Quizlet - Water Treatment Terminology Flashcards by Matthew Fritz

What is coliform?
a. A bacterium which is isolated from plant leaves
b. A motile bacterium
c. A bacterium used in the manufacturing of cheese
d. A bacterium found in the gut of all warm-blooded animals
e. A plant pathogen

d. A bacterium found in the gut of all warm-blooded animals

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What is the definition of coliform in the context of water treatment?
a. a type of chemical used to purify water
b. A group of bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals
c. A method of measuring water clarity
d. A process of removing large debris from water

b. A group of bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals

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What is alkalinity?
a. A laboratory procedure used to estimate the minimum or ideal coagulant dose required to achieve certain water quality goals
b. A process used to kill disease-cause organisms
c. A solution or liquid whose chemical make-up neutralizes acids or bases without a great change in pH
d. The capacity of water to neutralize acids

d. The capacity of water to neutralize acids

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What is the primary purpose of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
a. To provide information on the nutritional value of a chemical product
b. To explain the hazards associated with a chemical product
c. To outline the manufacturing process of a chemical product
d. To list the environmental impacts of a chemical product

b. To explain the hazards associated with a chemical product

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Sedimentation is a process that _____ suspended matter.
a. settles
b. coagulates
c. flocculates
d. filters

a. settles

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Explain how a weir contributes to the efficiency of settling tanks in water treatment:
a. It increases the speed of water flow
b. It prevents the mixing of treated and untreated water
c. It allows for the measurement of water levels
d. It ensures a consistent flow rate to facilitate sedimentation

d. It ensures a consistent flow rate of water to facilitate sedimentation

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What is pH?
a. An expression of the hardness of a liquid
b. An expression of the intensity of the basic or acidic condition of a liquid
c. An expression of the rate of putrefaction of a liquid
d. An expression of the odor intensity emitted from a liquid

b. An expression of the intensity of the basic or acidic condition of a liquid

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What is the primary purpose of a flash mix process in water treatment?
a. To remove large debris from water
b. To mix chemicals with raw water
c. To measure water turbidity
d. To control water flow rates

b. To mix chemicals with raw water

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Explain how flocculation differs from coagulation in the context of water treatment:
a. Flocculation involves chemical reactions, while coagulation is a physical process
b. Coagulation is the initial step that destabilizes particles, while flocculation is the subsequent step that aggregates them
c. Flocculation is only used for wastewater, whereas coagulation is used for drinking water
d. Coagulation occurs at a high speed, while flocculation occurs at a low speed

b. Coagulation is the initial step that destabilizes particles, while flocculation is the subsequent step that aggregates them

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Explain how screens contribute to the overall efficiency of water treatment facilities:
a. They help in chemical dosing
b. They prevent large debris from entering subsequent treatment stages
c. They enhance the taste of water
d. They are used in pH adjustment

b. They prevent large debris from entering subsequent treatment stages

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What is the definition of sludge in the context of water treatment?
a. The liquid portion of wastewater after treatment
b. The settleable solids separated from water during processing
c. A type of chemical used to purify water
d. The process of removing large debris from water

b. The settleable solids separated from the water during processing

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What is the primary purpose of conducting a jar test in water treatment processes?
a. To measure the pH of water
b. To determine the lowest effective dose of chemical polymers for coagulation
c. To asses the turbidity of water
d. To filter out large debris from water

b. To determine the lowest effective dose of chemical polymers for coagulation

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A wastewater treatment facility reports a high BOD level in its effluent. What steps should the facility take to address this issue, and why is it important to reduce BOD before discharge?
a. Increase chlorination to kill microorganisms, as BOD is not a concern for discharge
b. Implement additional aeration to enhance microbial activity, reducing organic matter and BOD levels before discharge
c. Decrease filtration to allow more organic matter to settle, as BOD is not harmful
d. Add more raw water to dilute the influent and lower the BOD levels

b. Implement additional aeration to enhance microbial activity, reducing organic matter and BOD levels before discharge

