All of the following are TRUE about ozone as a disinfectant EXCEPT:

Ozone is a powerful disinfectant traditionally used in water treatment due to its strong oxidative properties. Among the statements, the assertion that ozone produces long-lasting residuals is not accurate. Ozone is highly unstable and decomposes quickly, typically within minutes after being generated and dissolved in water. This instability means that it does not provide a lasting residual effect in the same way that chlorine does, which can remain in the water long after its initial application.

In contrast, ozone's other characteristics—such as being nontoxic to aquatic organisms, serving as a source of dissolved oxygen, and being effective against pathogens like Cryptosporidium parvum—are accurate. The effectiveness of ozone in disinfection is significantly enhanced during its brief existence as a dissolved gas, providing a strong microbial kill without the persistent effects that characterize many other disinfectants. Thus, the statement about long-lasting residuals does not align with the nature of ozone.