While your city’s tap water often originates from natural sources like lakes or rivers, it isn’t ready to flow from your faucets until it undergoes thorough treatment. A critical step in this process is the addition of chlorine or chloramine, a mixture derived from chlorine and ammonia, specifically to eradicate harmful microorganisms. Along with disinfection, treatment facilities also use assorted chemicals for refining the quality, such as improving clarity and preventing the potentially harmful corrosion of pipes. Fluoride is sometimes included as well, aiming to reduce tooth decay among the population. The focus on safety and palatability underscores the efforts of municipal plants to provide clean water for a wide range of household uses.