Ozone treatment for water is a process that uses ozone (O₃), a powerful oxidising agent, to purify water.
When ozone is dissolved in water, it produces a broad spectrum biocide that effectively destroys harmful microorganisms. This makes it a highly effective method for water purification.
How Ozone Purifies Water
The core principle behind ozone treatment is the powerful oxidising nature of ozone. As the provided reference states:
- Ozone is a powerful oxidising agent.
- When dissolved in water, it creates a biocide.
- This biocide is broad spectrum, meaning it works against a wide range of contaminants.
What Does Ozone Treatment Destroy?
The biocide produced by dissolved ozone is highly effective at eliminating biological threats in water. It destroys all bacteria, viruses and cysts, ensuring the water is safe for consumption or other uses.
Examples of what ozone treatment targets include:
- Bacteria (e.g., E. coli)
- Viruses (e.g., Giardia)
- Cysts (e.g., Cryptosporidium)
History and Usage
Ozone water treatment is not a new technology. According to the reference, it has been used commercially for the treatment of potable water since 1904. Its long history demonstrates its reliability and effectiveness in providing clean drinking water.
Benefits of Ozone Treatment
- Effective Disinfection: Kills a wide range of microorganisms.
- No Harmful Residuals: Ozone breaks down into oxygen, leaving no chemical residue.
- Oxidizes Contaminants: Can help remove organic and inorganic compounds, improving taste and odor.
In essence, ozone treatment leverages the strong oxidative properties of ozone to disinfect water and eliminate pathogens, making it a vital process in modern water purification systems.
