Pure and Applied Chemistry

Abstract: Disinfection of drinking-water is one of the main achievements of our time in the protection of public health. The use of chlorine for the destruction of microbiological pathogens is essential to protect the public from outbreaks of waterborne disease. Chlorine, as well as other disinfectants, produces a variety of chemical by-products. The risk from the presence of microbial pathogens in drinking-water is estimated to be several orders of magnitude greater than the risk from chlorination by-products. Any efforts to control these by-products must not compromise the microbiological quality of drinking-water.