Tennessee Wastewater Operator Practice Exam

For the filament M. Parvicella to accumulate in the process, what condition must be met in addition to the presence of influent fat, oil, and grease (FOG)?

1. High temperatures must be maintained

2. Minimum time to reproduce has been met

3. Effluent flow rate is increased

4. pH levels should be acidic

The correct answer is: Minimum time to reproduce has been met

For the filament M. Parvicella to accumulate effectively within a wastewater treatment process, a critical condition that must be met is the achievement of a minimum time for reproduction. This filament is known for flourishing under conditions where there is an abundance of influent fat, oil, and grease (FOG), which provides a nutrient source. However, alongside the availability of these nutrient sources, the population of M. Parvicella can only thrive and grow if there is sufficient time for it to reproduce and establish itself within the sludge. In the context of wastewater treatment, the reproduction rate of microorganisms is significantly influenced by the hydraulic retention time or the duration for which the wastewater remains in the treatment system. If this retention time is too short, the conditions may lead to washout of the organisms before they can significantly proliferate, resulting in insufficient accumulation of M. Parvicella filaments. Therefore, ensuring that adequate time is allowed for reproduction is essential for their successful establishment and dominance in the microbial community.