Jaime, if you check you will probably find out that the chemical being added to the water is Chloramine.
Chlorine is a gas and is not readily soluble in water. This is not intended to be a chemistry lesson but chlorine disproportionates in water, oxidizing and reducing which releases ions that can combine with water molecules to make hydrochloric acid. Chlorine in the presence of water (with its 2 oxygen atoms) greatly increases the oxidization reactivity of chlorine with other ionic compounds. One useful benefit of this chemical reaction is the killing of bacteria in a swimming pool. It is not advisable to mix chlorine gas with water to wipe down your counters. Bleach is easier to use and generally won't kill you while you work with it.
Even though we may call the stuff chlorine bleach, it doesn't contain any chlorine. If you were to mix bleach and an acid or an alkaline base together, the resulting chemical reaction produces heat and you may well produce chlorine gas depending on the ph of the acid/base. In any case, the results are not good so don't do it.
Just remember, bleach is not chlorine and doesn't contain any free chlorine molecules under normal conditions. The use of chlorine for water treatment is all but over. Chloramine is a much safer alternative and doesn't have the inherent risks associated with its use and transport.
Chlorine is a gas and is not readily soluble in water. This is not intended to be a chemistry lesson but chlorine disproportionates in water, oxidizing and reducing which releases ions that can combine with water molecules to make hydrochloric acid. Chlorine in the presence of water (with its 2 oxygen atoms) greatly increases the oxidization reactivity of chlorine with other ionic compounds. One useful benefit of this chemical reaction is the killing of bacteria in a swimming pool. It is not advisable to mix chlorine gas with water to wipe down your counters. Bleach is easier to use and generally won't kill you while you work with it.
Even though we may call the stuff chlorine bleach, it doesn't contain any chlorine. If you were to mix bleach and an acid or an alkaline base together, the resulting chemical reaction produces heat and you may well produce chlorine gas depending on the ph of the acid/base. In any case, the results are not good so don't do it.
Just remember, bleach is not chlorine and doesn't contain any free chlorine molecules under normal conditions. The use of chlorine for water treatment is all but over. Chloramine is a much safer alternative and doesn't have the inherent risks associated with its use and transport.