What is the main function of chlorination in water treatment?

Chlorination plays a critical role in water treatment primarily as a disinfection method. The main function of chlorination is to eliminate or inactivate harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that may be present in the water supply. By introducing chlorine or chlorine compounds into the water, a chemical reaction occurs that effectively destroys these microorganisms, thereby ensuring the water is safe for human consumption.

This disinfection process is crucial because pathogens can pose serious health risks, making chlorination an essential step in the treatment of drinking water. In various water treatment facilities, maintaining a residual level of chlorine in the water is also important to provide continued protection against re-contamination as water travels through pipelines to homes and businesses.

While chlorination can result in an improvement in taste due to the removal of some organic compounds, enhancing flavor is not its main function. Similarly, it does not remove sediments; this is typically handled by sedimentation and filtration processes prior to chlorination. Additionally, adjusting pH levels is not primarily associated with chlorination; other chemicals or processes are used for pH adjustment, as chlorine does not significantly influence the overall acidity or alkalinity of the water in a controlled manner. Hence, disinfection remains the key purpose of chlorination in