How is monochloramine used?
Public drinking water utilities are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use a primary disinfectant (at the water treatment plant) to inactivate pathogenic organisms remaining after filtration. Drinking water treatment facilities generally choose between chlorine, chlorine dioxide, ozone, chloramines or combination systems (UV light) dependant on their size and initial water quality. Some water systems use monochloramine instead of chlorine for secondary or residual disinfection (disinfection of the water after it leaves the treatment plant and as it travels through the distribution system to the customer’s tap). Monochloramine use is closely regulated by EPA.
