Why do we need to add a disinfectant to drinking water?
As a safeguard to prevent waterborne illnesses, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) requires public water systems to maintain a chlorine residual throughout the water system.

What is a "chloramine"?
Chloramines are formed when chlorine is combined with a small amount of ammonia.

Chlorine and chloramine -- what's the difference between these disinfectants?
- Chlorine is most commonly used because it's quick, effective, safe, and is the least expensive method of water disinfection.
- Chlorine is quicker acting, but is used up faster as it reacts with contaminants in the water. It will also form chemical compounds called trihalomethanes when it mixes with organic compounds.
- Chloramines are safe and effective, but react more slowly than chlorine. However, they stay active longer, and they do not form trihalomethanes when mixing with organics in water.

Are chloramines safe?
Yes. Chloramines have been used safely in the United States and Canada for many years. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) accepts chloramines as an approved disinfectant.

Are there special considerations for chloramines?
- kidney dialysis
- aquariums
- rubber
- food and beer

Kidney Dialysis
In the dialysis process, water comes in contact with the blood across a permeable membrane and must be pretreated to remove chlorine and ammonia. Medical centers that perform dialysis are responsible for purifying the water that enters the dialysis machines. Persons with home dialysis machines should check with their physician or equipment supplier.

Aquariums
Chlorine and ammonia are toxic to all fish since water enters through the gill structure and goes directly in the bloodstream. Chloramines stay in the water for up to several weeks, so a dechlorinating agent must be added to remove it. This includes the water for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.

What if I don't want to "dechloraminate" with a chemical?
You can collect water from our Reverse Osmosis (RO) water dispensers. This high quality water is disinfected with ozone and is available at no charge at our dispensing stations at MPW's water treatment plants on King Street, 7th Avenue and Labor Camp Road. Another option is to install a high quality granular activated-carbon (GAC) filter in your home.

How much of a dechloraminating agent, or what type of filter should be used?
Pet stores should have a product that will quickly neutralize both the chlorine and ammonia molecules. Also, ask your pet supplier the best filtration equipment to use.

How can you neutralize chloramine in a large outdoor pond?
Amquel can be used in large, outdoor ponds, as well as in small, indoor aquariums. Sunlight and aeration will also de-chloraminate, but ask your pet supplier for the best method to use.
Chloramine residuals in water used to keep fish should be kept below 0.1 part per million. Chlorine test kits are available from pet stores, pool supply stores and chemical supply houses.


Will reverse osmosis remove chloramines?
No. Salts can be caught by the permeable membranes, but chloramines pass through easily.

Do you know the Commission provides chlorine-free and chloramine-free water at our Reverse Osmosis (RO) dispensing stations?
The water at the dispensers is ozonated, not chlorinated. This will not change. The three stations are located in front of our water treatment plants. RO Dispenser 1 is on King Street in the old Village near the corner of Simmons Street. RO Dispenser 2 is on 7th Avenue, off Mathis Ferry Road. RO Dispenser 3 is on Labor Camp Road, off Venning Road. (See location map).

Can persons with kidney ailments, diabetes, or on low sodium diets drink chloraminated water?
Yes. People with medical problems can use chloraminated water to drink, bathe, and clean with. It can be used for any other purpose except for dialysis treatment.

What about people who are sensitive to chemicals?
The amount of chloramines will be extremely small -- no more than 2.5 parts per million as it leaves our treatment plants. The ratio will be five parts chlorine to one part ammonia to form monochloramine. If you are concerned that this small amount of ammonia could cause problems for you, it would be best to check with your physician.

Do home water softeners remove chloramines?
Only if the softeners have a Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filter.

What effect does chloramine have on rubber?
Rubber linings of water lines may disintegrate over a period of time.

Food and beer
Food and beer manufacturers and food and beverage providers may need to modify their water filtration systems or consider adding one.

Will chloramines harm plants?
No. It is safe to water plants of any type, including ornamentals, vegetables, fruit and nut trees.