A Survey of using of Hypo-chlorinators as the only Method of Disinfection of Drinking Water in Military Centers

Drinking water has important role in transmission of waterborne diseases. Provision and supply of safe drinking water for armed forces is a very important health issue that can affect the military power of a country. Among disinfection methods of drinking water, chlorination is the most and oldest method being used in military centers. The aim of this study is to assess the operation of hypo-chlorinators as the only method of disinfection of drinking water in military centers. 182 centers all over the country were sampled in this descriptive study. Data has been collected with a questionnaire and was analyzed with SPSS software. Operation of hypo - chlorinators and chlorimetry was done correctly only in 35/5% of military centers and the system operators were not sufficiently trained. In more than 50% of residual chlorine tested, destruction and outfit of hypo-chlorinator systems and lack of chlorine supply were the main reasons for reporting the presence of no residual chlorine in drinking water. Another noteworthy reason was improper dosages of dilute liquid chlorine to their storage tanks. It is shown that there were problems in operation and maintenance of hypo-chlorinators. Training the personnel for removing the problems, supported by management and supply of suitable equipments is recommended.