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Keep the Chlorine Smell in Your Swimming Pool, Not Your Drinking Water
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Updated: February 24, 2023 August 7, 2013
We’re in the thick of summertime – sunshine, hot weather, swimming pools. You can probably smell the chlorine wafting from your glass of drinking water.
Wait. That’s not right. You should be smelling chlorine in your pool, not your drinking water. So what gives?
Here’s a little known fact: did you know chlorine has been widely used as a disinfectant for drinking water since the early 1900s? Chlorine didn’t just revolutionize water purification, though. It has been hailed as the major public health achievement of the 20th century!
Today, chlorine remains the most widely used chemical for water disinfection to ward off waterborne diseases (like typhoid, hepatitis and cholera). However, in the past there has been some discussion about water disinfection byproducts (DBPs) – which can make their way into the water supply – and tap water safety. To help consumers sort the facts from the myths, let Culligan answer some top consumer questions:
1. What is a disinfection byproduct?
DBPs form when disinfectants used to treat drinking water react with naturally occurring materials in the water. Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids are the primary byproducts that result from the use of chlorine as a disinfectant.
2. Are there actions being taken by federal and local agencies to monitor or reduce DBPs?
The EPA has regulated the presence of DBPs since 1979 to address potential health risks posed by chlorinated water. And, in some communities, the EPA has even required water utilities to reduce the amount of DBPs by switching to alternative disinfectants such as chloramine.
3. How do I know if my drinking water contains DBPs?
If you have concerns, you can turn to a couple of easy to access, reliable resources. Obtain a free copy of your Consumer Confidence Report from the EPA to see exactly what is in your local municipal water supply and how it is being treated before it reaches your home or simply review your annual water quality report that you receive from your local water utility.
4. What can I do to limit DBPs in my home’s drinking water?
Consider adding a household reverse osmosis system for an extra level of security. Culligan’s patented water filtration technology – including systems like Aqua-Cleer® – can be customized to reduce possible impurities in your water, such as aesthetic chlorine, lead, radium, and cysts.
What are you waiting for? Reach out to your local Culligan Water Expert and find a water solution that’s right for you. Stick to worrying about the chlorine in your pool, not your drinking water.
*Chlorine and other contaminants are not necessarily in your water.
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