Columbus Water Has Chloramines — Not Just Chlorine
Most people know about chlorine in tap water. Columbus actually uses chloramines — a chlorine-ammonia compound that's more persistent, harder to remove, and leaves a stronger chemical taste. Standard filters don't touch it. We have the solution.
- Columbus switched to chloramines in the 1990s
- Standard carbon filters don't remove chloramines
- Catalytic carbon eliminates chloramine taste & odor
What Are Chloramines and Why Does Columbus Use Them?
Chloramines are formed by combining chlorine with ammonia. Columbus Water (Columbus Division of Power and Water) uses them because they're more stable than chlorine — they don't dissipate as quickly, so they remain effective throughout the entire distribution system, even in homes far from the treatment plant. They also produce fewer regulated disinfection byproducts (DBPs) than chlorine alone. The EPA allows chloramine use and Columbus meets all federal standards. But "meets federal standards" and "tastes good" are two different things.
Health & Comfort Concerns
Chloramines at Columbus levels are considered safe by the EPA. But there are legitimate reasons to remove them.
Chloramines are more irritating to skin and eyes than chlorine for many people. Swimmers in chloramine-treated pools report more eye redness and skin irritation than in chlorine pools. The same applies to showering.
Chloramine vapors released during hot showers can irritate airways, particularly for people with asthma or chemical sensitivities. Whole-house filtration removes chloramines before they reach your shower.
Chloramines are toxic to fish and reptiles — they cannot be removed by letting water sit (as with chlorine). Aquarium owners and reptile keepers must use catalytic carbon or chemical neutralizers.
While chloramines produce fewer trihalomethanes (THMs) than chlorine, they produce different DBPs — including iodoacids and nitrosamines — that are under ongoing EPA review. Removing chloramines eliminates these byproducts entirely.
Why Your Current Filter Probably Doesn't Work
Standard activated carbon (the kind in Brita pitchers, refrigerator filters, and most under-sink systems) removes chlorine effectively but is largely ineffective against chloramines. Chloramines require catalytic carbon — a specially processed form with a different surface structure that breaks the chloramine bond. Most retail filters don't use catalytic carbon. We do.
| Filter Type | Removes Chlorine | Removes Chloramines |
|---|---|---|
| Brita / pitcher filter | ||
| Standard refrigerator filter | ||
| Standard activated carbon | ||
| Catalytic carbon (our systems) | ||
| Reverse osmosis (our RO) |
Our Chloramine Removal Solutions
Treats every tap in your home — kitchen, bathrooms, showers. Catalytic carbon media specifically engineered for chloramine removal. No more chemical taste or smell anywhere in the house.
Learn more5-stage under-sink system for your kitchen tap. Removes chloramines plus PFAS, lead, nitrates, and other contaminants. Produces bottled-water quality drinking water.
Learn moreThe complete solution: catalytic carbon removes chloramines from every tap, RO provides ultra-pure drinking water at the kitchen sink. Most popular choice for families.
Learn moreWhat Columbus Homeowners Say
"We had a Brita for years and the water still tasted like chlorine. Jerry explained it was actually chloramines and that Brita doesn't remove them. The whole-house filter was a game changer."
"I have asthma and the chloramine smell in the shower was genuinely bothering me. After the whole-house filter install, I noticed the difference immediately. No more chemical smell."
"We have tropical fish and couldn't use tap water at all. Now with the catalytic carbon filter, our tap water is safe for the tank and we drink it too. Should have done this years ago."
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Drink Water That Tastes Like Water
We'll test your Columbus water for chloramines and recommend the right catalytic carbon system for your home. Free, no obligation.