Role of disinfection in suppressing the spread of pathogens with drinking water: possibilities and limitations

Transmission of pathogens with drinking water is a widespread problem, which affects not only the countries with low hygienic standards but the industrialized countries as well. The pathogens are excreted by man or animals and are picked up orally. Chlorination of drinking water has been introduced to the water supply in the beginning of the 19th century in order to stop the spreading of pathogens especially typhoid fever by drinking water. Despite the worldwide use of chlorine for disinfection of drinking water, water-mediated disease outbreaks occur again and again. Disinfection of drinking water with chlorine has undoubtedly contributed to the reduction of typhoid fever mortality. However, it must be clear that other factors play an important role in the mortality drop. Filtration of water is a long-known and very effective process for eliminating pathogens from the drinking water. Pathogens in particles cannot be killed sufficiently by a chemical disinfectant. Even small fecal particles have to be eliminated reliably from the water by filtration. Disinfection of drinking water cannot replace filtration. The disinfection should be used to minimize the residual risk due to the presence of pathogens in the water but cannot be used for bringing fecally contaminated water into a hygienically sound condition.