Chlorine In Drinking Water: Pros, Cons, And Frequently Asked Questions

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Chlorine in drinking water is a topic that often stirs up heated discussions. Chlorine is commonly used as a disinfectant in public water supplies to kill harmful bacteria and other microbes. This safeguards our health from waterborne diseases. However, the downside is that chlorine in drinking water can also have potential health risks if the levels are too high. It can lead to respiratory issues and skin irritations, and in some severe cases, it has been linked to cancer. So, it becomes crucial to balance its benefits and risks, ensuring clean yet safe water for all. 

Every day, billions of people worldwide consume tap water treated with chlorine. While this practice has significantly reduced the prevalence of waterborne diseases, it has also raised questions about potential long-term health effects.

This comprehensive guide will delve into all aspects of chlorine in drinking water, discussing its advantages, downsides, and frequently asked questions related to its use. We’ll also explore related topics such as ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential) and its connection to chlorine, as well as the use of chlorine sensors and dosing systems in water treatment.

Understanding Chlorine And Its Role In Water Treatment

Chlorine is a chemical element used for various purposes, including water purification. It’s a potent disinfectant, capable of killing or deactivating harmful microorganisms in water that cause diseases. In public water supplies, chlorine is often added to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that could cause illness if ingested. This process, known as “chlorination,” has been a standard water treatment method worldwide for over a century.

Chlorination has a rich history dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The practice gained popularity in 1908 when Jersey City Water Works became the first U.S. system to implement large-scale chlorination permanently. This process led to a significant decrease in waterborne diseases, marking one of the most crucial advances in public health.

Importance Of Chlorine In Water Disinfection

The primary purpose of adding chlorine to water is disinfection. The importance of chlorine in water disinfection cannot be overstated. This simple, yet incredibly effective chemical compound has been the mainstay of water treatment for many decades, ensuring our tap water is safe to drink and use.

Chlorine has a unique ability to rapidly kill bacteria and other harmful microorganisms, making it an ideal disinfectant. When introduced into water, it works quickly to neutralize a wide range of dangerous pathogens, including those responsible for causing diseases like typhoid, cholera, and dysentery. Not only does chlorine effectively kill bacteria and viruses, but it also helps to eliminate slimy biofilms that can form in water pipes and storage tanks, which can be costly to repair.

Furthermore, chlorine provides a residual level of disinfection. This means that even after the initial treatment process, a small amount of chlorine remains in the water to prevent microbial regrowth as it travels from the treatment plant to your home. This is very important as it ensures that the water remains safe to drink even if it has to travel long distances.

However, balancing the benefits and potential risks of chlorine usage is crucial. While high levels of chlorine can be harmful, regulated and monitored levels ensure safety and effectiveness. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidelines for safe levels of chlorine (5mg/L) in drinking water to ensure public health.

ORP And Its Relation To Chlorine In Drinking Water

Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) is a crucial parameter in water quality assessment, particularly concerning chlorine levels. ORP measures the ability of a substance to oxidize or reduce another substance, which is directly related to the disinfecting power of chlorine in water.

In the context of drinking water, a higher ORP value generally indicates better disinfection capability. Chlorine, being a strong oxidizing agent, contributes significantly to the ORP of water. As chlorine levels increase, so does the ORP, indicating a greater potential for disinfection.

Monitoring ORP is essential for ensuring effective water treatment. An ORP meter, such as the one offered by Atlas Scientific, can provide real-time measurements of water’s oxidizing potential. This allows water treatment professionals to adjust chlorine levels precisely, ensuring optimal disinfection while avoiding excessive chlorination.

Health Effects Of Chlorinated Drinking Water

While chlorine is non-toxic to humans at concentrations found in drinking water, its long-term consumption can have health implications. Some research suggests that continuous exposure to chlorinated water (such as in swimming pools) can exacerbate asthma symptoms, increase food allergies, and even lead to congenital abnormalities.

Additionally, some studies have linked the consumption of chlorinated water to bladder and rectal cancer, while others found no such link. However, more research is necessary to fully understand the impacts of chronic chlorine consumption.

Taste And Odor Concerns

Scientifically speaking, chlorine alters the sensory properties of water. It reacts with organic matter in the water to produce compounds known as disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Some of these DBPs are responsible for the characteristic ‘chlorine’ smell and taste that we often associate with tap water.

Additionally, high levels of chlorine can make the water taste bitter or metallic. While these taste and odor issues don’t necessarily indicate that the water is unsafe to drink, they can certainly make it less enjoyable to consume.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) Of Chlorination

An important aspect to consider regarding chlorination is the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs). When chlorine reacts with organic substances naturally present in water, it forms compounds called trihalomethanes (THMs), which can have negative health impacts. Some studies suggest that long-term exposure to DBPs can increase the risk of certain cancers, respiratory issues, and even congenital anomalies.

