Disinfection - Water Disinfection - Methods of Disinfection of Water

Methods of Disinfection of Water

Definition of Disinfection

Disinfection is a process to destroy the disease causing organisms or pathogens.

Introduction to Disinfection of water

Disinfection of water can be done by

1. Boiling the water
2. Physical method (Ultraviolet radiation)
3. A chemical inactivation of pathogen.

In the water treatment processes, pathogens & other organisms can be partly physically eliminated through coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, & filtration, in addition to the natural die-off. After filtration, to ensure pathogen free water, the chemical addition of chlorine (so called chlorination), rightly or wrongly, is most widely used for disinfection of drinking water. This less expensive & powerful disinfection of drinking water provides more benefits than its short coming due to disinfection by- product (DBPs). DBPs have to be controlled. The use of ozone & ultraviolet for disinfection of water & waste water is increasing in the United States.