What does disinfection of water involve?

Disinfection of water primarily involves processes aimed at eliminating or inactivating pathogenic organisms, which are microorganisms that can cause disease. This is crucial in both military and civilian settings to ensure the water supply is safe for consumption and free from harmful pathogens that could lead to outbreaks of waterborne illnesses.

The focus of disinfection is on methods such as chlorination, ultraviolet light treatment, or ozonation, which specifically target bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, rendering them inactive or killing them effectively. This step is essential, especially in environments where access to clean water may be compromised, such as field operations or during humanitarian missions.

While enhancing the taste of water, filtration, and removing heavy metals are important aspects of water treatment, they do not directly address the core objective of disinfection, which is the eradication of microorganisms responsible for disease transmission.