Chlorination of Water: What it Does and Doesn't Remove

Chlorination of water is a common practice used to disinfect and purify drinking water. However, chlorination of water does not remove all contaminants and pollutants that may be present in the water.

What is Chlorination?

Chlorination is a process used to disinfect drinking water by adding chlorine or chlorine compounds, such as chloramine or chlorine dioxide, to the water. This process helps to reduce the presence of bacteria and other microorganisms, making the water safer for drinking and other uses. The process of chlorination has been in use since the early 1900s and is still one of the most common water treatment methods used today.

What Does Chlorination Remove?

Chlorination is effective at removing a variety of bacteria and viruses from the water. It can also reduce the presence of organic compounds, such as pesticides and herbicides. Additionally, chlorination can help to reduce the presence of heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic, and mercury.

What Does Chlorination Not Remove?

While chlorination is effective at removing many contaminants and pollutants, it does not remove all of them. For example, chlorination does not remove nitrates, which can come from agricultural runoff, or fluoride, which is often added to water as a public health measure. Additionally, chlorination does not remove sediment, such as dirt and sand, which can find its way into water supplies.

Are There Other Ways to Remove Contaminants?

Yes, there are other methods for removing contaminants from drinking water. Filtration is one such method, which can be used to remove sediment, nitrates, and other contaminants. Reverse osmosis is another method that can be used to remove a variety of pollutants from water. Additionally, ultraviolet light can be used to reduce the presence of bacteria and other microorganisms.

Conclusion

Chlorination of water is an effective method for removing bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from water. However, it does not remove all contaminants and pollutants, such as nitrates and fluoride. Other methods, such as filtration and reverse osmosis, can be used to remove these contaminants. It is important to be aware of what chlorination can and cannot remove in order to ensure safe drinking water.

Dated : 02-Feb-2023

Category : Education

Tags : Environmental Science