What does the term disinfection refer to?

The term disinfection specifically refers to the process of killing or neutralizing germs and bacteria present in water. This is a crucial step in ensuring that water is safe for consumption and meets public health standards. Disinfection typically involves the use of chemicals such as chlorine, or physical processes like ultraviolet (UV) light, which effectively eliminate pathogenic microorganisms.

While processes like removing sediments and filtering solids are important for water treatment, they are not considered disinfection as they do not directly target germs and bacteria. Additionally, changing water temperature does not address the microbial content in the water. Thus, disinfection is specifically focused on making water safe by targeting harmful organisms.