Want to drink water but are unsure of the chlorine content in your water? The EPA minimum residual chlorine concentration at POE cannot be more than 0.2 mg/L, although some US states (like Louisiana) have higher requirements.
Excess chlorine in drinking water can make it taste and smell weird and even cause short and long-term illnesses.
However, dechlorinating tap water is pretty easy through processes like boiling, evaporating, filtering, or using an additive. The process that works for you depends on the water volume you deal with.
Continue reading, as I’ll show you the exact methods to dechlorinate tap water for drinking, fish tanks, and plants as a bonus as simply and effectively as possible.
Let’s dive in!
5 Proven Ways To Remove Chlorine From Tap Water For Drinking
Before choosing any process for dechlorination, first, be sure if chlorine is actually present in the water. If you find the presence of chlorine in the water, find out the amount of chlorine.
You can do this by taking the free and total chlorine water test from Tap Score which Water Systems Council recommends. I, too, have tested my place’s tap water from there and got three major benefits:
| Methods | Time needed (approx) | How effective? | Easy to implement? | The cost involved (in $) |
| Boil water (natural) | 15-20 minutes | Effective for small batches of water | Very easy | $0 [You are paying for gas bills anyway] |
| Install A GAC/RO Water Filter | An instant removal of chlorine | Effective for large batches of water (tap water) | Medium | $50 to $500 for GAC and $1500 for RO (approx) |
| Let the water sit in a water pitcher | 24 hours | Effective for small batches of water | Very easy but takes time | $0 |
| Use UV Light | 2 hours | Effective for both small as well as large batches of water | Easy (if direct sunlight is used) Medium(if UV purification system is used) | $0 (in case of natural sunlight) $70-$200 depending on the brand (in case of UV purification system) |
| Add Vitamin C to water | Shows instant effect | Effective for both small as well as large batches of water | Very easy | Approximately $22 for 100 tablets (varies according to the brand) |
Let me illustrate the processes in detail.
Boiling Of Water
Steps To Execute The Method:
Time Needed:
I tried this method at home before purchasing a GAC, and it took me almost 15 to 20 minutes for the boiling process to complete.
Effectiveness:
This boiling method is super-simple with zero complexity. It functions well for a lesser quantity of water.
Cost And Other Details:
This dechlorination method is economical and requires $0 from your end. However, you have to pay a minimal amount for gas expenses.
Also Read: 7 Methods To Make Tap Water Taste Better
Install A GAC/Reverse Osmosis Filter
I am using a GAC system (a special filter) in connection with the water supplies of my home now, and it has been a good choice so far.
Steps To Implement Method:
Time Needed:
Once the filtering system is installed in connection to your tap water, you no longer have to wait for chlorine removal from your water. You will get it done instantly.
Also Read: Florida Tap Water Tested: Is It Safe To Drink In 2024?
Effectiveness:
This dechlorination process effectively treats large batches of water (tap water). The complexity of the process is medium as it involves a tech-savvy brain for the installation process.
Cost And Other Details:
The average price of a GAC system or effective filter is between $50 to $500, and a whole house RO filter is $1500 (approx).
Let The Water Sit In A Water Pitcher
Other than boiling, you can also try letting the water sit in a water pitcher.
Steps To Implement Method:
Time Needed:
The water should be kept in a sunlight-directed place for nearly 24 hours.
Effectiveness:
Though this chlorine removal process is easy, it’s somewhat time-consuming and efficient for only small batches of water.
Cost And Other Details:
This process is free of cost.
Also Read: 7 Ways To Fix Cloudy Tap Water
Use Ultraviolet Light
Steps To Implement Method:
You can also do the same process in another way by simply installing a UV purification system. You will get clean and chlorine-free water from it.
Time Needed:
The natural UV light source will need roughly 2 hours to dechlorinate the water or reduce the chlorine level in the water to zero.
However, an UV purification system will instantly provide dechlorinated, safe drinking water.
Effectiveness:
The dechlorination process with the help of the sun is straightforward and effective for small batches of water. However, installing a UV purification system needs hard work and is feasible for large batches of water (tap water).
Cost And Other Details:
This process will require no money if done naturally. However, purchasing a UV purification system will require about $70-$200, depending on the brand.
Also Read: Is Alkaline Water Good For Dogs?
Add Vitamin C Tablets To Water
Steps To Implement Method:
Alternatively, adding lemon to water and then boiling it is effective in removing chlorine contamination in water (read scientific research).
