The majority of the South African population use surface water for domestic use. Users want cool, clear, tasteless and odourless water. The main advantage of the study is that it provides a basis and methodology for other water treatment plants to apply the evaluation of the potential use of ozone on their water. The only major disadvantage at this stage is the relative high cost of ozone treatment. It is currently only being used by larger water treatment facilities.
Ozone is a gas that is pumped into the water with special equipment.
During contact with water free radicals are formed. Free radicals are highly reactive and have the ability to break long carbon compounds. Free radicals also change the nature of the molecule and destroy bacteria and viruses. A further advantage is that they oxidize iron and manganese. This is only one of the reasons Midvaal Water at Stilfontein in Northwest uses ozone in its treatment process.