The Chlorination of Water for Drinking
In order for the majority of water to be safe to drink it must not contain disease causing microorganisms. One of the routine ways of eliminating this problem is by chlorination or the addition of chlorine. This chlorination of mains systems acts as one means to help disinfect a cities water supply or that of private or public wells.
Ensuring safe water for consumption is an important matter for all cities. The disinfection of this crucial resource is valuable in reducing the number of illnesses that can be spread through a region, which can lead to illness and loss of life. Through chlorination and alternative disinfection processes these numbers can be diminished. Many states impose regulations that demand chlorination of their mains supplies as well as alternative standards be met before this resource can be considered safe for consumption.
Chlorination is brought about by employing a few distinct forms of chlorine. It can be a gas, a liquid or a solid. The liquid and solid types are on the whole the most stable and easiest to use. Liquid bleach is sold for washing clothes but can also be added in teeny doses (a few drops) to mains water to help purify it. Municipalities may use the gaseous form of chlorine for chlorination which is ordinarily not suited for personal use.
When chlorine is introduced to H2O it combines with the small particles, animals, microbes and other products that in essence will use or exhaust the chlorine. During chlorination it is essential to have enough chlorine to combine with these germs and also have some chlorine that doesn’t combine or remains free in order to have continual disinfection. Adding the correct amount of chlorine ensures that a good level of chlorination is maintained for continuous disinfection.
A further concern in chlorination is the length of time the chlorine has to react with the small particles. If they are not combined long enough the chlorine will not have sufficient time to kill the microorganisms. There are many methods used during chlorination, including holding tanks and longer supply coils that can increase the amount of contact time. Further factors such as temperature and the amount of alkalinity in the water can also influence the chlorination time.
If there is not enough time for the particles to combine an alternate is to use super-chlorination which adds generally ten times the amount of chlorine to the water supply. This would be followed by a reverse chlorination action that uses carbon filters to remove excess chlorine. Shock chlorination is an one time process that can be used when springs are new or have been repaired, or when a well has been contaminated.
Chlorine levels in potable supplies should be regulated to stop over chlorination. Too much chlorine would be hazardous or can leave a nasty taste to water, although not enough may not kill all the microorganisms. The right balance of chlorine in chlorination is essential for maintaining reserves that are safe to drink and that taste pleasing.
Chlorination of water systems has helped deal with the problem of having a mains supply that is safe. When used in the right measurements for the right amount of time chlorination can exterminate harmful bacteria that lead to sickness and disease. Many deaths have been avoided and much illness has been diverted through the introduction of chlorination to water.
Chlorination is vital in all mains systems whether existing or new. Equally necessary however is ensuring that water tank cleaning occurs to keep stored water clean and wholesome.
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