Chloramine vs. Chlorine: What South Carolina Homeowners Need to Know
If you've noticed your water has a different taste or smell lately, or if your skin and hair feel drier, your water utility may have switched from chlorine to chloramine. Many South Carolina utilities, including Charleston Water System and Columbia Water, have made this change.
What Is Chloramine?
Chloramine is formed by combining chlorine with ammonia. Water utilities use it because it's longer-lasting than chlorine alone, providing disinfection throughout the entire distribution system, even to homes at the far end of the pipe network.
Key Differences
| Factor | Chlorine | Chloramine |
|---|---|---|
| Odor | Strong, recognizable | Milder, less noticeable |
| Longevity | Dissipates quickly | Stays in water longer |
| Removal difficulty | Easy (standard carbon) | Hard (needs catalytic carbon) |
| Skin impact | Can dry skin | Can dry skin, some report rashes |
| Fish safety | Harmful (evaporates with sitting) | Harmful (does NOT evaporate) |
Why Standard Filters Fall Short
Here's the important part: most countertop and pitcher filters (like Brita) use standard activated carbon. This works well for chlorine, but chloramine passes right through.
To effectively remove chloramine, you need:
- Catalytic carbon: A specially treated carbon that breaks down the chloramine bond
- Longer contact time: Chloramine needs more exposure to the filter media
- Whole-home treatment: Point-of-use filters only address one tap, leaving shower water, laundry, and other uses untreated
The Bottom Line
Chloramine is safe to drink at regulated levels, but if you're concerned about long-term exposure, skin sensitivity, or want the best-tasting water possible, a whole-home filtration system with catalytic carbon media is the most effective solution.