In water treatment, what is the purpose of using ozone?

The use of ozone in water treatment is primarily for disinfection purposes. Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent that effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens present in the water. Its strong oxidative properties allow it to break down organic and inorganic substances, rendering harmful microorganisms inactive and improving the overall safety of water for drinking and recreational use.

In addition to disinfection, ozone also helps in the removal of taste and odor compounds, providing an additional benefit to water quality. However, it is directly recognized for its role in disinfection, making this option the most appropriate choice.

The other options involve different processes: adjusting pH is typically done using acids or bases, removing heavy metals is more commonly achieved through filtration or ion exchange, and softening water generally involves using chemicals like lime or sodium compounds to reduce hardness caused by calcium and magnesium. While all these processes are essential in water treatment, they do not relate to the specific application of ozone.