Suspected Haloacetic Acids in tap?

[rayadog]

I live in a van down by the river. So ergo my water supply is river surface water. This river and it’s watershed stretch all the way into NY; I’m in southern PA. It’s a big river. I was just reading my boroughs water report from 2024; I guess 2025 is not finalized yet. I was reading it because occasionally, frequently lately, our taps have a “Chlorine” smell. I’ve been trying not to make water during these periods. Just as we were through one, it has the odor again. Just learned and confirmed via water report that what I’m likely actually smelling are the Haloacetic acids from chlorination. There are also equal levels of trihalomethans.


I’m not stressing but just curious what the best preventative course is? Two stages of carbon filtering on my water unit? Shorter filter intervals/lifespan? I don’t have TDS meter just yet. I’m assuming it’s chlorinated forms of haloacetic acids but . Is this actually nothing to worry about ever?

FWIW I don’t have any issues stemming from this at the moment and I’m not very good a chemistry.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Are you not using ro/di? Thst will solve this, as well as more likely concerns such as copper from your own pipes.

 

[Rob A]

I live in a van down by the river. So ergo my water supply is river surface water. This river and it’s watershed stretch all the way into NY; I’m in southern PA. It’s a big river. I was just reading my boroughs water report from 2024; I guess 2025 is not finalized yet. I was reading it because occasionally, frequently lately, our taps have a “Chlorine” smell. I’ve been trying not to make water during these periods. Just as we were through one, it has the odor again. Just learned and confirmed via water report that what I’m likely actually smelling are the Haloacetic acids from chlorination. There are also equal levels of trihalomethans.


I’m not stressing but just curious what the best preventative course is? Two stages of carbon filtering on my water unit? Shorter filter intervals/lifespan? I don’t have TDS meter just yet. I’m assuming it’s chlorinated forms of haloacetic acids but . Is this actually nothing to worry about ever?

FWIW I don’t have any issues stemming from this at the moment and I’m not very good a chemistry.

Most municipal water suppliers only chlorinate their systems a few times a year and a carbon block filter will take care of the chlorine and it's derivatives along with most organics

 

[rayadog]

Are you not using ro/di? Thst will solve this, as well as more likely concerns such as copper from your own pipes.

I do. Sorry for not clarifying. I was largely referencing the water as it is from our kitchen sink or shower, etc.; which is as is. Water out of my unit is fine; it has a dedicated installation. Could I burn through carbon filters sooner during these conditions?

Most municipal water suppliers only chlorinate their systems a few times a year and a carbon block filter will take care of the chlorine and it's derivatives along with most organics

Thanks! I was starting to think they’re getting a little cavalier with it at the moment but it largely does not happen through out the year.

Think maybe I’m just meddling.

Edit: I maybe me make 15 gal/day once every two weeks at max; more often 3-4 weeks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm apparently confused.

Are you talking about a concern for your reef water, or your kitchen sink water.

I would not assume a carbon filter alone will necessarily remove all haloacetic acid, but I'm also not convinced that is necessarily what you smell.

 

[rayadog]

I'm apparently confused.

Are you talking about a concern for your reef water, or your kitchen sink water.

I would not assume a carbon filter alone will necessarily remove all haloacetic acid, but I'm also not convinced that is necessarily what you smell.

Reef water/my filters for my unit. I was thinking in addition to the filters I have, which include a carbon filter, if adding a second carbon filter was negligible or not.

I have my rodi unit hooked up to our basement basin sink we never use. There is no odor from the filter water. It’s on few occasions I notice the odor elsewhere throughout the house and question wether I should refrain from making rodi water at that very time or not.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Reef water/my filters for my unit. I was thinking in addition to the filters I have, which include a carbon filter, if adding a second carbon filter was negligible or not.

I have my rodi unit hooked up to our basement basin sink we never use. There is no odor from the filter water. It’s on few occasions I notice the odor elsewhere throughout the house and question wether I should refrain from making rodi water at that very time or not.

The carbon filter, the RO and the DI will all work to adequately remove haloacetate from the reef water.

I see no reason to add a second carbon filter, but it also will not hurt.

 

[mcarroll]

If you are just detecting a chlorine smell and worried because you don't always smell it...

It's becuase some of the year they use chlorine, which smells like a pool, and some of the year they use chloramine, which is odorless.

...and I always recommend calling your water authority and telling them you have a fish tank. Let them explain what the water system there is like. 100% of the water people I've talked to LOVE to talk nerdy about their water, so they actually like aquarium calls IMO! :)

 

[Rob A]

Chlorine will destroy RO membranes fast. I used to make 6000gal of ro a day for a process and we had 2 carbon tanks we rotated just to prevent any Chlorine brake through