Chlorine in Drinking Water: Why Is It Added and Should You Remove It?
Updated: Jul 24
Have you ever noticed a strong chlorine smell when turning on your tap or taking a shower?
Many homeowners wonder whether chlorine in drinking water is harmful and if they should install a water filtration system to remove it.
The truth is that chlorine plays an important role in keeping public water supplies safe. However, while it helps disinfect water during treatment and distribution, many families choose to reduce chlorine at home for reasons such as taste, odour, comfort, and personal preference.
In this article, we'll explain why chlorine is added to water, its advantages and limitations, and how the right water filtration system can help improve your water quality.
What Is Chlorine?
Chlorine is a disinfectant widely used by water treatment plants around the world.
Its primary purpose is to kill or control harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that may be present in untreated water.
Without effective disinfection, waterborne diseases can spread much more easily. This is why chlorine has become one of the most common and effective methods of protecting public drinking water supplies.
Why Is Chlorine Added to Drinking Water?
Before water reaches your home, it travels through treatment plants, storage tanks, and kilometres of distribution pipelines.
During this journey, water may be exposed to microorganisms if no disinfectant remains in the system.
Chlorine helps by:
Destroying harmful bacteria and viruses
Maintaining water safety throughout the distribution network
Reducing the risk of waterborne diseases
Providing continuous disinfection until the water reaches consumers
For these reasons, many countries, including Malaysia, continue to use chlorine as part of their municipal water treatment process.
Is Chlorine Safe?
At the levels typically used in public drinking water, chlorine is generally regarded as safe by many health authorities.
However, this does not mean every homeowner enjoys drinking chlorinated water.
Many people choose to reduce chlorine because of its:
Strong smell
Unpleasant taste
Drying effect on skin and hair
Personal preference for cleaner-tasting water
Reducing chlorine is therefore often about improving overall water quality and comfort rather than replacing the role of municipal disinfection.
Why Are More Families Choosing to Remove Chlorine?
Once treated water reaches your home, some homeowners prefer to remove the remaining chlorine before using it for drinking, cooking, bathing, or washing.
Common reasons include:
Better Taste and Odour
Removing chlorine often results in fresher tasting drinking water and reduces the noticeable chemical smell.
More Comfortable Bathing
Some people find that reducing chlorine helps improve the shower experience, especially those with dry or sensitive skin.
Cooking and Food Preparation
Many homeowners prefer using filtered water for preparing beverages and cooking.
Protecting Household Appliances
Depending on the overall water quality, filtration can also help reduce sediments and other contaminants that may affect appliances over time.
Personal Health Preference
Many families today are becoming more conscious about water quality and prefer reducing unnecessary chemicals whenever practical.
Does Boiling Water Remove Chlorine?
Boiling water can reduce free chlorine because chlorine evaporates when heated.
However:
Boiling does not remove many other contaminants that may be present.
It is not a practical solution for whole-house water use.
It does not improve water quality for showering, washing, or general household use.
For continuous protection, a properly selected water filtration system is often a more convenient long-term solution.
Which Water Filters Remove Chlorine?
Not every filter removes chlorine equally well.
Some of the most effective technologies include:
Activated Carbon
Activated carbon is one of the most widely used filtration media for reducing chlorine, improving taste, and removing unpleasant odours.
Whole House Filtration Systems
Outdoor filtration systems using appropriate media can reduce chlorine before water enters your home, providing cleaner water for bathing, laundry, and daily use.
Drinking Water Systems
Point-of-use drinking water systems often combine activated carbon with other filtration technologies to provide cleaner drinking water.
The most suitable solution depends on your household size, water usage, and water quality.
Does Chlorine Damage Pipes?
Under normal municipal water conditions, chlorine itself is not usually the primary cause of pipe damage.
However, overall water chemistry—including pH, hardness, and pipe material—can influence the long-term condition of plumbing systems.
If you experience corrosion, unusual tastes, or discoloured water, a professional water quality assessment may help identify the underlying cause.
Key Takeaways
Chlorine is added to public water supplies to disinfect water and reduce harmful microorganisms.
It plays an important role in maintaining safe drinking water during distribution.
Many homeowners choose to reduce chlorine to improve taste, odour, and overall comfort.
Activated carbon is one of the most effective filtration technologies for chlorine reduction.
Choosing the right filtration system depends on your water quality and household needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chlorine in tap water harmful?
Chlorine is generally considered safe at the levels used in public drinking water. However, many people choose to reduce it for taste, odour, or personal preference.
Can boiling water remove chlorine?
Boiling can reduce free chlorine, but it is not a practical solution for everyday household water use or for removing other contaminants.
Which filter removes chlorine?
Activated carbon filters are among the most effective options for reducing chlorine in drinking water.
Why does my tap water smell like chlorine?
The smell usually indicates the presence of chlorine used during water treatment. The intensity may vary depending on the local water supply and treatment process.
Should I install a chlorine removal filter?
If you are concerned about taste, odour, or overall water quality, a suitable filtration system can help improve your household water according to your specific needs.
Need Help Choosing the Right Water Filter?
Every home and business has different water quality, usage requirements, and budgets. That's why there is no one-size-fits-all water filtration solution.
At Water Filter Malaysia, we provide unbiased recommendations by offering multiple trusted brands and filtration technologies. Instead of promoting a single product, we recommend the solution that best suits your water quality, lifestyle, and budget.
Whether you're looking for a whole house filtration system, fluoride removal, anti-limescale protection, drinking water solutions, or commercial and industrial water treatment, our experienced team is here to help.
Contact us today for friendly, professional advice and let us help you find the right water solution for your home or business.
"Chlorine plays an important role in protecting public health, but understanding its purpose and your personal preferences helps you decide whether additional filtration is right for your home."
About the Author
Peter Hwa is the founder of Water Filter Malaysia and has been helping Malaysian homes and businesses choose suitable water filtration solutions since 2012. Drawing on years of hands-on industry experience, he focuses on providing honest, practical, and unbiased guidance to help people better understand water quality, filtration technologies, and long-term water solutions. Through the Water Filter Malaysia Knowledge Centre, Peter shares educational content designed to help readers make informed decisions with confidence.
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