What is the primary reason for chlorinating water supplies?

Chlorinating water supplies primarily serves the purpose of killing disease-causing organisms. When water is treated with chlorine, it effectively eliminates bacteria, viruses, and other pathogenic microorganisms that can cause waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever. This disinfection process is crucial for ensuring that drinking water is safe for human consumption.

While improving the taste, removing sediment, and softening the water may be factors in water treatment processes, they are secondary to the critical health objective of disinfection. The foundational reason for the widespread use of chlorination in water treatment systems is to protect public health by reducing the risk of disease.