Water purification by chlorinating, holding, and aerating

摘要

A method of preparing water for human consumption by chlorinating water obtained from reservoirs, lakes, or streams, which water contains microorganisms and naturally occurring or pollutant organic precursor substances known to react with chlorine to yield one or more halogenated organic compounds, holding the chlorinated water for a period of time sufficient for the chlorine to react with said precursors to produce halogenated organic compounds, and then removing the halogenated organic compounds from the water by aeration. Such treatment also removes any bromine-containing organic compounds contained in the water and any chlorine derivatives thereof formed in the chlorine treatment.