What is the purpose of chlorination in water treatment?

The purpose of chlorination in water treatment is primarily to disinfect water. This process involves adding small amounts of chlorine to the water, which effectively kills or inactivates pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. By doing so, chlorination ensures that the water is safe for human consumption and helps prevent waterborne diseases.

Chlorine is a powerful oxidizing agent and reacts with contaminants in the water, thereby reducing the risk of outbreaks of illnesses caused by harmful microorganisms. This disinfection step is crucial in the treatment process and is commonly used in municipal water systems to maintain water quality and safety.

In contrast, other options listed do not accurately describe the primary function of chlorination. For instance, filtering out sediments pertains to physical filtration processes, enhancing color typically involves the addition of coagulants rather than chlorination, and removing heavy metals generally requires processes such as ion exchange or chemical precipitation, which are not directly related to chlorination.