Proper disinfection of water using chlorine depends on which factors?

Proper disinfection of water using chlorine depends on which factors?

• A. Water color and odor
• B. Chlorine concentration and water temperature
• C. Chlorine concentration, water temperature, pH, and contact period
• D. Water depth and chlorine stability

Answer: (C)

The proper disinfection of water using chlorine is critically dependent on several key factors, which include chlorine concentration, water temperature, pH, and contact period. Chlorine concentration is inherently important as it determines the amount of chlorine available to kill pathogens effectively. Higher concentrations can result in more rapid disinfection, but it's also vital to use the correct amount to avoid potential negative effects on water quality and safety. Water temperature affects the reaction rate of chlorine with pathogens. Warmer temperatures generally increase the disinfection efficiency of chlorine, while colder temperatures may slow down the reaction and allow some microorganisms to survive longer. pH plays a significant role as well. The effectiveness of chlorine as a disinfectant is influenced by the pH of the water. In a more neutral pH range (around pH 7), chlorine is at its most effective in the free available chlorine form. If the pH is too high or too low, the chlorine may be less effective in killing microorganisms. The contact period is also crucial because it refers to the amount of time chlorine is allowed to remain in contact with the water to ensure adequate disinfection. The longer the contact time, generally, the better the disinfection will be, as it allows more pathogens to be neutral

The proper disinfection of water using chlorine is critically dependent on several key factors, which include chlorine concentration, water temperature, pH, and contact period.

Chlorine concentration is inherently important as it determines the amount of chlorine available to kill pathogens effectively. Higher concentrations can result in more rapid disinfection, but it's also vital to use the correct amount to avoid potential negative effects on water quality and safety.

Water temperature affects the reaction rate of chlorine with pathogens. Warmer temperatures generally increase the disinfection efficiency of chlorine, while colder temperatures may slow down the reaction and allow some microorganisms to survive longer.

pH plays a significant role as well. The effectiveness of chlorine as a disinfectant is influenced by the pH of the water. In a more neutral pH range (around pH 7), chlorine is at its most effective in the free available chlorine form. If the pH is too high or too low, the chlorine may be less effective in killing microorganisms.

The contact period is also crucial because it refers to the amount of time chlorine is allowed to remain in contact with the water to ensure adequate disinfection. The longer the contact time, generally, the better the disinfection will be, as it allows more pathogens to be neutral