How to Remove Chlorine with a Water Softener
Water is said to be "hard" if it contains a high concentration of minerals. A water softener is therefore a device that removes minerals from water, thus "softening" it. Chlorine is an element that's commonly found in drinking water and can be poisonous in large enough concentrations. A water softener with a charcoal filter should be able to remove chlorine from drinking water. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Water softener with charcoal filter
- Water softener with reverse osmosis filter
- Chlorine test kit
Instructions
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Examine the issue of chlorine in drinking water. Chlorine is almost always added to a municipal water supply as a disinfectant. It may also be added to remove contaminants such as hydrogen sulfide, iron and manganese.
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Obtain the equipment. Water softeners are available at many stores that sell household items. You can get a chlorine test kit at a store that specializes in water softeners.
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Check for signs that your water has a high chlorine concentration. You may be able to simply taste the distinctive bitter taste of chlorine in the water. A chlorine test kit usually requires you to run the water with the tap completely open for a few minutes before you add a reagent to a water sample. The current maximum acceptable chlorine level given by the federal Environmental Protection Agency is 4 mg per liter.
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Connect the water softener as directed. Carbon filtration is generally quite efficient at removing chlorine from water. A cubic foot of activated carbon can typically remove up to 888 grams of chlorine. This type of water softener usually filters all of the water in the house.
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Use a reverse osmosis water filter. These devices are connected at the point of use and are also effective at removing chlorine from drinking water. Point-of-use filters are less expensive than whole house filtration systems. They also have a smaller capacity.
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