Chlorine is added to Australian tap water to kill bacteria in the pipes. Typical levels of 0.5–1.2 mg/L are well under the 5 mg/L health guideline but above the roughly 0.6 mg/L many people can taste or smell. Hot showers release it into steam. A whole-house carbon filter reduces it at every tap and shower.
Why is chlorine in my water?
Utilities add chlorine (and in some areas chloramine) after treatment so water stays free of bacteria on its long trip to your home. It's a public health success.
How much chlorine is in Australian tap water?
Typical city levels sit around 0.5 to 1.2 mg/L. The health guideline is 5 mg/L for free chlorine. The taste and odour threshold is much lower, around 0.6 mg/L.
Why does the shower smell like chlorine?
Hot water releases chlorine as a gas, so it concentrates in shower steam. You breathe that steam every day.
Does a shower filter work?
Small shower-head filters have limited contact time with hot, fast-flowing water. A whole-house carbon stage treats water before it's heated, with far more carbon, and covers every bathroom.
What about chloramine?
Chloramine is longer-lasting and harder to remove than chlorine. It needs catalytic or high-contact carbon; ask us to test total chlorine at your check.
Questions
Why is chlorine in my water?
Utilities add chlorine (and in some areas chloramine) after treatment so water stays free of bacteria on its long trip to your home. It's a public health success.
How much chlorine is in Australian tap water?
Typical city levels sit around 0.5 to 1.2 mg/L. The health guideline is 5 mg/L for free chlorine. The taste and odour threshold is much lower, around 0.6 mg/L.
- Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, NHMRC
- NHMRC: updated guidelines for PFAS (June 2025)
- SA Water: drinking water quality
Written by the Whole Home Water team and reviewed against the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. General information only; your Home Water Check gives advice for your home.
Plumbing and installation details reviewed by a licensed plumber. See our editorial policy.