Quick answer
Water suppliers add chlorine so water stays free of germs all the way to your tap. Homes nearer a treatment or dosing point often notice it more, and warmer weather can make it stronger. Activated carbon filters are the standard way to reduce chlorine taste and smell.
Why is chlorine in tap water?
Disinfecting water at the treatment plant isn’t enough on its own. Water can spend days in pipes and storage tanks before it reaches you, so suppliers leave a small amount of disinfectant in it. That “residual” is what you taste and smell.
Why do some homes notice it more?
- Where you are in the network. Homes close to where chlorine is added usually get more of it than homes at the far end of a pipe.
- The season. Suppliers may adjust dosing through the year, and warm water releases more smell.
- Chlorine or chloramine. Some networks use chloramine, a longer-lasting disinfectant made from chlorine and ammonia. It has a different smell and doesn’t fade as quickly.
Quick fixes
Filling a jug and leaving it in the fridge, uncovered, lets free chlorine fade over a few hours. This works less well for chloramine. A jug or tap filter with activated carbon also helps for drinking water.
The long-term fix
Activated carbon is the standard way to reduce chlorine. Catalytic carbon is a variation designed to deal with chloramine better. A carbon filter under the sink covers drinking water. A whole-home system with carbon stages covers every tap, including the shower and bath, which is where many people notice the smell most.
Common questions
Is the chlorine in tap water harmful?
Australian suppliers keep chlorine within the limits in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Filtering it is mainly about taste and smell.
Does boiling water remove chlorine?
Boiling, or leaving water to stand uncovered, helps free chlorine escape. It is much less effective for chloramine.
Will a whole-home filter reduce chlorine in my shower?
Yes, if the system includes a carbon stage. Because it is fitted where water enters your home, every tap and shower gets filtered water.
General information for homes on town water in Victoria. It isn’t a substitute for advice about your specific property or water supply.
