What is the primary purpose of disinfection in water treatment?

The primary purpose of disinfection in water treatment is to kill pathogens. Disinfection processes are crucial for ensuring that drinking water is safe for human consumption by targeting microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, that can cause waterborne diseases. Various methods of disinfection, including chlorination, ozonation, and ultraviolet (UV) light, are employed to effectively eliminate these harmful agents from the water supply, thereby protecting public health.

While water treatment may include processes like removing turbidity or adjusting pH, these are not the main goals of disinfection. Turbidity removal is related to improving water clarity and aesthetic quality, pH reduction can be important for corrosion control, and taste enhancement is more associated with the addition of certain chemicals or minerals. However, the critical aspect of disinfection specifically addresses the need to make the water microbiologically safe.