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Questions and Answers
What is the maximum admissible concentration of faecal coliforms per 100ml in finished water?
What is the maximum admissible concentration of faecal coliforms per 100ml in finished water?
Sewage treatment plants process household waste only.
Sewage treatment plants process household waste only.
False
What indicates contamination by animal waste in water samples?
What indicates contamination by animal waste in water samples?
faecal streptococci
In sewage treatment, _____% particulates are typically present.
In sewage treatment, _____% particulates are typically present.
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Match the following types of wastes with their sources:
Match the following types of wastes with their sources:
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What event led to the establishment of national rules for water quality in the UK?
What event led to the establishment of national rules for water quality in the UK?
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The Environmental Agency is responsible for the quality of tap water in the UK.
The Environmental Agency is responsible for the quality of tap water in the UK.
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What is the primary legislation that governs sewage discharge in the UK?
What is the primary legislation that governs sewage discharge in the UK?
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The _____ is responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of drinking water in the UK.
The _____ is responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of drinking water in the UK.
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Match the governing body with their responsibility:
Match the governing body with their responsibility:
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What is one of the concerns associated with Aluminium sulphate in drinking water?
What is one of the concerns associated with Aluminium sulphate in drinking water?
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The EC Directive includes over 66 parameters to assess the quality of drinking water.
The EC Directive includes over 66 parameters to assess the quality of drinking water.
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What is BOD and why is it important in sewage treatment?
What is BOD and why is it important in sewage treatment?
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What is the main function of primary sewage treatment?
What is the main function of primary sewage treatment?
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Activated sludge is a process that includes the use of microbes to oxidize suspended solids in wastewater.
Activated sludge is a process that includes the use of microbes to oxidize suspended solids in wastewater.
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What percentage of biological oxygen demand (BOD) is typically removed during primary sewage treatment?
What percentage of biological oxygen demand (BOD) is typically removed during primary sewage treatment?
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The main microbe involved in the activated sludge process is __________.
The main microbe involved in the activated sludge process is __________.
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Match the following sewage treatment processes with their characteristics:
Match the following sewage treatment processes with their characteristics:
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Which treatment method uses microbes to oxidize organics and manage biological oxygen demand?
Which treatment method uses microbes to oxidize organics and manage biological oxygen demand?
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Secondary effluent is the result of the anaerobic digestion process.
Secondary effluent is the result of the anaerobic digestion process.
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What gas is generated during the digestion of sludge in wastewater treatment?
What gas is generated during the digestion of sludge in wastewater treatment?
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After the secondary treatment, any remaining solids are referred to as __________.
After the secondary treatment, any remaining solids are referred to as __________.
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Which of the following is NOT a method of disinfection in wastewater treatment?
Which of the following is NOT a method of disinfection in wastewater treatment?
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What is the primary purpose of a percolating filter in sewage treatment?
What is the primary purpose of a percolating filter in sewage treatment?
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Chlorination is used to kill pathogens in effluent.
Chlorination is used to kill pathogens in effluent.
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What gas is produced during the anaerobic digestion of sludge?
What gas is produced during the anaerobic digestion of sludge?
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The process of adding chemicals like lime and alum to water treatment is used to remove __________.
The process of adding chemicals like lime and alum to water treatment is used to remove __________.
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Match the sewage treatment process with its description:
Match the sewage treatment process with its description:
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What happens to secondary sludge in a sewage treatment plant?
What happens to secondary sludge in a sewage treatment plant?
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Eutrophication is the result of insufficient nutrients in water bodies.
Eutrophication is the result of insufficient nutrients in water bodies.
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Name one disease that can be transmitted through contaminated drinking water.
Name one disease that can be transmitted through contaminated drinking water.
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The process of flocculation involves mixing water with __________ to help remove solids.
The process of flocculation involves mixing water with __________ to help remove solids.
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What is the main concern post-secondary sewage treatment?
What is the main concern post-secondary sewage treatment?
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Incineration of sludge generates power.
Incineration of sludge generates power.
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What can cause algal blooms in water bodies?
What can cause algal blooms in water bodies?
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Water treatment can use __________ to sterilize effluent before release.
Water treatment can use __________ to sterilize effluent before release.
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Match the following components with their functions:
Match the following components with their functions:
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What is the maximum admissible concentration of total coliforms permitted in finished water?
