Chlorine is used to treat drinking water and to keep it safe to drink, it isn’t harmful but some people are more sensitive to the taste and smell than others. You can find out more information on why this is happening and what you can do to resolve the taste or smell of chlorine.
In the UK, all public water supplies must be disinfected by law to destroy any bacteria which may be harmful to your health. Predominantly, chlorine is used to ensure your water is safe to drink and meets our quality standards. We add chlorine at the final stage of water treatment in order to kill any harmful germs that may be present, and concentrations are monitored closely, 24 hours a day.
See AlsoChloride in dietUCSB Science LineIs a Chemical-Free Pool Possible?Does Bottled Water Have Chlorine? — Finding The Right Drinking Water Option for Your BusinessAlthough the level of chlorine left in our water is not harmful to health, some people are more sensitive to the taste and smell of chlorine than others. We try and keep chlorine levels as low as possible whilst maintaining a safe level for consumption. Chlorine concentrations at your tap can vary throughout the day and through the seasons, and may be higher if you live close to one of our treatment works.
Chlorine tastes and smells are often the result of our regulated disinfection process and your individual sensitivity to this, but there are a few other things within your home that may cause chlorine-like tastes or smells:
- Sometimes chlorine reacts with materials used for tap washers, anti-splash devices and seals in kettles, causing an unpleasant ‘chemical’ taste. For more information please see our page on Chemical tastes and smells.
- A chlorinous or metallic taste in hot drinks, especially tea, will not be due to the presence of chlorine. Instead it is most likely to be associated with plumbing materials, such as rubber washers, or if you have appliances (such as vending machines, dishwashers and washing machines) plumbed in before taps used for drinking water. One way to resolve this problem is to use a one-way check valve between these and your tap.
The levels of chlorine needed to disinfect drinking water are not harmful, but some people are more sensitive to the taste and smell of chlorine than others. Below are some ways you can reduce tastes and smells associated with chlorine:
- Fill a jug or glass container, cover it and allow the water to stand in the fridge until needed. If you don’t use it within 24 hours, you should discard it – why not use it to water your plants rather than pouring it down the sink?
- If you're really sensitive to the smell and can still detect it after storing it in the fridge, try boiling the water. This removes most of the chlorine. After the water cools, store it in a closed container in the fridge. Again, if you haven’t used it all within 24 hours, please discard it and use it to water your plants.
- You might also consider using a home treatment device, like a water filter; generally these are not necessary, but some customers like to use them. You will need a filter containing activated carbon, which absorbs chlorine and other substances that can influence the taste of the water.
- If not properly maintained, such devices may cause problems with water quality. Any device which is ‘plumbed-in’ must comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. Further information and advice about water filters can be found from the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme.
Watch WaterSafe's video to find out how you can tackle the taste and smell of chlorine in your water.
Certainly! Chlorine serves a vital role in water treatment processes, particularly in disinfecting water to eliminate harmful bacteria and ensure it meets safety standards. Its use in water treatment, as described in the article, involves careful monitoring of concentrations to guarantee safe consumption. Let's break down the concepts mentioned:
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Chlorine in Water Treatment:
- Purpose: Primarily used to kill harmful germs in the final stage of water treatment.
- Safety: Concentrations are closely monitored to maintain safe levels for consumption.
- Regulation: Public water supplies in the UK are mandated to be disinfected by chlorine to meet quality standards.
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Sensitivity to Chlorine:
- Individual Sensitivity: Some individuals are more sensitive to the taste and smell of chlorine than others.
- Variation in Levels: Chlorine concentrations at taps can fluctuate daily and seasonally, higher near treatment works.
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Causes of Chlorine Taste/Smell Beyond Water Treatment:
- Household Materials: Chlorine can react with materials in tap washers, kettle seals, etc., causing an unpleasant taste.
- Plumbing Materials: Metallic or chlorinous taste in hot drinks might be due to plumbing materials rather than chlorine presence.
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Addressing Chlorine Taste/Smell:
- Refrigeration: Storing water in a covered container in the fridge can reduce chlorine taste/smell. Discard after 24 hours if unused.
- Boiling: Boiling water can reduce chlorine; store cooled water in a closed container in the fridge, discarding unused after 24 hours.
- Water Filters: Activated carbon filters can absorb chlorine and improve taste. However, ensure proper maintenance to avoid water quality issues.
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Additional Information:
- Home Treatment Devices: Like water filters, these devices might not be necessary for everyone but can help those sensitive to chlorine taste/smell.
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Regulatory Compliance:
- Water Regulations: Any 'plumbed-in' device must comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
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Further Resources:
- External Guidance: Referral to resources such as the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme for more information on water filters.
- Educational Material: Reference to WaterSafe's video for tackling chlorine taste/smell in water.
Understanding the role of chlorine in water treatment, its impact on taste/smell sensitivity, and the varied methods to address these issues showcases a comprehensive knowledge of this topic. If you have any specific questions or need further details about any aspect, feel free to ask!
