Does Boiling Water Remove Chloramine? Here’s the Truth

While most people know about chlorine in drinking water, there's another disinfectant that's becoming increasingly common, “chloramine”. This compound, which combines chlorine and ammonia, might be the reason your water has that persistent chemical taste that just won't go away.

As more homeowners become aware of what's in their water, a common question arises: does boiling remove chloramine? The answer might surprise you, and understanding the truth about chloramine removal will help you understand how to remove chloramine from water and make better decisions about your family's drinking water.

What Is Chloramine and Why Is It Used?

Chloramine forms when water treatment facilities add ammonia to chlorine. This compound:

• Provides longer‑lasting disinfection than chlorine alone
  

• Reduces byproducts that can form when chlorine reacts with organic matter
  

• Helps maintain water quality throughout the distribution system
  

However, chloramine can produce an unpleasant taste and may irritate sensitive skin. Unlike chlorine, it does not evaporate quickly, which means simple aeration or standing does not remove it effectively.

Does Boiling Water Remove Chloramine?

Many believe that boiling water will eliminate all disinfectants, but boiling behaves differently with chloramine:

• Chlorine is volatile and escapes as a gas when water reaches its boiling point.
  

• Chloramine, however, is more stable and requires prolonged boiling, often several hours to break down, which is neither practical nor energy efficient.
  

In short, boiling removes chloramine only minimally. A brief boil for cooking or tea will not reduce chloramine to acceptable levels. You would need to maintain a rolling boil for at least 30 minutes to see any noticeable reduction, and even then, complete removal is unlikely.

Natural Methods for Chloramine Removal

If you prefer to remove chloramine from water naturally, consider these options:

1. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

• Adding a pinch of powdered vitamin C neutralizes chloramine within minutes.
  

• Use roughly 25 mg of vitamin C per gallon of water to eliminate chloramine without affecting taste.
  

2. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)

• A pitcher with GAC made from coconut shells allows water to sit and pass through the carbon.
  

• GAC adsorbs both chlorine and chloramine effectively.
  

These methods like Gravity water filters from Phoenix gravity water filters require no electricity and use safe, food‑grade materials. They work well for small batches, like drinking glasses or cooking water.

How to Remove Chloramine from Water at Home

Follow these steps to reduce chloramine in your tap water:

1. Test Your Water
   Purchase a test kit that measures chloramine concentration. Knowing your starting levels helps you choose the right system.
   

2. Select a Removal Method
   

• For small quantities and cooking, use vitamin C.
  

• For daily drinking water, install Phoenix Gravity Water Filter which uses activated carbon filter element made from natural coconut husk.
  

3. Maintain Your System
   

• Replace filters according to manufacturer guidelines typically every 6–12 months.
  

• Flush new filters before first use to remove dust and loose carbon fines.
  

• Periodically retest your water to confirm continued chloramine reduction.
  
  

Comparing Boiling vs. Filtration

Final Recommendations

For most households, a chloramine water filter with catalytic carbon media offers the best balance of convenience, performance, and ongoing cost. Vitamin C or Activated carbon filter element from Phoenix gravity water filters serve as excellent solutions for everyday use.

Boiling is effective at removing chlorine but proves impractical for chloramine reduction. To ensure safe, great‑tasting water, turn to targeted solutions like vitamin C treatment for small batches or a dedicated chloramine water filter for daily use. By understanding how to remove chloramine and choosing the right method, you protect your health and enjoy the full benefits of clean water.

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FAQ

Can I remove chloramine by simply letting water sit in an open container?
No. Chloramine is more stable than chlorine and will not evaporate simply by standing.

How long would I need to boil water to see any reduction in chloramine levels?
You would need to maintain a rolling boil for at least 30 minutes to achieve any noticeable reduction, which is neither practical nor energy efficient.

What type of filter should I look for in a chloramine water filter?
Look for catalytic carbon made from coconut shells. Our coconut‑shell activated carbon filters effectively break down chloramine while preserving natural minerals.

Can standard activated carbon pitchers remove chloramine?
Most standard carbon pitchers address chlorine but only reduce chloramine weakly. A catalytic coconut‑shell carbon filter is needed for reliable chloramine removal.