In the context of water treatment, what does the term “disinfection” mean?

Disinfection in the context of water treatment specifically refers to the process of eliminating harmful microorganisms to ensure that water is safe for human consumption and use. This is a critical step in water treatment as it helps to prevent waterborne diseases that can arise from pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Effective disinfection methods may include the use of chemical agents like chlorine or ozone, as well as physical methods such as ultraviolet (UV) light. The goal is to reduce the microbial load to a level that does not pose a health risk to consumers.

Other options focus on different aspects of water treatment that are not directly related to the elimination of microorganisms. For example, reducing water pressure pertains to system functionality rather than safety, removing sediments focuses on physical clarity rather than microbial safety, and enhancing water color is not a treatment goal for safe drinking water.