6 FACT SHEET: CHLORINATION ;"rgf ;fdu|LM afof]:of08 !

Chlorination
isinfection of drinking water by mixing chlorine
D solution is called chlorination. Chlorine was used
for the first time in 1850 when John Snow used it in
London’s water distribution system to combat cholera .
Similarly, American cities like Chicago and New Jersey
started to use chlorination around 1908, a step which
brought significant decrease in the number of deaths
caused by cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea and hepatitis A.
Today chlorination is used to treat most drinking water
in the world since it is easy, inexpensive and reliable. In
addition to destroying harmful micro-organisms,
chlorination also reduces the amount of iron, manganese Advantages
and hydrogen sulphide in water. Together with the use of
chlorine on a large scale, chlorine is being packaged in • This is a simple, inexpensive and reliable technique.
small quantities for household use and is used widely in • Since chlorinated water need not be boiled, energy and
both developing and developed countries. resources are saved.
• Chlorine destroys almost all harmful micro-
organisms.
Use of chlorine • Because of the residual effect of chlorine, the chance
of recontamination is low.
The correct amount of chlorine solution must be used. If
the concentration of chlorine is inadequate the solution
may fail to destroy all the harmful micro-organisms and Points to be noted
if in excess, health may be adversely affected. Only an
appropriate amount of chlorine can destroy all harmful • The correct dose of chlorine solution should be used.
micro-organisms and provide a safe amount of residual • Direct contact of chlorine solution to body parts and
chlorine. Chlorine that does not combine with other clothes must be avoided.
components and remains in the water is called “Free • In case the body comes into direct contact with
Residual Chlorine” (FRC). According to WHO guidelines, chlorine solution, the area must be washed
the FRC concentration in drinking water should be immediately with plenty of water and medical
between 0.2 to 0.5 mg/L. treatment obtained at the nearest health post.

Chlorination in Nepal
Chlorination, traditionally used to centrally treat water in the pipped 0.72 ml chlorine solution available in 240 ml plastic bottles. Besides
water supply system was introduced for household treatment of water these two solutions, Aquatab, a chlorine tablet produced by Medentech
in 1994 by Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO) with Ltd, Ireland, which was initially used only for emergency relief in Nepal,
the brand name “ Piyush”. The product was retailed at medical outlets is now available in the Nepalese market. Aquatab comes in tablets of
on a non profit basis and with special focus on emergency relief. different sizes to treat 1 liter, 5 liters and 25 liters of water respectively.
Another chlorine product “Water Guard”, was introduced in Nepal in Aside from these commercial products, water can also be treated at the
2005 by Population Services International (PSI). Piyush is a 0.5 percent community level by mixing chlorine in water tanks, wells and household
chlorine solution packaged in 60 ml plastic bottles, Water Guard is a vessels.

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 How Does Chlorine Work? How to use a chlorine solution
Chlorine dosage Chlorine demand Combined
Chlorine residual Residual Chlorine • Three drops of 1% chlorine solution can treat 1 liter of drinking
water.
• One liter of chlorine solution can treat 10,000 liters of water.
Minerals • After determining the volume of a water tank, the exact
chlorine dose can be determined. For example: How much
chlorine solution is required to treat 2,000 liters of water?
Metal
For 10,000 liters of water – 1 L chlorine solution; For 1 L
water – 1/10,000 L chlorine solution; and For 2000 L water
– 1/10,000 x 2,000 L = 0.2 L or 200 ml of chlorine solution is
Slime and Organic Matter required
When chlorine is mixed in water, the following reaction takes • The water will be safe to use 30 minutes after adding chlorine
place: solution
• Calculating the water tank volume
Cl2 + H2O HOCl + HCl
Chlorine + Water Hypochlorous Hydrochloric
i. For a rectangular water tank
acid acid Volume of tank (V) = [Length (L) x Breadth (B) x Height
(H) of tank] x 1000 L
The hypochlorous acid readily destroys bacteria, oxidizes organic Example:
matter, dissolves colour and destroys “chloramines” derived from Given that L=2 m; B=2 m & H=3 m
ammonia. It takes about 30 minutes to do this work and make water V = L x B x H x 1000L = 2 x 2 x 3 x 1000 L
safe to drink. Therefore, Volume of the tank (V) = 12,000 L
And to treat 12,000 L water – 1/10,000 x 12,000 L = 12 L
How to prepare a chlorine solution of chlorine solution is required
Where chlorine solution is not available in the market, one can make
it by using a solution of bleaching powder, normally available in ii. For cylindrical water tank
local community health posts. Volume of tank (V) = [π x r2 x Height (H) of tank] x
• Place 40 gm (about 5 tea spoons) of bleaching powder in 1000 L,
plastic mug and add some water to make a thick paste Where “r” is the radius of the tank, which could be
• Add 1 liter of water and stir the solution thoroughly calculated by: diameter/2, & π = 22/7
• Put the solution aside for 5 minutes to settle. A clear chlorine Example:
solution will appear at the top with some residue settling at Given that r= 1 m; H=3 m
the bottom V = (π x r2 x H) x 1000 L = 22/7 x 1 x 1 x 3 x 1000 L
• Carefully pour the clear chlorine solution to a colored plastic Therefore, volume of the tank (V) = 9428.5 L
jar and seal tightly. Throw the residue in the drainage. To treat 12,000 L water – 1/10,000 X 9428.5 L = 0.95 L
• The prepared chlorine solution is 1% chlorine solution. Store or 950 ml of chlorine solution is required
the solution in a dark place away from children.

For further information visit: www.enpho.org | www.medentech.com | www.psi.org

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