What is one method of measuring disinfection effectiveness in water treatment?

Measuring the reduction of coliform bacteria is a key method for assessing the effectiveness of disinfection in water treatment. Coliform bacteria serve as an indicator of the presence of pathogens and other harmful microorganisms. By determining the reduction in coliform levels before and after disinfection, water treatment facilities can gauge how effectively the disinfection process eliminates not just coliforms but also potentially harmful bacteria and viruses.

This method is critical because a significant reduction in coliform bacteria implies that the disinfection process is likely effective in ensuring the water is safe for consumption. Other indicators, like chemical concentration, may provide insight into the presence of disinfectants but do not directly measure biological effectiveness. Total dissolved solids focus on inorganic and organic matter in water rather than specific microbial pathogens, and temperature changes are not indicative of disinfection efficacy in terms of microbial reduction. Therefore, focusing on coliform reduction provides a relevant and direct measure of the disinfection process's effectiveness.