Texas Wastewater Class B Practice Exam

What process is most effective in destroying protozoa that cause dysentery in wastewater treatment?

1. Filtration

2. Coagulation

3. Disinfection

4. Precipitation

The correct answer is: Disinfection

The most effective process for destroying protozoa that cause dysentery in wastewater treatment is disinfection. Disinfection involves the application of chemicals or physical processes that effectively kill or inactivate pathogenic microorganisms, including protozoa. This step is crucial in ensuring that treated wastewater does not pose a health risk to humans and the environment. In the context of protozoa, which can be resilient in various conditions, traditional treatment processes may not fully eliminate these harmful organisms. Disinfection methods, such as chlorination, ultraviolet (UV) light treatment, or ozonation, are specifically designed to target and destroy pathogens by disrupting their cellular functions or destroying their cellular structures. This makes disinfection critical for achieving public health standards in treated wastewater. Filtration, while effective in removing larger particles and some pathogens, may not have the capacity to trap all protozoa, particularly those that are small or in cyst form. Coagulation primarily aids in removing suspended particles and does not specifically target protozoa. Precipitation is a process typically aimed at removing dissolved solids rather than addressing biological pathogens, making it less relevant for this scenario. Therefore, disinfection stands out as the necessary measure for eliminating dysentery-causing protozoa in wastewater treatment processes.