What chemical is commonly used to kill microorganisms in water?

Chlorine is widely recognized for its effectiveness in killing microorganisms in water, making it one of the primary chemicals used for water disinfection in treatment facilities. When chlorine is added to water, it reacts to form hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions, which are powerful oxidizing agents capable of inactivating bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. This process plays a crucial role in ensuring that drinking water is safe for consumption by eliminating harmful microorganisms that could lead to waterborne diseases.

While other chemicals like ozone also serve as disinfectants and can be effective at killing microorganisms, chlorine remains the most commonly used method due to its cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and residual properties, which allow it to continue to disinfect water as it moves through the distribution system. Fluoride is typically used for dental health rather than disinfection, and hydrogen peroxide, although it has disinfecting properties, is not as widely employed for water treatment as chlorine. Thus, chlorine stands out as the standard choice for efficiently managing microbial contamination in drinking water systems.