Identification and removal of bacteria E-coli from drinking water by ascorbic acid

Drinking water has been analysed and found to contain the bacteria predomin antly E.coli with a large total count more than 1800 per 100 mL. It has bee n disinfected by several low cost alternative disinfectants which are safe and hazardless and reduce the total count considerably. Ascorbic acid (Vita min C) is a low cost substance, easily soluble in water. It has been observ ed that ascorbic acid treatment was superior to that by uv, activated charc oal or other methods. These treatments were cumbersome and costlier as well . The kinetics of disinfection has been studied. The data obey the empirica l equation N=b-a.t., where N is the total bacterial count at any time t, a and b are constants.