Chloramines, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, are a type of disinfectant used to kill potentially harmful bacteria in the water. In comparison to chlorine, chloramines form less chemicals in water, improve the smell and odor of water, and last longer to prevent bacterial growth in water.
Chloramines can promote algae growth in open bodies of water.
DWP is finally going to be allowed to remove its large open water reservoirs from service, and this will allow for the safe use of chloramines in our water system. Chloramines are an EPA approved disinfectant for drinking water. Chloramines have been used safely in the U.S. and Canada for many years. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has been supplying water treated with chloramines since 1985 to our neighboring cities like Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Glendale. Chloraminated water is safe to drink for everyone because the digestive process neutralizes the chloramines before reaching the bloodstream.