Disinfection is a procedure that prevents microbiological activity, removes or deactivates harmful microorganisms in water. The development or deactivation of pathogenic microorganisms results in the cessation of their reproduction and growth.
Water contaminated with pathogenic organisms can be a carrier of diseases and infections if it is drinking water and cause problems on process equipment and products (biofilm growth, contaminated products, surfaces, etc.).
In many industries, medicine and pharmacy, disinfection is accompanied by sterilization. Sterilization is a process in which all microorganisms are removed and deactivated regardless of their harmfulness.
Disinfection can be applied as chemical or physical processes or a combination thereof. Disinfection also removes organic contaminants from water that serve as food for microorganisms and prevents the growth of pathogenic organisms (residual effect) in water, pipelines and process equipment, preventing water contamination.
Primary methods of disinfection include chlorination processes, chlorine dioxide, UV radiation, photocatalytic disinfection and ozonation.
