Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification Practice Test

What is the main advantage of using activated sludge treatment process?

1. Low construction costs

2. High organic matter removal

3. Simple operation

4. Minimal space requirement

The correct answer is: High organic matter removal

The main advantage of using the activated sludge treatment process is its ability to achieve high organic matter removal. This process relies on microorganisms, particularly bacteria, to break down organic materials in wastewater. During the treatment, these microorganisms consume the organic matter as their food source, leading to a significant reduction in pollutants. The effectiveness of the activated sludge process is demonstrated through its efficiency in reducing biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS), both indicators of wastewater quality. The process can effectively handle varying loads of organic material, making it suitable for treating wastewater from diverse sources, such as municipal and industrial discharges. While options mention aspects like construction costs, operational simplicity, or space requirements, they do not capture the primary benefit of the activated sludge process, which is its strong capability to remove harmful organic contaminants from wastewater, ultimately leading to cleaner effluent being discharged into the environment.