Why Chlorine in Your Water?

Chlorine is a chemical element that is most commonly used as a powerful and inexpensive disinfectant. As a child, you likely first became aware of chlorine when you went swimming in a pool and experienced the signature smell and sting firsthand.

Chlorine has been used for over a century in public drinking water as a disinfectant to remove organic contaminants like bacteria and viruses. Chlorine is effective at protecting us from outbreaks of waterborne illness and from pathogens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Because of chlorine treatment, our water supplies, on paper, are among the cleanest in the world. However, recent studies have shown that this chemical can cause harm when left in our water. Many homeowners are now removing chlorine from their drinking water as it enters the home.