Water softeners are great for removing hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium. But do they also remove chlorine?
In this guide, we answer that burning question (the answer is no, in short). We’ll also talk about the prevalence of chlorine in US water supplies, whether you should remove it, and the best ways to go about it.
Can Water Softeners Remove Chlorine?
No, water softeners do not remove chlorine. They only remove hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium.
They do this via a process known as ion exchange. During this process, the water passes through a tank containing negatively charged resin beads. The positively charged calcium and magnesium ions are attracted to the resin beads, and exchange places with the negatively charged ions. As a result, the water that leaves the chamber is free of calcium and magnesium.
However, this process isn’t designed to remove chlorine.
If you’re worried about chlorine and its unwanted effects, you should consider investing in a water filter system rather than a softener. Preferably, get a water filter that uses reverse osmosis technology.
Reverse osmosis can remove large amounts of chlorine in water. The recommended RO filters for chlorine are the Waterdrop G3P800 or the AquaTRU countertop filter with RO technology.
Chlorine Prevalence in Water
Most water sources in the US rely on chlorine to disinfect the water of hazardous contaminants that can be harmful to health and well-being.
This doesn’t just include tap water—the bottled water brands you love also use chlorine to keep their product clear of bacteria.
A lot of people think that because they can’t see, taste, or smell chlorine, that it isn’t there. Unfortunately, this is not the case. At 4 milligrams per liter, chlorine concentration in municipal tap water is so low that it’s imperceptible, but it is there.
However, fortunately, those are also the levels that are considered safe for human consumption, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
If the concentration of chlorine in your tap water is higher, you will immediately notice a “community pool” smell coming from it. If that is the case, you should definitely look into lowering the chlorine levels.
Should You Remove Chlorine from Water?
The answer to this question is mainly one of personal choice. Moderate chlorine intake has no proven health risks. Nevertheless, many people remove chlorine from their drinking water just to be on the safe side.
Chlorine was used as a chemical weapon during WWI. So, it’s not too surprising that some studies link it to bladder and rectum cancers. That said, there are also studies that have found no link between chlorine and cancer.
Either way, the levels of chlorine in municipal water supplies are regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). As mentioned, this sets the safe level of chlorine in drinking water at 4.0 mg/l, which is lower than the World Health Organization’s regulated level of 5.0 mg/l.
As a result, the amount of chlorine in your tap water shouldn’t be enough to cause any health issues. Still, if you’re wary of the potential health effects of long-term chlorine consumption, there are ways you can remove it. We’ll take a look at them next.
What to Use For Chlorine Instead of Water Softeners
As we mentioned earlier, water filters are the best option for removing chlorine from your drinking water. We’ll cover some of them here but if you’d like to learn more, we talked extensively about them in our how to remove chlorine from water article.
All-In-One Softeners and Filters
Luckily, there are systems that feature both softeners and filters.
After passing your water through more than five filtration stages, these all-in-one systems soften the water before they pump it out for consumption purposes.
We recommend the SpringWell CSS1 If you’re looking to get a filter & softener combo.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filters
RO filters are able to remove up to 99% of chlorine from water. They use a semi-permeable membrane to trap chlorine particles as water passes through the membrane. The water that comes out the other side is almost free or completely free of chlorine.
There are many different types of RO filters to choose from, including:
- Whole-house RO filters: These filters are installed in the main water line that enters your home. This means they’re able to remove chlorine from all of the water your household uses.
- Under-sink RO filters: These point-of-use filters are installed beneath your kitchen sink. They supply purified water via a dedicated faucet or via your kitchen sink’s faucet but don’t purify the water used throughout the rest of your home.
- Countertop RO filters: Countertop units can be attached to a single faucet in your home. Once attached, they sit on a solid surface, typically your kitchen counter.
The type that’s best for you depends on several factors, like your household’s water demands, the size of your home, and your budget. Whichever type you choose, it’s guaranteed to be highly effective at removing chlorine from your drinking water.
Catalytic Carbon Filters
Catalytic carbon filters are another popular choice for removing chlorine from drinking water. Like RO filters, they can remove up to 99% of chlorine from the water that enters your home. So, how do they work?
The filters consist of a blend of catalytic materials like minerals or oxides and granular activated carbon (GAC). As water passes through these filters, chlorine molecules are absorbed by the GAC. This means the chlorine is left behind on the filter, and purified water carries on into your home.
As with RO filters, catalytic carbon filters are available as whole-house, under-sink, and countertop units. Generally, they tend to be a more affordable option than RO systems and are often just as effective.
In Closing
Although water softeners are highly effective at removing hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium, they’re not designed to remove chlorine. So, if you’re concerned about the negative effects of consuming chlorine via drinking water, you’ll need to invest in a water filter.
Your best bet is to purchase a reverse osmosis system like the WaterDrop G3P800 or an all-in-one Filter & Softener system like the SpringWell CSS1 Combo. Or, you could go for a whole-house system that includes a catalytic carbon filter, like the SpringWell CF1.
