EPA对总三卤甲烷最高污染物水平的规定，以及三卤甲烷在消毒过程中形成的发现，导致对消毒实践的审查增加。对氯化和其他消毒方法的成本效益比的分析得出结论，任何类型消毒的相关效益远远超过成本。讨论了二氧化氯、臭氧氧化、氯胺化（组合氯）、能源和健康影响。 包括7个参考文献、表格、图表。

EPA regulation of the maximum contaminant level for total trihalomethanes, along with the discovery that THMs are formed during the disinfection process, has led to increased scrutiny of disinfection practices. An analysis of the cost-benefit ratios of chlorination and other methods of disinfection concludes that the benefits associated with any type of disinfection far outweigh the costs. Chlorine dioxide, ozonation, chloramination (combined chlorine), energy, and health effects are discussed. Includes 7 references, tables, figures.