Although 71% of the earth is covered by water, only a small fraction is accessible and suitable for human consumption. This is why chlorination, mainly using chlorine and its derivatives, is emerging as an effective solution for disinfecting water, eliminating bacteria, viruses and protozoa, and thus ensuring its portability.

The following technical article describes the chemistry of chlorine, its applications in water treatment, a guide to correct dosing, the importance of contact time and analytical methods for determining chlorine concentration.

It also discusses the equipment required for effective chlorination and suggests chlorination protocols to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the process.

In fact, the drinking water disinfection process can be divided into three stages, each of which requires a different approach:

• Pre-chlorination
• Disinfection-storage-maintenance
• Post-chlorination

Importantly, the adoption of these practices not only improves water quality, but also contributes significantly to agricultural productivity and the maintenance of healthy ecosystems.