For more than a century, public water systems have used disinfectants like chlorine and chloramines to kill bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Without disinfection, even clear-looking water can carry pathogens responsible for cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Modern treatment has saved countless lives, and that's not up for debate.

But here's the part most homeowners never hear:

According to recent research from Stevens Institute of Technology, disinfecting chemicals can, in theory, create byproducts we don't yet fully understand, some of which may affect human health.

That doesn't mean "tap water is unsafe." It means disinfecting water is a tradeoff: it protects you from microbes, but it can also create a chemical shadow that's harder to see and harder to regulate.

The EPA explains it plainly:

In other words, the disinfectant isn't the only thing in the water. When source water contains natural organic carbon from leaf litter, soil, runoff, chemistry happens, and new compounds can form.

Don't misunderstand, disinfection is critical. Since the early 1900s, it has dramatically lowered rates of infectious disease spread through untreated water. And the most important question does the benefits of chlorination outweigh the health risks of DBPs? has a clear answer from water utilities: Yes.

The concern isn't that treated water is dangerous. The concern is that there may be more to the picture than what's currently regulated.

Here's the simplest way to think about it:

Many byproducts exist, but a small group is regulated. Here are the main categories and EPA maximum contaminant levels:

EPA materials state that some DBPs such as THMs and HAAs have been linked to potential health risks, including increased risk of cancer and reproductive or developmental issues at elevated exposure levels.

This isn't just academic paranoia. EPA's own working group notes that more than 700 DBPs have been identified, while current rules mainly regulate THM4 and HAA5 as proxies for the wider mixture.

Bottom line: The regulatory framework covers a small, well-studied slice of a much larger chemical picture. That's not a reason to panic it's a reason to filter.

You don't need to panic. You need a plan. Here are three practical tools, ranked by what they do best.

Step 1 — Carbon Filtration

Remove the Precursors and Residuals: Activated Carbon

Activated carbon can adsorb many organic compounds including trihalomethanes and is highly effective at removing chlorine. A whole-house carbon system addresses DBP exposure at every tap including showers.

Explore the Bodyguard System →

Step 2 — Reverse Osmosis

For the Deepest Drinking Water Protection: Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis can reduce a wide range of contaminants and help lower exposure to DBPs and their precursors at the kitchen. A carbon + RO combination is a powerful one-two punch for drinking and cooking water.

Explore the American Made RO System →

Step 3 — Maximum Protection

Whole-Home RO or UV for the Highest-Level Protection

For homes with heavy contamination concerns or those who want RO-quality water at every tap whole-house reverse osmosis is the gold standard. If you're disinfecting a private water supply, UV treatment produces no known disinfection byproducts.

Explore the Defender System →

Disinfectants protect you from microbe's full stop. That benefit is real and proven over a century of public health history. But disinfectants can also create DBPs, and emerging research suggests there may be unregulated byproducts we haven't fully characterized yet.

If you want practical, layered protection:

Not sure which approach is right for your water? Our Certified Water Specialists can help you understand exactly what's in your water and what it takes to address it no guesswork required.