Chlorine in tap water keeps it safe from bacteria, but it also impacts taste, gut health, and can create byproducts you might want to avoid. The good news? Activated carbon filters effectively remove chlorine from your water. Let’s dive into the science of how these filters work and why they’re a smart choice for better-tasting, healthier water.

Why is Chlorine Added to Tap Water?

Most municipalities add chlorine to tap water to disinfect it, effectively killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that can cause waterborne diseases. While this practice keeps water safe for consumption, the trade-off is that chlorine can:

• Impact the flavor and odor of drinking water
• Disrupt healthy gut bacteria
• React with organic matter to create unwanted byproducts

For those sensitive to these effects or simply looking to enhance water quality, filtering out chlorine can make a noticeable difference.

How Activated Carbon Filters Remove Chlorine

Activated carbon filters are one of the most effective ways to remove chlorine. So, how do they work?.

• Adsorption: Not to be confused with absorption, which is like a sponge soaking up water, adsorption works by trapping molecules on the surface of the filter material.
• Surface Area and Pores: Activated carbon has a large surface area packed with tiny pores. This structure is ideal for capturing chlorine molecules, allowing them to adhere to the carbon’s surface.
• Chlorine to Chloride: When chlorine molecules stick to the activated carbon, they’re chemically transformed into chloride—a harmless substance that’s safe to drink.

The result? Water that tastes fresher, with fewer chemicals, making it a great choice for daily hydration.

Health Risks of Free Available Chlorine (FAC)

The chlorine in tap water is called free available chlorine (FAC), a powerful disinfectant but also a threat to beneficial gut bacteria. Chlorine’s reactivity makes it effective for keeping water safe but problematic for our digestive health. Here’s why:

• Kills Good Bacteria: chlorine not only targets harmful bacteria but also impacts the beneficial bacteria in your gut. This disruption can interfere with digestion, immunity, and nutrient absorption, weakening the gut microbiome’s support for overall health.
• Harmful Byproducts: When chlorine reacts with organic matter in water, it creates byproducts such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Both of these compounds have been linked to health concerns, including potential risks to liver and kidney health and possible carcinogenic effects with long-term exposure.
• Potential for Oxidative Stress: Chlorine’s high reactivity can promote oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress damages cells and is associated with chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and accelerated aging.

Using an activated carbon filter helps to effectively reduce chlorine in your drinking water, minimizing these risks and supporting overall health.

Choosing the Right Water Filter

If you’re ready to improve your water quality, an activated carbon filter is a simple, effective solution. Santevia’s filtration systems use high-quality activated carbon to remove chlorine and improve taste, then uniquely add beneficial minerals, supporting better hydration without the drawbacks of chlorine.

For more tips on healthy hydration, check out our Santevia Blog or explore our range of filtration systems to find the perfect fit for your home.