The influence of disinfectant dose on selected physicochemical and microbiological parameters of water quality

The quality of drinking water is one of the key factors for public health protection, with effective disinfection methods playing a crucial role. This study investigated the impact of different doses of sodium hypochlorite, one of the most commonly used disinfectants, on selected physicochemical and microbiological parameters of raw groundwater. The aim of the laboratory experiments was to determine the optimal disinfectant dose that ensures effective inactivation of indicator microorganisms, without adversely affecting other water quality parameters such as pH value, electrical conductivity, and residual chlorine content. By testing based on C·t values, changes in microbiological load were observed along with possible alterations in the physicochemical properties of the water. The results showed a clear correlation between increasing disinfectant doses and the reduction in microbial counts. However, higher doses also posed risks of generating undesirable disinfection by-products and affecting the taste and aesthetic characteristics of the water. It was concluded that careful control of disinfectant dosing is essential to achieve a balance between microbiological safety and the preservation of physicochemical water quality. Optimization of the disinfection process can significantly enhance the standards in groundwater treatment, ensuring both effective pathogen removal and compliance with drinking water quality criteria.