Improve Your Water’s Taste
Higher chloride concentrations can give water a salty taste, making it unpleasant to drink.
Chloride in Water: Testing and Removal
Chloride is a chemical compound containing chlorine combined with another element or group. Chloride can enter groundwater, lakes, and rivers as naturally occurring salts dissolve from soil and rock. Road deicing salts, fertilizers, septic discharges, and industrial wastewater can also contribute, according to the World Health Organization’s chloride guidance. Both water from private wells and municipal supplies can contain chloride.
While water with elevated chloride levels is safe to drink, these high levels are undesirable. Water with high chloride levels tastes bad and can damage plumbing. At Besco Water Treatment, we help Michigan homeowners understand their water-quality concerns and select treatment based on their needs. Our team can test your water for chloride and recommend water treatment measures according to your results.
To schedule an appointment for chloride water testing, call us or reach out online.
Signs of Chloride in Water and When to Consider Testing
Salty-tasting water is the clearest sign of elevated chloride levels. You should also consider asking about chloride analysis when:
- A plumber identifies unexplained corrosion or recurring pinhole leaks in metal pipes.
- Your private well may be affected by runoff from salted roads, parking lots, or a nearby salt-storage area.
- Your utility, local health department, or previous laboratory results identify elevated chloride in your water supply.
If you suspect chloride in your water, call us. Our team will help you decide whether chloride analysis or a broader water-quality evaluation is the appropriate next step.
How Besco Can Remove Chloride From Your Water
Most of the time, we recommend reverse osmosis to remove chloride from water. The CDC identifies chloride among the substances that reverse osmosis systems can remove. Our team can review your chloride results and the rest of your water chemistry to help you select the perfect reverse osmosis system.
After installing your reverse osmosis system, we’ll test your water again to make sure it’s reducing chloride as intended. Regular filter changes, membrane maintenance, and servicing will help maintain your reverse osmosis system’s performance over time.
Chloride Treatment FAQs
-
Does a water softener remove chloride?
No, water softeners do not remove chloride.
-
Do ordinary water filters remove chloride?
No, ordinary water filters (like standard carbon pitchers, refrigerator cartridges, or standard block filters) do not remove chloride ions.
-
Does boiling water remove chloride?
No, boiling water does not remove chloride. Boiling leaves chloride behind as water evaporates, so it can increase the concentration in the remaining water.
-
Can I use a total dissolved solids (TDS) meter to check chloride levels?
No, you cannot use a TDS meter to check chloride levels. A TDS meter estimates the combined dissolved-solids content. It does not identify individual substances.
Discuss Chloride Removal From Your Water With Besco
If you suspect chloride in your water, Besco can test for it and help design a chloride removal system that meets your needs. If you are unsure what is causing an unusual taste or another concern, explore our guide to common water problems. For help with chloride testing questions, reverse osmosis installation, or service for existing equipment, contact Besco Water Treatment.