Synergism effects for Escherichia coli inactivation applying the combined ozone and chlorine disinfection method.

Water disinfection assays were carried out using ozone and chlorine in non-sequential steps--the individual method--and in sequential steps--the combined ozone/chlorine method. Escherichia coli strain ATCC 11229 was used as the indicator microorganism. For the assays using the individual method, the applied dosages of ozone were 2.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mg/L, and 2.0 and 5.0 mg/L of chlorine were used. For the assays applying the combined method, the dosages (dosage combination) were, in mg/L: 2.0 O3 + 2.0 Cl, 3.0 O3 + 2.0 Cl2, 5.0 O3 + 2.0 Cl2 and 2.0 O3 + 5.0 Cl2. The applied contact times were 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes for the individual method as well as for the combined method. For all used dosages and contact times, E. coli inactivation was superior to the inactivation obtained in the individual method, indicating the occurrence of synergism for E. coli inactivation in the combined method.