Chlorine in Water: What Salt Softener Companies Aren’t Telling You

young pretty couple having unpleasant taste from the cup indoor

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Pentair Water Solutions

02/01/2019

What Salt Softener Companies Aren’t Telling You About Chlorine in Water

Why did you buy a water softener? There’s a good chance you either read about or experienced the drawbacks of hard water. Water softeners cut down on scale buildup and residue and make soaps and detergents more effective.

Choosing a water softener means you're a smart cookie. That means you know that traditional salt-based systems use ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium — the two minerals causing hard water havoc.

But calcium and magnesium aren't the only compounds in play. There's a good chance your water also contains chlorine, as it's commonly used to remove germs that cause diseases like Salmonella and norovirus.

The good news is that chlorine isn't harmful to you at the levels used to disinfect water. The bad news is that salt-based water softeners don't remove any chlorine, which isn't great if you don't like the smell or taste. But there are other options.

What Does a Saltwater Filtration System Remove from Water?

Now you're probably wondering — if my saltwater filtration system doesn't remove chlorine, is it even any good?

Yes. Your system is doing just what it's meant to do: remove calcium and magnesium. Chlorine was never part of the picture. But if you do have concerns, other solutions can help — for example, the Pentair 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Undersink Filter.

Not only does this system tackle chlorine, but it can also reduce more than 99% of impurities found in your home's water. We're talking about things like arsenic, dissolved solids, lead, and more. These systems offer better-tasting water on demand — giving you peace of mind about your supply.

Pros and Cons of Chlorine in Your Water

Disgusted woman drinking water with bad taste isolated on white at side; Shutterstock ID 758208634

The introduction of chlorine into water supply systems has gone a long way in giving us better water to drink. It does an amazing job at reducing the levels of bacteria that cause diseases like:

Typhoid fever
Dysentery
Cholera
Legionnaires' disease

And it doesn't take a lot of chlorine to see these positive effects. The World Health Organization notes that there's typically only 0.2–1 mg/L of chlorine in our drinking water. For reference, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that up to 4 mg/L of chlorine is considered safe.

The big question — why is chlorine so unwanted if it’s used by water utilities to disinfect your water?

The biggest problem for most people is the taste and smell. Those with sensitive taste buds and noses say that the chemical smell reminds them of a swimming pool. Not so great for quenching thirst.

There are also a few other health concerns linked to chlorine — but keep in mind, these concerns typically only occur at higher concentrations, above the CDC recommended range.

The American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology notes that consistently showering or bathing in chlorinated water can cause irritant dermatitis in some people. You may see hives, dry skin, and itchy spots. Chlorine can also strip your hair of its natural oils, making it more brittle and dull.

All in all, the germ-killing benefits of chlorine outweigh most of the potential drawbacks.

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_{Disclaimer: The information on this website has not been reviewed by the FDA. Products offered for sale herein are not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. No medical claims are being made or implied. Contaminants mentioned are not necessarily in your water.}

Chlorine in Water: What Salt Softener Companies Aren’t Telling You

What Salt Softener Companies Aren’t Telling You About Chlorine in Water