Is your family’s water smelling like bleach? Simply put, it’s chlorine.
Activated carbon filters are excellent in eliminating this bleachy taste and odor in water. It’s because they can remove almost 95% of chlorine from the water. And chlorine is the element that is used to make.
Using bleach results in the release of chlorine gas, and this gas can be toxic and irritating to us.
Why Does City Water Might Have a Bleach Odor?
Municipal water may smell faintly of bleach since chlorine is used to sterilize it.
1. Shock Chlorination
Shock chlorination is one of the most widely utilized techniques for water purification. This is done by adding a lot of chlorine to the water supply, which kills bacteria and other microscopic organisms.
However, while this method is successful at disinfecting water, it can also leave a noticeable bleach taste and smell in the water.
2. Chlorine Byproducts
Chlorine reacts with other chemicals in water to produce a variety of byproducts.
These byproducts, such as Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Haloacetic acids (HAAs), can be harmful to human health and cause bad smell as well. They’re linked to cancer, birth defects, and other health difficulties.
3. Chlorine Residues
There may be remnants of chlorine residual in the water even after it has been treated with chlorine.
This is because chlorine does not evaporate completely when it is added to water. The residue can be harmful to human health and can cause the water to have a strong bleach odor.
4. Improper Chlorination
If the water is not properly chlorinated, it might grow bacteria and develop a strong bleach stench.
Thus, legionnaires’ disease, a deadly pneumonia, can occur.
5. Chlorine-Tolerant Bacteria
There are some types of bacteria that are resistant to chlorine. These bacteria can cause infections and other health problems. They can also make the water smell bad.
Negative Effects of Using Bleach in Water
There are plenty of side effects of drinking or using bleach water. I am only mentioning a few of the major ones below.
- Ingesting this substance can lead to respiratory distress.
- Bleach can also cause irritation and burns to the skin.
- It can hurt the stomach and cause bleeding inside.
- When released into the air, it harms plants and causes respiratory issues in animals also.
- Hair loss, infertility, and birth defects have also been linked to exposure to bleach.
Despite its side effects, bleach is popular because it kills bacteria. There are many different cleaning options on the market, but bleach is not always the best option.
Will There Be a Faint Odor Remaining After Carbon Filtering?
Obviously, but I must be careful with my answer here.
Personally, I’ll prefer to use the term “it depends” in this case.
A high-quality activated carbon filter will remove a high amount of bleach from your water, leaving very little odor behind.
However, a low-quality carbon filter may not be as effective at removing bleach, and you may notice a faint smell of bleach in your water after filtering it.
When Using a Carbon Filter to Remove Bleach Smell from Water, How Often Should It be Replaced?
Again, that’s another important subject that requires serious consideration.
Let’s get to the discussion.
The amount of water that’s filtered and the quality of the carbon filter itself will determine when it needs to be replaced.
The average American family consumes approximately 300 gallons of water every day. So to be on the safe side, replace water filters every 3-6 months.
Keep in mind that a brand-new carbon filter will perform at its best for the first few months after installation. After that, the filter will gradually lose its effectiveness and require replacement.
Sometimes, chlorine in the bleach can clog up the carbon pores and reduce the effectiveness of the filter. But, if you have a high-quality carbon filter system, it may last up to a year.
Other Ways to Remove the Bleach Smell from Water
Off-Gassing Technique
Leave an open container of water for several hours or up to 24 hours. It is expected that the bleachy smell and chlorine gas will no longer exist in the water.
Though it’s the cheapest way to remove the bleach smell from water, it does take some time.
Charcoal Filtration
Add a handful of charcoal briquettes to your water. Allow the briquettes to soak for 30 minutes before taking them from the water.
As a result, the charcoal will absorb the chlorine gas and the water will no longer smell like bleach.
Water Filter Pitcher
You can use water filter pitchers to remove the bleach smell from your water.
Water filter pitchers are an easy and convenient way to filter your water. They usually have a carbon filter that will remove the bleach smell from your water.
Reverse Osmosis
You can also use reverse osmosis to remove the bleach odor from your water.
This method is more expensive, but it will remove the bleach as well as other contaminants from your water.
Water Distiller
Water distillers remove the bleach from your water by boiling it and then condensing the steam back into the water. While this is the best option, it also comes with the highest price tag.
Shower Filter
Shower filters remove chlorine and other pollutants from water, making showering safer and more enjoyable. Additionally, it aids in the avoidance of baldness, dandruff, and itchy scalp.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Long Does It Take for Activated Carbon to Remove Chlorine?
Activated carbon reacts with chlorine quickly. It takes less than a minute for activated carbon to remove chlorine from water.
2. Does Bleach React with Carbon?
Yes, bleach reacts with carbon. Carbon filters are effective at removing bleach from water.
3. Do Water Filters Remove Bleach?
Yes, water filters can remove bleach from water. Activated carbon filters and reverse osmosis are the most effective type of filters for removing bleach.
Final Thoughts
Activated carbon filters are effective at removing bleach from water. However, to keep the filter functioning properly, it is necessary to replace it on a regular basis.
Test your water to find out how much chlorine or bleach it smells like. If the smell is too strong, you can try one of the methods listed above to remove the bleach odor from your water.