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Does Spring Water Have Chlorine?
Updated: 08/31/2026
Reviewed by the Tahoe Springs Water Team
Reading Time: 7–8 Minutes
No. Spring water does not have chlorine. It does have a small, natural amount of chloride, which is a mineral, not the same thing as chlorine. Chlorine is a chemical added to tap water to kill germs. Chloride comes from rocks and minerals and is actually good for your body.
Keep reading to see the real difference between chlorine and chloride, how much chloride is safe, why spring water does not need chlorine at all, and how Tahoe Springs Water keeps every bottle clean and tested.
What Is Chlorine and Why Is It Used in Water at All?
Chlorine is a chemical used to kill bacteria and other germs in water. Water companies add it to treat water that comes from open or shared sources, like rivers, lakes, or city water systems. Without it, harmful bacteria could grow and make people sick. This is why tap water almost always contains some chlorine.
Spring water is different. It comes from a protected underground source, so spring water does not have chlorine since it does not need this kind of chemical treatment. That is one of the main reasons spring water tastes different from tap water.
Chlorine vs Chloride, What Is the Difference?
These two words sound alike, but they are not the same thing.
| Chlorine | Chloride | |
| What it is | A man made chemical | A natural mineral |
| Where it comes from | Added by water companies to treat tap water | Forms when water passes over rocks and soil |
| What it does | Kills bacteria and other germs | Helps control blood pressure and helps nerves send signals |
| Effect in large amounts | Can affect taste and smell | Generally harmless at natural levels |
| Found in spring water | No | Yes, naturally |
What Are the Health Risks of Chlorine in Water?
Chlorine in water is considered safe at the levels used to treat drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency allows up to 4 milligrams per liter of chlorine in tap water, and at that level it is not linked to health problems for most people.
The concern comes up with long-term exposure to high levels, or with byproducts that can form when chlorine reacts with other materials in water. Some research has linked heavy, long term exposure to these byproducts with a higher risk of bladder or colon issues. This is why many people prefer water with little to no chlorine, and it is one more reason spring water is a good choice, since it skips this chemical step entirely.
Is Chloride in Spring Water Safe?
Yes. Chloride in spring water is safe at the levels naturally found there. The Environmental Protection Agency sets a guideline of 250 milligrams per liter for chloride in drinking water. Below that level, chloride has no real effect on your health and often is not even noticeable in taste.
Above that level, water can start to taste salty. This is mostly a taste issue, not a danger, though people on a low sodium diet or with kidney problems should keep an eye on their total intake. The amount of chloride in spring water depends on where it comes from, since different areas have different rocks and minerals in the ground.
Does Bottled Spring Water Have Chlorine?
No, bottled spring water does not need chlorine because it is treated in other ways that do not involve chemicals. Common methods include:
- Microfiltration, which physically strains out particles and germs.
- Ultraviolet light, which kills bacteria without adding anything to the water.
- Ozonization, which disinfects the water and then breaks down on its own, leaving nothing behind.
These steps keep the water clean and safe while keeping the natural taste and minerals intact. This is different from tap water, which relies on chlorine to stay safe as it travels through miles of pipes.
Does Boiling Water Remove Chlorine?
Yes. Chlorine turns into a gas at a fairly low temperature, so boiling water for several minutes lets most of the chlorine escape into the air. This is a useful trick for tap water or water from an unknown source.
It matters much less for spring water, since spring water does not carry meaningful chlorine to begin with. Boiling spring water will not do much for chlorine, but it can still help kill bacteria if the water came from an untested outdoor source, like a stream or river.
Which Types of Water Have No Chlorine?
A few types of water are naturally chlorine free or come very close to it.
| Type of Water | Why It Has No Chlorine | Good to Know |
| Bottled spring water | Comes from a protected underground source, not treated with chlorine | Keeps its natural minerals |
| Filtered water | Passed through a carbon filter or reverse osmosis system, both remove chlorine | Depends on the filter used |
| Well water | Does not go through a city treatment plant | Should still be tested for safety |
| Distilled water | The distilling process removes chlorine | Also removes natural minerals, better for short term use |
Spring Water vs Chlorinated Tap Water
| Spring Water | Chlorinated Tap Water | |
| Source | Protected underground spring | Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs treated by a city plant |
| Treatment | Microfiltration, UV light, ozonization | Chlorine disinfection |
| Chlorine content | None to trace amounts | Up to 4 mg per liter, regulated by the EPA |
| Taste | Naturally clean, holds its mineral taste | Can taste or smell like chlorine |
| Minerals | Contains natural calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium | Varies, minerals often stripped or added back separately |
Both are considered safe to drink under normal conditions. Spring water tends to win on taste and mineral content, while tap water wins on cost and easy access.
Spring Water from Tahoe Springs Water in Las Vegas
Tahoe Springs Water has served Las Vegas homes and businesses since 1994. We are an A+ rated, BBB accredited company, accredited since 2012, so you know you are working with a trusted local name, not a stranger showing up at your door.
Our spring water delivery service in Las Vegas takes the guesswork out of drinking clean water. Every bottle comes straight from the Sierra Mountains in California and passes through microfiltration, ultraviolet light, and ozonization before it reaches you, so it stays safe with no added chlorine while keeping its natural calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.
You get fresh, great tasting water delivered on schedule, with no trips to the store and no guessing about what is in your water.
Delivery is free across Las Vegas. Call us at 702-433-4545, or visit us at 3300 MEADE AVE. LAS VEGAS, NV 89102 to start your spring water delivery today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does natural spring water have chlorine?
No. Natural spring water contains small amounts of chloride, a mineral, not chlorine.
What is a safe level of chloride in drinking water?
The EPA guideline is 250 milligrams per liter. Below that, chloride has no real effect on health or taste.
Does boiling spring water remove chlorine?
Spring water does not carry meaningful chlorine to begin with, so boiling has little effect. Boiling only helps remove chlorine from tap or well water.
Is spring water safe to drink?
Yes, when it comes from a tested and regulated source like a licensed water company. Water taken straight from nature should be checked first.
Is spring water chlorinated?
No. Spring water is not chlorinated. It comes from a protected underground source, so it does not need chemical disinfection.
Is spring water better than tap water?
Both are safe under normal conditions. Spring water usually tastes better and keeps more natural minerals, while tap water is cheaper and more widely available.
Hooray for cleaner water! I’m happy to learn that spring water is free from chlorine. Your article was great for me.