How do chloramines differ from chlorine alone in a water distribution system?

Chloramines, which are formed by combining chlorine with ammonia, offer several distinct advantages over using chlorine alone for disinfecting a water supply system:

• Longevity: The disinfecting effect of chloramines persists longer than that of chlorine, providing more sustained protection as water travels through the distribution network.1
• By-products: Chloramination produces lower levels of potentially harmful by-products, such as chloroform and other trihalomethanes, which can occur when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic compounds.1
• Sensory Quality: The use of chloramines further minimizes taste and odour issues compared to the use of chlorine alone.1

While chlorine remains a common and economical method for disinfection, the shift toward chloramination reflects an effort to balance effective pathogen control with improved water quality and safety throughout the distribution system.1