Which chemical is often used to treat water for effective disinfection purposes?

Which chemical is often used to treat water for effective disinfection purposes?

• A. Chlorine
• B. Ammonia
• C. Calcium hypochlorite
• D. Sodium bicarbonate

Answer: (A)

Chlorine is widely used in water treatment due to its strong disinfecting properties. It is effective in killing a variety of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, making it a crucial component in ensuring that water is safe for human consumption. Chlorine works by breaking down the cellular processes of microorganisms, thereby inactivating them. Its long-lasting residual effect in water also helps maintain disinfection throughout the distribution system. While other chemicals like calcium hypochlorite can also serve as a source of chlorine for disinfection, it is primarily due to the elemental chlorine that remains the most recognized and utilized form for water disinfection processes. Ammonia, although used in some advanced disinfection configurations, does not act as a primary disinfectant on its own. Sodium bicarbonate, on the other hand, is used mainly for pH adjustment and does not have disinfection properties.

Chlorine is widely used in water treatment due to its strong disinfecting properties. It is effective in killing a variety of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, making it a crucial component in ensuring that water is safe for human consumption. Chlorine works by breaking down the cellular processes of microorganisms, thereby inactivating them. Its long-lasting residual effect in water also helps maintain disinfection throughout the distribution system.

While other chemicals like calcium hypochlorite can also serve as a source of chlorine for disinfection, it is primarily due to the elemental chlorine that remains the most recognized and utilized form for water disinfection processes. Ammonia, although used in some advanced disinfection configurations, does not act as a primary disinfectant on its own. Sodium bicarbonate, on the other hand, is used mainly for pH adjustment and does not have disinfection properties.