Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Yes, everyone can drink water that contains chloramines.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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