Chlorine in tap water

Cities add chlorine to kill germs. If your water smells like bleach, a cold pitcher in the fridge or a carbon filter usually takes care of it.

Why it is there

EPA: "In many cases, water needs to be disinfected to inactivate (or kill) these microbial pathogens." (EPA)
Minnesota Department of Health: "Chlorine is effective and continues to keep the water safe as it travels from the treatment plant to the consumer's tap." (MDH)

EPA's maximum for chlorine and for chloramine in tap water is 4.0 mg/L (EPA).

The Minnesota Department of Health suggests (MDH):

Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge, uncovered, for a few hours.
Drink cold water. It has fewer taste and smell concerns.
Use a filter. "Most common point-of-use filters (e.g. pitcher filters) will remove chlorine taste and smell." So will granular activated carbon filters, at the tap or for the whole house.
Keep any filter maintained. MDH warns unmaintained units can make water quality worse.

Sources checked October 2, 2026.