What is a potential concern when ozone is used as a primary disinfectant?

What is a potential concern when ozone is used as a primary disinfectant?

• A. chlorate and chlorite production
• B. bromate and formaldehyde production
• C. haloacetic acids formation
• D. bromate and chlorite formation

Answer: (B)

When ozone is used as the main disinfectant, a real concern is the formation of certain disinfection byproducts. If bromide is present in the source water, ozone can oxidize it to bromate, a regulated and potentially harmful byproduct. At the same time, ozone breaks down natural organic matter into smaller compounds, including aldehydes such as formaldehyde. So the potential for both bromate and formaldehyde formation is a key consideration with ozonation. The other listed byproducts are more commonly associated with chlorine-based processes or chlorine dioxide, not primary ozone disinfection, so they aren’t the main concerns here.

When ozone is used as the main disinfectant, a real concern is the formation of certain disinfection byproducts. If bromide is present in the source water, ozone can oxidize it to bromate, a regulated and potentially harmful byproduct. At the same time, ozone breaks down natural organic matter into smaller compounds, including aldehydes such as formaldehyde. So the potential for both bromate and formaldehyde formation is a key consideration with ozonation. The other listed byproducts are more commonly associated with chlorine-based processes or chlorine dioxide, not primary ozone disinfection, so they aren’t the main concerns here.