Chloramination FAQs

Chloramination is based on the formation of chloramines, formed when chlorine combines with very small quantities of ammonia at our treatment works. Chloramination is widely practiced in other parts of the UK to treat public water supplies.

For more information please see Chloramination Explained Factsheet in our Document Hub. Alternatively you can view the ‘Chloramination Explained’ Video

Scottish Water has introduced chloramination in areas where untreated water is highly coloured due to peat-based water sources.

It is also effective where drinking water has to travel long distances, as it removes the need to add additional chlorine within the network of pipes before it reaches customers' taps. Plus, unlike chlorine, chloramines have the benefit of having no significant taste or odour.

For more information please see our Chloramination Explained Factsheet in our Document Hub.

Chloramination has been used in the water industry throughout the UK for many years as a reliable and effective way to disinfect water, to ensure it is safe to drink.

Scottish Water is required to meet strict health-based standards laid down in The Public Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2014, and the treatment processes we use meet these standards.

Chloramination is recognised as a valid and safe treatment process by the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland (DWQR) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). More than 25% of our customers - one million people - receive chloraminated water.

Chloraminated water is safe for bathing, drinking, cooking and all the every day uses we have for water. This includes use by children, pregnant women and people on low-sodium diets and diabetics. However, adjustments to equipment for kidney dialysis patients, and for aquarium owners, may be required.

Most fish and aquatic pet owners should already be aware that chlorine is harmful to their fish/ amphibians. Similarly chloramines can also be harmful. Water conditioning agents and filtration systems are available to remove these. Please contact your local pet shop or aquarium for further advice.

Chloramination is harmless to other domestic pets and should have no effect on plants or soil.

If you are in any doubt, your aquatic pet shop, local vet or specialist society should be able to give you advice on pets affected by this treatment process and suitable equipment.

For more information please see the Chloramination Explained Factsheet in our Document Hub.