Chloramine

Chloramine is a chemical compound commonly used as a disinfectant in water treatment to kill harmful bacteria and viruses. It is formed by combining chlorine with ammonia under controlled conditions. Chloramine offers advantages over free chlorine in that it produces fewer disinfection by-products and provides longer-lasting residual protection in distribution systems. However, chloramine can cause taste and odor issues in drinking water and may lead to corrosion of plumbing materials, particularly in older infrastructure containing lead pipes or fittings.

Proper monitoring and management of chloramine levels are essential to ensure effective disinfection while minimizing potential adverse effects on water quality and infrastructure.