What does the term "chlorination" refer to in wastewater treatment?

Chlorination in wastewater treatment specifically refers to the process of adding chlorine to eliminate harmful pathogens and microorganisms from wastewater. This disinfection step is crucial for protecting public health and ensuring that treated water meets safety regulations before it is released into the environment or reused. Chlorine acts as a strong oxidizing agent that effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and some protozoa, making it a widely used method for ensuring water quality.

While other options refer to important processes in water treatment, they do not accurately describe chlorination. Adding oxygen supports algae growth, filtering out solids is a separate physical treatment process, and heating water is related to pasteurization rather than chlorination. Therefore, the definition focusing on the addition of chlorine for disinfection aligns perfectly with industry practices and protocols in wastewater treatment.