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Chloramines in Orange County’s Water: Understanding the Impact and How to Mitigate It

Water treatment is a critical process that helps to ensure that our water is safe and free from harmful bacteria and other contaminants. One water treatment method that has gained popularity in recent years is the use of chloramines, a combination of chlorine and ammonia.

In recent years, Orange County and other Southern California cities have switched to using chloramines in their water supply, a move that has generated controversy among residents and public health experts. This blog post will look closely at chloramines and how to keep your drinking water safe from these disinfectants.

Why listen to us? RayneWater has been in business since 1928, and we have been developing and improving our water treatment systems ever since. With our years of experience, we are committed to ensuring our customers get the highest water quality possible. Now, let’s uncover the reality behind chloramines in the Orange County water supply.

What Are Chloramines and How Are They Used in Water Treatment?

Chloramines are chemical compounds used to treat drinking water. Chloramines are formed when both chlorine and ammonia are combined with water and act as an alternative to traditional chlorination methods.

Since chloramine remains active in water for longer than chlorine, it is added to municipal water supplies (such as those in Southern California) to reduce bacteria growth.

Chloramine vs. Chlorine vs. Ozone

Ozone is a potent oxidizing agent that one can use to improve water quality by destroying bacteria and viruses. It is a powerful disinfectant, but it has a short half-life and needs to be generated on-site, which can be expensive.

Chlorine is a widely used disinfectant that has been used for many years to treat water. It is effective at killing bacteria and viruses but can form disinfection byproducts that are potentially harmful to human health.

Impact of Chloramines on Orange County’s Water Supply

Regional wholesalers like Metropolitan Water District have determined chloramine is the superior compound for disinfection. But while chloramines may provide benefits for ttap water treatment, they come with their own set of risks:

  • Harmful DBPs: Chloramine can react with organic matter in water to form disinfection byproducts (DBPs), which can harm human health. Examples include halonitrils and halonitromethanes.
  • Carcinogenic Risk: Long-term exposure to chloramine disinfection byproducts has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, although the risk is generally considered low.
  • Skin Irritation: Chloramine can cause skin irritation and rashes in some people, particularly those with sensitive skin or eczema.
  • Respiratory Irritation: Chloramine can also irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and may exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma or bronchitis.
  • Toxicity: People with kidney disease or who are undergoing dialysis may be at higher risk of health effects from chloramine exposure, as chloramine can be toxic to dialysis membranes and cause blood cell damage.

A study done on Shanghai mother-infant pairs found that elevated chloramine levels in drinking water were associated with gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders in children. While these relationships may not be causal, it is not a risk many are willing to take.

Another study revealed that chloramine DBPs were more toxic in the presence of bromide and iodide than the ones produced by chlorine. This can be especially concerning since bromide and iodide are naturally found in drinking water.

How to Mitigate the Impact of Chloramines with RayneWater

Impact of Chloramines with RayneWater

RayneWater provides comprehensive solutions for residential drinking water filtration. Our systems are designed to protect your home from contaminants and provide clean, safe, and soft water. RayneWater offers a variety of products, including whole-house filtration systems, reverse osmosis home systems, water softeners, and drinking water purifiers.

A prime example perfectly geared to removing harmful chloramines from your drinking water is the Rayne Pure Plus RO drinking water system. It’s a multi-step system that employs:

  • High-quality reverse osmosis membranes to filter out solids. (Reverse osmosis works by  forcing water molecules through a membrane with tiny holes, trapping contaminants, and allowing only pure H2O to pass through.)
    • Activated carbon filters to eliminate chlorine and chloramines (which it does better than any other method). Also known as catalytic carbon, these water filters work by chemically and physically binding the chlorine to the carbon, making it inactive.
  • Post-carbon filters to remove any remaining chloramines or DBPs that may have passed through the RO membrane.

Customers are never disappointed with their RayneWater filters:

I love the RayneWater service, I have the softener and the purifier, don’t know what I would do without it.  —  Katherine Jones

We also provide the customer experience and knowledge to match:

Had a great customer service experience with [RayneWater]… It is so refreshing to work with a company that makes a concerted effort in customer service!  —  Madison Tenaglia

So you can rest assured your drinking water is clean, healthy, and care for by a team of dedicated professionals with a RayneWater filtration system.

Drink Safer Water Today With RayneWater Filtration

To recap:

  • Chloramines are chemical compounds used to treat drinking water as an alternative to traditional chlorination methods.
  • Chloramines can form disinfection byproducts (DBPs) which are harmful to human health and have been linked to cancer, skin irritation, respiratory irritation, and kidney damage.
  • RayneWater provides comprehensive solutions to mitigate the impact of chloramines, including whole-house filtration systems, reverse osmosis home systems, water softeners, and drinking water purifiers such as the Rayne Pure Plus RO drinking water system.

Whether you need a whole-house system or a drinking water purifier, RayneWater has the perfect solution for you. With our commitment to quality and customer service, we will provide you with the best possible solution for your residential drinking water filtration needs.

Book a consultation today to see how RayneWater can make your Southern California home’s drinking water safer, tastier, and healthier. And as always, remember to stay informed on your local water quality and policy, ensuring you and your family the peace of mind you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does California water have chloramine?

Yes, many municipalities and water wholesalers (like Metropolitan Water District) in Southern California use chloramine to treat their drinking water. Check with your local water agency for more information on their specific treatment methods.

Which cities use chloramine in water?

Chloramine can be found in the drinking water of many major cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.

How do I know if there is chloramine in my tap water?

You can contact your local water authority to find out what treatment they use. Check with them when investing in a filtering system.