Water problems
Chlorine and chloramine in tap water
Why utilities like Philadelphia Water and NJ American Water use chloramine, how it differs from chlorine, and which filters remove the taste and smell.
Public water systems add a disinfectant so water stays safe all the way to your tap. Some use chlorine; others use chloramine, a combination of chlorine and ammonia that lasts longer in the pipes and forms fewer of some disinfection byproducts. Philadelphia Water disinfects with chloramine[1], and so does New Jersey American Water's Raritan system serving parts of Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset counties[2]. The EPA caps chloramine at 4.0 mg/L (as chlorine)[3].
Why people want it out
- Taste and smell, especially in coffee, tea, and plain water
- Dry skin and hair complaints in the shower
- Aquariums and ponds: chloramine is toxic to fish and must be removed
- Home dialysis: water must be treated (talk to your dialysis provider)
What removes chloramine
Standard activated carbon removes chlorine well but works more slowly on chloramine. Catalytic carbon, sized so water spends enough time in contact with it, is the usual whole-home choice. Look for NSF/ANSI 42 certification for chlorine or chloramine reduction. At the kitchen sink, a reverse osmosis system's carbon stages handle drinking water. Letting a pitcher of water sit out works for chlorine, but not well for chloramine.
The right whole-house system depends on your utility's disinfectant, your hardness, and what else is in the water. Our water report tells you which utility serves your ZIP, and its Consumer Confidence Report names the disinfectant[4].
Solutions that help
What drives the price? See Whole house water filter cost. Every recommendation starts with your free water report.
Where this comes up in our service area
Common questions
Is chloramine safe to drink?
Yes. Utilities use it at regulated levels to keep water safe; the EPA limit is 4.0 mg/L. Many people simply don't like the taste or smell.
How do I know if my water has chlorine or chloramine?
Your utility's annual water quality report (CCR) says which disinfectant it uses. Philadelphia Water and NJ American Water's Raritan system both use chloramine.
Clean water starts with knowing what's in it.
Sources
- Philadelphia Water Department: 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report. water.phila.gov/drops/2025-drinking-water-quality-report/
- NJ American Water: Raritan/Hunterdon/Mercer/Somerset typical water quality (PDF). amwater.com/njaw/resources/raritanhunterdonmercersomerset_twq.pdf
- U.S. EPA: National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations
- U.S. EPA: Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) information for consumers. www.epa.gov/ccr/ccr-information-consumers
EPA records retrieved Oct 2026 from the EPA SDWIS and UCMR 5 public datasets. Utility records describe a water system, not the tap in your home. Records can lag and may be incomplete.