Tennessee Wastewater Operator Practice Exam

Which major contagious diseases could be spread by inadequately treated wastewater?

1. Hepatitis A and B

2. Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis

3. Malaria and Cholera

4. Typhoid and Influenza

The correct answer is: Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis

The correct response highlights the significant public health risk posed by inadequately treated wastewater, particularly in relation to the diseases Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis. Both of these diseases are caused by protozoan parasites – Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp., respectively – which can survive in untreated or poorly treated water. These organisms are transmitted via the fecal-oral route, meaning they can contaminate water sources through human or animal waste. Giardiasis leads to gastrointestinal distress, and its symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea. Cryptosporidiosis also causes similar gastrointestinal symptoms, and it can be particularly severe for immunocompromised individuals. Both diseases pose a significant public health challenge in areas lacking adequate wastewater treatment infrastructure. The other options include diseases that either have different transmission routes or are less directly linked to wastewater contamination. Hepatitis A, for example, is primarily spread through food and drink that has been contaminated, while Malaria is transmitted by mosquito vectors, and Influenza is respiratory in nature. Understanding these distinctions helps underscore the importance of proper wastewater treatment in preventing the spread of specific waterborne diseases.