In our daily lives, access to safe and clean drinking water is something most of us take for granted. It flows effortlessly from our taps, a testament to modern engineering and public health practices that keep harmful contaminants at bay. Among the critical methods for the safety of our drinking water is chlorination. Chlorination plays a fundamental role in transforming public health by significantly reducing waterborne diseases. Let’s explore why the chlorination of drinking water is essential and how it continues to protect communities worldwide.
What is Chlorination?
Chlorination is one of many methods that can be used to disinfect water. This method was first used over a century ago and is still used today. It is a chemical disinfection method that uses various types of chlorine or chlorine-containing substances for the oxidation and disinfection of what will be the main water source.
The History of Chlorination
The practice of chlorinating drinking water began in the early 20th century and quickly became a game-changer in public health. Before its implementation, waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery were prevalent and often deadly.
In 1908, Jersey City, New Jersey was the first city in the United States to begin routine disinfection of community drinking water. Over the next decade, thousands of cities and towns across the United States followed suit in routinely disinfecting their drinking water, contributing to a dramatic decrease in disease across the country.
How Does Chlorination Work?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a chlorine residual for drinking water and limits the amount of chlorine to levels that are safe for human consumption. The levels of chlorine used for drinking water cause no long-term effects. Here is the full process:
- Addition of Chlorine: Chlorine is added to water in the form of gas, liquid, or solid compounds such as sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite. Pure elemental chlorine-gas is the clear choice in terms of cost, efficacy, public health, and safety.
- Formation of Hypochlorous Acid: When chlorine is added to water, it reacts to form hypochlorous acid (HOCl), the active disinfecting agent.
- Microbial Destruction: Hypochlorous acid penetrates the cell walls of microorganisms and oxidizes essential components, leading to the death or inactivation of pathogens.
- Residual Effect: One of the unique benefits of chlorination is the residual effect. Chlorine remains in the water supply as it travels through pipes, continuously disinfecting and preventing recontamination until it reaches consumers.
Why Chlorination is Essential
Chlorination is pivotal in reducing the incidence of waterborne diseases. According to “Drinking Water and Health,” it is effective against a wide range of pathogens, a few including:
Bacteria:
- Salmonella typhi: Responsible for typhoid fever, characterized by high fever, fatigue, and abdominal pain.
- Escherichia coli (E. coli): Some strains can cause severe diarrhea and other intestinal illnesses.
Viruses:
- Hepatitis A virus: Causes liver inflammation, jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and fever.
- Norovirus: Leads to gastroenteritis, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
- Rotavirus: Primarily affects infants and young children, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration.
- Enterovirus: Includes poliovirus, coxsackievirus, and echovirus, causing a range of illnesses from mild respiratory infections to severe diseases like meningitis.
Protozoa:
- Giardia lamblia: Causes giardiasis, leading to diarrhea, gas, stomach cramps, and nausea.
- Cryptosporidium parvum: Causes cryptosporidiosis, resulting in watery diarrhea and abdominal pain.
- Entamoeba histolytica: Causes amoebiasis, leading to diarrhea, stomach pain, and cramping.
By eliminating these pathogens, chlorination helps prevent outbreaks of diseases that can lead to severe illness or even death, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. Ultimately, Gas Chlorination remains a vital component of modern water treatment practices, playing a crucial role in safeguarding our health and ensuring access to clean drinking water, a privilege that many of us might take for granted.