Hard water and chlorine in Spain

[Anonymous]

I just gave my son a bath. Standing over the bath the smell of chlorine rising from the water was almost over-powering. I know this is terrible for hair, clothes, and children’s skin (and it really irritates his skin). But in an apartment in Barcelona there is no room to instal a water-softener. What can be done? Any ideas?

To the best of my knowledge, hard water is a huge problem the length and breadth of the Spanish coast. In a detached property you can usually install a water-softener where the mains connects to the house, but this is often not an option in a flat.

[angie]

Since installing one in a flat is not an option, have you considered moving to a house of which there are plenty of bargains around? 😕

[Anonymous]

@angie wrote:

Since installing one in a flat is not an option, have you considered moving to a house of which there are plenty of bargains around? 😕

Thanks, but I’m more interested in ideas that do not involve moving house, which is not really practical.

[Anonymous]

there are lots of small inline descalers and de ionisers available.i have one which is plugged into the mains and a little wire coil goes round the pipe this will not help with the chlorine thou thats probably put in at the sanitation plant.

[GarySFBCN]

I don’t think a water softener will remove chlorine. For that you need a reverse-osmosis system.

But there are a few other products that may work:

http://www.watershed.net/products/BathBall/Rainshower-Chlorine-Bath-Ball-Filter.html

http://www.phpure.com/enhanced-water-purification/shower-filters

I’d check products and reviews on Amazon UK, such as this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Softening-Chlorine-Removal-Washing-Machine/dp/B001FTNN04/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1356810627&sr=8-12

[Anonymous]

Mark, call in a good plumber, there are now many contraptions/filters (small) that can be fitted to the “entrada de agua” and will eliminate chlorine and purify water. Costs for a good one that can deliver the litres quickly is around €500; don’t get a cheap…………..happy holidays

[Anonymous]

Before you do anything check with your neighbours if they see this as a problem. It’s a lot easier and cheaper if the whole complex does it at the same time.

It’s quite weird that they don’t have a better check at your water facility at the levels of chlorine because it’s not necessary to have it at such high levels as you seem to have it but I guess they are saving in on tests and personel. The amounts needed to kill bacteria and other build ups are very tiny and when done correctly would not even be noticed in a taste test by a human.

This is not to brag but I wish you guys could try the water we have from the the normal water facility up here in the north. No need to buy bottled water that’s for sure.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all your advice. I’ll start researching the options based on your suggestions.

[Author]

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