Does Your Tap Water Have A Chlorine Smell?

Chlorine is commonly used in municipal water systems to disinfect drinking water and eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses. Additionally, it can sometimes create a noticeable smell or taste, especially when water is first turned on or after sitting in plumbing.

Why Does Your Water Smell Like Chlorine?

A chlorine smell in your tap water is usually a result of the disinfectant doing its job. As water travels from treatment facilities through the distribution system, chlorine remains in the water to prevent microbial growth.

This can be more noticeable because:

Water travels long distances from treatment plants to homes
Chlorine residual levels are maintained for safety throughout the system
Water may sit in household plumbing, allowing the smell to become more concentrated

Temperature, seasonal changes, and water usage patterns can also impact how noticeable the smell is at different times.

Chlorines vs. Chloramines: What’s The Difference?

Chlorine and chloramines are both disinfectants used to treat drinking water, but they behave differently.

Chlorine is a fast-acting disinfectant that effectively kills bacteria and viruses.
Chloramines are formed by combining chlorine with ammonia and are more stable over long distances in some water systems.

The system primarily uses chlorine-based disinfection, not chloramines, which means:

Disinfection occurs quickly during treatment
A measurable chlorine residual is maintained in the distribution system
Some taste or odor may be more noticeable compared to chloramine systems

Both methods are approved and widely used across the country to ensure safe drinking water.

Why Is Chloramine Added To Water?

Even though many cities primarily rely on chlorine, others use chloramine as a secondary disinfectant because it lasts longer in large or complex distribution systems.

Chloramine is added to:

Maintain disinfection over longer distances
Reduce the formation of certain disinfection byproducts
Provide a more stable residual in systems where water travels far

Even in systems that use chloramine, some taste and odor concerns can still occur depending on individual sensitivity and plumbing conditions.

Does Hagerstown Use Chlorine?

Hagerstown’s drinking water is disinfected using chloramine, a combination of chlorine and ammonia. The city’s water quality report shows an average disinfectant residual of approximately 2.27 ppm, helping maintain water quality throughout the distribution system. While effective for disinfection, chloramines can sometimes contribute to a noticeable taste or odor in tap water.

Does Harrisonburg Use Chlorine?

Harrisonburg Public Utilities uses free chlorine as the primary disinfectant for water sourced from the Dry River and North River watersheds. The city’s water quality data reports an average chlorine residual of approximately 0.87 ppm. Chlorine helps protect against harmful microorganisms but may occasionally contribute to a chlorine smell or taste in household water.

Does Salem Use Chlorine?

The City of Salem Water Treatment Plant uses gaseous chlorine to disinfect drinking water drawn primarily from the Roanoke River. Salem’s water quality report shows an average chlorine level of approximately 1.1 ppm, which helps maintain water quality as water travels from the treatment plant to homes and businesses throughout the community.

Does Roanoke Use Chlorine?

The Western Virginia Water Authority uses chlorine disinfection throughout its regional water system, including Carvins Cove, Crystal Spring, Muse Spring, and Spring Hollow. Recent water quality reports show average chlorine residuals of approximately 0.86 ppm across these facilities, helping ensure safe drinking water throughout the Roanoke Valley.

How To Remove Chloramine From Your Tap Water

If you notice a chlorine-like smell or taste in your water, you may want to consider filtration options designed to reduce chloramines.

This is a common concern in homes, especially for those sensitive to disinfectant taste or odor.

Effective solutions include:

Reverse osmosis systems for drinking water
Whole-house carbon filtration systems for broader treatment

These systems are designed to reduce chloramines and improve overall water quality throughout your home.

Solutions

Suggested Products

Culligan Smart Reverse Osmosis Filter System

The Aquasential® Smart Reverse Osmosis Water Filter (RO)

7 stages of filtration and 12 filter options
Certified for reduction of 58 contaminants
2-in-1 sediment and carbon filter screens out sediment and particles
Can alert you and your dealer when service or filter replacements are needed

Get Pricing

Aquasential™ Smart High Efficiency Whole House Water Filters

Reduce sediments in your water and contaminants that cause your water to appear, taste, and smell unpleasant. Your system can also lessen the taste and odor of chlorine, and prevent pipe damage and staining from low pH water. Additional customizations include:

Culligan® Filtr-Cleer® Water Filters – Reduces Sediment Problems
Culligan® Cullar® Water Filters – Reduces Taste and Odor Problems
Culligan® Cullneu Water Filters – Reduces Acid Problems

Get Pricing

Sign Up To Our Newsletter For Exclusive Offers, News, and More!

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

Address*

Unit/Suite/etc.

