What do chloramines do in water treatment?

Chloramines play a significant role as a disinfectant in water treatment processes. When chlorine is combined with ammonia, chloramines are formed, which are used to sanitize water supplies. This is particularly valuable because chloramines provide a more stable and longer-lasting disinfection effect than chlorine alone. As a result, they effectively control harmful microorganisms in the water while minimizing the formation of harmful by-products that can occur with traditional chlorine treatments. Moreover, chloramines can penetrate deeper into distribution systems, ensuring that contaminants are adequately eliminated throughout the water supply.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the function of chloramines. Increasing acidity is not a role of chloramines; they maintain water pH. Chloramines do not block contaminants but rather target them through disinfection. Finally, they do not encourage bacterial growth; instead, their purpose is to eliminate microbial pathogens. Understanding the disinfecting action of chloramines is vital for effective water treatment and ensuring safe drinking water.