Tennessee Wastewater Operator Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a form of disinfection mentioned?

1. Radiation treatment

2. Biological treatment

3. Chemical treatment

4. Heat treatment

The correct answer is: Biological treatment

Biological treatment is primarily aimed at the removal of organic matter and nutrients from wastewater, rather than serving as a disinfection process. In wastewater treatment, biological treatment involves the use of microorganisms to break down pollutants. While it is an essential step in reducing the load on subsequent disinfection processes, it does not effectively kill pathogens, which is the main purpose of disinfection. In contrast, radiation treatment utilizes ultraviolet (UV) light to deactivate microorganisms. Chemical treatment employs substances like chlorine or ozone to kill pathogens. Heat treatment involves methods such as pasteurization, which uses elevated temperatures to eliminate or deactivate harmful organisms. Each of these methods is directly associated with the disinfection process, unlike biological treatment, which focuses more on degradation rather than pathogen elimination.