Tennessee Wastewater Operator Practice Exam

What are some processes used in wastewater treatment to remove contaminants?

1. Chlorine, primary treatment, peracetic acid, and UV light

2. Filtration, sedimentation, mechanical aeration, and adsorption

3. Activated carbon, electrocoagulation, and membrane filtration

4. Biological treatment, trickling filtration, and chemical oxidation

The correct answer is: Chlorine, primary treatment, peracetic acid, and UV light

The processes used in wastewater treatment to effectively remove contaminants encompass a combination of physical, chemical, and biological methods. The provided answer highlights chlorine and peracetic acid as chemical disinfection methods, which are essential for eliminating harmful microorganisms and pathogens from wastewater. Primary treatment refers to the initial stage of wastewater treatment, where larger solids are removed through sedimentation. UV light is recognized as a powerful disinfection method that effectively inactivates bacteria, viruses, and protozoa without adding chemicals to the water. While other options mention valid treatment processes, they emphasize different aspects or types of treatment not used in the same context as the processes listed in the correct answer. For instance, filtration and sedimentation are primarily physical methods that do not incorporate the same disinfecting or chemical treatment aspects as chlorine and peracetic acid. This combination of processes in the selected answer showcases a broader approach that integrates various methods for pathogen reduction and initial contaminant removal, making it a well-rounded selection in the context of wastewater treatment.