| Drinking Water Chemical Treatment |
| When boiling is not practical, chemical disinfection should be used to treat drinking water. The two chemicals commonly used in drinking water chemical treatment are chlorine and iodine. Chlorine and iodine are somewhat effective in protecting drinking water against exposure to Giardia, but may not be effective in controlling Cryptosporidium. Therefore, use iodine or chlorine in drinking water chemical treatment only to disinfect well water (as opposed to surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, and springs), because well water is unlikely to contain these disease-causing organisms. Chlorine is generally more effective than iodine in controlling Giardia, and both disinfectants work much better in warmer water. Home Page | FAQs | Glossary | Contact Us |