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What is the definition of turbidity in the context of water treatment?
a. A measure of the temperature of water
b. A measure of how clear the water is
c. A measure of the acidity of water
d. A measure of the dissolved oxygen in water

b. A measure of how clear the water is

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Flocculation describes the process in which:
a. Sticks and leaves in water are skimmed off the surface of a basin
b. Water is passed through a sand filter to remove impurities
c. Iron and manganese are oxidized and precipitated out
d. The gathering together of fine particles after coagulation to form larger particles by gentle mixing

d. The gathering together of fine particles after coagulation to form larger particles by gentle mixing

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What does pH measure in a liquid?
a. The temperature of the liquid
b. The intensity of the basic or acidic nature of the liquid
c. The turbidity of a liquid
d. The presence of dissolved oxygen in a liquid

b. The intensity of the basic or acidic nature of the liquid

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What is the primary function of screens in water treatment processes?
a. To remove dissolved contaminants
b. To remove large debris, such as leaves and sticks
c. To disinfect water using chlorine
d. To measure water turbidity

b. To remove large debris, such as leaves and sticks

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The coagulant, when added to water, will produce a spongy substance known as _____. It possesses a _____ which traps the very fin suspended particles in the water, thus forming larger particles.
a. coagulant, large surface area
b. floc, large surface area
c. floc, strong chemical bonding
d. coagulant, strong chemical bonding

b. floc, large surface area

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What is the primary function of filtration in water treatment processes?
a. To remove dissolved gasses from water
b. To filter out suspended particles
c. To adjust the pH of water
d. To add chlorine for disinfection

b. To filter out suspended particles

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Screens are installed for what purpose?
a. To remove large debris
b. To remove grit
c. To remove organic loads
To remove settleable solids

a. To remove large debris

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Coagulation chemicals are chemicals that cause very fine particles to clump, or floc, together into larger particles. They can be classified by their method of reaction…. Which is Not a coagulation classification?
a. Electrostatic charge reducers
b. Inter-particle bridgers
c. Physical enmeshers
d. Electrostatic precipitators

d. Electrostatic precipitators

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If a water treatment plant experiences a sudden increase in water demand, how would the presence of a clearwell impact the plant’s ability to meet this demand?
a. The clearwell would allow for immediate filtration of raw water
b. The clearwell would provide a buffer of stored filtered water to meet the increased demand
c. The clearwell would require the filtration rate to be adjusted
d. The clearwell would have no impact on meeting the increased demand

b. The clearwell would provide a buffer of stored filtered water to meet the increased demand

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In the world of water treatment, floc is defined as:
a. Suspended material heavier than water
b. Stabilized sludge
c. Clumps of biomass consisting of adsorbed material and biofilm
d. Filtered organic concentrate

c. Clumps of biomass consisting of adsorbed material and biofilm

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What are pathogenic organisms in the context of water treatment?
a. Organisms that purify water
b. Organisms that cause disease
c. Organisms that enhance water quality
d. Organisms that filter sediments

b. Organisms that cause disease

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What is the definition of "floc" in water treatment? a. A type of water purification method b. Clumps of bacteria and particles or coagulants and impurities that have come together and formed a cluster c. A measurement of water clarity d. A chemical used to treat acid rain

b. Clumps of bacteria and particles or coagulants and impurities that have come together and formed a cluseter

What term describes a substance that has the ability to cause deterioration of metal pipes in water treatment systems? a. Turbidity b. Corrosion c. Alkalinity d. Sedimentation

b. Corrosion

What is sludge? a. The settleable solids separated from liquids in a primary clarifier b. The fats, oils, and greases that float to the surface of a primary clarifier c. The septic solids that float to the surface of a primary clarifier d. The solids that are scraped to the hopper in the bottom of a primary clarifier

a. The settleable solids separated from liquids in a primary clarifier

What is a composite sample? a. A sample that is representative of the raw water sampled b. A sample that is representative of the finished water sampled c. A collection of samples obtained at regular intervals d. All of the Above

c. A collection of samples obtained at regular intervals

Precipitation that has been rendered acidic by airborne pollutants a. Smog b. Acid Rain c. Global Warming d. Gray Water

b. Acid Rain

If a water treatment facility conducts a jar test and finds that a polymer dose of 15 mg/L results in satisfactory settling, but a dose of 10 mg/L does not, what implications does this have for the treatment process and chemical usage? a. The facility should use 10 mg/L to save costs b. The facility should use 15 mg/L to ensure effective treatment c. The facility should increase the dose to 20 mg/L for better results d. The facility should stop using chemical polymers altogether

b. The facility should use 15 mg/L to ensure effective treatment

Explain how the jar test contributes to the water treatment process and why it is important to identify the lowest effective dose of chemicals. a. It helps in determining the best filtration method b. It ensures that the water is free from pathogens c. It minimizes chemical usage while ensuring effective coagulation and flocculation d. It measures the temperature of the water

c. It minimizes chemical usage while ensuring effective coagulation and flocculation

