What is the significance of chlorination in the treatment of water?

What is the significance of chlorination in the treatment of water?

• A. To remove heavy metals from water
• B. To disinfect water and eliminate harmful pathogens
• C. To stabilize pH levels in water
• D. To enhance the taste of drinking water

Answer: (B)

Chlorination plays a crucial role in water treatment primarily as a method for disinfection. This process involves adding chlorine or chlorine compounds to water, which effectively targets and eliminates harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that can lead to waterborne diseases. The significance of chlorination lies in its ability to make water safe for human consumption, thus protecting public health and preventing outbreaks of diseases such as cholera or typhoid fever. Additionally, chlorination is a relatively cost-effective and efficient method that can be carried out at various stages of water treatment, making it a standard practice in ensuring a safe drinking water supply. While other processes such as removing heavy metals, stabilizing pH levels, or enhancing taste are important in water treatment, they do not specifically address the primary concern of making water microbiologically safe. As a result, the focused objective of disinfecting water via chlorination is paramount and underscores its significance in the overall treatment process.

Chlorination plays a crucial role in water treatment primarily as a method for disinfection. This process involves adding chlorine or chlorine compounds to water, which effectively targets and eliminates harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that can lead to waterborne diseases. The significance of chlorination lies in its ability to make water safe for human consumption, thus protecting public health and preventing outbreaks of diseases such as cholera or typhoid fever. Additionally, chlorination is a relatively cost-effective and efficient method that can be carried out at various stages of water treatment, making it a standard practice in ensuring a safe drinking water supply.

While other processes such as removing heavy metals, stabilizing pH levels, or enhancing taste are important in water treatment, they do not specifically address the primary concern of making water microbiologically safe. As a result, the focused objective of disinfecting water via chlorination is paramount and underscores its significance in the overall treatment process.