Water Treatment Exam Questions with Latest Update

Potable Water - Answer-Water that is healthy for human consumption, and free of organic and inorganic compounds and microorganisms Palatable Water - Answer-Water that is aesthetically pleasing and free from turbidity, color, odor, or bad taste Turbidity - Answer-Measures clarity of water; whether water is cloudy or not What is the purpose of drinking water treatment? - Answer-To provide potable water that is palatable Major Inorganic Constituents - Answer-Calcium, chloride, fluoride, iron, magnesium Minor Inorganic Constituents - Answer-Copper, lead, arsenic, mercury Microbial Constituents - Answer-Pathogens, indicator organisms Pathogens - Answer-Microorganisms that cause sickness and disease such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa Indicator Organisms - Answer-Coliforms, used to monitor microbial water activity Safe Water Drinking Act of 1974 - Answer-Responsibility of water quality regulation moved from states to EPA. Regulated maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), calcium levels, etc. Screening - Answer-A physical treatment that removes the large particles from water, by size from largest to smallest in order to prevent damage to mechanics in further treatment. Screening occurs using bar racks or bar screens. Comminutor - Answer-Alternative to screens; grinds up coarse solids to be removed in a later treatment step Drinking Water Treatment - Answer-Physical Treatment: Screening, Sedimentation, and Filtration Chemical Treatment: Coagulation-Flocculation and Disinfection Order: Screening, Coagulation-Flocculation, Sedimentation, Filtration, Disinfection Coagulation - Answer-Charge neutralization step that conditions all matter by adding coagulants (chemical that destabilizes particles)