What is a common method for disinfecting drinking water?

Using chlorine and UV light is a common method for disinfecting drinking water due to their effectiveness in killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that may be present. Chlorination is a traditional approach that works by adding chlorine to the water, which reacts with and destroys harmful microorganisms. This method is favored for its residual effect, meaning that it continues to disinfect as water travels through the distribution system, helping prevent recontamination.

Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection is another powerful method that works by exposing water to UV radiation. This light disrupts the DNA of microorganisms, rendering them incapable of reproduction and thus effectively sterilizing the water. The combination of these two methods—chlorine for its residual effect and UV for immediate disinfection—provides a robust approach to ensuring that drinking water is safe for consumption.

In contrast, filtration focuses primarily on the physical removal of particles and some pathogens, but it may not effectively eliminate all microorganisms without additional disinfection measures. Boiling water is effective in killing many pathogens, but it does not provide ongoing protection against recontamination once the water has cooled. Natural sedimentation is important in water treatment processes but is not sufficient on its own for disinfection, as it primarily removes larger particles and does not eliminate