ASTM D1253-08

Standard Test Method for Residual Chlorine in Water

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Chlorine is used to destroy or deactivate a variety of unwanted chemicals and microorganisms in water and wastewater.
An uncontrolled excess of chlorine in water, whether free available or combined, can adversely affect the subsequent use of the water.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of residual chlorine in water by direct amperometric titration.
1.2 Within the constraints specified in Section 6, this test method is not subject to commonly encountered interferences and is applicable to most waters. Some waters, however, can exert an iodine demand, usually because of organic material, making less iodine available for measurement by this test method. Thus, it is possible to obtain falsely low chlorine readings, even though the test method is working properly, without the user's knowledge.
1.3 Precision data for this test method were obtained on estuary, inland main stem river, fresh lake, open ocean, and fresh cooling tower blowdown water. Bias data could not be determined because of the instability of solutions of chlorine in water. It is the user's responsibility to ensure the validity of the test method for untested types of water.
1.4 In the testing by which this standard was validated, the direct and back starch-iodide titrations and the amperometric back titration, formerly part of this standard, were found to be unworkable and were discontinued in 1986. Historical information is presented in Appendix X1.
Note 1—Orthotolidine test methods have been omitted because of poor precision and accuracy.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2008
• ICS: 13.060.50 - Examination of water for chemical substances
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.05 - Inorganic Constituents in Water

