Water Disinfection and its Necessity for Drinking Water

Water does have the capacity to cleanse itself as water settled on ground passes through ground layers causing natural filtration. Microorganisms and other particles are removed from the water by this natural filtration. However, not all microorganisms and pollutants are removed by this natural process and water disinfection is still necessary. Of course, where the water is already known to be contaminated water disinfection becomes essential.

There are several methods of water disinfection, both physical and chemical means. An effective disinfection method must not only kill the microorganisms in the water but it must also remove organic contaminants which serve as food or shelter for the microorganisms as well as having a residual effect. The residual effect means that the disinfectant remains active after the water has been disinfected to prevent pathogenic organisms from re-growing.