Chlorination - Drawbacks

Drawbacks

Disinfection by chlorination can be problematic, in some circumstances. Chlorine can react with naturally occurring organic compounds found in the water supply to produce compounds known as disinfection byproducts (DBPs). The most common DBPs are trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Due to the potential carcinogenicity of these compounds, drinking water regulations across the developed world require regular monitoring of the concentration of these compounds in the distribution systems of municipal water systems. The World Health Organization has stated that the "risks to health from these by-products are extremely small in comparison with the risks associated with inadequate disinfection" There are also other concerns regarding chlorine, including its volatile nature which causes it to disappear too quickly from the water system, and aesthetic concerns such as taste and odour. Chlorination of swimming pools can have adverse effects on the skin and hair of swimmers due to chlorine's oxidizing properties; various remedies have been developed, most recently an antioxidant formulation of Vitamin C.

The other option for the use of chlorine for water disinfection is chlorine dioxide (ClO₂), known for being a highly selective and an effective biocide it is often used in Legionella control because of how potent a disinfectant it is, sanitizing in seconds. This means ClO₂ is often used in drinking water purification and is the disinfectant and sanitizer of choice for water used in food and beverage production