Alkalinity is defined as ______. a. The quantity of CaCO3 and non-carbonate hardness that is in the water b. The quantity of CaCO3 and MgCO3 that is in the water c. A measurement of the water's ability to neutralize an acid d. A measurement of the water's capacity to neutralize an acid to a pH of 4.8

c. A measurement of the water's ability to neutralize an acid

Raw water is defined as: a. Untreated condensate return b. Treated surface water c. Untreated surface water d. Softened river water

c. Untreated surface water

Purifying water can be done using what chemical? a. Chlorine b. Oxygen c. Acetic acid

a. Chlorine

Explain how pH can affect water treatment processes and the quality of water: a. pH has no effect on water treatment processes b. A higher pH indicates more acidic water, which is beneficial for treatment c. pH levels can influence the solubility of contaminants and the effectiveness of disinfectants d. pH only affects the taste of water and not its treatment

c. pH levels can influence the solubility of contaminants and the effectiveness of disinfectants

Acid rain is defined as any rain that has a pH of: a. Less than 7 b. More than 7 c. Less than 5.5 d. More than 5.5 e. Less than 3

c. Less than 5.5

Explain the significance of sludge in the water treatment process and how it is typically managed. a. Sludge is discarded immediately after separation to prevent contamination b. Sludge is a byproduct that must be treated and disposed of properly to avoid environmental issues c. Sludge is used as a primary source of drinking water d. Sludge has no impact on the treatment process

b. Sludge is a byproduct that must be treated and disposed of properly to avoid environmental issues

Alkalinity is a measure of the ability of water to: a. Neutralize a base b. Neutralize an acid c. Dissolve organics d. Maintain constant temperature

b. Neutralize an acid

Explain how filtration contributes to the overall water treatment process and why it is essential: a. Filtration removes all contaminants, making water safe to drink b. Filtration is the final step in water treatment, ensuring clarity c. Filtration helps to remove suspended particles, which can harbor pathogens and affect water quality d. Filtration is primarily used to add minerals back into the water

c. Filtration helps to remove suspended particles, which can harbor pathogens and affect water quality

Which of the following is a single sample of water, collected at a particular time and place? a. Composite sample b. Comprehensive sample c. Combination sample d. Grab sample

d. Grab sample

What is flocculation? (Select the best answer) a. The process of bringing together coagulated particles to form larger particles b. The process of adding a coagulant to water, to form larger particles from suspended particles c. The process of adding a coagulant to water, to neutralize suspended particles d. The process of adding a coagulant to water, to speed up the flocculation process e. The process of adding a chemical to water to aid in removing suspended matter by filtration

a. The process of bringing together coagulated particles to form larger particles

What is a grab sample? a. A composite water sample that is collected at regular intervals b. A composite water sample that is collected on the basis of the flow rate c. A single water sample collected at a particular time and place that represents the water characteristics only at that time and place d. A single water sample collected when flows vary considerably

c. A single water sample collected at a particular time and place that represents the water characteristics only at that time and place

Acid rain is: a. An atmospheric condition during which a warm layer of air stalls above a cool layer b. The precipitation of acidic compounds formed when components of air pollution interact with other components of air c. Dust, soot, and other finely divided and liquid particles d. A condition associated with smog that causes eye irritation, irritation of the respiratory tract, and chest pains e. A mixture of pollutants, principally ground-level ozone

b. The precipitation of acidic compounds formed when components of air pollution interact with other components of air

