Which substances can be used for water disinfection?

Chlorine, ozone, and ultraviolet (UV) light are all effective substances used for water disinfection. Chlorine is widely used due to its ability to kill a wide range of pathogens and is a common choice for municipal water treatment. Ozone is another powerful oxidizing agent that is effective at inactivating viruses, bacteria, and protozoans without leaving harmful residual chemicals in the water. UV light works by disrupting the DNA of microorganisms, effectively rendering them unable to reproduce and cause illness.

These three methods are complementary in many treatment processes, often used together or in sequence to enhance overall disinfection efficacy. Each has its specific advantages and applications, with chlorine providing residual disinfection, ozone offering strong oxidative properties, and UV providing rapid disinfection without chemical additions.

Other options present substances that are either ineffective or less common for disinfection, such as vinegar, which does not have the necessary potency against a wide range of pathogens, and bleach, which, while similar to chlorine, is not as commonly used directly for drinking water disinfection due to potential side effects and regulatory concerns.