Prepare for the American Water Works Water Treatment Plant Operator Test. Study with multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready to excel!

Multiple Choice

Which process removes chlorine from effluent before discharge or irrigation?

Removing residual chlorine from treated effluent before discharge is essential to protect aquatic life and meet discharge or irrigation limits. This is done through dechlorination, which uses reducing agents such as sodium bisulfite or sodium sulfite (and sometimes sulfur dioxide or activated carbon) to neutralize free and combined chlorine. By lowering chlorine to safe levels, the water won’t harm organisms or interfere with downstream uses. Chlorination would add chlorine rather than remove it, deaeration targets dissolved gases (not chlorine), and oxidation changes substances through oxidation rather than removing chlorine.

Removing residual chlorine from treated effluent before discharge is essential to protect aquatic life and meet discharge or irrigation limits. This is done through dechlorination, which uses reducing agents such as sodium bisulfite or sodium sulfite (and sometimes sulfur dioxide or activated carbon) to neutralize free and combined chlorine. By lowering chlorine to safe levels, the water won’t harm organisms or interfere with downstream uses. Chlorination would add chlorine rather than remove it, deaeration targets dissolved gases (not chlorine), and oxidation changes substances through oxidation rather than removing chlorine.