Chlorine (Free)
Category: disinfectant
EPA MCL
4 mg/L
Status
EPA Regulated
NSF Standard
NSF/ANSI 42
Health Effects
Eye and nose irritation, stomach discomfort at levels above the MRDL. Chlorine itself is not the primary concern - it is the disinfection byproducts (TTHMs, HAAs) formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter that pose greater health risks.
Where It Comes From
Added intentionally to drinking water as a disinfectant to kill bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. The most widely used water disinfectant in the U.S.
Where It's Commonly Found
Present in virtually all U.S. public water systems that use chlorine disinfection. Typical residual levels at the tap range from 0.2–2.0 mg/L. Regulated as a Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL), not a traditional MCL.
Intentionally present in the vast majority of U.S. public water systems. The EPA MRDL of 4.0 mg/L is rarely exceeded. Primary concern is taste/odor and formation of disinfection byproducts.
How to Remove It
Effective Technologies
- activated carbon
- carbon block
- KDF
- reverse osmosis
- distillation
Does NOT Remove It
- UV
- ion exchange
- ceramic
- mechanical filtration
Filters That Address Chlorine (Free)
29 filters in our database list Chlorine (Free) reduction.
Brita Tahoe Elite
pitcher
$41.99
$39.98/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
PUR PLUS 7-Cup
pitcher
$21.74
$59.94/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
Clearly Filtered Pitcher
pitcher
$90
$165/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
Epic Water Filters Pure Pitcher
pitcher
$70
$212/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
ZeroWater 10-Cup
pitcher
$34.99
$107.94/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
LifeStraw Home 7-Cup
pitcher
$44.95
$126.65/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
Epic Water Filters Nano
pitcher
$82
$138/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
Berkey Big Berkey
gravity
$367
$10/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
Official Sources
Related Contaminants
Learn More
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Enter Your ZIP Code →Informational guidance based on EPA data and NSF standards - not medical advice.