Two-thirds of this consumption is in the form of water or some other beverage. Concerns about the health risks or taste of drinking water may cause those who consume tap water to shift to bottled water, or other beverages. These beverages may include sweetened soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, which can pose health risks greater than those associated with drinking water. To stop chlorination of drinking water to eliminate the elevated cancer risks from chlorination by-products would be foolhardy. Nonetheless, the data provide strong evidence to support expanded efforts in research and development of alternatives to chlorination for the disinfection of drinking water.
Chlorination is particularly effective in preventing recontamination during distribution.
Alternatives must provide a similar level of protection. Perhaps the most viable alternative is point of use water treatment units. The weight of the evidence suggests that chlorination by-products pose substantial cancer risks that should be reduced.