What does the term "disinfecting" refer to in water treatment?

The term "disinfecting" in water treatment specifically refers to the process of eliminating pathogens from water. This is a critical step in ensuring that water is safe for human consumption and meets health standards. Disinfection involves using chemical agents, such as chlorine or chloramines, or physical processes, like ultraviolet light, to effectively kill or deactivate harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.

This process doesn’t focus on filtering out solids, which is a separate mechanical treatment method aimed at removing particles from water. Removing odors is related to improving water aesthetics and may involve different processes, such as activated carbon filtration, rather than disinfection. Cooling the water pertains to temperature control, which does not address the presence of pathogens. Hence, the emphasis on pathogen elimination underscores the primary health objective of disinfection in water treatment.