Which parameter indicates the effectiveness of the disinfection process in water treatment?

Residual chlorine is a key parameter that indicates the effectiveness of the disinfection process in water treatment. Chlorine is commonly used as a disinfectant to kill or inactivate harmful pathogens in water. The presence of residual chlorine allows operators to assess whether sufficient chlorine has been applied to the water and whether it remains effective in controlling microbial growth.

When chlorine is added to water, it reacts with any contaminants and pathogens present. After this reaction, some chlorine remains in the water, which is referred to as residual chlorine. The measurement of this residual is crucial because it not only reflects the amount of chlorine left in the water after treatment but also serves as an indicator of the system's ability to maintain disinfection throughout the water distribution process. If residual chlorine is present at appropriate levels, it signifies that the water has been effectively treated and is safe for consumption.

Monitoring residual chlorine helps water operators ensure that the disinfection process is working efficiently and allows them to respond quickly if chlorine levels drop, indicating a potential failure in disinfection. Other parameters, while important for water quality, do not directly measure the disinfection efficacy in the same manner that residual chlorine does. For instance, pH affects the effectiveness of chlorine but does not itself indicate disinfection performance; turbidity can