Chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) has been successfully used for taste and odor control, color reduction, and oxidation of inorganics like iron, manganese or sulfur compounds. More recently, the interest has been growing in its use in a variety of applications as an alternative to or supplement of conventional chlorine disinfection. It has been used in conventional water treatment and as a disinfectant in water supply systems. An advantage of using chlorine dioxide is that it does not form halogenated by-products as it is the case with chlorine. Thus it is possible to produce safe, chemically disinfected water without using chlorine or expensive ozone.