What are your views on chlorine vs chloramine, Hulk? I've heard that chloramine creates a lot more nasties in its interactions with contaminants but none of them are yet on the gov's danger list?
sorry I just saw this now.
Chloramines (chlorine + ammonia) is used mainly in water treatment for disinfection from the time the water leaves the plant to the time it comes out of your tap.
yes, it creates potentially cancer causing byproducts called tri/di halomethanes.
however, it acts as a good disinfectant that remains effective if the water runs into contaminating bacteria on the way to your house. they last longer than a free chlorine residual which is desirable. Free chlorine is a better disinecfecant but it gets used up very easily
other methods of disinfection don't do this. they have no 'lasting' power.
so, yes, I tend to favour chloramine. the risks of cancer being caused by these byproducts is, from what I understand, to be virtually neglegable.
people don't get sick from properly treated water. they get sick from drinking contaminated water