What is Chloramine?

How to Remove it from your Water

For decades, chlorine has been the chemical disinfectant additive of choice for municipal water utilities throughout the United States. Recent changes in the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act, however, are likely to adversely affect that traditional choice. The Act now includes the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule, which mandates stricter controls of byproducts like trihalomethanes (THM). THM results from the reaction of chlorine with naturally-occurring organics found in pipelines and delivery systems. The EPA now requires that municipalities measure THM and maintain minimum ppm within the water system. The chemical disinfectant additive of the future is likely to be chloramine (NH2Cl), an inorganic compound created when a small amount of ammonia is added to chlorine. Like chlorine, the new compound is effective as a primary disinfectant, or as a “shock” treatment. Since it doesn’t dissipate as readily as chlorine gas, the compound is able to disinfect even to the far ends of the municipal pipelines. This helps make NH2Cl a cost-effective alternative to chlorine. The downside, however, is that chloramines are believed to be carcinogenic. The possible carcinogenic effects, as well as the direct affects chloramines have on some food service delivery system parts and taste quality of beverages make chloramine removal an important consideration for food service companies. Standard carbon filters already in place are not effective because chloramines require substantially more of the highest-quality carbon for effective filtration. Additionally, chloramines need more contact time with carbon because the chloramines-carbon reaction is weak. Everpure has a solution in its new chloramine filter products. The quick-change system offers a balanced particulate/chloramines reduction capacity that will prove cost-effective for food service companies. The CLM Chloramine Cartridge systems fit all existing QC heads, which allows an easy transition from current chlorine filtration to chloramine filter system. The highest-quality carbon is used as part of the chloramine removal cartridge system, with ratings balanced between particulate and chloramines removal. This allows food service groups to select the appropriate cartridge for their specific needs. The Everpure CLM products are designed to accommodate fountain beverage and combination systems.