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Utilities - Chloramines

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1. Are chloramines safe?

Yes. Chloramines are used by many utilities for disinfection, including many in Hampton Roads. Chloraminated water is safe for bathing, drinking, cooking, and other everyday uses.

2. Will my water smell or taste different?

Most people cannot smell or taste chloramines. However, if you notice any smell or taste at all, the water may have a very slight chlorine odor or taste.

3. Do kidney dialysis patients have to take special precautions?

Yes, just like chlorine, chloramines must be removed from the water prior to treatment. For questions or concerns, please see your physician.

4. Do chloramines affect both salt and freshwater fish?

Yes, just like chlorine, chloramines must be removed from the water. See your local pet supplier for details.

5. Can I let water sit for a few days like I do with chlorinated water before adding to my fish tank or pond?

No. Unlike chlorine, which dissipates when water sits for a few days, chloramines may take weeks to disappear. If you don’t want to use a dechloraminating chemical, the next best solution is to install a granular activated carbon filter and allow sufficient contact time. Please talk with your pet supply representative.

6. How do chloramines affect my pets?

Chloramines do not affect dogs, cats, birds, turtles or other domestic animals. Just like with chlorine, chloramines must be removed from fish tanks and ponds.

7. Will chloramines affect swimming pools?

No. You still need to add chlorine to prevent algae and bacterial growth. See your local pool supply store for details.

8. Will a carbon filter remove chloramines?

Yes. However, it must contain high quality granular activated carbon and you must allow sufficient contact time. See your filter provider for details.

9. Can pregnant women and children drink chlorinated water?

Yes, everyone can drink water that contains chloramines.

10. Are both salt and fresh water fish affected by chloramines?

Just like with chlorine, chloramines will need to be treated. See your pet store for details.

11. What if I am sensitive to chemicals?

Only a very small amount of chloramines will be added. If you are concerned, please check with your physician.

12. If chloramines are harmful to kidney dialysis patients and fish, why are they not harmful to me?

Chloramines are harmful when they go directly into the bloodstream, as in the kidney dialysis process. Fish also take chloramines directly into their bloodstreams. That’s why chloramines must be removed from water for these two groups.

13. How about washing an open wound, such as a cut, with chloraminated water?

You do not need to worry because no water can enter the bloodstream through an open cut.

14. What are disinfection by-products?

Disinfection by-products (DBPs) are chemical compounds that are formed when chlorine mixes with very small quantities of natural organics in water. It’s like what happens when you put a tea bag in water, the natural compounds leach out.

15. Will reverse osmosis remove chloramines?

No. Salts can be caught by the permeable membranes but chloramines pass through easily.

16. Do home water softeners remove chloramines?

Most water softeners are not designed to remove chloramines. Call your water softener store representative for details.

17. Is it okay to water plants, vegetables and fruit trees with chloraminated water?

Yes. The small amount of chloramines should not affect plants of any type