Is there chlorine in tap water?
Quick answer: Yes, Australian tap water contains chlorine. Water authorities add it as a disinfectant to keep drinking water safe from bacteria and other microorganisms during distribution. Typical concentrations in Australian reticulated supplies range from about 0.2 to 0.5 mg/L at the tap, well within the guideline value of 5 mg/L. The chlorine is safe at these levels, but it can affect the taste and smell of your water.
Why is chlorine added to tap water in Australia?
Chlorine is added to Australian tap water as a disinfectant, and it has been for decades. Water authorities use it to prevent the growth of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms as water travels through kilometres of pipes from the treatment plant to your home. Without a residual disinfectant, water could become unsafe long before it reaches your tap.
According to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, when used as a disinfectant, 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. The guideline value for total chlorine in drinking water, based on health considerations, is 5 mg/L.
In some parts of Australia, water authorities use chloramine (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) instead of, or alongside, free chlorine. Chloramine is more stable over long distribution distances. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines on monochloramine note that concentrations of up to 4 to 5 mg/L (as total chlorine) have been applied at the start of long distribution systems, achieving concentrations of 0.5 to 1.5 mg/L at the ends of those systems.
Is the chlorine in tap water safe to drink?
At the concentrations used in Australian drinking water, chlorine is considered safe. The guideline value of 5 mg/L is set with a significant safety margin. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines note that several instances have been reported where military personnel drank water with chlorine concentrations up to 32 mg/L for several months with no ill effects. Mouth irritation and momentary constriction of the throat were observed only when the chlorine concentration exceeded 90 mg/L, and most people would refuse to drink water with a chlorine concentration over 25 mg/L.
The concentrations in your home tap water are far below any of these thresholds. The reason many Australians notice chlorine is not a safety issue but a sensory one.
Why does tap water sometimes smell or taste of chlorine?
Chlorine has a distinct odour, and some people are more sensitive to it than others. According to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, 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.
Because typical tap water concentrations sit around 0.2 to 0.5 mg/L, it is entirely normal for sensitive individuals to notice a chlorine smell or taste, even when the water is perfectly safe. Factors that can make the taste more noticeable include:
- Living closer to a water treatment plant, where residual chlorine is higher
- Warmer water temperatures, which can intensify the odour
- Older pipes in your home or street, which can interact with chlorine
- Seasonal changes in source water, which can prompt water authorities to adjust dosing
What about chloramine? Is it different from chlorine?
Chloramine (specifically monochloramine) is an alternative disinfectant used in some Australian water supplies, particularly where water needs to travel long distances. It is more persistent than free chlorine, which makes it useful for maintaining a disinfectant residual across large distribution networks.
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines on monochloramine set a guideline that the concentration of monochloramine in drinking water should not exceed 3 mg/L (equivalent to 5 mg/L as Cl2 in chloraminated systems). Like free chlorine, chloramine at guideline levels is considered safe for drinking water. However, it can produce a slightly different taste or odour, sometimes described as a medicinal or swimming-pool smell.
If you are unsure whether your local supply uses chlorine or chloramine, your state or territory water authority publishes annual water quality reports that include this information.
How to reduce chlorine taste and odour in your tap water
If the taste or smell of chlorine in your tap water bothers you, a point-of-use filter at the tap is the most practical solution for most Australian households. Filtration works by passing water through a filter medium that reacts with or adsorbs chlorine before it reaches your glass.
It is worth knowing that simply leaving water in an open jug for a period can allow some free chlorine to dissipate, but this approach is slow, inconsistent, and does not address chloramine, which is more chemically stable.
A dedicated tap filter is a more reliable and convenient option for everyday drinking and cooking water.
Which Evolved H2O filter is right for your situation?
If chlorine taste and odour in your drinking water is the main concern, the right filter depends on where in your home you want to address it. Here is a quick guide:
- At the kitchen tap: The Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter instantly removes chlorine, taste and odours at the tap, giving you filtered drinking and cooking water on demand.
- For drinking water with advanced filtration: The Evolved H2O HydroX Electric Water Filter reduces chlorine at a tested reduction of greater than 99.52%, making it the option for households who want a higher level of countertop filtration.
- In the shower: The Evolved H2O Advanced Shower Filter removes up to 95% of chlorine, chloramine and harsh chemicals from shower water.
- In the bath: The Evolved H2O Advanced Bath Filter blocks chlorine, heavy metals, and harsh chemicals from bath water.
Evolved H2O tap filtration for chlorine
The Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter is designed for Australian households who want to address chlorine taste and odour at the kitchen tap. It instantly removes chlorine, taste and odours, connecting directly to your existing tap for on-demand filtered water for drinking and cooking.
If you want a higher level of countertop filtration, the Evolved H2O HydroX Electric Water Filter reduces chlorine at a tested reduction of greater than 99.52%.
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
Is it safe to drink chlorinated tap water in Australia?
Yes. Australian water authorities add chlorine within guideline limits set by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, with a guideline value of 5 mg/L for total chlorine. Typical tap concentrations of 0.2 to 0.5 mg/L are well within this limit and are considered safe for drinking. If you notice a taste or odour, that is a sensory issue, not a safety concern.
Why does my tap water smell like chlorine?
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, according to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Because typical tap water sits in this range, sensitive individuals often notice the smell even when chlorine levels are within safe guidelines. A tap filter can address this.
Does my water contain chlorine or chloramine?
It depends on your local water authority. Some Australian supplies use free chlorine, others use chloramine (monochloramine), and some use both at different stages. Your state or territory water authority publishes annual water quality reports that specify which disinfectant is used in your area. Check your local authority's website for the most current information.
Will boiling tap water remove chlorine?
Boiling can help dissipate some free chlorine over time, but it is not a reliable or consistent method, and it does not address chloramine, which is more chemically stable. A point-of-use tap filter is a more practical and consistent solution for everyday drinking and cooking water.
What does the Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter do for chlorine?
The Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter instantly removes chlorine, taste and odours at the tap. It connects to your existing kitchen tap and provides filtered water on demand for drinking and cooking, without the need for a separate jug or countertop appliance.
Does a tap filter also address chloramine?
The Evolved H2O Advanced Shower Filter is approved to remove up to 95% of chlorine, chloramine and harsh chemicals. For your drinking water tap, the Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter's approved claim covers chlorine, taste and odours. For specific contaminant details on any product, refer to the product page.
Key takeaways
- Yes, Australian tap water contains chlorine added as a disinfectant to keep water safe during distribution.
- Typical concentrations are 0.2 to 0.5 mg/L, well within the guideline value of 5 mg/L.
- Some Australian supplies use chloramine instead of, or alongside, free chlorine.
- Chlorine at guideline levels is safe, but it can cause a noticeable taste or odour, especially for sensitive individuals.
- A point-of-use tap filter is the most practical way to address chlorine taste and odour in your drinking water.
- The Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter instantly removes chlorine, taste and odours; the HydroX Electric Water Filter reduces chlorine at a tested reduction of greater than 99.52%.
Sources
- Chlorine | Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (NHMRC)
- Monochloramine | Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (NHMRC)
