Chelation is a chemical treatment process used in water treatment to control which condition?

• A. Scale formation
• B. Bacterial contamination
• C. Taste
• D. Color

Answer: (A)

Chelation is used to keep minerals that cause hardness from forming scale. By binding calcium and magnesium ions, chelating agents form stable, soluble complexes, so these minerals stay dissolved rather than precipitating as calcium carbonate or other scale deposits. That prevents buildup on pipes, heat exchangers, and appliances, which is why scaling is the condition chelation targets.

Bacterial contamination is addressed by disinfection methods, not chelation. Taste and color issues are usually tied to other constituents (like iron, manganese, or organic compounds) and are not the primary problem chelation solves.