Chloramine is an affordable and widely used disinfectant in municipal water systems. While effective at keeping water safe from bacteria, it is significantly harder to remove than free chlorine and can cause irritating side effects—from dry skin and brittle hair to a metallic taste in your drinking water.
Because standard filters often fall short, removing chloramine requires more advanced filtration technology. In this post, we’ll explore the most effective water filters designed to eliminate chloramine, ensuring your home’s water is truly clean, safe, and refreshing.
Health Risks Associated with Chloramine
Though CDC avows that 4 ppm of chloramine in the water is safe to use, here is what it may lead to the following health issues if it crosses the borderline. Here are the most common health effects of chloramine in water.
1. Health Impacts
Chloramines cause significant respiratory problems, especially in individuals with a history of respiratory issues. Chloramine fumes created due to the reaction with the air will give a stinging sensation to those with a weak respiratory system.
The Virginia Department of Health states that chloramine can make people sneeze, cough, wheeze, catch breath, and even exacerbate asthma. Such effects often result when people swim in pools with high levels of chemically burned chloramine.
2. Skin and Hair Effects
Water containing excessive chloramine over 4.0 mg/L causes severe skin issues, including eye irritation and hair damage in individuals. Individuals with sensitive skin often experience rashes or breakouts when showering in water with a high amount of chloramine. Moreover, chloramines worsen symptoms in individuals with a pre-existing skin condition like acne or eczema.
3. Effects on Plumbing and Appliances
In addition to skin and respiratory problems, chloramines have also been reported to have an effect on the plumbing lines, metal pipes, and appliances over a period. The addition of chloramine in public water supply is found, at times, to cause a change in water chemistry. This, together with low pH and alkalinity, results in pipe corrosion. When corrosion is out of control, then ammonia in the water will be transformed into nitrates. This activity of turning ammonia in water into nitrates is nitrification. This causes copper pipes to leak. Also, corrosion can introduce lead into the water, which is potentially unsafe for use as lead can cause developmental problems in children.
Chloramine Removal: Technology Comparison
| Removal Method | Efficiency Rating | Price Range | Best Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Activated Carbon | (70-90%) | $50 - $150 | Standard Filtration |
| 2. Catalytic Carbon | (90%+) | $100 - $300 | High-Chloramine Areas |
| 3. Reverse Osmosis | (Up to 98%) | $200 - $600 | Ultra-Pure Drinking |
| 4. Mixed Media (KDF) | (90-95%) | $150 - $500 | Whole House Protection |
| 5. Vitamin C Filter | (Up to 99%) | $25 - $60 | Showers & Skin Care |
| 6. Boiling (20+ min) | (High) | Free* | Emergency Use |
| 7. UV Degradation | (Moderate) | $500+ | Industrial Systems |
Details on Which Water Filters Can Remove Chloramine
Chloramine is essentially toxic and leads to several health issues. So, it is important to filter them out of the water and make it safe for use. Here are the top water filters that remove chloramine in various ways.
1. Activated Carbon Filters
These filters are therefore installed massively to rid water of chlorine and its byproducts, which give water poor taste and quality. They are normally made from organic materials such as coconut shells.
This is a small, black porous bead that works in trapping the contaminants. In trapping the contaminants, water goes through the carbon filter. The chloramine gets trapped in the surface media of the filter since water comes out using the other end, turning out clean.
Removal Rate: Activated carbon filters can remove up to 70-90% of chloramine from water, depending on the filter’s quality and the flow rate of the water passing through it. For optimal results, these filters should be used in conjunction with other filtration methods, especially in areas with high chloramine concentrations.
Cost: The cost of activated carbon filters varies widely depending on the system. For standalone units, prices typically range from $50 to $200, while replacement cartridges usually cost between $20 and $50.
Best For: General household use, particularly in whole-house filtration systems or as part of a multi-stage water purification system. They are ideal for those looking to reduce chloramine levels in both drinking water and water used for bathing.
2. Catalytic Carbon Filters
Catalytic carbon filters are an advanced form of activated carbon filters specifically engineered to remove chloramine more effectively. The key difference lies in the catalytic carbon's enhanced ability to break down the strong chemical bonds of chloramine, thanks to its higher oxidative capabilities. As water passes through the catalytic carbon, chloramine is not just adsorbed but chemically transformed into harmless substances like nitrogen, ammonia, and chloride. This transformation process makes catalytic carbon filters particularly efficient for treating chloramine-laden water.
