ball floating in a swimming pool

Would You Drink Your Pool’s Water?

May 16, 20251 min read

Chlorine is used to kill germs and keep our water safe, right?

For tap water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that chlorine levels up to 4 parts per million (ppm), are safe to drink, and most cities aim to keep chlorine levels between 1.0 and 4.0ppm to ensure safety and taste.

OK, so maybe you are thinking: Good! I don’t want to drink bacteria or germs! But now consider this: 4ppm is MORE than what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends for pools or even hot tubs. CDC recommended chlorine levels for pools and hot tubs are between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm.

The city tap water you drink can have more chlorine than your neighbor’s pool. Gross, right? 

And if you can actually smell the chlorine in water, it’s even worse. The strong “chlorine smell” most people notice (like at a public swimming pool) isn’t actually from the chlorine itself. It’s from chemicals called chloramines that form when chlorine mixes with organic matter like sweat, skin cells, pee, dirt, or…you know.

Chlorine? Yup, we’ve got that covered.


Chris is your 517 Water Nerd!  He also just happens to be the owner and engineer for Purified Home Water Systems. When he's not thinking about water, testing water, designing water purification solutions, or installing purification systems, then he's probably riding around on his tractor or cooking up something deliscious.

Chris, Your 517 Water Nerd

Chris is your 517 Water Nerd! He also just happens to be the owner and engineer for Purified Home Water Systems. When he's not thinking about water, testing water, designing water purification solutions, or installing purification systems, then he's probably riding around on his tractor or cooking up something deliscious.

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