How to get rid of chlorine in water?
Quick answer: The most practical way to get rid of chlorine in your home's water is to use a point-of-use filter at the tap, shower, or bath. The Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter instantly removes chlorine, taste and odours from your drinking water. For shower water, the Evolved H2O Advanced Shower Filter removes up to 95% of chlorine and chloramine. Boiling and standing water can reduce free chlorine but do not reliably address chloramine, which is also used in some Australian supplies.
Why is chlorine in your tap water in the first place?
Chlorine is added to Australian reticulated water supplies as a disinfectant to keep the water safe from bacteria and other microorganisms during its journey through the distribution network. This is a deliberate and regulated process. According to guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au, the free chlorine residual in major Australian reticulated supplies ranges from 0.1 mg/L to 4 mg/L, with typical concentrations in the reticulation of about 0.2 to 0.5 mg/L.
Some water utilities also use chloramine, a compound formed by combining chlorine with ammonia, because it is more stable over long distribution distances. As guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au notes, monochloramine is used as a disinfectant in some Australian reticulated supplies, and concentrations up to 4 to 5 mg/L (as total chlorine) have been applied at the start of long distribution systems to achieve concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mg/L at the ends of distribution systems.
So if your tap water has a noticeable smell or taste, it is most likely the residual disinfectant doing its job, not a sign that something has gone wrong.
Is the chlorine level in Australian tap water a health concern?
At the concentrations found in Australian tap water, chlorine is not considered a health risk. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines set a guideline value for total chlorine in drinking water of 5 mg/L, based on health considerations, as stated by guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au. Typical household tap water sits well below this level.
The more common reason Australians want to reduce chlorine is taste and odour. According to guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au, chlorine has an odour threshold in drinking water of about 0.6 mg/L, but some people are particularly sensitive and can detect amounts as low as 0.2 mg/L. That means even at concentrations well within the guideline, some people will notice a distinct smell or taste in their water.
Chloramine, the secondary disinfectant used in some areas, has its own guideline. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines state that the concentration of monochloramine in drinking water should not exceed 3 mg/L based on health considerations.
What actually works to get rid of chlorine at home?
There are a few approaches households use, and they vary significantly in how well they address both free chlorine and chloramine.
Letting water stand or boiling it
Leaving tap water in an open container for several hours allows some free chlorine to off-gas naturally. Boiling speeds this process for free chlorine. However, neither method reliably addresses chloramine, which is chemically more stable and does not dissipate as readily. If your local utility uses chloramine, standing or boiling water is not a dependable solution.
Point-of-use filtration at the tap
A tap filter is the most direct and consistent approach for drinking and cooking water. The Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter instantly removes chlorine, taste and odours from your tap water. It connects directly to your existing tap and works every time you turn it on, with no waiting required.
Shower filtration
Chlorine and chloramine are also present in shower water, and warm water can make the odour more noticeable. The Evolved H2O Advanced Shower Filter removes up to 95% of chlorine, chloramine and harsh chemicals from shower water, fitting inline between your shower arm and showerhead.
Bath filtration
For bath water, particularly for babies, young children, or anyone with a sensitive skin routine, the Evolved H2O Advanced Bath Filter blocks chlorine, heavy metals, and harsh chemicals from bath water.
Filtered drinking water jugs
The Evolved H2O Glass Water Filter Jug reduces chlorine by 97.4%, making it a practical option for filtered drinking water stored in the fridge or on the bench, without any plumbing changes.
How to choose the right approach for your home
The best option depends on where in your home you want to address chlorine and what your priorities are. Consider the following:
- Drinking and cooking water: A tap filter or glass filter jug is the most targeted solution for the water you consume.
- Shower water: An inline shower filter addresses chlorine and chloramine in warm shower water where odour can be more noticeable.
- Bath water: A bath filter is designed specifically for bath use, particularly useful for households with babies or young children.
- Whole-home approach: Some households use a combination, for example a tap filter for drinking water and a shower filter for bathing.
- Chloramine vs free chlorine: If your local utility uses chloramine (check your water authority's annual report), confirm the filter you choose is designed to address it. The Evolved H2O Advanced Shower Filter is approved for both chlorine and chloramine.
- Ease of installation: Tap filters and shower filters are typically tool-free installations. A glass jug requires no installation at all.
Evolved H2O filters for chlorine in your home
Evolved H2O offers filtration options for every part of the home where chlorine and chloramine are a concern.
- Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter -- instantly removes chlorine, taste and odours directly at your kitchen tap.
