What is needed to maintain proper disinfection levels in drinking water?

Maintaining proper disinfection levels in drinking water primarily requires managing certain chemical levels, specifically disinfectants like chlorine or chloramine. These chemicals are critical because they are used to kill or inactivate pathogens that can cause disease. Ensuring the correct concentration of these disinfectants is essential in order to effectively eliminate harmful microorganisms while also considering the potential formation of disinfection byproducts at high levels.

While proper filtration can play a role in removing particulates and some microorganisms, it does not directly ensure that the required disinfection level is maintained. Low temperatures may reduce the effectiveness of some disinfection processes but are not a primary factor in maintaining disinfection levels. Increased oxygen is generally not a requirement for disinfection in terms of maintaining chemical levels, though it may benefit other processes in water treatment. Therefore, focusing on maintaining appropriate chemical levels for disinfection is the primary concern in ensuring safe drinking water.