How Do You Remove Chlorine From Tap Water?

Most city water is disinfected with chlorine or chloramine. It's there for safety, but many people dislike the taste and smell. If you have ever felt like your morning shower smells more like a public swimming pool than a fresh spring, you are not alone. Municipal water providers add these chemicals to the water supply to neutralize bacteria and viruses that could otherwise travel through miles of underground pipes to reach your home.

While this disinfection process is essential for public health, the chlorine has served its purpose by the time the water arrives at your faucet. Removing it at the point of entry into your home can significantly improve the quality of your daily life. You can reduce chlorine through several methods, ranging from simple pitchers to advanced whole-home carbon filtration systems that treat every drop of water before it reaches your family.

Why is chlorine added to your water?

City water treatment plants have a complex job. They must ensure that the water leaving the facility is free of harmful microorganisms. Chlorine is a highly effective disinfectant that is easy to manage on a large scale. It creates a residual barrier that stays in the water as it travels through the distribution system. This prevents the growth of algae and bacteria within the infrastructure of the city.

However, once that water reaches your kitchen sink or your bathroom, the chlorine is no longer needed. In fact, many homeowners find it to be a nuisance. It can cause a sharp, chemical odor and a bitter taste. Because chlorine is a reactive chemical, it can also interact with organic matter, which is why many Florida residents look for ways to filter it out before drinking, cooking, or bathing.

Common options for chlorine removal

There are several ways to address chlorine in your home, depending on your needs and your budget. Some people only care about the taste of their drinking water, while others want to ensure their skin and hair are protected in the shower. Here are the most common approaches used today:

• Pitcher or faucet filters for drinking water: These are entry-level options that use small carbon blocks to improve the flavor of a few gallons at a time.
• Under-sink filters for the kitchen: These systems provide a dedicated tap for filtered cooking and drinking water, often using more robust filtration media than a pitcher.
• Reverse osmosis systems: These systems provide high-level filtration for drinking water, often removing a wide range of impurities in addition to chlorine.
• Whole-house carbon filtration: This is the most comprehensive solution. It treats the water at the main line, meaning every tap in the house—including showers, laundry, and bathroom sinks—delivers filtered water.

Chlorine vs. chloramine: What is the difference?

It is important to understand exactly what your utility company is using to treat your water. While traditional chlorine is common, many modern utilities are switching to chloramine. Chloramine is a combination of chlorine and ammonia. It is often preferred by cities because it is more stable and lasts longer in the pipes than standard chlorine.

The challenge for homeowners is that chloramine is much harder to remove. Standard carbon filters that work well for chlorine may not have enough contact time to effectively neutralize chloramine. If your water report indicates the presence of chloramine, you will need specialized filtration media, such as catalytic carbon, to get the job done. Checking your local water quality report is the first step in choosing the right system.

The benefits of carbon filtration

Activated carbon is the gold standard for removing chlorine. Carbon works through a process called adsorption. Because carbon is incredibly porous, it has a massive surface area that attracts and traps chemical molecules like chlorine. When water passes through a carbon bed, the chlorine chemically reacts with the carbon surface and is removed from the water stream.

At Galene, we utilize our 20 plus years of engineering experience to design systems that maximize this process. Our whole-home systems are built with 50 percent more filtration media than many standard systems. This extra media provides a longer contact time, which is essential for ensuring the chlorine or chloramines are thoroughly addressed before the water moves into your home's plumbing.

Whole-home treatment for every tap

If you notice a chemical smell while you are showering, a simple pitcher in the fridge will not solve the problem. Chlorine can be absorbed through the skin, and the steam from a hot shower can release chlorine vapors into the air of your bathroom. This is why many Florida homeowners opt for a whole-home filtration system.

A whole-home system is installed where the water line enters your house. This means that every drop of water used for laundry, dishwashing, and bathing is treated. This helps protect your plumbing fixtures and can make a noticeable difference in the softness of your hair and the condition of your skin, as chlorine is known for its drying effects.

Why choose factory-direct filtration?

When looking for water treatment solutions, the quality of the components and the engineering behind the system matter. We provide factory-direct pricing, which means you are getting high-grade, professional equipment without the unnecessary markups often found in retail environments. Our systems are designed specifically for the unique water conditions found in Florida, from Orlando and The Villages down to Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties.

Working with certified water specialists ensures that you aren't just buying a generic filter, but a system tailored to your specific water chemistry. We offer a free in-home water assessment to help you identify exactly what is in your water, whether it is high levels of chlorine, chloramine, or other minerals.

Improving your drinking water with reverse osmosis

For the highest quality drinking water, many families pair their whole-home filtration with a reverse osmosis (RO) system. While the whole-home carbon filter removes chlorine for the entire house, an RO system provides an extra layer of protection at the kitchen sink. It uses a semi-permeable membrane to filter out a wide range of contaminants that carbon alone might miss.

As a special benefit for our customers, a free RO system is offered with a whole-home installation, though terms do apply. This combination ensures that your bathing water is free of chlorine odors and your drinking water is of the highest possible clarity and taste. We stand behind our work with a 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure you are completely satisfied with the transition to filtered water.

Is it easy to maintain a chlorine filtration system?

Maintenance depends on the type of system you choose. Pitcher filters require frequent cartridge changes. However, professionally installed whole-home carbon systems are designed for convenience. These systems typically use large tanks of media that handle thousands of gallons of water before requiring service. Because our systems feature 50 percent more media, they are built for durability and long-term performance in high-demand households.

Does boiling water remove chlorine?

Yes, boiling water will eventually cause chlorine to evaporate. However, this is not a practical solution for most families. It takes a significant amount of time and energy to boil and then cool enough water for a household's daily needs. Furthermore, boiling does not address the water you use for showering or washing clothes. It also does not remove chloramines effectively, as they are much more stable in water than free chlorine.

Will a carbon filter remove all contaminants?

No filter removes every single possible contaminant. While activated carbon is excellent for chlorine and improving taste and odor, it is not designed to remove every impurity, such as all PFAS or all dissolved solids. This is why we recommend a comprehensive approach, often starting with a free in-home water assessment to determine which combination of filtration technologies is right for your specific home and goals.

Can I install a whole-home system myself?

While some basic filters are DIY-friendly, a whole-home carbon filtration system involves cutting into the main water line and ensuring the system is properly programmed and sealed. Professional installation by certified specialists ensures the system operates at peak efficiency and prevents potential leaks or pressure drops in your home. Our team serves a wide area, including Ocala, Brevard, Indian River, and Martin counties, bringing expert engineering directly to your doorstep.