Disinfection Q & A
Q. Should I worry about the Safety of
my drinking water?
A. Drinking water in the U.S. is among the safest and most
regulated in the world. In most instances, outbreaks of waterborne disease occur in water systems with
inadequate or no treatment. Still, certain segments of the population may be more vulnerable to waterborne
illnesses. These segments include pregnant women, infants, the elderly and those whose immune systems are
compromised by cancer, AIDS or the drugs used to treat these and other conditions.
Q. Is it safe to use chlorine to
disinfect drinking water?
A. Chlorination of drinking water is an important public
health intervention in the fight against microbial disease. Safe and reliable use of chlorine in the
disinfection process can be achieved in treatment plants of all sizes.
Q. Why should we use chlorine as
the disinfectant?
A. To date, chlorine has emerged as the disinfectant
of choice primarily because of its effectiveness, efficiency, affordability, convenience and lasting
effect as a disinfectant.
Q. Why should we disinfect our
drinking water system?
A. The primary goal of drinking water disinfection is
to kill or render harmless microbial organisms that cause disease. Chlorine has a lasting effect as a
disinfectant in the water distribution system and can protect against contamination that might occur
after the water leaves the treatment plant.
Q. Should I be concerned about
disinfectant by-products in my water?
A. Potential harmful levels of disinfection by-products
(DBPs) are extremely rare in treated drinking water. Nonetheless, since disinfection by-products were first
discovered over 20 years ago, water utilities have been continuously working to lower the levels of DBPs
while maintaining microbial protection.
Taken from the American Water Works Association.