What does a higher chlorine demand indicate?

A higher chlorine demand signifies that more chlorine is required to achieve the desired level of disinfection in the water. This increased demand usually indicates the presence of more contaminants in the water supply, which can include organic materials, colored compounds, or other substances that react with chlorine. When these contaminants are present, chlorine is consumed in the process of reacting with them before it can effectively disinfect the water.

The correlation between higher chlorine demand and the presence of contaminants is crucial for water treatment operators, as it alerts them to potential quality issues and the need for additional treatment measures to ensure that water remains safe for consumption. Monitoring chlorine demand is key for maintaining effective water treatment practices and ensuring that disinfection efforts are successful.