Your tap water smells like a swimming pool, or you taste a slight chemical aftertaste. Chlorine. But where does it come from, is it really harmful, and what's the most effective way to remove it? In this article, we list all the facts: from the situation in the Netherlands to the best filter options, including an honest comparison table and seven frequently asked questions.
What is chlorine in tap water?
Chlorine (Cl) is a chemical disinfectant used by drinking water companies to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in drinking water. It has been safely used for over a hundred years and has reduced global diseases such as cholera and dysentery. In drinking water, chlorine can be found as free chlorine (hypochlorite) or as chloramine (a combination of chlorine and ammonia). Both forms have a different odor, taste, and filtering properties.
The reason chlorine is added to drinking water is twofold. Firstly, it disinfects the water at the water treatment plant itself. Secondly, the so-called residual disinfection ensures that the water remains protected against re-contamination during transport through the pipeline network. The longer the pipeline network, the more chlorine is needed to prevent bacterial growth along the way.
Is there chlorine in Dutch tap water?
Good news for Dutch people: most drinking water companies in our country do not add chlorine to tap water. This is exceptional in the world. Thanks to modern purification techniques such as UV radiation, ozone treatment, and ultrafiltration, chlorine is unnecessary in most cases. According to the RIVM, Dutch drinking water is among the cleanest in the world.
Nevertheless, there are nuances. A small number of drinking water companies, particularly in areas highly dependent on surface water (river water), incidentally use low concentrations of chlorine dioxide or chloramine as an additional safety layer. Vewin, the industry association for drinking water companies, reports that in such cases, concentrations usually remain below 0.1 mg/L, well below the European drinking water standard of 0.3 mg/L.
In cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, where Rhine water plays a larger role in the water supply, the chance of a slight chlorine taste may therefore be slightly higher than in Eindhoven or Breda, where deep groundwater forms the basis.
Why does tap water sometimes smell or taste like chlorine?
Chlorine is colorless but has a characteristic odor similar to swimming pool water or bleach. Several factors amplify this odor and taste:
- Warm weather: At higher temperatures, chlorine evaporates faster, releasing more of its smell.
- Morning water: Water that has stood in the pipes overnight contains higher concentrations of chlorine compounds and byproducts.
- New or repaired pipeline network: After maintenance, water companies sometimes flush pipes with a temporarily higher chlorine concentration.
- Chloramine: Water with chloramine has a slightly different, sharper odor than water with free chlorine and is more difficult to remove by simply letting it stand.
At PureFilter, we see that customers who install a filter are often surprised at how differently the water tastes, even if they thought their tap water had no aftertaste. The combination of chlorine removal and mineral addition makes a noticeable difference in the daily water experience.
Is chlorine in tap water harmful to your health?
Chlorine itself, at the concentrations found in Dutch tap water, is not directly harmful. The standards used are conservative and based on decades of scientific research. However, there are two points worth mentioning.
Trihalomethanes (THMs)
Chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic substances in water, forming byproducts called trihalomethanes (THMs). The best known is chloroform. Research by the National Cancer Institute links long-term high exposure to THMs via drinking water to a slightly increased risk of bladder cancer. In the Dutch context, THM concentrations in tap water are generally low and well within legal limits, but zero is zero: the only way to ensure no THMs are ingested is to filter them.
Chloramine and ammonia
Chloramine is more stable than free chlorine and breaks down less quickly. At higher concentrations, it can have an irritating effect on the respiratory tract of people with sensitive respiratory systems. Chloramine is also harmful to fish and people undergoing kidney dialysis; hospitals and aquarium owners are therefore obliged to remove it completely. A good carbon-block filter with sufficient contact time effectively removes chloramine; a simple pitcher filter does not always.
How to remove chlorine from tap water?
There are several ways to remove chlorine from tap water. They differ greatly in effectiveness, convenience, and cost.
Letting water stand
Free chlorine evaporates naturally if you leave a pitcher of water open for an hour (or longer). This works reasonably well for free chlorine but not for chloramine, which is much more stable. Moreover, stagnant water carries a bacterial risk, and other contaminants (PFAS, medicinal residues, heavy metals) are not removed this way.
Boiling
Boiling water almost completely evaporates free chlorine. Chloramine partially breaks down when boiled. Disadvantages: you have to wait for the water to cool, energy consumption increases, and boiling also does not remove PFAS, lead, or medicinal residues.
Pitcher filter (e.g., Brita)
A pitcher filter with activated carbon noticeably reduces the chlorine taste and is relatively inexpensive to purchase. Limitations: the filter capacity is low (typically 100-150 liters per cartridge), chloramine is removed less effectively, and PFAS or medicinal residues are not filtered by most pitcher filters. Additionally, a pitcher filter does not add minerals.
Inline carbon-block water filter
An inline water filter is connected to the water pipe under the sink and filters all the water coming out of the tap, before it reaches your glass. A quality carbon-block filter removes free chlorine, chloramine, THM byproducts, PFAS, microplastics, lead, and over 100 other substances in one step, directly at the tap.
