Document

Facts: Chlorine Disinfection for Safe Drinking Water

This resource is a two-page fact table addressing common concerns and misconceptions about chlorine disinfection of drinking water. Each fact is paired with supporting evidence and a WHO citation, covering topics such as chlorine's effectiveness against waterborne disease, the safety of water treated at recommended levels, why it's difficult to ingest unsafe amounts through drinking water, reduced effectiveness in turbid water, the limits of chlorine (e.g., against Cryptosporidium and Giardia, or chemical contaminants), disinfection by-products and how pre-treatment reduces them, and why acceptability and context matter when choosing chlorination.

The table format makes each fact easy to scan, with supporting details and sources laid out side by side for quick reference.

This resource is useful for WASH trainers, facilitators, and educators who need to respond to participant questions or hesitations about chlorinated water. It also supports community WASH promoters and decision-makers, helping them make informed choices about chlorination and provide accurate, confident answers to community questions and concerns.

The format supports several uses: as a quick reference during Q&A in training sessions, as source material for talking points or FAQ documents, as a basis for community messaging addressing local concerns, or as a tool to help promoters and decision-makers respond to hesitancy with clear, evidence-based information.

  • Language:

    English

  1. Select a format

Select a format to download

Need help?

Can’t find what you need? Have more questions about a topic? Need advice on how to use a resource? Chat with a CAWST advisor.

Contact us

About CAWST

CAWST is a Canadian charity and licensed engineering firm. We address the global need for safe drinking water and sanitation by building local knowledge and skills on household solutions people can implement themselves.