AirportsOzone is active oxygen, O3. It occurs naturally in the earth's atmosphere to protect us from the sun's harmful rays.
Ozone, a triatomic allotrope of oxygen (a form of oxygen in which the molecule contains three atoms instead of two) has a  formula O3 and it is always present in trace quantities in the Earth's atmosphere.

Ozone is produced when oxygen molecules (O2) are split into two oxygen atoms (O1) while in the presence of other oxygen molecules. These oxygen atoms (O1) then combine with molecular oxygen (O2) to yield ozone, O3.

Ozone is generated naturally by short-wave solar ultraviolet radiation, and appears in our upper atmosphere (ozonosphere) in the form of gas. Ozone also may be produced naturally by passing an electrical discharge such as lightning through oxygen.
Ozone kills microorganisms with a process known as “cellular lysis”. In the oxidation process, ozone ruptures the cellular membrane of microorganisms and disperses the bacterial cytoplasm into solution, thus making reactivation impossible. This process takes place in about 2 seconds.
 

Bottling plants

Over the last decades there has been an increasing demand for water in bottles, cans,

etc.. This demand or trend, which has many reasons beyond the scope of this paper, has

drawn manufacturers' attention to the necessity for specialised filling techniques. One

particular problem that plagues the bottled water industry is the microbial quality of the

bottled products. In the more recent past, public attention has been drawn by various

articles referring to this growing problem that affects well known and lesser known

bottled water companies alike.

• Ozonation of the washing water used to clean the bottles prior to filling

• Ozonation of the actual product water

Use of ozone when bottling water

As previously mentioned, cleanliness is an important factor to enhance product quality.

In the past, bottling water plants have relied on high hygiene levels in conjunction with chlorine or chlorine based products for sanitation. Nowadays, more and more bottling companies are relying on the use of ozone to meet the ever increasing legislative and consumer demands. There are 2 possibilities to use ozone when bottling drinking water:

• Ozonation of the washing water used to clean the bottles prior to filling

• Ozonation of the actual product water