What is the role of chlorine in water treatment?

Chlorine plays a pivotal role in water treatment primarily as a disinfectant. Its primary purpose is to eliminate harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that can pose significant health risks if present in drinking water. When chlorine is added to water, it forms various chlorine compounds that have strong oxidizing properties, which effectively kill pathogens and prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.

Using chlorine for disinfection is a standard practice because it is effective, relatively inexpensive, and provides residual protection as it remains in the water as it travels through the distribution system, continuing to mitigate any potential microbial contamination along the way.

While chlorine does affect the taste of water and can sometimes lead to the formation of disinfection byproducts that may alter taste, its primary and most essential function is disinfection. Softening water and mineral balancing are unrelated processes that involve removing hardness-causing minerals or adjusting the chemical composition of water, neither of which involves chlorine's primary role in water treatment.