What is a benefit of using chlorination in water treatment?

Chlorination in water treatment primarily serves the purpose of disinfection, making it highly effective in inactivating microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that can cause waterborne diseases. This process involves the addition of chlorine or chlorine compounds to drinking water, ensuring that it is safe for human consumption by significantly reducing the likelihood of illness. Chlorine is a powerful oxidant that disrupts cellular functions in pathogens, leading to their death or inactivation.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary benefits of chlorination. While some people may perceive a change in flavor, that is generally not a primary goal of chlorination. Furthermore, chlorination does not significantly reduce turbidity – that is usually addressed by sedimentation or filtration methods. In addition, chlorination does not increase the mineral content of water; it is primarily focused on disinfection rather than changing the chemical composition of the water. Therefore, the main advantage of chlorination is its effectiveness in ensuring microbiologically safe water.