What is the primary purpose of chlorination in water treatment?

The primary purpose of chlorination in water treatment is to disinfect water by killing harmful pathogens. This process is essential for ensuring that the water supply is safe for public consumption. Chlorine works effectively as a disinfectant due to its ability to target and eliminate a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoans, which can pose serious health risks.

While there are other water treatment processes that address sediment removal, pH balance, and taste enhancement, these do not fall under the main objective of chlorination. Chlorination specifically focuses on pathogen control, making it a critical step in the water treatment process to protect public health by reducing the prevalence of waterborne diseases.