What does disinfection refer to in water treatment?

Disinfection in water treatment specifically refers to the process aimed at selectively destroying pathogens – the harmful microorganisms that can cause disease. This process is crucial in ensuring that drinking water is safe for human consumption. In most cases, disinfection methods such as chlorination, ultraviolet (UV) light treatment, or ozonation are employed to target these pathogens effectively while allowing beneficial microorganisms to remain.

The focus of disinfection is not on the complete removal of all microorganisms, which implies a more comprehensive method like sterilization, but rather on diminishing or eliminating those that pose health risks. This targeted approach is essential for maintaining public health while avoiding unnecessary disruption to the water's natural microbial ecosystem.

Meanwhile, filtration of sediments primarily concerns removing larger particles and debris from water, not specifically pathogens; deionization involves removing ionic contaminants from water rather than targeting microorganisms. Thus, the targeted destruction of pathogens is the core purpose of disinfection in water treatment processes.