Removal Rate: Catalytic carbon filters are highly effective, typically removing over 90% of chloramine from water. This high removal rate makes them a preferred choice in areas where chloramine levels are consistently high.
Cost: Catalytic carbon filters tend to be more expensive than regular activated carbon filters due to their enhanced performance. Prices typically range from $100 to $300 for standalone units, with replacement cartridges costing between $50 and $100.
Best For: These filters are recommended for households with high chloramine concentrations in their water supply or for users who require a more robust solution than standard activated carbon.
3. Reverse Osmosis Systems
The other popular method of removing chlorine and chloramine from water is through a reverse osmosis system which is the ideal water filter to remove chlorine and chloramine from water. RO systems are capable of removing a wide range of contaminants, including chloramine. These systems work by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane, which filters out particles as small as 0.0001 microns. While the membrane itself does not remove chloramine directly, RO systems often include pre-filters, such as activated carbon or catalytic carbon filters, that first break down and reduce chloramine levels. The purified water then passes through the RO membrane, ensuring that any residual contaminants are removed.
Removal Rate: Reverse osmosis systems, when equipped with the appropriate pre-filters, can remove up to 98% of chloramine from water. The exact removal rate depends on the quality of the pre-filters and the overall system configuration, but RO systems are highly reliable for achieving near-total chloramine reduction.
Cost: Reverse osmosis systems are generally more expensive than other filtration options, with prices ranging from $200 to $600 for under-sink units. Replacement filters and membranes also add to the long-term cost, usually ranging from $50 to $150 annually.
Best For: RO systems are recommended for households that require the highest level of water purity, particularly for drinking and cooking. They are also suitable for users who want a comprehensive solution that tackles not just chloramine but a broad spectrum of other contaminants, including heavy metals, fluoride, and nitrates.
4. Mixed Media Filters
Mixed media filters are multi-layered filtration systems that combine various types of filter media, such as activated carbon, catalytic carbon, KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) media, and sediment filters. This combination allows mixed media filters to tackle a broad range of contaminants, including chloramine, chlorine, heavy metals, and particulate matter. The layered approach means that water passes through different stages of filtration, each targeting specific impurities. In the case of chloramine, the activated and catalytic carbon layers are particularly effective, breaking down and adsorbing the chloramine molecules as water flows through the filter.
Removal Rate: Mixed media filters are highly effective, typically removing up to 90-95% of chloramine from water, depending on the specific configuration and quality of the media used.
Cost: Prices for standalone units can range from $150 to $500, while more advanced systems integrated into whole-house setups can cost $1,000 or more. Replacement filter cartridges or media typically cost between $50 and $150, depending on the frequency of replacement and the types of media used.
Best for: Mixed media filters are ideal for households looking for a versatile and comprehensive filtration solution. They are particularly suited for whole-house systems that need to address a variety of water contaminants, including chloramine, chlorine, heavy metals, and sediments.
5. Vitamin C Filters
Vitamin C filters are a unique and natural solution for removing chloramine from water, particularly in shower applications. These filters use ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) to neutralize chloramine. When water passes through the filter, the Vitamin C reacts with the chloramine, effectively breaking it down into harmless compounds. This method is not only effective but also gentle on the skin and hair, making it a popular choice for people with sensitive skin or allergies to chemicals found in tap water.
Removal Rate: Vitamin C filters can remove up to 99% of chloramine from water, especially in point-of-use applications like showerheads. While these filters are highly effective for short-term exposure, they are typically used in conjunction with other filtration methods for comprehensive water treatment.
Cost: Vitamin C filters are generally affordable, with prices ranging from $20 to $50 for shower filters. Replacement cartridges are also relatively inexpensive, typically costing between $10 and $30, depending on the brand and size of the filter.
Best For: These filters are recommended for individuals concerned with the effects of chloramine on their skin and hair, particularly when showering. They are especially beneficial for those with sensitive skin, allergies, or conditions like eczema. Vitamin C filters are commonly used in showerheads but can also be incorporated into smaller, portable filtration systems for drinking water.
6. Boiling and UV Methods
Boiling and UV (Ultraviolet) irradiation are specialized physical processes used to reduce chloramine concentrations, though they function through entirely different mechanisms. Boiling relies on thermal energy to slowly off-gas the stable chloramine molecules, while UV systems utilize high-intensity light at specific wavelengths to photochemically degrade the chemical bonds between chlorine and ammonia. Unlike carbon-based filtration, these methods do not involve physical media but rather rely on environmental conditions to neutralize the disinfectant.