Explain how the flash mix process contributes to the overall water treatment process, particularly in relation to fine particles a. It helps in the removal of large debris b. It enhances the settling of fine particles by mixing chemicals c. It monitors water quality parameters d. It reduces the acidity of water

b. It enhances the settling of fine particles by mixing chemicals

What is the definition of chlorine residual? a. The amount of chlorine added to water before treatment b. The concentration of chlorine present in water after the chlorine demand has been satisfied c. The total chlorine used in the purification process d. The chlorine concentration that causes water to taste unpleasant

b. The concentration of chlorine present in the water after the chlorine demand has been satisfied

What is the primary purpose of flocculation? a. To remove large debris from water b. To gather fine particles into larger aggregates c. To disinfect water using chlorine d. To measure the turbidity of water

b. To gather fine particles into larger aggregates

What is the primary function of a coagulant? a. To disinfect water by killing pathogens b. To remove large debris from water c. To measure the clarity of water d. To cause very fine particles to clump together into larger particles

d. To cause very fine particles to clump together into larger particles

What is the significance of measuring Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the water treatment process? a. It indicates the level of dissolved minerals in water b. It asses the clarity of water c. It measures the rate of oxygen consumption by microorganisms, reflecting the organic pollution level d. It determines the acidity of water

c. It measures the rate of oxygen consumption by microorganisms, reflecting the organic pollution level

A corrosive water is capable of: a. Causing scale formation b. Creating high pH levels c. Deteriorating metal pipe

c. Deteriorating metal pipe

Turbidity is a measure of: a. Oxygenation b. Wave energy c. Littoral plant growth d. Water clarity

d. Water clarity

What is the significance of floc formation? a. It indicates the presence of toxic substances in water b. It helps in the removal of suspended particles and impurities during sedimentation c. It is a measure of water temperature d. It is used to asses the alkalinity of water

b. It helps in the removal of suspended particles and impurities during sedimentation

The sedimentation process involves settling of impurities in a tank under the action of: a. Sun rays b. Velocity of flow c. Biological action d. Gravitational force

d. Gravitational force

What is sedimentation? a. The depositing, especially by mechanical means, of matter suspended in a liquid b. The action or process of a liquid, especially blood, changing to a solid or semi-solid state c. To supply or impregnate something, such as soil or liquid with air d. The process in which solid particles in a liquid or gaseous fluid are removed by the use of a filter medium that permits fluid to pass through, but retains the solid particles

a. The depositing, especially by mechanical means, of matter suspended in a liquid

What is the definition of a composite sample? a. A single sample taken at a specific time b. A sample that is filtered to remove impurities c. A collection of individual samples obtained at regular intervals d. A sample that only measures pH levels

c. A collection of individual samples obtained at regular intervals

Why is the presence of pathogenic organisms in water a concern for the treatment process? a. The can improve the taste of water b. They are beneficial for aquatic ecosystems c. The indicate high levels of dissolved oxygen d. The can lead to waterborne disease and health risks

d. They can lead to waterborne disease and health risks

Total residual chlorine is: a. The amount of chlorine remaining after the chlorine demand of the water has been satisfied b. The amount of residual alkali added to a chlorinated water when then chlorine source is sodium or calcium hypochlorite c. The total amount of chlorine added to the water

a. The amount of chlorine remaining after the chlorine demand of the water has been satisfied

Why is a clearwell important in maintaining a consistent filtration rate in a water treatment facility? a. It allows the storage of excess raw water b. It helps to stabilize the water quality parameters c. It ensures a steady supply of filtered water despite fluctuating demand d. It reduces the need for chemical additives

c. It ensures a steady supply of filtered water despite fluctuating demand

Pathogenic organisms are: a. Indicator organisms b. Non-disease causing organisms c. Physical characteristic of water d. Disease producing organisms

d. Disease producing organisms

If a water treatment facility is experiencing high levels of turbidity in its raw water, which filtration method would be most effective in addressing this issue and why? a. Activated carbon filtration, as it removes odors and tastes b. Microfiltration, as it effectively removes larger suspended particles c. Reverse osmosis, as it removes dissolved solids d. Ultraviolet treatment, as it disinfects water without filtration

b. Microfiltration, as it effectively removes larger suspended particles

How do airborne pollutants contribute to the formation of acid rain? a. The increase the temperature of the atmosphere, leading to more evaporation b. They enhance the growth of algae in water bodies, which then acidifies the water c. They create a barrier that prevents precipitation from occurring d. They react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form acidic compounds

d. They react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form acidic compounds

