How to Remove Chlorine From Tap Water

Drinking water from the tap has several advantages: it's cheaper, it doesn't force you to leave the house to go to the supermarket and carry heavy crates of water and it's more natural. However, you should be aware that tap water contains a number of substances that can cause health problems in the long run.

For example, tap water contains chlorine , a very effective disinfectant also frequently used in swimming pools. An excessive presence of chlorine can however cause an unpleasant odor and a bad taste. To tell the truth, in the water tap there is no pure chlorine, but specifically sodium hypochlorite active chlorine .

Why then put chlorine in the water? Because chlorine has a high disinfecting power capable of making the water free from bacteria.

However, the chlorine concentration must be limited according to the standards required by law.

Let's find out in detail in the following paragraphs what chlorine is , what the legislation says, what impact it can have on health and how to reduce its presence to optimal levels.

WHAT IS CHLORINE AND WHY IS IT ADDED TO TAP WATER?

The introduction of chlorine dates back to the early 1900s and was aimed at making water drinkable and improving the quality of the water, thus preventing pathologies such as typhus, cholera and dysentery.

However, it became clear, after some time, that the excessive presence of chlorine could be harmful to human health, so recommended limits were established.

Currently the maximum expected chlorine values ​​are indicated by the Legislative Decree 31/2001 , dictated by the indications of the World Health Organization .

The legislation establishes what are the maximum values ​​of chlorine and its derivatives that can be present in the water and considered safe for humans.

 

HOW TO MAKE CHLORINATION MORE EFFECTIVE?

In certain circumstances, chlorination is therefore a necessary process, however it is necessary to act with knowledge of the facts. To this end, chlorination procedures have been established to keep chlorine levels within safety standards for human health, and at the same time eliminate microorganisms without affecting the taste and odor of the water.

Much also depends on the type of water, which can vary significantly between neighboring areas. Some deep groundwater, for example, was found to be completely pure and not contaminated by microbiological pollutants, so in these cases no disinfection process is envisaged.

However, if maintenance work is carried out on the aqueduct, it is necessary to disinfect the pipes following the interventions.

 

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF CHLORINE ON HUMAN HEALTH?

Chlorine is an excellent disinfectant against various bacteria, spores and microorganisms, some of which are very dangerous for humans .

In reality the groundwater has an underground origin and therefore is microbiologically pure, so in theory it would not need disinfection works. However, the addition of chlorine becomes necessary in case of maintenance interventions on the water network.

Chlorine in itself is not particularly harmful to human health, as it would be enough to run a little water from the tap to make it evaporate. The main dangers for humans, however, come from its by-products, such as trihalomethanes and other organic derivatives, which are formed following the reaction of chlorine with the organic matter present in the raw waters. These substances can cause liver damage, allergies and even forms of anemia, especially if present in excessive quantities.

Is Boiling Water To Remove Chlorine?

Many people wonder if boiling water is an efficient way to get rid of chlorine. Indeed the answer is yes, but it is not the best solution. In fact, boiling kills bacteria and sterilizes the water, but these microorganisms are still ingested. Boiling water is therefore only a temporary remedy to eliminate bacteria and bad odor.

It also increases the fixed residue and also the hardness of the water , because the water molecules evaporate but the solid content remains. You realize this because the water is particularly heavy and difficult to drink. Keep in mind that this same water is also used for cooking or washing fruit and vegetables, so your body also absorbs it indirectly and in the long run it can be affected.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF CHLORINE?

There are several systems to reduce the amount of chlorine in the water and the most popular on the market are two:

microfiltration water purifiers;

reverse osmosis.

These systems optimize the chlorination process and also do not alter the taste and smell of the water. However, I do not recommend microfiltration water purifiers , as they do not lighten the water. On the other hand, reverse osmosis is the most effective method as it makes the water very light and low in mineral salts, exactly like San Benedetto .

HOW DOES THE REVERSE OSMOSIS PROCESS WORK?

Reverse osmosis is one of the most powerful water filtration systems, managed by a functional and slim device that can be installed under the plinth, under the sink, vertically or horizontally. It therefore fits perfectly into any type of home, optimizing the available space and guaranteeing impeccable results.

The membranes of osmosis systems retain all particles larger than 0.0001 microns. Tap water subjected to a reverse osmosis process is pure and light and is called oligomineral.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF REVERSE OSMOSIS?

Beyond the reduction of chlorine, guaranteed by the activated carbon filter present before the membrane, reverse osmosis brings a series of obvious health benefits.

Specifically, reverse osmosis eliminates:

·         The heavy metals which are particularly difficult to expel and can be deposited in organic tissues, causing damage even quite serious for the health;

·         Sediments and rust , mainly present in rather old pipes;

·         Nitrates , ie residues of pesticides released in fields that penetrate into the aquifers and that risk turning into potentially carcinogenic nitrites within the human body;

·         Viruses and bacteria , blocked by the purifier as they cannot pass through the pores;

·         Fluoride , a substance added to water that in excessive quantities risks causing attention deficit;

·         Arsenic , a semi-metal that causes rather significant damage to the human body.

·         In conclusion, reverse osmosis allows you to:

·         Do not pollute, significantly reducing the environmental impact;

·         Significantly cut the expenses of the family budget in relation to the purchase of bottles of water;

·         Increase the quality of life and improve general psychophysical well-being.

Are you interested in knowing the cost of a purifier  and how much it can impact on your wallet?

Consider that installing a purifier that delivers natural water directly from the tap saves you on the cost of bottled water that you buy at the supermarket, so the purchase does not involve an increase in expenses in an average family of 4.