chlorine?

Chlorine is a chemical that cities have used to clean water for over a hundred years. It is a very strong cleaner that kills bad bacteria, viruses, and other tiny bugs in the water.

The Good Side of Chlorine

• It works fast: Chlorine kills germs quickly as soon as it touches them.
• It is cheap: It is easy and inexpensive for cities to use.

The Bad Side of Chlorine

• It does not last long: Chlorine evaporates (turns into gas) quickly. This means by the time water travels from the city plant to your home, the chlorine might be gone, leaving the water unprotected.
• It smells and tastes bad: Chlorine gives water that classic "swimming pool" smell and taste.
• It creates side effects: When chlorine mixes with natural materials in water, it can create harmful chemical byproducts. Some of these byproducts have been linked to health problems over time.

What is Chloramine?

To solve the problem of chlorine fading too fast, many cities in North Texas have switched to chloramine. Chloramine is made by mixing chlorine with a small amount of ammonia.

The Good Side of Chloramine

• It lasts a long time: Chloramine is much more stable than chlorine. It stays in the water all the way through the pipes to your tap, keeping it safe from germs the entire journey.
• Milder smell: It does not have as strong of a pool smell as pure chlorine.

The Bad Side of Chloramine

• It is hard to remove: Because chloramine is very stable, standard carbon water filters (like pitcher filters or refrigerator filters) cannot get rid of it.
• It can irritate skin and eyes: The ammonia in chloramine can make your skin dry and itchy, and it can irritate your eyes when you shower. It can also dry out your hair.
• It is toxic to pets: Chloramine is very dangerous for fish, reptiles, and amphibians. You must remove it from water before putting it in a fish tank.
• It can damage pipes: Over time, chloramine can wear down copper pipes and rubber gaskets in your plumbing, leading to leaks.

Chlorine vs. Chloramine: The Differences at a Glance

| Feature | Chlorine | Chloramine |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| What is it? | Pure chemical gas/liquid | Chlorine mixed with ammonia |

| How fast does it kill germs? | Very fast | Slower, but still effective |

| How long does it last in pipes? | Fades quickly | Stays active for a long time |

| Is it easy to filter out? | Yes, with standard carbon | No, needs special catalytic carbon |

| Effect on pipes | Gentle | Can cause corrosion and leaks |

Which Disinfectant is in Your North Texas Water?

Different cities in the DFW Metroplex use different methods. For example, some cities use chlorine, while others use chloramines. During certain times of the year, cities might do a "chlorine burn" where they temporarily switch from chloramine back to free chlorine to clean the pipes.

To find out exactly what is in your water, you can:

1. Check your city's annual Water Quality Report: This report is online and shows exactly what chemicals are added to your water.

2. Call your water utility: They can tell you what they use.

3. Get a professional water test: A water expert can test your water right at your kitchen sink.

How to Get the Chemicals Out of Your Tap Water

If you want water that tastes great and is gentle on your skin and hair, you need to remove these chemicals.

Because chloramine is so tough, a cheap pitcher filter won't do the trick. Here is what works:

• Catalytic Carbon Filters: Unlike regular carbon, catalytic carbon is specially treated to break down the chemical bond between chlorine and ammonia. This is the best way to remove chloramine.
• Reverse Osmosis Systems: These advanced systems use a special membrane along with catalytic carbon filters to remove almost everything from your water, leaving it pure and delicious.
• Whole-House Filtration: A whole-house system from ClrWtrCo filters all the water entering your home. This means you will have chemical-free water not just for drinking, but also for bathing, washing clothes, and protecting your plumbing.

At ClrWtrCo, we help families in Dallas-Fort Worth find the perfect water solution for their homes. If you are tired of dry skin, bad-tasting water, or chemical smells, contact us today for a free water test!