Which of the following terms best describes the concentration of chlorine present in water after the chlorine demand has been satisfied? a. Chlorine dose b. Chlorine demand c. Chlorine residual d. Chlorine contact time

c. Chlorine residual

What is the primary purpose of sedimentation? a. To settle and deposit suspended matter b. To remove dissolved contaminants c. To disinfect water d. To add chemicals for purification

a. To settle and deposit suspended matter

What does BOD stand for: a. Biological Oxygen Demand b. Biochemical Oxygen Demand c. Biological Organic Demand d. Biochemical Organic Demand

b. Biochemical Oxygen Demand

What is the definition of raw water? a. Treated water ready for distribution b. Water that is safe for distribution c. Water that has undergone filtration d. Untreated water entering the first treatment unit of a water treatment plant

d. Untreated water entering the first treatment unit of a water treatment plant

Which of the following best defines the term "toxic" in the context of water treatment? a. A substance that is beneficial to a living organism b. A substance that is poisonous to a living organism c. A substance that has no effect on living organisms d. A substance that promotes growth in living organisms

b. A substance that is poisonous to a living organism

If a water treatment facility is experiencing issues with short-circuiting in its settling tanks, which modification involving weirs could be implemented to improve performance? a. Increase the height of the weirs to slow down flow b. Remove the weirs to allow free flow c. Change the material of the weirs to a more corrosive-resistant type d. Add more weirs to create additional flow control paths

d. Add more weirs to create additional flow control paths

What is the purpose of flash mixing? a. To add oxygen b. To remove oxygen c. To increase velocity before grit removal d. To evenly distribute the coagulant chemical

d. To evenly distribute the coagulant chemical

What is the primary function of a clearwell? a. To store raw water for treatment b. To measure water quality parameters c. To provide a reservoir for filtered water d. To facilitate the coagulation process

c. To provide a reservoir for filtered for water

A corrosive is: a. An effect of acids and bases on a metal b. A substance's tendency to deteriorate another substance c. The percentage of an acid or base dissolved in water d. A degree a substance will mix with water

b. A substance's tendency to deteriorate another substance

What is the definition of a grab sample? a. A sample collected over a period of time to average conditions b. A composite of multiple samples taken from different locations c. A sample that is analyzed for chemical contaminants only d. A single sample of water collected at a specific time and location

d. A single sample of water collected at a specific time and location

What is the primary purpose of a weir? a. To filter out small particles b. To control flow and ensure uniformity c. To measure water temperature d. To add chemicals for purification

b. To control flow and ensure uniformity

If a treatment facility is experiencing high levels of turbidity due to fine particles, which of the following actions would be most effective in addressing this issue? a. Increasing the flow rate of water through the system b. Using screens to filter out large debris c. Implementing a flash mix process to introduce coagulants d. Conducting regular pH tests to monitor acidity levels

c. Implementing a flash mix process to introduce coagulants

What is the primary purpose of chlorination in water treatment? a. To remove large debris b. To purify water c. To measure pH levels d. To increase turbidity

b. To purify water

A water treatment facility measures a chlorine residual of 0.5 mg/L after chlorination. If the chlorine demand was 1.5 mg/L, what can be inferred about the effectiveness of the chlorination process? a. The chlorination process was effective, as the residual is lower than the demand b. The chlorination process was effective, as the residual meets the demand c. The chlorine residual indicates that no chlorine was used d. The facility should increase the chlorine dosage to meet the demand

a. The chlorination process was effective, as the residual is lower than the demand

What is the definition of alkalinity? a. The ability of water to dissolve minerals b. The measure of a water's clarity c. The presence of dissolved oxygen in water d. The capability of water to neutralize acid

d. The capability of water to neutralize acid

A water treatment facility discovers that the water source has high levels of a corrosive substance. What steps should the facility take to mitigate the risks to their metal piping system? a. Increase the flow rate through the pipes b. Implementing a corrosion control program and consider using protective coatings c. Ignore the issue as it will resolve itself over time d. Switch to using only plastic pipes for all applications

b. Implementing a corrosion control program and consider using protective coatings