That “pool vibe” isn’t actually chlorine; it’s chloramine—a longer-lasting disinfectant used by many cities. It’s what makes your water smell like a high school swim meet on a Tuesday. The good news? Chloramine does dissipate. Let water sit in a pitcher for 15 minutes, or boil it, and the smell vanishes like your motivation at the gym.
Bonus fun fact: In Paris, tap water has a distinct mineral tang from the Seine’s chalky geology. The French don’t panic—they just buy a carafe. You can do the same. A simple activated-carbon pitcher filter (like Brita or Pur) removes chlorine taste and most DBPs without breaking the bank.
For the bougie among us, a countertop distiller or reverse-osmosis system is overkill for most homes. Stick with the pitcher, and you’ll feel like you’re drinking from a mountain spring—until you remember the mountain is actually a reservoir in New Jersey.