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D1253-03 - Standard Test Method for Residual Chlorine in Water
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F2363/F2363M-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Sewage and Graywater Flow Through Treatment Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F3648-23 - Standard Guide for Maintenance of Marine Sanitation Devices (MSDs) and the Effects of Cleaning Agents on MSD Operations
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E2635-22 - Standard Practice for Water Conservation in Buildings Through In-Situ Water Reclamation
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D1291-17 - Standard Practice for Estimation of Chlorine Demand of Water
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7285-06(2017) - Standard Guide for Recordkeeping Microfiltration and Ultrafiltration Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D4195-23 - Standard Guide for Water Analysis for Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration Application
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D1253 − 08
StandardTest Method for
1
Residual Chlorine in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1253; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method covers the determination of residual 2.1 ASTM Standards:
chlorine in water by direct amperometric titration. D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
1.2 Within the constraints specified in Section 6, this test
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
method is not subject to commonly encountered interferences
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
and is applicable to most waters. Some waters, however, can
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
exert an iodine demand, usually because of organic material,
D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
making less iodine available for measurement by this test
for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
method. Thus, it is possible to obtain falsely low chlorine
readings, even though the test method is working properly,
3. Terminology
without the user’s knowledge.
3.1 Definitions: For definitions of terms used in this test
1.3 Precision data for this test method were obtained on
method, refer to Terminology D1129.
estuary, inland main stem river, fresh lake, open ocean, and
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
fresh cooling tower blowdown water. Bias data could not be
3.2.1 combined residual chlorine, n—residual consisting of
determinedbecauseoftheinstabilityofsolutionsofchlorinein
chlorine combined with ammonia nitrogen or nitrogenous
water. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure the validity of the
compounds.
test method for untested types of water.
3.2.2 free available chlorine residual, n—residual consist-
1.4 In the testing by which this standard was validated, the
ing of hypochlorite ions, hypochlorous acid, or a combination
direct and back starch-iodide titrations and the amperometric
thereof.
back titration, formerly part of this standard, were found to be
3.2.3 total residual chlorine (chlorine residual), n—the
unworkable and were discontinued in 1986. Historical infor-
amount of available chlorine-induced oxidants present in water
mation is presented in Appendix X1.
at any specified period, subsequent to the addition of chlorine.
NOTE1—Orthotolidinetestmethodshavebeenomittedbecauseofpoor
NOTE 2—Chlorine present as chloride is neither included in these terms
precision and accuracy.
nor determined by this test method.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as NOTE 3—Bromine, bromine combined with ammonia or nitrogenous
compounds,andchlorinedioxidearenotdistinguishedbythistestmethod
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
from the corresponding chlorine compounds.
standard.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 This is an amperometric titration test method utilizing
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
phenylarsine oxide as the titrant. When the titrator cell is
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
immersedinasamplecontainingchlorine,currentisgenerated.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
As phenylarsine oxide is added, the chlorine is reduced and the
generation of current ceases. When chlorine is present as a
chloramine, potassium iodide is added, releasing iodine, which
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic Constituents
2
in Water. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2008. Published October 2008. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1953. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D1253 – 03. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D1253-08.
the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D1253 − 08
is titrated in a similar manner. The iodine content is calculated This can be avoided by diluting the sample with water to less
in terms of free chlorine. than 10 mg/L of free available chlorine.
6.7 If chlorine dioxide
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D 1253–03 Designation:D1253–08
Standard Test Method for
1
Residual Chlorine in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1253; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope *
1.1 This test method covers the determination of residual chlorine in water by direct amperometric titration.
1.2 Within the constraints specified in Section 6, this test method is not subject to commonly encountered interferences and is
applicable to most waters. Some waters, however, can exert an iodine demand, usually because of organic material, making less
iodine available for measurement by this test method. Thus, it is possible to obtain falsely low chlorine readings, even though the
test method is working properly, without the user’s knowledge.
1.3 Precision data for this test method were obtained on estuary, inland main stem river, fresh lake, open ocean, and fresh
cooling tower blowdown water. Bias data could not be determined because of the instability of solutions of chlorine in water. It
is the user’s responsibility to ensure the validity of the test method for untested types of water.
1.4 In the testing by which this standard was validated, the direct and back starch-iodide titrations and the amperometric back
titration, formerly part of this standard, were found to be unworkable and were discontinued in 1986. Historical information is
presented in Appendix X1.
NOTE 1—Orthotolidine test methods have been omitted because of poor precision and accuracy.
1.5
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D 2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
D 3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D 5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions: For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D 1129.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 combined residual chlorine,combined residual chlorine, n—residual consisting of chlorine combined with ammonia
nitrogen or nitrogenous compounds.
3.2.2 free available chlorine residual,residual, n—residualconsistingofhypochloriteions,hypochlorousacid,oracombination
thereof.
3.2.3 total residual chlorine (chlorine residual),, n—the amount of available chlorine-induced oxidants present in water at any
specified period, subsequent to the addition of chlorine.
NOTE 2—Chlorine present as chloride is neither included in these terms nor determined by this test method.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD19onWaterandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD19.05onInorganicConstituentsinWater.
Current edition approved June 10, 2003. Published July 2003. Originally approved in 1953. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as D1253–86 (1996).
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2008. Published October 2008. Originally approved in 1953. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D 1253 – 03.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 11.01.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D1253–08
NOTE 3—Bromine, bromine combined with ammonia or nitrogenous compounds, and chlorine dioxide are not distinguished by this test method from
the corresponding chlorine compounds.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This is an amperometric titr
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D 1253–03 Designation:D1253–08
Standard Test Method for
1
Residual Chlorine in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1253; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope *
1.1 This test method covers the determination of residual chlorine in water by direct amperometric titration.
1.2 Within the constraints specified in Section 6, this test method is not subject to commonly encountered interferences and is
applicable to most waters. Some waters, however, can exert an iodine demand, usually because of organic material, making less
iodine available for measurement by this test method. Thus, it is possible to obtain falsely low chlorine readings, even though the
test method is working properly, without the user’s knowledge.
1.3 Precision data for this test method were obtained on estuary, inland main stem river, fresh lake, open ocean, and fresh
cooling tower blowdown water. Bias data could not be determined because of the instability of solutions of chlorine in water. It
is the user’s responsibility to ensure the validity of the test method for untested types of water.
1.4 In the testing by which this standard was validated, the direct and back starch-iodide titrations and the amperometric back
titration, formerly part of this standard, were found to be unworkable and were discontinued in 1986. Historical information is
presented in Appendix X1.
NOTE 1—Orthotolidine test methods have been omitted because of poor precision and accuracy.
1.5
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D 2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
D 3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D 5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions: For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D 1129.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 combined residual chlorine,combined residual chlorine, n—residual consisting of chlorine combined with ammonia
nitrogen or nitrogenous compounds.
3.2.2 free available chlorine residual,residual, n— residual consisting of hypochlorite ions, hypochlorous acid, or a
combination thereof.
3.2.3 total residual chlorine (chlorine residual),, n—the amount of available chlorine-induced oxidants present in water at any
specified period, subsequent to the addition of chlorine.
NOTE 2—Chlorine present as chloride is neither included in these terms nor determined by this test method.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD19onWaterandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD19.05onInorganicConstituentsinWater.
Current edition approved June 10, 2003. Published July 2003. Originally approved in 1953. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as D1253–86 (1996).
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2008. Published October 2008. Originally approved in 1953. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D 1253 – 03.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 11.01.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D1253–08
NOTE 3—Bromine, bromine combined with ammonia or nitrogenous compounds, and chlorine dioxide are not distinguished by this test method from
the corresponding chlorine compounds.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This is an amperom
...