The FONTUS Guide to Chlorine, Chloramines, & Fluoride in Maine Water

Public utilities frequently add chlorine, chloramines, and fluoride to the public water supply. Maine is no exception. However, drinking these chemicals is entirely optional. So it doesn’t sound like you should consume these chemicals, does it? FONTUS explains these common additives and their job in the public water supply.

Chlorine in Drinking Water

In Maine, 48% of water consumed by the public comes from surface water, including lakes and streams. So, chlorine is added to the water supply to disinfect the surface water and kill bacteria or other contaminants. After all, clean water is the goal.

We’ve all thought, at some point, that some water smells or tastes like a swimming pool. This is common in cities, who treat drinking water with chlorine.

According to the CDC, chlorine levels up to 4 milligrams per liter (mg/L or 4 parts per million (ppm) are considered safe in drinking water. In short, no harmful health effects are likely to occur. However, chlorine’s job is complete once the water has reached your home or office. So there’s really no need to be consuming chlorine. Not to mention it wreaks havoc on your skin, hair, and nails. If you’d like to thank chlorine for a job well done and remove chlorine from your supply, it’s time to call FONTUS.

CHLORAMINE IN DRINKING WATER

Chloramines are a group of chemical compounds that contain chlorine and ammonia. Likewise chlorine, chloramine is used as a disinfectant to prevent waterborne diseases in drinking water. According to the CDC, chloramine levels, up to 4 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or 4 parts per million (ppm), are considered safe in drinking water. Subsequently, no harmful health effects are likely to occur at this rate.

Certainly, water treated with chloramines has less of a “chlorine” taste. However, chloramine can change the water’s chemical properties. It’s imperative to understand that chloramine affects lead and copper pipes, leaching lead and copper into your water!

Like chlorine, the job of chloramine is over once the water reaches your home faucet, and there’s really no reason to consume chloramine. Instead, give us a call for a free phone consultation for your options.

FLUORIDE IN DRINKING WATER

Fluoride historically is added to a water supply because it has been shown to prevent tooth decay. In addition, it’s added to drinking water as a public health service. However, not everyone wants to drink it. But, if you’d prefer to get your fluoride from toothpaste or other fluoride-containing products, FONTUS can help. Give us a call for a free phone consultation.

CHLORINE CHLORAMINES AND FLUORIDE IN MAINE WATER CAN BE REMOVED

So, if you’d like to remove chemicals that have been added to your drinking water, call the experts at FONTUS. We’ll be happy to discuss your options with you.