Removal Rate: Boiling water for at least 20 minutes can achieve a high removal rate, though it is incredibly time-consuming and energy-intensive. Standard residential UV lamps typically have a moderate (up to 30-50%) efficiency for chloramines; however, industrial-grade UV systems with significantly higher dosages can achieve near-complete degradation.
Cost: Boiling is essentially free in terms of equipment, though it carries a hidden cost in energy consumption. UV systems are on the higher end of the spectrum, with residential units starting at $500 and industrial-scale installations costing several thousand dollars.
Best For: Boiling is recommended primarily for emergency use or small batches of water (such as for specialized aquarium needs) when no other filtration is available. UV degradation is best suited for industrial or commercial systems where large volumes of water require disinfection without the use of additional chemicals.
Common Misconceptions About Chloramine Removal
Unlike chlorine, chloramine will not evaporate if you let water sit overnight. It is chemically stable and can stay in water for weeks.
You must use Catalytic Carbon or Reverse Osmosis to actively break the chemical bond between chlorine and ammonia.
SimPure Best Water Filters for Chloramine Removal
No matter how you wash your skin, doing so with highly chloramine-laden water only puts your skin and overall health at risk of severe damage. Here are SimPure best pick for you to remove chloramine:
1. SimPure DB20P-3KDF Whole House Water Filter
• Triple Defense: PP Sediment + Upgraded KDF 55 + CTO Carbon Block.
• Removes 98%+ of Heavy Metals and effectively neutralizes Chloramine across the whole home; 100,000-gallon service life.
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2. SimPure Y9A Countertop RO System
• 6-Stage Purification: SGS tested to remove 1,000+ contaminants including PFAS and Chloramine. 300GPD fast flow; zero installation required—perfect for renters.
• Remineralization: Restores essential minerals for healthy, balanced alkaline water (pH >7.5).
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3. SimPure T1-400ALK Under Sink RO System
• 8-Stage Comprehensive filtration against heavy metals, fluoride, and chloramine.
• Compact tankless design saves 70% of space under your sink.
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4. SimPure 20-Stage Shower Filter
• Dual Neutralization: Uses KDF-55 and Vitamin C to target chloramine specifically.
• Skin Care: Prevents dry skin, brittle hair, and eye irritation from municipal water.
View ProductBonus: SimPure Comprehensive Chloramine Filtration Solutions
If you are shopping for an all-house integrated chloramine filtration solution, SimPure can help. We style all kinds of filters, such as pre-filters, in-line filters, RO systems, and chloramine shower filters that completely eliminate chloramine byproducts. Not treating the water before it hits your major filtration system would result in being overwhelmed by the high levels of such a potent contaminant. Here is the final answer in chloramine filtration: guaranteed fresh filtered water for you and your family, with no more worries about health.
FAQs About Chloramine Removal
Yes, but it is not as simple as removing chlorine. While chlorine evaporates in a few minutes, chloramine is more stable. You must boil water for at least 20 minutes to significantly reduce chloramine levels, which is not practical for large-scale daily use.
Yes, chloramine is highly toxic to fish and amphibians as it enters their bloodstream directly through their gills. Unlike chlorine, it won't dissipate if you let the water sit for 24 hours. For pet owners, using a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system or a specific chloramine-neutralizer is essential.
Most standard refrigerator filters use basic activated carbon (GAC), which has a very low success rate with chloramine due to the fast flow rate (lack of contact time). To effectively remove it, you need a filter with Catalytic Carbon or RO membrane technology.
Standard "Total Chlorine" test strips can indicate its presence, but to be sure, you should look for a "Combined Chlorine" reading. You can also check your local city’s annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) to see if they use chloramine as a disinfectant.
Yes. Chloramine is known to strip natural oils from the skin and hair. This often leads to dry, itchy skin, dandruff, and flare-ups of eczema or acne. Installing a Vitamin C or KDF-55 shower filter is the best way to neutralize these effects during bathing.
Chloramine is a chemical bond of chlorine and ammonia. This bond is much stronger and more heat-resistant than free chlorine, meaning it stays in the water longer and requires more contact time with filter media to break apart.
Conclusion
Just explore more of SimPure's comprehensive water filtration systems now.
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