What is the role of chlorination in water treatment?

Chlorination plays a crucial role in water treatment primarily as a method for disinfection. The main purpose of adding chlorine to drinking water is to kill harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that can cause waterborne diseases. This process ensures that the water supply is safe for public consumption, reducing the risk of outbreaks related to pathogens present in untreated water.

While taste enhancement, hardness reduction, and cooling might be relevant in other contexts, they do not pertain to the primary function of chlorination in water treatment. Enhancing the taste of water is typically achieved through different processes, while hardness relates to the presence of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which chlorine does not affect. Additionally, cooling water in distribution systems does not relate to chlorination, as chlorine is not used for temperature control purposes. Thus, the primary focus of chlorination remains on ensuring the microbiological safety of drinking water.