What is Free Chlorine?
Chlorine is a potent disinfectant used to kill bacteria and viruses in drinking water. Free chlorine, also known as residual chlorine, is the amount of chlorine remaining in water after treatment.
Free Chlorine’s Role in Drinking Water Treatment
Free chlorine plays a crucial role in drinking water treatment. Its primary function is to kill harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. When free chlorine is introduced to water, it interacts with contaminants, rendering them harmless and ensuring the water is safe to consume.
Free chlorine also prevents the growth of bacteria and viruses in the water distribution system. It has a residual effect, which means it continues to protect against contaminants even after being added to the water.
Measuring Free Chlorine Levels
To ensure drinking water safety, maintaining the appropriate free chlorine levels is vital. The required amount of free chlorine varies depending on factors such as temperature, pH, and the presence of organic matter in the water.
Water treatment facilities measure free chlorine levels using methods such as test strips or chemical analysis. If the levels are too low, additional chlorine is added to ensure safe consumption.
In conclusion, free chlorine is a crucial component in ensuring drinking water safety. Its ability to kill pathogens and prevent the growth of bacteria and viruses makes it essential in water treatment. Therefore, maintaining appropriate free chlorine levels is necessary to guarantee safe drinking water.
What products can be used to test free chlorine?
There are several products available that can be used to test free chlorine levels in water. Here are some common options:
Colorimeters: Colorimeters are more accurate than test strips and can measure the exact concentration of free chlorine in water. They work by shining a light through a water sample and measuring the colour intensity. Hanna Instruments has a range of portable colorimeters and professional benchtop colorimeters designed to measure chlorine in body of waters.
Comparator Kits: Comparator kits are an inexpensive option that involves comparing the colour of a water sample to a standard colour chart to determine the free chlorine concentration.
Digital Testers: Digital testers use an electrode to measure the free chlorine levels in the water. They can be more expensive than other options but provide precise readings and are easy to use.
Test strips: Chlorine test strips are simple and affordable. You can dip a strip into a water sample, and the colour of the strip will change based on the level of free chlorine present.
