Chloramine in Drinking Water: Health Risks, Sources, and How to Remove It
Chloramine is a chemical disinfectant commonly utilized in water treatment systems. It belongs to the disinfectant category of water contaminants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4 mg/L for this substance.
Health Effects
Exposure to chloramine in drinking water above the recommended levels can lead to eye and nose irritation. Additionally, individuals may experience stomach discomfort or anemia from consuming affected water.
How Chloramine Gets Into Tap Water
Chloramine enters drinking water systems specifically through the process of water disinfection. It is introduced during municipal water treatment to ensure public supplies remain sanitized.
How to Remove Chloramine From Your Water
If you need to reduce chloramine levels in your drinking water, effective treatment methods are available. Catalytic carbon filtration and reverse osmosis systems are commonly used to remove this disinfectant.
Should You Test Your Water?
You can check for the presence of chloramine by reviewing your local water utility's annual consumer confidence report or by searching the WaterQ database. You can also look up your local water system on WaterQ or check the Chloramine data page for reported levels in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chloramine dangerous in drinking water?
While chloramine is used to keep water safe, exposure to levels exceeding the regulatory standard can cause eye and nose irritation. It may also lead to stomach discomfort and anemia.
How does Chloramine get into tap water?
Chloramine is introduced into tap water during the water disinfection process. Municipal utilities add it to treat and sanitize public water supplies.
How can I remove Chloramine from my water?
You can remove chloramine from your water by using treatment methods such as catalytic carbon filtration or reverse osmosis. These systems are effective at reducing disinfectant levels in home water supplies.
Source: EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and WaterQ National Database. For more contaminants, visit our contaminant library.
What actually removes chloramine
Many utilities switched from chlorine to chloramine because it lasts longer in the pipes — and that same persistence is why ordinary activated carbon barely touches it. You need catalytic carbon, a specific higher grade of media. If you bought a carbon filter for a chlorine smell and it did not help, chloramine is the usual explanation. Chloramine also will not dissipate by letting water sit out, unlike chlorine.
Works
- Catalytic carbonRequired for chloramine. Standard carbon barely touches it.
- Reverse osmosis (NSF 58)The broadest removal available at home: arsenic, nitrate, fluoride, PFAS, TDS.
Will not fix this
- Basic activated carbon (NSF 42)
- Ion-exchange water softener
- UV disinfection (NSF 55)
Options that carry the right certification
Ordered cheapest-adequate first. Prices are indicative bands and move often.
| Product | Certification | Upfront | Per year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpringWell CF1 Whole-House CarbonWhole house | Catalytic carbon media, which is the grade required to reduce chloramine.Catch:Whole-house carbon protects showers and appliances but is not a substitute for a point-of-use lead or PFAS filter at the tap. | $900–1,400 | $0–100 | Check price |
| APEC ROES-50 EssenceUnder-sink | Built with WQA-certified components to NSF/ANSI 58.Catch:Needs an under-sink drain connection and a spare hole for the dedicated faucet. Strips minerals — some people dislike the flat taste. | $180–240 | $50–80 | Check price |
| AquaTru Countertop Reverse OsmosisCountertop | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 401 and P473 certified.Catch:Takes counter space and you refill a tank by hand. Wastes some water as brine, like all RO. | $400–500 | $80–130 | Check price |
Certification listings change. Before buying, confirm the current listing for the exact model in the NSF certified products database — a manufacturer's marketing page is not a certification. WaterQ earns a commission on purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you; see our affiliate disclosure. This is general information, not medical or engineering advice.
For a full breakdown of certifications, running costs and the models worth considering, see our buying guide for chloramine.