Tennessee Wastewater Operator Practice Exam

If the surface of an activated sludge basin and clarifier is covered with brown foam and a micro exam shows almost no filaments, what must be true?

1. The SRT is short and the F/M is high

2. The SRT is long and the F/M is low

3. The SRT is optimal and F/M is balanced

4. The MLSS is excessively high

The correct answer is: The SRT is long and the F/M is low

In the scenario where the surface of an activated sludge basin and clarifier is covered with brown foam and a microbiological examination shows almost no filaments, it indicates a specific balance of conditions in the treatment process. The presence of brown foam usually suggests that the system is experiencing a surplus of organic material or that there is a high degree of hydrophobic material. The lack of filaments suggests that the microbial population is not stressed or out of balance. A long Sludge Retention Time (SRT) indicates that the microorganisms have been retained in the system long enough to effectively break down organic matter, leading to a stable and healthy biomass. Additionally, when the Food-to-Microorganism (F/M) ratio is low, it implies that there is less organic material available relative to the amount of active biomass. This balance helps maintain a healthy population of microorganisms while preventing excessive growth that could lead to filamentous bacteria proliferation. Thus, option indicating that a long SRT and a low F/M ratio accurately reflects a state where the microbial community is well-managed, resulting in stability without filament dominance, consistent with the observed foam conditions. This scenario is preferable as it can prevent issues associated with filamentous overgrowth and ensure efficient treatment outcomes.