What does the CT disinfection requirement assess?

The CT disinfection requirement is crucial in assessing the capability of a water treatment system to effectively produce safe water. CT refers to the product of the concentration (C) of disinfectant (like chlorine) and the contact time (T) that the disinfectant has with pathogens in the water. This evaluation ensures that sufficient disinfection is achieved to inactivate or kill harmful microorganisms, thus preventing waterborne diseases and ensuring that the water delivered to consumers meets safety standards.

In this context, while efficiency of physical filters and chemical composition are important aspects of water treatment, they do not directly relate to the CT requirement, which is specifically focused on disinfection effectiveness. Additionally, the presence of infectious diseases is an outcome that this requirement aims to prevent, rather than something it directly assesses. The CT disinfection mandate is essential for confirming that the treatment process is robust enough to deliver safe drinking water.