CT Calculator – Chlorine Disinfection Contact Time

CT (Disinfection) Calculator

Calculate the CT value — disinfectant concentration × contact time — for chlorine disinfection.







CT value

Formula
CT (mg·min/L) = C × T10   ·   T10 = baffling factor × V ÷ Q
Regulators credit only the T10 contact time (time for 10% of water to pass), not the theoretical detention time.

Baffling factor guidance

Baffling condition Factor
Unbaffled (mixed flow) 0.1
Poor 0.3
Average 0.5
Superior (serpentine, high L:W) 0.7
Perfect plug flow (theoretical) 1.0
Note: the CT required for a given log inactivation depends on disinfectant, pathogen, temperature and pH — see the EPA CT tables (e.g. Surface Water Treatment Rules). This calculator computes your achieved CT for comparison.
For educational and preliminary-design purposes. Verify against current EPA/state CT tables for compliance.

← All water treatment calculators · Related: Chlorine Dose Calculator, Log Removal Calculator