Frequently Asked Questions - Chloramines
Why Disinfect Drinking Water? General Chloramine
Information Use of Chloramine
in Water Systems Chloramine Safety Chloramine Removal
Why Disinfect Drinking Water?
Why do cities disinfect drinking water?
Without some type of disinfectant in drinking water,
disease-causing organisms may exist and cause widespread health
issues for a community.
General Chloramine
Information
What are chloramines?
Chloramines are disinfectants added to the water for public health
protection. Chloramines are most commonly formed when ammonia
is added to chlorine to treat drinking water. Chloramines provide
long-lasting protection as they do not break down quickly in water
pipes.
Are there different kinds of chloramines?
Yes, there are
different types of chloramines, including monochloramine,
dichloramine, trichloramine and organic chloramine. Monochloramine
is the most common form used to disinfect drinking water, and it is
the form that will be used in Tulsa's water distribution
system.
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Use of Chloramine in Tulsa's Water
System
Why is Tulsa switching from chlorine to chloramine for
its secondary disinfectant?
New Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
regulations are going into effect in 2012 that require water
utilities to control levels of regulated disinfection byproducts
(DBPs). DBPs are chemical compounds that are formed when chlorine
mixes with small quantities of natural organics in the water.
Chloramine produces lower concentrations of regulated DBPs than
chlorine because chloramine is less reactive with natural organic
matter.
The City of Tulsa currently uses chlorine to disinfect drinking
water. The addition of trace amounts of ammonia to chlorine in
the City's water distribution system will improve water quality and
ensure the City continues to comply with the EPA's increasingly
stringent regulations on drinking water.
When will the change occur in Tulsa?
The 18-month conversion to chloramine is expected to be completed
by fall 2011. Announced in June 2010, the conversion project began
immediately with engineering studies conducted by CH2M Hill, an
international engineering firm with offices in Tulsa.
What can I expect to notice with the
change?
Chloramination is expected to improve the taste and smell of
Tulsa's water. You may, however, notice an unfamiliar odor or taste
for a few days when the change from chlorine to chloramine first
occurs.
Are other cities around the country also switching from
a chlorine disinfectant to a chloramine
disinfectant?
Many water utilities have already switched from chlorine to
chloramine and have reported
increases in customer satisfaction with the water's taste and
odor.
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Chloramine Safety
Are chloramines safe?
Yes, chloraminated water is safe for bathing, drinking, cooking and
all everyday uses. Chloramines have been used safely in the U.S.,
Canada and Great Britain for more than 90 years. Other nearby
cities such as Oklahoma City, Sand Springs, Lawton, Norman, Denver,
Dallas and Fort Worth have been using chloramine as part of their
water treatment process for decades.
What stances does the federal Environmental Protection
Agency take on chloramine?
The EPA recognizes chloramines as a safe disinfectant and an
effective way to reduce DBP formation. In addition, the EPA states
that water disinfected with chloramine that meets regulatory
standards
has no known or anticipated adverse health effects, including
skin problems,
breathing problems,
digestive problems or
cancers.
Are there any groups who must take special precautions
with water containing chloramines?
Yes. Kidney dialysis patients must remove chloramine from the water
they use for
dialysis treatment. Fish owners also must remove the
chloramines from the water used for their fish in aquariums and
ponds.
What special precautions do kidney dialysis patients
have to take?
Chloramine, like chlorine, must be removed from the water before it
can be used in kidney dialysis machines. Chloramines can be removed
by adding ascorbic acid to the water or using a granular-activated
carbon treatment.
Kidney dialysis patients should contact their physician or local
kidney dialysis center for guidance on modifications to dialysis
machines and procedures. Medical centers that perform dialysis are
responsible for purifying the water that enters the dialysis
machines.
Kidney dialysis patients can still bathe, drink and cook with
chloraminated water. The digestive process neutralizes the
chloramines before they reach the bloodstream. It's only when water
interacts directly in the bloodstream, as in dialysis, that
chloramines must be removed.
What does the change in water disinfection mean for fish
and fish owners?
Chloramine, like chlorine,
must be removed from the water before it is added to aquariums or
fish ponds, including fish and lobster tanks in restaurants and
stores. The ammonia in chloramine is toxic to fish and other
aquatic life as it enters the bloodstream directly through the
gills.
The water can be purified for fish and other aquatic life by
adding specific agents to remove chloramines and ammonia or using a
high grade of granular-activated carbon to remove chloramines.
Leaving water to sit is not a reliable method for removing
chloramines from the water.
Pet owners should visit local pet stores and pet suppliers for
dechloramination products and instructions. Water conditioners
specifically designed for removing chloramines are commercially
available.
If chloramines are harmful to kidney dialysis patients
and fish, why are they not harmful to me?
Chloramines are harmful only when they enter the bloodstream
directly, as in the kidney dialysis process. Monochloramines are
broken down by the saliva and further neutralized by stomach acid.
They leave the body through human waste quickly and cause no
adverse health effects.
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Chloramine Removal
How can I remove chloramines from my tap
water?
Unlike chlorine, chloramine can't be removed from drinking water by
boiling water, allowing water to sit at room temperature over an
extended period of time or by using reverse osmosis filters.
However, there are commercial products available that remove
chloramine from drinking water. Please contact a local carrier of
home water filters for information on chloramine-removing
filters.
I already have a water filter stalled at my home, is it
effective in removing chloramines?
Some modern household treatments and filters may remove chloramine.
To verify whether your current treatment or filter removes
chloramine, please refer to your original filter packaging or
contact a local provider of home water filters.
Full EPA FAQ on Chloramine
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