Ozone is known to be very unstable in water. What challenge does this present in treatment processes?

Ozone's instability in water presents significant challenges in treatment processes, primarily because it tends to decompose rapidly. This instability makes it difficult to maintain an effective residual concentration after its application. In water treatment, having a residual disinfectant is crucial to ensure that the water remains free from pathogens throughout the distribution system. If ozone quickly breaks down, this residual effect is lost, meaning that while it may effectively disinfect water at the point of use, it may not provide ongoing protection against recontamination as the water moves through pipes and other infrastructure.

Maintaining a residual is key for effective disinfection, which is why the rapid decay of ozone in water is particularly problematic. This issue often necessitates the use of alternative methods or additional processes to ensure ongoing disinfection, impacting the overall treatment efficiency and possibly increasing operational costs. Other factors, such as ozone's high density or non-toxicity, do not present challenges in the same way when it comes to maintaining its function as a disinfectant within the treatment process.