Which chemical used for water disinfection does not leave a residual?

Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent commonly used for water disinfection, particularly in municipal and industrial water treatment processes. One of its key characteristics is that it does not leave a residual disinfectant in the water after the treatment process is complete. This is because ozone decomposes quickly into oxygen after reacting with pathogens or organic materials in the water.

The absence of residual ozone requires careful management of water treatment processes, as it does not provide ongoing protection against recontamination after the initial disinfection. In scenarios where long-term disinfection is required, other chemicals that produce a residual, such as chlorine or bromine, would be preferred.

Understanding this behavior of ozone is important for ensuring effective water disinfection while also managing potential hygiene risks associated with water distribution systems.