Chloramine: An Alternative To Chlorine

Considering the potential health risks of chlorination, some water systems have adopted alternative disinfectants, such as chloramine. Chloramine, a compound formed by mixing chlorine and ammonia, is increasingly used as an alternative to chlorine. It provides a longer-lasting disinfection effect and forms fewer disinfection byproducts.

However, chloramine also comes with its own set of challenges, including the potential to form other DBPs and increase the risks of nitrate formation and corrosion in the distribution system.

Chlorine’s Impact On Home Water Treatment

In a domestic setting, the presence of chlorine in water can impact various home water treatments like water softening. While chlorine doesn’t significantly affect these processes, it can have some adverse effects. For example, chlorine can fade clothes, dry out skin and hair, and deteriorate rubber seals in appliances, reducing their lifespan.

Considering these factors, many homeowners are turning to home water treatment systems to remove chlorine from their water supply.

Removing Chlorine From Drinking Water

Despite the essential role chlorine plays in disinfecting water, it’s unnecessary once the water reaches your home. Removing chlorine from your drinking water is a straightforward process that can be done at home using various methods.

Standing water: This method is the simplest yet the slowest. Chlorine is a volatile compound and will naturally evaporate from water over time. Simply fill a large container with tap water and let it stand uncovered for 24 hours.

Boiling: Boiling your water for about 15-20 minutes will cause the chlorine to evaporate. However, this method will not remove other contaminants that may be present in your tap water.

Activated carbon filters: These filters are commonly used in drinking water purification systems because they remove chlorine and other harmful substances such as heavy metals and organic compounds.

Dechlorination tablets or drops: These products neutralize chlorine effectively and are commonly used by those who keep fish or home-brew beer.

Chlorine Sensors In Water Treatment

Chlorine sensors play a crucial role in maintaining safe and effective chlorine levels in drinking water. These sensors continuously monitor chlorine concentrations, allowing for real-time adjustments in the water treatment process.

There are two main types of chlorine sensors:

  1. Free Chlorine Sensors: These measure the amount of chlorine available for disinfection.
  2. Total Chlorine Sensors: These measure free chlorine and combined chlorine (chloramines).

Chlorine sensors ensure that the right amount of chlorine is present in the water – enough to kill harmful microorganisms, but not so much as to pose health risks or affect taste and odor. They are essential tools in both large-scale water treatment facilities and smaller, point-of-use applications.

Dosing Systems For Water Quality Control

In many industries, including water treatment, dosing systems are used to precisely control the addition of chemicals like chlorine. These systems ensure that the correct amount of disinfectant is added to the water, maintaining optimal water quality while minimizing waste and potential over-chlorination.

One such system is the Atlas Scientific EZO-PMP-Lâ„¢ Kit dosing pump. This versatile pump can be used to accurately dose chlorine or other chemicals into water systems, providing an automated solution for maintaining consistent water quality.

View our full range of dosing pumps here

Chlorination Monitoring And Reporting

Monitoring and reporting the chlorination process is a crucial aspect of maintaining the safety and quality of drinking water. Public water systems that use chlorine are required to regularly test their water to ensure that the chlorine and DBP levels are within the acceptable limits set by health and environmental authorities.

How To Measure Chlorine In Drinking Water?

There are a few methods available to measure chlorine in drinking water, but we will focus on the most common and user-friendly method – the use of test strips. These are usually available at home improvement stores or online. These strips are designed to react with chlorine to produce a color change. The color can then be compared to a chart provided with the test strips to determine the chlorine content.

Here’s how you do it:

  1. Fill a clean glass with the water you want to test.
  2. Immerse the test strip in the water for about 10 seconds, then remove it and shake off any excess water.
  3. Wait for the recommended time on the test strip package (usually about a minute or two) for the strip to change color.
  4. Compare the color of the strip to the color chart provided.

Although this method is not as accurate as laboratory methods, it gives a reasonably good estimation of the chlorine content in your drinking water. If your water consistently tests high for chlorine, you may want to consider installing a water filter system that removes excess chlorine.

Summary

While chlorine plays a crucial role in ensuring our drinking water’s safety, it’s essential to remain informed about its potential health effects and to take necessary measures to ensure the water we consume is as safe as possible. Modern technologies like ORP meters, chlorine sensors, and dosing systems play a vital role in maintaining optimal chlorine levels in our water supply.

If you want to learn more about chlorine in drinking water, or how Atlas Scientific can help monitor your water’s quality, do not hesitate to reach out to the world-class Atlas Scientific team.

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