True or False: To disinfect surface water, it must only be filtered.

Disinfecting surface water goes beyond just filtering; it often requires additional treatment processes. Filtration can remove sediment and some pathogens, but it does not eliminate all harmful microorganisms that can pose health risks. Disinfection methods, such as chlorination, UV radiation, or ozonation, are necessary to effectively destroy or inactivate these pathogens and ensure that the water meets safety standards for consumption.

Dependable water treatment practices recognize that simply filtering does not address the full spectrum of contaminants, especially in surface water, which can be susceptible to a variety of biological agents. Therefore, a comprehensive water treatment process that includes both filtration and disinfection is crucial for producing safe drinking water from surface sources. This understanding underscores why the statement is false.