Tennessee Wastewater Operator Practice Exam

What is an advantage of using plastic media over rock media in trickling filters?

1. Lower maintenance requirements

2. Allows higher loading rates

3. More readily available

4. Less costly

The correct answer is: Allows higher loading rates

Using plastic media in trickling filters offers a significant advantage by allowing higher loading rates compared to rock media. This is primarily due to the greater surface area provided by the plastic media, which enables a more efficient biofilm formation. The design and structure of plastic media typically optimize flow dynamics and enhance oxygen transfer, which is crucial for microbial activity. Higher loading rates mean that more wastewater can be treated in a given volume of the trickling filter, improving the system's overall efficiency and capacity. This is particularly beneficial in treatment facilities that experience varying influent loads or need to process larger volumes of wastewater within a limited space. The ability to handle higher organic loads without compromising treatment performance makes plastic media a popular choice in modern wastewater treatment systems.