What is an advantage of using ozone in water treatment?

Ozone is an effective oxidizing agent commonly used in water treatment due to its ability to disinfect and purify water without leaving harmful residues. One of the primary advantages of using ozone is that it does not create harmful byproducts that are often associated with other disinfection methods, such as chlorination. For example, the use of chlorine can lead to the formation of trihalomethanes (THMs) and other chlorinated byproducts, which can pose health risks. In contrast, ozone breaks down into oxygen after its reaction, leaving no residual compounds that could be harmful to human health or the environment.

Additionally, while ozone is indeed a powerful disinfectant, it does not have the same long-lasting residual effect as chlorine, which may be a drawback in certain scenarios where continuous disinfection is required. Furthermore, while ozone may be cost-effective in some contexts, it generally requires specialized equipment for generation and application, which can offset its perceived low cost. Its availability can also vary depending on the region and specific water treatment systems in use. These factors highlight the unique merits of ozone in water treatment, especially its safety and effectiveness without generating harmful byproducts, which makes it a preferred choice in many applications.