What is the primary purpose of chlorination in water treatment?

The primary purpose of chlorination in water treatment is to disinfect and remove pathogens. Chlorination involves adding chlorine or chlorine compounds to water to kill harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that can cause diseases. This disinfection process is vital for ensuring that the water supply is safe for consumption and meets public health standards.

Chlorination effectively reduces the number of pathogens in water, thereby preventing outbreaks of waterborne illnesses. By maintaining a residual level of chlorine in the treated water, it also provides ongoing protection against potential contamination in the distribution system.

The other options, while they may relate to aspects of water treatment, do not accurately represent the primary purpose of chlorination. Increasing mineral content would pertain more to processes aimed at remineralization rather than disinfection. Enhancing flavor is not a primary goal of chlorination; although chlorine can affect taste, this is not its main function. Adjusting pH levels involves using acids or bases, not chlorine, as chlorine itself does not significantly alter pH. Therefore, disinfection is the core objective of using chlorine in water treatment processes.