Here's Why—And 5 Ways to Fix It (Including One That's Free)
UK water companies add chlorine to kill bacteria—it's safe but can taste unpleasant. The easiest free fix: leave water in an open jug in the fridge for a few hours (chlorine evaporates). For instant results, use a carbon filter (from £20 for a jug, £60 for under-sink).
Chlorine is the reason your tap water is safe to drink. Water companies add it as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria like E. coli and prevent contamination as water travels through miles of underground pipes to reach your home.
Without chlorine (or an alternative disinfectant), waterborne diseases would be a real risk. It's actually a public health success story—before water chlorination became standard in the early 1900s, diseases like cholera and typhoid were common.
0.2-0.5 mg/L
Typical UK tap water
0.5 mg/L
Maximum allowed (DWI)
1-3 mg/L
Swimming pool (comparison)
Live near a water treatment works? You'll notice stronger chlorine. It dissipates as water travels through the network.
Water companies add more chlorine in warm weather to prevent bacterial growth. Summer water often tastes stronger.
First thing in the morning, water has been sitting in pipes overnight. Run the tap for 30 seconds before drinking.
Pipe repairs or flushing often means temporarily higher chlorine levels. Usually settles within a day or two.
Yes, absolutely. The chlorine levels in UK tap water are carefully regulated and far below any level that could cause health problems. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) sets strict limits, and water companies test constantly.
To put it in perspective: you'd need to drink thousands of litres of tap water daily for the chlorine to cause any health issues. The amount in your glass is genuinely tiny.
My take: I've been in the water industry for 24 years. Chlorine isn't a health concern—it's a taste preference. If you don't like the taste, remove it. But don't worry about safety.
Cost: £0
Time: 2-4 hours
Fill a jug with tap water and leave it uncovered in the fridge. Chlorine naturally evaporates (off-gasses) when exposed to air. After a few hours, the taste is significantly reduced.
Cost: £20-40
Time: Instant
Filter jugs use activated carbon to remove chlorine as water passes through. They're cheap, require no installation, and work immediately. Replace filters every 4-6 weeks (about £5-8 each).
Cost: £50-100
Time: Instant
A dedicated under-sink carbon filter like the Waterdrop 10UAconnects to your cold water line and removes 97%+ of chlorine. Fast flow, filters last 6-12 months, and it's out of sight.
Cost: £30-60
Time: Instant
Screws onto your existing tap—no tools or plumbing changes. Switch between filtered and unfiltered water. Perfect for renters who can't modify plumbing.
Cost: £200-500
Time: Instant
RO systems remove virtually everything including chlorine, but they're designed for harder-to-remove contaminants like lead, PFAS, and heavy metals. If chlorine taste is your only concern, a carbon filter is more cost-effective.
For most people bothered by chlorine taste, an under-sink carbon filteris the sweet spot. Around £60 upfront, £20-30/year in replacement filters, and you get instant chlorine-free water from your tap without thinking about it.
If you're renting or want zero installation, a filter jug works fine—just remember to keep it topped up.
And if you're on a tight budget? The jug-in-fridge method costs nothing and genuinely works. Just requires a bit of planning.
See Our Top Picks for Chlorine Removal →UK water companies add chlorine to tap water as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria and keep water safe as it travels through miles of pipes to your home. The amount is carefully controlled (typically 0.2-0.5mg/L) and safe to drink, but some people are more sensitive to the taste and smell than others.
Yes, the chlorine levels in UK tap water are safe to drink. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) sets strict limits, and water companies must keep chlorine below 0.5mg/L at the tap. This is a tiny amount—you'd need to drink thousands of litres daily for it to cause any health issues. However, some people prefer to remove it for taste reasons.
The easiest free method is to fill a jug with tap water and leave it uncovered in the fridge for a few hours. Chlorine naturally evaporates (off-gasses) from water when exposed to air. You can also boil water for 15-20 minutes to speed up the process, though this uses energy and isn't practical for large amounts.
Chlorine levels vary based on several factors: distance from the treatment works (closer = stronger), time of year (higher in summer to prevent bacterial growth), recent maintenance work on pipes, and even time of day. Water that's been sitting in pipes overnight may taste stronger first thing in the morning.
Activated carbon filters are the most effective and affordable option for chlorine removal. A quality carbon filter like the Waterdrop 10UA (around £60) removes 97%+ of chlorine. Even basic filter jugs like Brita remove most chlorine taste. You don't need an expensive reverse osmosis system just for chlorine—save that for harder-to-remove contaminants like lead or PFAS.
Yes, boiling water does remove chlorine, but it takes 15-20 minutes of continuous boiling to remove most of it. This isn't practical for daily use and wastes energy. A better option is to let water sit uncovered for a few hours (chlorine evaporates naturally) or use a carbon filter for instant chlorine-free water.
Water Filtration Specialist | 24+ Years Experience
Keith has installed thousands of water filters across the UK and knows exactly which solutions work for different water quality issues. He believes in honest advice—sometimes the simplest solution is the best one.
Read full bioInformation based on UK Drinking Water Inspectorate guidelines and water company data. Chlorine levels and taste can vary by location and season. Last updated January 2026.