Which treatment option is NOT used for disinfecting water?

Water softeners are designed to remove hardness minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, from water. Their primary function is to improve water quality for tasks like cleaning and laundry by preventing scale buildup in pipes and appliances. However, they do not have any disinfecting properties; they don't eliminate bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens present in water.

In contrast, chlorinators introduce chlorine into the water, which is a well-known disinfectant that effectively kills harmful organisms. UV light treatment uses ultraviolet radiation to disinfect water by destroying the DNA of microorganisms, rendering them incapable of reproduction and infection. Ozonators work by introducing ozone into the water, which acts as a powerful oxidizing agent and disinfectant, effectively killing bacteria and viruses.

Therefore, while chlorinators, UV light, and ozonators all serve to disinfect water, water softeners focus solely on addressing hardness and do not contribute to disinfection.