What is one reason for adding chlorine to water?

Chlorine is widely used in water treatment primarily for disinfection purposes. When added to water, it effectively kills or inactivates harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, thereby ensuring that the water is safe for human consumption. This process is crucial in preventing waterborne diseases and protecting public health. Chlorine’s ability to form strong oxidizing agents helps in the destruction of these microorganisms.

While enhancing flavor, lowering pH, and increasing turbidity may be relevant in specific contexts, they don't align with the primary function of chlorine in water treatment. Enhancing flavor is not a typical goal of water disinfection, and while chlorine can slightly affect pH, it is not used for that purpose. Additionally, chlorine would actually work to maintain or improve water clarity, rather than increasing turbidity. Thus, the key reason for introducing chlorine into drinking water systems is its robust disinfectant properties.