The PureFilter Mineral+ goes a step further: thanks to its built-in Swedish Mineral Rock™ technology, it adds calcium, magnesium, and potassium to the water after filtering. This gives you water that is cleaner than tap water and richer in beneficial minerals. Installation takes 5 to 10 minutes, the filter capacity is 15,000 to 20,000 liters per filter cartridge, and the PureFilter is certified according to NSF 42, 53, 61, and 372.
Chlorine, PFAS, microplastics, and minerals in one filter
The PureFilter Mineral+ installs in 5 minutes and filters over 100 contaminants.
Comparison: which water filter removes chlorine best?
The table below compares the most common methods for removing chlorine and other contaminants from tap water.
| Method | Free Chlorine | Chloramine | THMs | PFAS | Add Minerals | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PureFilter Mineral+ NSF 42/53/61/372 |
✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Ca, Mg, K | Automatic |
| Brita pitcher filter | ~ Mostly | ✗ Limited | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | Manual filling |
| ZeroWater filter | ✓ 95–99% | ~ Partially | ~ Partially | ~ Partially | ✗ No | Manual filling |
| Letting water stand | ~ Partially | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | Long waiting time |
| Boiling | ✓ Yes | ~ Partially | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | Needs to cool |
| No filter | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | N/A |
The PureFilter Mineral+ is the only one capable of removing chlorine and chloramine, filtering THM byproducts and PFAS, and simultaneously adding minerals. This makes it the most complete choice for people who want truly clean and tasty water, without the hassle of filling pitchers or waiting.
Frequently asked questions about chlorine in tap water
Is there chlorine in Dutch tap water?
In the Netherlands, most drinking water companies do not add chlorine to tap water. A few companies do use small amounts of chlorine dioxide as an additional safety layer, but the concentrations are so low that they are barely measurable. Dutch tap water is therefore among the low-chlorine drinking waters in the world. More information can be found on the RIVM website.
Why does tap water sometimes taste like chlorine?
Chlorine is deliberately added as a disinfectant during transport. The smell is strongest in warm weather and in water that comes out of the tap first in the morning, because that water has been standing for the longest time. Cities that use surface water (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague) generally have more of a chlorine taste than cities with deep groundwater (Eindhoven, Breda, Groningen).
Is chlorine in tap water harmful to your health?
Chlorine itself, at the concentrations found in Dutch tap water (generally below 0.1 mg/L), is not directly harmful. However, chlorine reacts with organic substances in water, forming trihalomethanes (THMs) such as chloroform. With long-term high intake, THMs are associated with a slightly increased risk of bladder cancer, although Dutch concentrations rarely exceed the standard.
What is the difference between chlorine and chloramine?
Free chlorine is the most common form of disinfection in drinking water. Chloramine (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) is more stable and is sometimes used as a supplement. Chloramine is more difficult to remove than free chlorine: simply letting water stand does not work. Only carbon-block filters with sufficient contact time effectively remove chloramine.
Does a Brita filter remove chlorine?
Yes, a Brita pitcher with an activated carbon filter largely removes free chlorine and noticeably reduces off-flavors. However: a Brita is less effective at removing chloramine, does not filter PFAS or pharmaceutical residues, and does not add minerals. An inline carbon-block filter like the PureFilter Mineral+ offers broader protection and is significantly more efficient per liter. See also our extensive comparison on PureFilter vs. Brita.
How quickly does a water filter remove chlorine?
A carbon-block inline water filter like the PureFilter Mineral+ removes chlorine immediately upon tapping, with no waiting time. Letting it sit takes at least an hour and does not work for chloramine. Boiling takes minutes and energy, and the water still needs to cool down afterward.
Does the PureFilter also add minerals after filtering?
Yes, that is the unique feature of the PureFilter Mineral+. Through its integrated Swedish Mineral Rock™ technology, calcium, magnesium, and potassium are added to the filtered water. This gives you water that is cleaner than tap water and richer in beneficial minerals than most bottled waters, at just a fraction of the cost.
Conclusion: filtering chlorine pays off, even in the Netherlands
Dutch tap water is of excellent quality and contains almost no chlorine in most regions. However, in some cities and during warm weather, there is a noticeable chlorine taste present, caused by residual disinfection and the formation of chloramine or THM byproducts. The simplest, most effective, and most complete solution is a certified carbon-block inline water filter.
The PureFilter Mineral+ removes chlorine, chloramine, PFAS, microplastics, heavy metals, and more than 100 other contaminants, while also adding calcium, magnesium, and potassium via Swedish Mineral Rock™. Installation takes 5 to 10 minutes, the price is €149.90 including the first filter, and replacement filters are available from €49.90. See also the frequently asked questions on purefilter.nl for more information.
Ready for water without chlorine and with more minerals?
Install the PureFilter Mineral+ in 5 minutes and immediately enjoy cleaner, tastier water.