Time Needed:
You will instantly get the ascorbic acid’s effect without any delay.
Effectiveness:
This process of ascorbic acid is effective for both small and large batches of water and is super easy.
Cost And Other Details:
Approximately $22 is necessary for purchasing 100 ascorbic acid tablets.
Also Read: Top 5 Filters To Remove Chlorine
How to Dechlorinate Tap Water for Fish Tank/Aquarium
| Methods | Time needed (approx) | How effective? | Easy to implement? | Cost involved (in $) |
| Use Air Pump in Fish Tank | Nearly 5 days | Effective for waters in both small-sized and large-sized aquariums | Easy | Between $40 to $80 (for a well-branded air pump) |
| Add Sulfur dioxide (or another dechlorination agent) | 5 minutes | Effective for waters in both small-sized and large-sized aquariums | Super easy | Nearly $2 (for a good dechlorination agent) |
| Use water conditioner | 24 hours | Effective for waters in both small-sized and large-sized aquariums | Super easy | Nearly $13 per liter (for a well-branded water conditioner) |
One of my relatives has an aquarium. He explained to me everything about its water’s dechlorination process. He told me a little chlorine could upset a fish tank’s biological filter system. So let me share every detail of dechlorination with you:
Use Air Pump in Fish Tank
Steps To Implement Method:
Time Needed:
It takes nearly five days to degrade the chlorine levels. So, a long time is required for complete chlorine removal from the water.
Effectiveness:
I found the process very effective for small-sized and large-sized aquariums when I did it at home, and it was easy too.
Cost:
A well-branded air pump costs between $40 to $80.
Method Of Dechlorination Through Sulfur Dioxide (Or Another Dechlorination Agent)
Steps To Implement Method:
Time Needed:
The process happens instantly, within 5 minutes.
Effectiveness:
The process is super easy and works on the water in both small-sized and large-sized aquariums.
Cost And Other Details:
A good dechlorination agent will cost about $2.
Using a Water Conditioner
Steps To Implement Method:
Time Needed:
The process takes 24 hours to get completed.
Effectiveness:
Effective for waters in both small-sized and large-sized aquariums, this process is easy to use.
Cost And Other Details:
A well-branded water conditioner costs nearly $13 per liter.
✌ How to Dechlorinate Tap Water For Plants Naturally
The excess chlorine concentration in water is highly toxic to plants. However, there are two simple natural methods for dechlorinating water for hydroponics:
Natural Methods
Fill Tap Water In A Bucket And Leave It Under The Sun
The sun, a natural source of UV light, will need roughly 2 hours to release the volatile chlorine in the form of chlorine gas into the atmosphere.Use Aeration
It’s a lengthy but straightforward dechlorination method where you should leave a container of water outside in the air for fizzing out. Further, accelerate the process by introducing bubbles into the water with the help of an air pump/air stone.
Besides, dechlorinating water filters or boiling water works very well for plants.
Removing Chlorine From Tap Water FAQs
1. How long will it take to Dechlorinate tap water?
It all depends on the process of dechlorination. A GAC/RO filter and Vitamin C tablets will give instant results, whereas sitting water in a water pitcher takes 24 hours for dechlorination. Boiling water for removing chlorine requires 15 to 20 minutes. The natural UV method takes 2 hours for dechlorination.
2. How much vitamin C does it take Dechlorinate one gallon of water?
It takes 40 milligrams (approx) of Vitamin C to remove chlorine from one gallon of water.
3. How do you get the chlorine out of tap water for beer?
You can add Campden tablets to remove chlorine from tap water for beer preparation. Or, you can also heat water to strike temperature in your open kettle. It will drive off the free chlorine from water.
4. Can baking soda remove chlorine from water?
Yes, baking soda can eliminate chlorine from water. Add one tablespoon of baking soda into 250 ml of water and pour the paste into the chlorinated water to dechlorinate it.
5. Do you need to dechlorinate water for frogs?
Yes, you are required to dechlorinate the water for frogs to make it safe for the amphibians. You can remove the chlorine by boiling it or using a water conditioner.
Adarsh is a Health & Nutrition Sciences graduate with expertise in environmental health. He is associated with ventures like Glacier Fresh Filter and Simpure Filter Systems. Through Aqua Professor, he intends to provide helpful information to every home to help them make smarter decisions.
