Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using chlorine for disinfection?

Chlorine is widely used as a disinfectant in water treatment because it has several significant benefits. Among these, it is highly effective against a broad range of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, making it a valuable option for ensuring water safety. Additionally, chlorine is readily available and can be produced or acquired at relatively low costs, contributing to its popularity in various water distribution systems.

The option mentioning permanent disinfection highlights a misunderstanding of chlorine's properties. While chlorine is effective in killing pathogens at the time of application, its disinfection effect does not last indefinitely. The chlorine residual in water can decrease over time due to reactions with organic matter, sunlight, and other factors, which means it is not a permanent solution for disinfection. This is why maintaining a chlorine residual is crucial in water distribution systems; however, even with residuals, the antimicrobial effects can wane. Therefore, the assertion that chlorine provides permanent disinfection is inaccurate, making it the correct choice for the question posed.