Chlorination

Chlorination is a very common chemical method that uses chlorine to disinfect surface and groundwater. Chlorination is a good disinfecting method because it is inexpensive and proven effective against bacteria and viruses. Chlorine inactivates microorganisms by damaging their cell membrane, entering the membrane cell and disrupting respiration and DNA activity.

When chlorine is added to the water, the formation of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochloriteions (OCl-) occurs. These are the main disinfecting compounds in chlorinated water.

Chlorine + H20 = HOCl + OCl-

Another benefit of chlorination in addition to the disinfection of water, is that unlike other water treatment methods such as ozonation and ultraviolet radiation, chorination is able to produce a residual chlorine to reduce the chance of pathogen regrowth in storage tanks and distribution lines.

As far as the presence of iron (red staining of surfaces) and hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) in the groundwater in areas of South Florida, chlorination is effective. Integra environmental uses a chlorination and de-chlorination system for treatment of these. This system injects liquid chlorine into the water supply and to then chlorinate the water in a contact tank for an enough period of time for its disinfection process. In addition to the disinfection, chlorine will oxidize the iron and hydrogen sulfide and these will settle as solids to be removed on a monthly basis during routine maintenance of the home water treatment system. De-chlorination of the water will occur once water passes through an activated charcoal filter system which is usually installed in conjunction with other systems for greater contaminant reduction.