City*

State*

ZIP Code*

Phone*

Email*

Special training or skills (languages, machine operation, etc.) that would benefit your in the job for which your are applying.

Shift Preferred*

1st

2nd

3rd

Any

Would you accept full-time work?*

Yes

Would you accept part-time work?*

Yes

On what date would you be available to work?*

Have you ever been employed here?*

Yes

Are you lawfully authorized to work in the United States?*

Yes

If you are under 18 years old, can you furnish a work permit if required?*

Yes

N/A

Are you able to perform the essential function of the job for which you are applying (with or without reasonable accommodation)?*

Yes

Need more information about the job’s essential functions to respond.

This question is not designed to elicit information about an applicant’s disability. Please do not provide information about the existence of a disability, particular accommodation, or whether accommodation is necessary. These issues may be addressed at a later stage to the extent permitted by law. Notice to Rhode Island applications: This Company is subject to the state’s workers’ compensation laws (Chapters 29-38) unless otherwise noted below:

Educational Background

Starting with your most recent school attended, provide the following information.

Education

School (Include City and State)	# of Years Completed	GPA/Class Rank	Major/Minor	Completed	Actions

There are no Entries.

Employment History

Starting with your most recent employer, provide the following information. You may include any verified work performed on a volunteer basis.

Employment

Employer	Phone	Address	City	State	Start Date	End Date	Immediate supervisor and title (for most recent position held)	May we contact for reference?	Summarize the type of work performed and job responsibilites	Actions

There are no Entries.

Applicant Statement

I expressly authorize, without reservation, the employer, its representatives, employees, or agents to contact and obtain information from all references (personal and professional), employers, public agencies, licensing authorities, and educational institutions and to otherwise verify the accuracy of all information provided by me in this application, resumé, or job interview. I hereby waive any and all rights and claims I may have regarding the employer, its agents, employees, or representatives, for seeking, gathering, and using truthful and non-defamatory information, in a lawful manner, in the employment process and all other persons, corporations, or organizations for furnishing such information about me.

I understand that this employer does not unlawfully discriminate in employment and no question on this application is used for the purpose of limiting or eliminating any applicant from consideration for employment on any basis prohibited by applicable local, state, or federal law.

I understand that this application remains current for only 60 days. At the conclusion of that time, if I have not heard from the employer and still wish to be considered for employment, it will be necessary for me to reapply and fill out a new application.

If I am hired, I understand that I am free to resign at any time, with or without cause and with or without prior notice, and the employer reserves the same right to terminate my employment at any time, with or without cause and with or without prior notice, except as may be required by law. This application does not constitute an agreement or contract for employment for any specified period or definite duration. I understand that no supervisor or representative of the employer is authorized to make any assurances to the contrary and that no implied oral or written agreements contrary to the foregoing express language are valid unless they are in the writing and signed by the employer’s president.

I also understand that if I am hired, I will be required to provide proof of identity and legal authorization to work in the United States and that federal immigration laws require me to complete an I-9 Form in this regard.

I understand that reasonable safeguards will be taken to protect all personal information provided or obtained in conjunction with this application for employment. My personal information may be shared with the employer’s affiliate(s) and third parties engaged by the employer to perform services for the employer. Any personal information shared with an affiliate or third party is to be used solely to perform the services requested by the employer.

This Company does not tolerate unlawful discrimination in its employment practices. No question on this application is used for the purpose of limiting or excluding an applicant from consideration for employment on the bases of his or her sex (including pregnancy), race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Mandatory Employer Disclosures

Notice to Maryland applications: UNDER MARYLAND LAW, AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT REQUIRE OR DEMAND, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT, OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, THAT AN INDIVIDUAL SUBMIT TO OR TAKE A LIE DETECTOR OR SIMILAR TEST. AN EMPLOYER WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100. Notice to Massachusetts applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Notice to Rhode Island applicants: This company complies with Rhode Island law prohibiting smoking in enclosed areas within places of employment. Notice to North Dakota applicants: This company complies with North Dakota law prohibiting smoking within 20 feet of entrance and inside places of employment. Notice to Indiana applicants: This company complies with Indiana law prohibiting smoking in enclosed areas within places of employment. Notice to Illinois applicants: Please be advised pursuant to Illinois law, applicants are not obligated to disclose expunged juvenile records of adjudication, arrest, or conviction.

I understand that any information provided by me that is found to be false, incomplete, or misrepresented in any aspect, will be sufficient cause to (i) eliminate me from further consideration for employment, or (ii) may result in my immediate discharge from the employer’s service, whenever it is discovered.

DO NOT SIGN UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THE ABOVE APPLICANT STATEMENT.

We respect your privacy. Your information will be kept confidential and will never be shared with third parties.