The reasoning: chlorine chemistry
Cl₂ + H₂O → HOCl (hypochlorous acid) + HCl; HOCl ⇌ H⁺ + OCl⁻ (hypochlorite). HOCl is ≈ 70–80 times more germicidal than OCl⁻; HOCl predominates at pH < 7.5, so chlorination works best at pH ≈ 7. Chlorine combines with ammonia to form chloramines (combined chlorine: weaker but more persistent).