What is a common method to ensure the disinfection of water in treatment processes?

Chlorination is widely recognized as a common method for disinfecting water in treatment processes. This approach involves the addition of chlorine or chlorine compounds to water supplies to eliminate harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Chlorine is effective because it disrupts the cellular processes of microorganisms, leading to their death and preventing illness caused by waterborne diseases.

One of the primary advantages of chlorination is its ability to provide a residual effect in the water distribution system, meaning that it continues to protect the water from contamination even after treatment. This characteristic helps ensure safe drinking water from the treatment plant to consumers.

While boiling water is certainly an effective disinfectant method, it is typically employed at the household level rather than in large-scale treatment facilities. Filtration plays a crucial role in removing particulate matter and some microorganisms, but it does not effectively disinfect by killing pathogens. Heat treatment can also be used for disinfection, but it is less practical for large quantities of water compared to chlorination. Thus, chlorination stands out as the most common and efficient method used in water treatment processes for ensuring disinfection.