Drop point chlorination is a method used in water treatment to disinfect and treat water, primarily in small systems or in places where automated dosing systems may not be available. In drop point chlorination, a known quantity of a chlorine-based disinfectant, such as sodium hypochlorite, is added manually at a specific location in the water flow—often at a “drop point” where the chemical can be quickly mixed and dispersed.
Key Aspects of Drop Point Chlorination
Manual Dosing: Unlike automated systems, drop point chlorination requires manual input, where a specific dose of chlorine is added directly into the water at designated intervals.
Point of Entry: The chlorine is introduced at a specific point in the system, often in a place where water flow is turbulent to ensure good mixing and contact with pathogens.
Contact Time: After chlorine addition, the water must have adequate contact time (usually in a holding tank or contact chamber) to allow for effective disinfection before it moves into the distribution system.
Simple and Cost-effective: This method is practical and inexpensive, especially for smaller or temporary systems where full automation may not be necessary.
Drop point chlorination is often used in:
- Small water treatment facilities
- Rural or remote water supplies
- Emergency water disinfection setups
- Supplementary chlorination points in larger systems
