Which part of the water treatment process focuses on reducing harmful microorganisms?

The part of the water treatment process that focuses on reducing harmful microorganisms is chlorination. This process involves the addition of chlorine to treated water to eliminate pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and some protozoa. Chlorination is a crucial step in ensuring that the water is safe for human consumption, as it effectively disinfects the water supply and helps prevent waterborne diseases.

Chlorination not only kills existing microorganisms but also provides a residual effect, protecting the water from future contamination as it moves through the distribution system. This makes it a vital step in comprehensive water treatment strategies, particularly for surface water sources that may be more susceptible to microbial contamination.

While flocculation, sedimentation, and coagulation are all important processes in water purification, they primarily focus on the removal of suspended solids and contaminants through physical and chemical reactions, rather than directly targeting microorganisms for reduction. Thus, chlorination is distinctly recognized for its role in disinfecting water by addressing harmful microorganisms directly.