The process of adding bleach to wastewater for disinfection is known as?

The process of adding bleach to wastewater for disinfection is accurately referred to as chlorination. Chlorination involves the introduction of chlorine or chlorine-based compounds, such as bleach, to water to eliminate harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and pathogens. This step is critical in wastewater treatment, as it ensures that the treated water is safe for discharge into the environment or for reuse.

Chlorination works effectively because chlorine is a powerful oxidizing agent that destroys unwanted organisms, thereby preventing the spread of diseases. The timing and dosage of chlorine are crucial to optimizing the disinfection process while minimizing any potential formation of harmful byproducts.

In the context of wastewater treatment, other processes like coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation serve different purposes. Coagulation is aimed at aggregating suspended particles to form larger particles called floc, which can then be removed. Flocculation follows coagulation and involves gentle mixing to encourage the formation of floc. Sedimentation is the process where the settled floc is allowed to settle to the bottom of the treatment tank, separating it from the treated water. Each of these processes plays an essential role in the overall treatment system, but they do not specifically involve disinfection with bleach.