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Microorganisms can be found in raw water from groundwater, rivers and lakes. Although not all of these are harmful to human health, there are some that can cause diseases and are called pathogens. Pathogens in water can be transmitted by the distribution of drinking water, causing water-borne diseases in those who consume it.

Different disinfection methods can be used to neutralize these pathogens. Chlorination is the most preferred method among these methods. Chlorination is one of many methods that can be used to disinfect water. It is a chemical disinfection method in which different chlorine or chlorine-containing substances are used for the oxidation and disinfection of the source of drinking water.

Chlorination has a bactericidal effect on bacteria. It performs this process by inhibiting glucose oxidation and reducing enzyme activation. Chlorination process removes bacteria and viruses that affect the taste and color of water. For this reason, it provides odor, taste and chemical control.

Advantages of Chlorination of Water

• Chlorination process is effective on a wide variety of microorganisms.

• Provides odor, taste and chemical control.

• Provides continuity by performing secondary disinfection.

• The economic contribution of chlorination is higher than other disinfection methods.

It is expected that the amount of living things such as viruses and bacteria in waters used for humanitarian purposes will be zero. As a result of the detection of microorganisms in the water as a result of the measurements carried out, the water should be chlorinated regularly. Since it is effective on a wide range of microorganisms, it is frequently preferred in the treatment of mains water. After the chlorination process, the amount of chlorine added to the water must be adjusted correctly so that the minerals in the water do not collapse.

In Turkey , the standard values ​​of drinking water are determined by the Ministry of Health. In the process of chlorination of drinking water, the limits are determined by the laws and the domestic chlorine amount is determined as 0.5 ppm by the regulation.

Is Chlorinated Water Harmful for Human Health?

Chlorine can be toxic not only to microorganisms but also to human health. It is irritating to eyes, nasal passages and respiratory system. The chlorine concentration in drinking water is generally kept low and therefore does not pose a problem as a result of acute exposure. Of real concern is chronic exposure to chlorinated water. This causes a long-term risk of cancer. However, this is mainly due to trihalomethanes and external disinfection by-products, which are chloride by-products. Although there are concerns about carcinogens in drinking water, the Health Canada Laboratory Center for Disease Control has stated that chlorinated water is beneficial in controlling transmitted diseases. They mentioned that if the drinking water is not chlorinated, the disease level will increase and this situation will cause problems.

Chlorination of Drinking and Process Water

The chlorination process, in its simplest form, consists of the following stages:

• The particles in the water are brought together.

• The particles brought together are precipitated by sedimentation.

• Other particles that do not settle to the bottom are eliminated by filtering.

• Disinfection is carried out by chlorination in order to destroy microorganisms after the disposal of solid materials. If biological treatment is applied, chlorination after biological treatment is appropriate.

Why is Drinking Water Chlorinated?

Many studies have been carried out to achieve success in the use of chlorine as a disinfectant to purify drinking water, and many studies have been carried out in this direction.

One of the main advantages of chlorination is that it has been proven to be effective against living things such as bacteria and viruses. But it cannot neutralize all microbes. Some protozoan cysts are resistant to the action of chlorine. Where protozoan cysts are not of great concern, the use of chlorine would be a good disinfection method. It is one of the main reasons why it is preferred to be applied cheaply and easily compared to other water treatment methods.