Does Reverse Osmosis Remove Chlorine?

Jul 31, 2023

“No, but yes,” is the terrible answer to this question!


Reverse Osmosis by itself does not remove Chlorine. However, if Chlorine is not removed BEFORE the reverse osmosis membrane filter the Chlorine will eat the membrane filter very quickly. Because of this, 99% of the time, Chlorine is removed BEFORE the reverse osmosis system.

macu-pure reverse osmosis filter

There is a unique, and very expensive, membrane filter called CA, or Cellulous Acetate. This CA

membrane is Chlorine tolerant and does not remove Chlorine.


To better understand the reverse osmosis process and its relationship to chlorine, read on below.

Understanding Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis is a water purification process that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove a wide range of contaminants from water. The membrane allows only water molecules to pass through, while blocking larger molecules and impurities. This process effectively removes particles, ions, and dissolved substances, resulting in clean and pure drinking water.


The efficiency of chlorine removal by reverse osmosis can be influenced by several factors. Water temperature plays a role, as higher temperatures can improve the removal rate. The concentration of chlorine in the source water also matters; higher concentrations may require more time for effective removal.


Additionally, the condition of the reverse osmosis membrane is crucial. Regular maintenance and replacement ensure optimal performance.


While reverse osmosis can be an effective method in the chlorine removal process, it's important to note its limitations. Variations in removal efficiency can occur due to factors like water temperature and chlorine concentration. It's also crucial to recognize that reverse osmosis may not remove all contaminants present in water. Therefore, it's wise to consider complementary water treatment methods to ensure comprehensive purification.

Call MAC Water For Filtration Services & Membranes

Reverse Osmosis is a very beneficial process, but other complementary water treatments will help you yield more optimal results.


For help in selecting or replacing your membrane filters please call MAC Water Technologies, we ship internationally!

Blog Page Form

Recent Blogs

MAC Water Kansas City
29 Nov, 2023
We were happy to have the Kansas Department of Commerce stop by our facilities to learn more more about us and what we do. Get to know us a little bit more here in this spotlight post.
high BOD in wastewater
28 Aug, 2023
Biochemical Oxygen Demand, or BOD, is very important when it comes to wastewater treatment. Understanding what causes high BOD in wastewater can go a long way to creating better treatment solutions.
Water flows into the wastewater management system with foam build-up.
26 Jun, 2023
Curious about what defoamers are used for and how they work? Discover how defoamers work and why they're essential in wastewater treatment and how they benefit multiple industries.
Share by: