Chlorinated water and carbon block filters

[Steve Wise]

Does a carbon block filter remove ALL the chlorine, including the kind that is there to disinfect the water? If so, does that mean that if I use a carbon block filter in the undersink system, I will need to periodically disinfect the downstream tubing and faucet with bleach or something like that, to suppress colonization by mold or other microbes?

A related question: Can I send the filtered water to the refrigerator, and thereby avoid the need for a dedicated filter for the fridge? And if the fridge has a cold water tap as well as an ice maker, could I get by without the accessory drinking water faucet at the sink?

[awc222]

Carbon can remove chlorine to a very high degree depending on the chlorine concentration and the contact time with the carbon. High flow rates and small carbon contact time or carbon exhaustion can lead to bleed through.

Filters with a carbon and KDF blend is an excellent chlorine removal device. The KDF removes chlorine at a longer shelf-life than carbon and that lets the carbon work on other elements it is capable of removing.

If your water is chlorinated and you want to 'disinfect/sanitize' the down lines, then remove the filter and let the water pass through and sit in the pipes for a period of time. Get a chlorine test kit to monitor levels.

Make sure your water is chlorinated and not chloraminated as chloramine requires additions equipment to be affective.

Andy Christensen, CWS-II