disinfection

A treatment of water to inactivate, destroy, and/or remove pathogenic (disease producing) bacteria, viruses, cysts, and other microorganisms (but not completely eliminating all microorganisms) for the purpose of making the water microbiologically safe for human consumption. It may use chlorine, iodine, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide; or it may involve physical processes such as distillation, micro-filtration, ultra-filtration, boiling, or ultraviolet radiation.

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