Ozonation in drinking-water treatment: select the incorrect statement about the effects of ozone on water quality.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Ozonised water becomes tasteless

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Ozone is a strong oxidant used in advanced drinking-water treatment for primary disinfection and control of taste-and-odour-causing compounds. It decomposes rapidly, leaving no long-lived residual in distribution.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Properly applied ozone doses within conventional treatment trains.
  • Downstream filtration and, if needed, a secondary disinfectant (e.g., chloramine) may be applied.


Concept / Approach:
Ozone effectively inactivates many microbes and oxidizes certain organics, improving taste and odour. However, it does not render water “tasteless”; rather, it removes off-flavours without imparting a chlorine-like taste since it leaves minimal residual.



Step-by-Step Assessment:

Evaluate each statement against known ozonation effects.(a) and (e): Ozone does not leave a noticeable residual odour or taste.(b): Ozone is effective for microbial inactivation and for oxidizing colour/odour-causing substances.(c): Claiming water becomes “tasteless” is incorrect; water retains natural mineral taste.


Verification / Alternative check:
Utility practice shows ozonated water is often described as “fresh” without chlorine taste, not “tasteless”.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • (a), (b), and (e) are generally true within standard practice.
  • (d) “None of these” is false because (c) is indeed incorrect.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing absence of chlorine taste with the notion of tasteless water; minerals and temperature still influence taste.



Final Answer:
Ozonised water becomes tasteless

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