what is residual chlorine in drinking water

What is Residual Chlorine in Drinking Water and How Does it Affect You?

Many people take access to clean drinking water for granted. However, even treated water may contain residual chemicals, such as chlorine, that may have negative effects on your health. In this article, we’ll explore what residual chlorine in drinking water is, why it is added, and what risks it poses.

What is Chlorine?

Chlorine is one of the most commonly used disinfectants to remove waterborne pathogens from drinking water. Common sources of chlorine in drinking water include municipal water treatment plants and private wells. Chlorine kills bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms present in water.

Why is Chlorine Added to Drinking Water?

Chlorination of drinking water has been a common practice for nearly 100 years. Adding chlorine to water eliminates the risk of waterborne diseases, such as cholera and typhoid fever. Chlorine is added to water at the treatment plant to kill harmful pathogens that could cause sickness and disease.

What is Residual Chlorine?

Residual chlorine is the amount of chlorine left in the water after the initial disinfection process at a water treatment plant. The amount of residual chlorine can vary depending on many factors, including the amount of organic matter in the water, temperature, and the amount of chlorine added.

What are the Effects of Residual Chlorine on Drinking Water?

While chlorine is used to disinfect water and kill harmful pathogens, it can also have negative health effects when consumed in high quantities. Chlorine can combine with organic matter in the water to form disinfection by-products (DBPs) that may pose risks to human health.

The most common DBPs are trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). The ingestion of large amounts of these chemicals has been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer, reproductive issues, and liver damage.

What are Safe Levels of Residual Chlorine in Drinking Water?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a safe level for residual chlorine in drinking water at 4 milligrams per liter (mg/L), or 4 parts per million (ppm). This is the maximum level of safe chlorine that can be present in drinking water without causing harm.

In some cases, the level of residual chlorine may be higher than the safe level. This can occur when water sits too long in pipes and chlorine continues to react with organic material in the water, producing more DBPs. It is advisable to test the level of residual chlorine in your drinking water periodically to ensure it remains within the safe range.

How to Remove Residual Chlorine from Drinking Water?

One simple and effective way to remove residual chlorine from drinking water is to let it sit for an extended period of time. Chlorine will naturally evaporate from water if left in a container uncovered for a few hours.

Another way to remove chlorine is through activated carbon filtration. These filters remove chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other chemicals from the water. Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration is another effective method to remove chlorine and other contaminants. RO is a water purification process that removes impurities from water by forcing it through a semipermeable membrane.

Conclusion

Chlorine is a commonly used disinfectant to remove waterborne pathogens from drinking water. While it is necessary to keep our water supply safe, it is important to ensure that it remains safe for human consumption. Residual chlorine in drinking water can have negative health effects, and it is crucial to monitor the levels of residual chlorine in your water to ensure it remains within the safe range. If you have concerns about the safety of your drinking water, it is advisable to consult with a professional water quality specialist.

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