Assessing the Efficacy of Coagulation (Al3+) and Chlorination in Water Treatment Plant Processes: Inactivating Chironomid Larvae for Improved Tap Water Quality

In response to the finding of chironomid larvae in tap water, South Korea’s water treatment system has stepped up quality monitoring. However, due challenging nature larval behavior, effective elimination remains difficult despite use various purification techniques such as coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection. Based on it, aim this study is evaluate effectiveness coagulation chlorination inactivating investigate their behavior. The experiment tested how behavior changed with a high turbidity level ±100 mg/L 2 Al3+ coagulant, compared lower ±30 1 coagulant. were exposed doses chlorine (0.5–20 Cl) 500 mL beaker glasses. behavioral activity was observed at different time points for 5 days. It found that exhibit responses exposure coagulant chlorine, causing formation flocs cover body protective measure. Conversely, causes decrease growth, leading death subsequent melting. results showed first instar dead after 48 h treatment, while experienced mortality mere min 10–20 Cl. can still grow transform into pupae adults, especially during third fourth instars, even low dosage. These findings suggest floc generated must be thoroughly cleaned, it may contain persist develop further. Furthermore, presence process highlights need alternative, more oxidants utilized place conventional treatment.