Advantages Disadvantages

- Inexpensive - Lower disinfection effectiveness in turbid

- Kills bacteria and viruses effectively
- Residual chlorine protects water from
recontamination
- Acceptability to users because of ease-of-
use
- Proven health impact
- Scalability
- Low cost
- Plenty of testing and field assessments
- Local familiarity with product
waters contaminated with organic and some
inorganic compounds
- May not be effective at killing parasites
- Taste and odor are unacceptable to some
- Chlorine forms complex compounds with
organic material which may be detrimental to
health over time.
- Chlorine degrades over time.
- Contact time is required.
- Most users cannot determine the dosing
quantity themselves; proper use requires
simple instructions from the manufacturer
- Chemical dosage required varies with water
quality
- Chlorine needs to be purchased
continuously
- Chlorine can be hazardous if used
improperly. Requires quality control process
to ensure product reliability - Chlorine fumes
and contact with skin are hazardous
- Concern about the potential long-term
carcinogenic effects chlorination by-products
- Relatively short shelf life
- Uncertain concentration and shelf life,
susceptibility to gaps in supply chain, high
transportation costs, and difficulty in
dispensing precise quantities

hly effective Somewhat Not effective

for: effective for: for: Treatment process:
- Bacteria - Viruses - Chemical disinfection
Cryptosporidium
- Most oocysts Inlet water criteria:
Protozoa
- Helminths - Toxoplasma Low Turbidity
- Ammonium oocysts
- Turbidity Temperature: above 18
- Chemicals pH between 5.5 and 7.5, disinfection
- Taste, odour, unreliable above a pH of 9
color