Why does chlorine play such an important role in the treatment of the world’s drinking water systems?
Chlorine plays a key role in ensuring the safety of our potable water supply. As a vital part of the water treatment process, it kills or inactivates bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that pose a risk to public health.
Chlorine’s use as a disinfectant has steadily increased since the early 1900s. And today it’s used all over the world to ensure the safety and palatability of drinking water supplies. Chlorination’s role in ensuring water quality has made it a key part of many water utilities’ strategy. And indeed, its use in public water systems is mandated by many governments worldwide.
What are the benefits of using chlorine in decontamination of our drinking water supply?
The advantages of using chlorine for the decontamination of our water supply – either on its own or in conjunction with other chemicals like ammonia – are numerous. Relatively economical and widely available, chlorine also plays a valuable secondary role, with residual amounts remaining after the initial treatment process ensuring that water stays protected in the wider distribution system. Other incremental benefits in the distribution system include the removal of iron and manganese that can cause staining; limiting the growth of algae in water filtration systems; and removing hydrogen sulfide, the pungent smelling ‘rotten egg’ gas that in solution can stain and discolour consumers’ plumbing fixtures, laundry and silverware.
What are the uses of chlorine in wastewater treatment?
Aside from its role in disinfecting drinking water, chlorine also has several uses and benefits in the treatment of wastewater, where it is used to control odor and septicity.
Chlorine dosage can be used to reduce biological oxygen demand (BOD), a measure of oxygen demand from biological organisms present in a water sample. In wastewater treatment plants, high levels of BOD require higher aeration levels which increase operational costs. With the addition of chlorine, addition of chlorine leads to a reduction of BOD.
The presence of ammonia (NH3) in wastewater can deplete dissolved oxygen and stimulate algae growth, causing harm to aquatic life. Here chlorination can be used to control ammonia levels in wastewater.
Adding chlorine also acts as an emulsifier, helping with the break-up and removal of oils and grease that can cause problems in wastewater treatment plants such as blocking of filters.
What are the dangers of the presence of excess chlorine in our water supply?
Maintaining an optimal residual chlorine level after water exits the treatment plant helps ensure that water distributed to consumers is safe and palatable to drink.
Balancing the benefits of chlorine as a highly effective and readily available disinfectant, however, care must be taken to ensure levels of this toxic gas are carefully controlled when it’s used to treat drinking water for consumption.
Limiting chlorine levels in wastewater discharged into the environment is vital to avoiding harm to aquatic animals and plants. Maximum safe chlorine limits in the distribution system are accordingly defined in World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.
Source: Julian Edwards
