In water treatment, what is the significance of measuring dissolved organic carbon (DOC)?

Measuring dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is particularly significant in the context of water treatment because it helps in calculating disinfection efficiency. DOC represents the fraction of organic carbon found in water that is not removed through conventional treatment processes. Understanding the levels of DOC is crucial for evaluating how well a water treatment process can effectively disinfect water and reduce potential disinfection byproducts.

High levels of DOC can indicate that there are more organic materials present, which can interfere with disinfection processes like chlorination. These organic materials can react with disinfectants, leading to the formation of harmful byproducts, and can also provide a substrate for microbial regrowth in distribution systems. Therefore, measuring DOC can help water treatment facilities adjust their processes to enhance treatment effectiveness and ensure water safety.

In this context, the other options relate to different aspects of water quality but do not directly link to the primary role of DOC in the disinfection process. While DOC can certainly relate to nutrient content and microbial presence indirectly, its most direct application in water treatment is in assessing and optimizing disinfection efficiency.