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CL447 WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT DESIGN
Practice Examination
Module: CL447 – Water and Wastewater Treatment Design
SECTION A: WASTEWATER CHARACTERISTICS, STANDARDS AND LEGISLATION
Question 1
Which of the following best defines wastewater?
A. Water that has been used for drinking purposes only
B. Water that has been contaminated by human, industrial, or commercial use
C. Water that contains only organic matter
D. Water that is safe for discharge without treatment
Answer: B
Explanation: Wastewater is defined as water that has been contaminated by
human, industrial, or commercial use. It contains a complex mixture of organic
and inorganic substances, microorganisms, and potentially toxic compounds that
require treatment before discharge or reuse.
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of wastewater treatment?
,A. To increase the nutrient content of receiving waters
B. To protect public health and the environment by removing contaminants
C. To generate electricity
D. To produce drinking water directly
Answer: B
Explanation: The primary purpose of wastewater treatment is to protect public
health and the environment by removing contaminants from wastewater before it
is discharged into receiving waters or reused. This prevents waterborne diseases,
oxygen depletion, and ecosystem damage.
Question 3
Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic used to describe
wastewater?
A. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
B. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
C. Thermal conductivity
D. Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
Answer: C
Explanation: Thermal conductivity is not a typical wastewater characteristic
parameter. BOD, COD, and TSS are standard measures used to characterize
wastewater strength and treatability. Other key parameters include pH, nutrients
(nitrogen and phosphorus), and microbiological indicators.
Question 4
What does BOD measure in wastewater?
A. The amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms to decompose organic
matter
B. The total weight of solids in the water
,C. The concentration of heavy metals
D. The number of bacteria present
Answer: A
Explanation: Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) measures the amount of
dissolved oxygen consumed by microorganisms as they decompose organic matter
in wastewater. It is a key indicator of the organic strength of wastewater and its
potential impact on receiving waters.
Question 5
What is the typical BOD5 value for untreated domestic wastewater?
A. 10–50 mg/L
B. 100–300 mg/L
C. 500–800 mg/L
D. 1,000–2,000 mg/L
Answer: B
Explanation: Untreated domestic wastewater typically has a BOD5 (5-day
biochemical oxygen demand) of 100–300 mg/L. This reflects the organic load
contributed by human activities such as bathing, cooking, and toilet use.
Question 6
Which legislation primarily governs wastewater treatment standards in Scotland?
A. The Clean Water Act
B. The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations
C. The Safe Drinking Water Act
D. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Answer: B
Explanation: The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations
(CAR) primarily govern wastewater treatment and discharge standards in
, Scotland. These regulations implement the requirements of the EU Water
Framework Directive and set limits on discharges to the water environment.
Question 7
What is the primary objective of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive?
A. To increase water consumption
B. To protect the environment from the adverse effects of urban wastewater
discharges
C. To promote bottled water use
D. To eliminate all wastewater treatment
Answer: B
Explanation: The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) aims to
protect the environment from the adverse effects of urban wastewater
discharges. It sets minimum standards for collection and treatment of wastewater
based on population equivalents and the sensitivity of receiving waters.
Question 8
What is a "population equivalent" (PE) in wastewater treatment?
A. The number of people living in a city
B. A measure of the organic biodegradable load having a 5-day BOD of 60g of
oxygen per day
C. The total volume of wastewater produced per person
D. The number of treatment plants in a region
Answer: B
Explanation: Population equivalent (PE) is a measure of the organic biodegradable
load having a 5-day BOD of 60g of oxygen per day. It is used to compare the
polluting strength of industrial wastewater with domestic wastewater and to size
treatment facilities.