Chlorine and chloramine both disinfect tap water. Chloramine (chlorine plus ammonia) lasts longer in pipes and is harder to remove. Standard carbon reduces chlorine well; chloramine needs catalytic carbon and more contact time. Parts of Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane use chloramine, so check your zone before choosing a filter.
- Test free and total chlorine: the gap shows chloramine.
- Catalytic carbon is the right media for chloramine.
- Both are safe at Australian levels; this is about taste, smell and comfort.
What's the difference?
| Chlorine | Chloramine | |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Chlorine (free chlorine) | Chlorine + ammonia |
| Lasts in pipes | Shorter | Longer |
| Taste/smell | Pool smell | Milder, can taste medicinal |
| Health guideline (ADWG) | 5 mg/L | 3 mg/L (monochloramine) |
| Best filter media | Standard carbon | Catalytic carbon, longer contact |
Who uses chloramine?
Utilities choose the disinfectant by zone. SA Health notes chloramine is used mainly in parts of regional South Australia and some metropolitan areas; Sydney and South East Queensland use both. Your Home Water Check measures free and total chlorine, which shows which you have.
Which whole house filter do I need?
If your total chlorine is well above your free chlorine, you're on chloramine and we specify catalytic carbon. Otherwise standard high-capacity carbon does the job. Both are covered in our Whole Home systems.
Questions
Does a normal carbon filter remove chloramine?
Only partly. Catalytic carbon with longer contact time is much more effective.
Is chloramine safe?
Yes, at Australian levels. The health guideline for monochloramine is 3 mg/L; typical levels are well below that.
- SA Health: chlorine and chloramine in drinking water
- Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, NHMRC
- NSF: drinking water treatment standards
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.