Chlorine in Drinking Water: Health Risks, Sources, and How to Remove It
Chlorine is a chemical disinfectant commonly used to treat drinking water. It belongs to the disinfectant category of water contaminants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for chlorine at 4 mg/L.
Health Effects
Consuming water with chlorine levels above the standard limit can lead to health effects. Specifically, individuals may experience eye and nose irritation. Additionally, high levels of chlorine can cause stomach discomfort.
How Chlorine Gets Into Tap Water
The primary source of chlorine in drinking water is the process of water disinfection. Water treatment facilities add it to control microbes and ensure safety. As a result, it is commonly found in municipal tap water supplies.
How to Remove Chlorine From Your Water
To reduce chlorine levels in your drinking water, activated carbon filtration is a highly effective treatment method. Filtration systems utilizing activated carbon are commonly used for this purpose. These systems help remove the disinfectant to improve water quality.
Should You Test Your Water?
You can check the chlorine levels in your tap water by reviewing your local utility's annual consumer confidence report or by utilizing the WaterQ search tool. You can also look up your local water system on WaterQ or check the Chlorine data page for reported levels in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chlorine dangerous in drinking water?
Chlorine is generally safe at or below regulated limits, but elevated levels can cause health issues. Exposure to high concentrations can lead to eye and nose irritation as well as stomach discomfort. It is important to monitor levels to avoid these symptoms.
How does Chlorine get into tap water?
Chlorine enters the tap water supply through the water disinfection process. It is added during treatment to keep the water supply safe.
How can I remove Chlorine from my water?
You can remove chlorine from your drinking water by using activated carbon filtration systems. These treatment systems are effective at filtering out the disinfectant.
Source: EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and WaterQ National Database. For more contaminants, visit our contaminant library.
What actually removes chlorine taste and smell
This is the one problem where the cheap answer is the right answer. Any activated carbon filter certified to NSF/ANSI 42 removes chlorine taste and odor, and a $25 pitcher performs as well as a $1,000 system for this specific job. Do not let a chlorine smell be upsold into a whole-house purchase. Letting water sit uncovered in the fridge for a few hours also works, for free.
Works
- Basic activated carbon (NSF 42)Fixes taste and smell. Does not remove any health-regulated contaminant.
- Carbon certified for lead (NSF 53)The cheapest thing that genuinely removes lead, cysts and many VOCs.
- Reverse osmosis (NSF 58)The broadest removal available at home: arsenic, nitrate, fluoride, PFAS, TDS.
Will not fix this
- 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brita Elite Pitcher FilterPitcher | NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certified, including a lead reduction claim.Catch:No fluoride, nitrate or arsenic reduction. Not PFAS-rated. | $25–40 | $50–70 | Check price |
| PUR PLUS Faucet MountFaucet mount | NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401 certified, including lead.Catch:Slows flow noticeably and will not fit every faucet. No fluoride or nitrate claim. | $25–45 | $60–90 | Check price |
| Aquasana AQ-5200 Under-SinkUnder-sink | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 and P473 certified.Catch:Carbon, not RO — no meaningful fluoride, nitrate or arsenic reduction. | $110–160 | $80–120 | 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 chlorine taste and smell.