What's in our Water?
"Aluminium sulphate is the main coagulant. In most cases, hydrated lime is also added to adjust the pH of the raw water for the best flocculation results. Polyelectrolyte is used as a coagulant aid. For disinfection, chlorine is used to destroy the bacteria and viruses. Ozone is used, as well as chlorine, at Choa Chu Kang and Bedok Waterworks. Ammonia is added in the treated water containing free chlorine to form a stable chlorine residual. Sodium silicofluoride is added to the water on its way from the filters to the clear water tank"
Extracted from PUB website
What Harm does Chlorine in water does to You and Your Fishes?
"Chlorine in our tap water is a necessity to protect our drinking water and our bodies from harmful bacteria and diseases. Unfortunately, there may be some risks involved with using chlorine to treat our drinking water. One example of chlorine doing harm; is how chlorine can react with organic matter, such as rotting vegetation, already present in the water. The reaction, between the organic matter and the chlorine, is commonly referred to as a by product. The most common chlorine induced by products is trihalomethanes, or THMS.
When laboratory animals were given high doses of chlorine in their drinking water, their cancer risk rate increased. The studies don't stop with laboratory animals. Some research has found the risk of cancer can increase, within humans, when they have prolonged exposure to chlorine. There was a study done in 1991. This study revealed there is a link between chlorinated water, the by products, and bladder cancer. Studies have also shown that high levels of THMS may also have a negative effect on pregnant women. One study showed that women who drank large amounts of water containing THMS had an increased risk of miscarriage."
Extracted from Yahoo Voice
The harm chlorine does to our fishes is much more serious. Chlorine burns the edges of gills and destroys cells. This seriously interferes with gaseous exchange and the fish is no longer able to use dissolved oxygen in the water. Affected fish exhibit laboured breathing and may concentrate at the water surface. It may result in death of the fish due to Asphyxiation.
Chlorine is not only directly dangerous to fish, but causes indirect problems by destroying the beneficial bacteria that filter aquarium water. These bacteria break down the toxic metabolic waste products that are produced by fish. Ammonia, nitrite (NO2-) and nitrite (NO3-) are all converted by these bacteria colonies and it will not be possible to filter the aquarium water biologically in their absence.
"Aluminium sulphate is the main coagulant. In most cases, hydrated lime is also added to adjust the pH of the raw water for the best flocculation results. Polyelectrolyte is used as a coagulant aid. For disinfection, chlorine is used to destroy the bacteria and viruses. Ozone is used, as well as chlorine, at Choa Chu Kang and Bedok Waterworks. Ammonia is added in the treated water containing free chlorine to form a stable chlorine residual. Sodium silicofluoride is added to the water on its way from the filters to the clear water tank"
Extracted from PUB website
What Harm does Chlorine in water does to You and Your Fishes?
"Chlorine in our tap water is a necessity to protect our drinking water and our bodies from harmful bacteria and diseases. Unfortunately, there may be some risks involved with using chlorine to treat our drinking water. One example of chlorine doing harm; is how chlorine can react with organic matter, such as rotting vegetation, already present in the water. The reaction, between the organic matter and the chlorine, is commonly referred to as a by product. The most common chlorine induced by products is trihalomethanes, or THMS.
When laboratory animals were given high doses of chlorine in their drinking water, their cancer risk rate increased. The studies don't stop with laboratory animals. Some research has found the risk of cancer can increase, within humans, when they have prolonged exposure to chlorine. There was a study done in 1991. This study revealed there is a link between chlorinated water, the by products, and bladder cancer. Studies have also shown that high levels of THMS may also have a negative effect on pregnant women. One study showed that women who drank large amounts of water containing THMS had an increased risk of miscarriage."
Extracted from Yahoo Voice
The harm chlorine does to our fishes is much more serious. Chlorine burns the edges of gills and destroys cells. This seriously interferes with gaseous exchange and the fish is no longer able to use dissolved oxygen in the water. Affected fish exhibit laboured breathing and may concentrate at the water surface. It may result in death of the fish due to Asphyxiation.
Chlorine is not only directly dangerous to fish, but causes indirect problems by destroying the beneficial bacteria that filter aquarium water. These bacteria break down the toxic metabolic waste products that are produced by fish. Ammonia, nitrite (NO2-) and nitrite (NO3-) are all converted by these bacteria colonies and it will not be possible to filter the aquarium water biologically in their absence.