# 8.3.5 Oxidation Various oxidants may be added to water to oxidise problem compounds. For example, chlorine or potassium permanganate may be added to control iron and manganese. The oxidised forms of iron and manganese are readily removed by coagulation, flocculation and filtration. Oxidants may also be used to oxidise compounds that have an adverse impact on the taste and odour of water, and organic contaminants such as pesticides. Ozone, and possibly hydrogen peroxide, may be added to oxidise organic compounds, and thus reduce the amount of coagulant required. Adding these chemicals also helps to reduce the length of long-chain organic molecules, which are then more effectively removed by granular activated carbon. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/part-2/chapter-8/8.3-overview-of-chemical-treatment-processes/8.3.5-oxidation.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.