EFFICACY OF STANDARD HALAZONE TABLETS IN DISINFECTION OF WATER IN FORWARD AREAS

Abstract

Halazone tablets at present are being used in the Indian Army for the disinfection of canteen (water bottle) waters, for which the jawan in the field is fully trained. Experimental analysis were carried out as desired by Army Headquarters to check the efficacy of these tablets for different water sources i.e. open well, hand pump, tube well and canal as encountered under actual field conditions in forward areas. Standard M.F. technique was used to determine the total count initially and after treating the water with varying doses of halazone tablets, keeping a contact time of 30 minutes. Other, important parameters like pH, turbidity, total solids, total alkalinity, ammonical nitrogen and residual chlorine were also determined. Data obtained were analysed for the effect of concentration of dose, initial( total count and type of source on disinfection of water. It was revealed from thestudy that the tablets are effective enough for various types of water with a contact time of thirty minutes when a dose of 3 tablets per litre is added. f