- Evolved H2O Advanced Shower Filter -- removes up to 95% of chlorine, chloramine and harsh chemicals from shower water.
- Evolved H2O Advanced Bath Filter -- blocks chlorine, heavy metals, and harsh chemicals from bath water.
- Evolved H2O Glass Water Filter Jug -- reduces chlorine by 97.4% for everyday filtered drinking water, with a premium glass and plastic-free design.
Not sure which option suits your home? Use the filter guide below to match the right product to the right area.
Which Evolved H2O Filter Is Right for You?
Different areas of the home need different types of filtration. Use this quick guide to match the right Evolved H2O option to the water problem you are trying to solve.
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For tap drinking water
Advanced Tap Filter
Choose this if you want a compact tap filter for everyday drinking and cooking water, without changing your full plumbing setup.
View the Advanced Tap Filter -
For shower water
Advanced Shower Filter
Choose this if your main concern is chlorine taste and odour in warm shower water, or you want a simple inline filter between your shower arm and showerhead.
View the Advanced Shower Filter -
For bath water
Advanced Bath Filter
Choose this if your focus is bath water for babies, kids, or sensitive skin routines, and you want a simple option designed for bath use.
View the Advanced Bath Filter -
For fluoride-focused filtration
HydroX Electric Water Filter
Choose this if fluoride reduction is a priority. HydroX is the Evolved H2O option designed for more advanced countertop drinking-water filtration.
View the HydroX Electric Water Filter -
For everyday filtered water
Glass Water Filter Jug
Choose this if you want a glass water filter jug for everyday drinking water, with a plastic-free jug design and simple refill cartridge setup.
View the Glass Water Filter Jug
Frequently Asked Questions
Does boiling water get rid of chlorine?
Boiling can reduce free chlorine in tap water, but it does not reliably address chloramine, which is used in some Australian reticulated supplies. If your local utility uses chloramine, boiling alone is not a dependable method. A point-of-use filter is a more consistent solution for both disinfectants.
How much chlorine is in Australian tap water?
According to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, the free chlorine residual in major Australian reticulated supplies typically ranges from 0.2 to 0.5 mg/L in the reticulation, though it can range from 0.1 to 4 mg/L. The guideline value for total chlorine is 5 mg/L based on health considerations.
Can I smell chlorine in my tap water even at safe levels?
Yes. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines note that chlorine has an odour threshold of about 0.6 mg/L, but some people can detect it at concentrations as low as 0.2 mg/L. This means the smell can be noticeable even when chlorine levels are well within the safe guideline range.
Does the Evolved H2O Tap Filter address chloramine as well as chlorine?
The approved claim for the Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter covers chlorine, taste and odours. For a filter with an explicit chloramine claim, the Evolved H2O Advanced Shower Filter removes up to 95% of chlorine, chloramine and harsh chemicals from shower water. For drinking water with chloramine concerns, the Glass Water Filter Jug reduces chlorine by 97.4%.
Is a tap filter or a glass jug better for drinking water?
Both are practical options. The Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter works instantly at the tap with no waiting, making it convenient for cooking and drinking. The Evolved H2O Glass Water Filter Jug reduces chlorine by 97.4% and is a good choice if you prefer chilled filtered water stored in the fridge, with no plumbing changes needed.
Do I need a filter for my shower if I already filter my drinking water?
A drinking water filter addresses the water you consume. Shower water is a separate exposure, and warm water can make chlorine odour more noticeable. The Evolved H2O Advanced Shower Filter is designed specifically for shower water and removes up to 95% of chlorine, chloramine and harsh chemicals inline between your shower arm and showerhead.
Key takeaways
- Chlorine and chloramine are added to Australian tap water as disinfectants and are present at regulated, guideline-compliant levels in most supplies.
- Some people can detect chlorine by smell at concentrations as low as 0.2 mg/L, which is why taste and odour are the most common reasons to filter.
- Boiling reduces free chlorine but does not reliably address chloramine; a point-of-use filter is more consistent.
- The Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter instantly removes chlorine, taste and odours at the tap; the Shower Filter removes up to 95% of chlorine and chloramine; the Bath Filter blocks chlorine and harsh chemicals; and the Glass Water Filter Jug reduces chlorine by 97.4%.
- Check your local water authority's annual report to find out whether your supply uses free chlorine, chloramine, or both.
Sources
- Chlorine | Australian Drinking Water Guidelines -- guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au
- Monochloramine | Australian Drinking Water Guidelines -- guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au