What is the maximum admissible concentration of total coliforms permitted in finished water?
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Indicator organisms should ideally only be present when faecal pathogens are absent.
Indicator organisms should ideally only be present when faecal pathogens are absent.
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Name one method used to grow colonies from a water sample.
Name one method used to grow colonies from a water sample.
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The principle of the MPN method uses _______ to estimate microbial contamination.
The principle of the MPN method uses _______ to estimate microbial contamination.
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Match the following pathogen types with their examples:
Match the following pathogen types with their examples:
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Which coliforms are NOT considered indicator organisms?
Which coliforms are NOT considered indicator organisms?
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Coliforms are pathogens that should be abundant in drinking water.
Coliforms are pathogens that should be abundant in drinking water.
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What is the typical temperature for incubating the inoculated MPN tubes?
What is the typical temperature for incubating the inoculated MPN tubes?
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Faecal coliforms (FC) typically originate from ______, while faecal streptococci (FS) usually come from ______.
Faecal coliforms (FC) typically originate from ______, while faecal streptococci (FS) usually come from ______.
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What characteristic makes indicator organisms easier to test for?
What characteristic makes indicator organisms easier to test for?
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Study Notes
Water Treatment and Quality
- Water Resources Act 1991: Established national rules for the discharge of sewage and trade effluent into water sources. Came about after the Camelford water poisoning incident in 1988, where a delivery driver mistakenly added aluminium sulphate to the drinking water supply. This highlighted the vulnerability of water systems to errors and the need for stricter regulations.
Drinking Water Quality Standards
- Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI): Oversees quality, standards, flavor, and microbiological safety of tap water.
- Environmental Agency: Manages all other water sources (rivers, lakes, ponds, rainwater) and the substances that enter them (farm runoff, leaks, etc.).
- EC Directive 98/83/EC: Sets standards for 66 parameters in drinking water, categorized into organoleptic (taste/feel), physiochemical, substances undesirable in excess, toxic substances, microbiological, and minimum concentrations for softened water qualities.
Maximum Admissible Concentrations (Finished Water)
- Zero total coliforms, faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci, and sulphite-reducing clostridia per 100ml. These are used as indicators of potential contamination threats.
Sewage Treatment Stages
- Primary Treatment: Removes large solids (animals, clothes, etc.) and settles heavy solids via sedimentation. Primary sludge undergoes anaerobic digestion.
-
Secondary Treatment (Biological Oxidation):
- Activated sludge uses microbes in an aerated tank to oxidize organic matter and lower BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand).
- Trickling/percolating filters have microbes on a solid substrate for organic digestion.
- Rotating Biological Contactors use rotating plates with microbes to aid in oxidation
- Disinfection and Release: Effluent is disinfected (chlorine, UV, ozone), its BOD is reduced, and it is released into the environment.
- Sludge Digestion: Digests solids to produce methane, which is used for power generation. Remaining material is inert and can be used as fertilizer.
Anaerobic Sludge Digester
- Digests wastewater sludge to generate methane gas, used to generate electrical power. Sludge is broken down to an inert state, and can be used as a fertilizer.
Tertiary Sewage Treatment
- Removes residual BOD, nitrogen, and phosphorus from secondary effluent, often using chemical treatment and filtration to achieve safety standards.
Drinking Water Treatment
- Uses several stages to remove impurities: flocculation, filtration, and disinfection.
Microbiological Analysis of Drinking Water
- Ensures pathogen-free water.
- Employs indicator organisms (e.g., coliforms, faecal streptococci) to indicate potential contamination.
- Employs methods like membrane filtration and MPN (Most Probable Number) to estimate the number of microbes within a water sample.
Coliforms as Indicator Organisms
- Used because they are part of normal intestinal flora in humans, are present in large quantities with pathogens, and are relatively simple to identify and enumerate.
Standard Methods for Coliform Enumeration
- Membrane filtration is a common method.
- MPN works by determining the probability of contamination with statistical analysis.
FC/FS Ratio
- Indicates the source of fecal contaminants (animal vs. human).
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Description
This quiz covers the key aspects of water treatment regulations and quality standards, particularly focusing on the Water Resources Act 1991 and the roles of the Drinking Water Inspectorate and Environmental Agency. It also discusses the European Directive 98/83/EC, which outlines essential drinking water parameters. Test your knowledge on the measures in place to ensure safe drinking water and environmental protection.
