Does a Water Softener Remove Chlorine?

Without realizing it, water is the most important element of our lives – we simply can’t function without it. From drinking to showering and laundry to cooking, water is a part of everything we do. This is why it’s important to make sure that the water we use and consume is of good quality. Many people invest in a water softener to remove minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron which produce ‘hard water.’ However, the process undertaken to soften the water known as ion exchange, does not directly address chlorine removal.

To remove chlorine, an additional filter needs to be fitted to the softener system. Some water softening units already come with a built-in activated carbon filter that reduces chlorine levels along with softening the water. In short, while standard softening systems don't eliminate chlorine alone, adding carbon filtration is an effective combination to ensure both soft, chlorine-free water.

What is Chlorine and How Can it Affect Our Bodies?

Chlorine is used to clean water and is relatively safe, but exposure to high levels of it, can cause health issues. As a powerful disinfectant, chlorine is commonly used in pools and drinking water, killing harmful microorganisms, however, it can affect the body in various ways.

When inhaled, chlorine gas irritates the lungs, potentially causing coughing and shortness of breath. 

Coming into contact with skin, especially in pool water, chlorine can lead to dryness, itching, and irritation due to its natural drying properties.

In some rare cases, high levels of chlorine can be ingested through drinking water. This could cause stomach discomfort, nausea, and vomiting.

Exposure to chlorine for long periods of time may lead to more severe conditions, such as respiratory issues and potentially bladder cancer.

The Best Way to Reduce Chlorine: Softening or Filtration?

A water softener can be used to remove or reduce chlorine, but is it the best solution? Chlorine is added to water to kill any unwanted microorganisms, but too much of it can put your health at risk. So what is the best way to keep our water safe?

• Softening: Water softening primarily targets minerals like calcium and magnesium to prevent scaling, but it doesn’t remove chlorine or other chemical disinfectants. However, pre-filters or post-filters containing activated carbon can be added before or after the water softener to handle chlorine removal separately.
• Filtration: Filtration is specifically designed to address various water contaminants, including chlorine, making it ideal for the reduction or removal of chlorine. One of the best methods to remove chlorine is activated carbon filtration. The carbon filters trap chlorine molecules, reducing chlorine levels and eliminating the strong taste and odor often associated with chlorinated water. Another effective method is the use of reverse osmosis (RO) systems. These use a semi-permeable membrane that is highly effective at removing chlorine along with other contaminants.

Ultimately, when it comes to reducing chlorine in water, filtration is generally more effective than softening.

Solve your Chlorine Problems with Aqua Pro

While chlorine effectively protects us against pathogens, it’s important to limit your exposure to the disinfectant. Improving water quality for drinking, bathing, and household use is essential for the sake of your and your family's health.

While a standalone water softener doesn’t remove chlorine, an integrated filtration device will. At Aqua Pro our water filtration systems are equipped to deal with your chlorine problems. To fully eliminate chlorine, our carbon filtration systems work alongside the softener, to remove contaminants that can’t be extracted by a water softener alone. 

Having clean safe water is imperative for a healthy, happy lifestyle and Aqua Pro WS is here to provide the very best.