Chlorination an Important step of Disinfection for Treatment of Drinking Water - An Overview

Abstract

Microorganism can be found in all source of water i.e. rivers, lakes and groundwater. All microorganisms are not harmful to human health but some are may cause diseases in humans which called pathogen. Pathogens present in water can be transmitted through a drinking water distribution system, causing waterborne disease in those who consume it. Boiling and chlorination are the most common water and wastewater disinfection processes in use throughout the world. Boiling is primarily used in rural areas in developing countries to eliminate living organisms, especially bacteria, present in the water. It is also used in emergencies when other, more sophisticated methods of disinfection are not available. Prior to the development of chlorination, boiling was the principal method used to kill pathogenic organisms. Chlorination has become the most common type of wastewater and water disinfection. It should be to kill harmful organisms, and generally does not result in sterile water (free of all microorganisms).