ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews research findings on a new, nontoxic, potentially promising secondary drinking water disinfectant, with long-lasting residual action, based on a stabilized formulation of hydrogen peroxide with a minute amount of oligodynamic added as a potentiation agent. Because of its stability and long-lasting residual disinfection action it may be particularly suitable for use in small communities. New, nonchlorine, secondary disinfectants which provide an effective long-acting residual can play an important role in helping to reduce the initial dose of chlorine when used as a primary disinfectant and thus reduce the potential for trihalomethanes formation. The introduction of restrictions on chlorine use should never be given priority over the immediate and urgent need to protect the population against waterborne epidemics such as cholera that occurred in few South American countries in recent years. It is possible to achieve slow but effective long-term residual disinfection with silver concentrations as low as 10 ppb and 30 ppm of hydrogen peroxide.
