Potassium permaganate has been used since ages for disinfection of water. It is known for oxidation of cell membrane of micro organisms. But the pink colour prevailing after use makes people reject the water on aesthetic grounds. Water samples from bore wells and tap water from public places were collected from different areas of Visakhapatnam. Physio-chemical and microbial analysis analyses of the water samples were carried out. A dose based permaganate treatment of water depending upon number of colony forming units and species of microorganism present in the water was carried out [1,2,5].
Strong oxidants are used in water treatment technology as disinfectants and/or technological factors. Chlorine, chlorine dioxide, ozone and potassium permanganate are used as strong oxidants. However, application of the oxidants may lead to formation of undesired products. Much research has recently focused on identification of those products. Ozone has been primarily used for oxidation of specific admixtures of water (e.g. substances which made water taste or smell bad). Now it is also used to aid other technological unit processes such as coagulation, sorption on activated carbon etc. Ozonation is known to generate fruity odors in waters. This is caused by oxidation of humic substances and the formation of compounds with relatively low molecular weights. These compounds are usually described as ozonation by-products. The present paper reviews ozonation by-products, mechanisms of their formation, and their analysis.