How is sodium hypochlorite used in water treatment?

How is sodium hypochlorite used in water treatment?

• A. As a clarifier to enhance water clarity
• B. As a disinfectant to kill bacteria and pathogens
• C. As a coagulant to remove sediment
• D. As a stabilizer for water chemistry

Answer: (B)

Sodium hypochlorite is used in water treatment primarily as a disinfectant. It effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens present in water, making it safe for consumption or use. The chemical works by releasing hypochlorous acid in water, which penetrates the cell walls of microorganisms and disrupts their cellular processes, ultimately leading to their destruction. This makes it essential in maintaining water quality and ensuring public health, particularly in municipal water systems and during emergencies when contamination is a concern. The other choices do not accurately represent the function of sodium hypochlorite. Clarifiers are generally substances that help improve the clarity of water by removing suspended particles, while coagulants aid in the aggregation of these particles for easier removal. Stabilizers, on the other hand, are used in water chemistry to maintain chemical balance rather than for disinfection. Understanding these distinctions is important for recognizing the specific role sodium hypochlorite plays in water treatment.

Sodium hypochlorite is used in water treatment primarily as a disinfectant. It effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens present in water, making it safe for consumption or use. The chemical works by releasing hypochlorous acid in water, which penetrates the cell walls of microorganisms and disrupts their cellular processes, ultimately leading to their destruction. This makes it essential in maintaining water quality and ensuring public health, particularly in municipal water systems and during emergencies when contamination is a concern.

The other choices do not accurately represent the function of sodium hypochlorite. Clarifiers are generally substances that help improve the clarity of water by removing suspended particles, while coagulants aid in the aggregation of these particles for easier removal. Stabilizers, on the other hand, are used in water chemistry to maintain chemical balance rather than for disinfection. Understanding these distinctions is important for recognizing the specific role sodium hypochlorite plays in water treatment.