Florida Wastewater Practice Test

What component of the wastewater treatment system can increase pH levels?

1. Settling tanks

2. Hypochlorination

3. Filtration systems

4. Secondary treatment

The correct answer is: Hypochlorination

Hypochlorination is the correct choice because it involves the addition of chlorine to the wastewater to disinfect and destroy pathogens. When chlorine is added to water, it can lead to the formation of chloramines and other compounds, which can increase the pH levels in the system if not managed properly. Chlorine itself is a strong oxidizing agent, and its reaction with organic matter can impact the overall chemistry of the wastewater, potentially raising the pH. While settling tanks, filtration systems, and secondary treatment play crucial roles in the wastewater treatment process, they do not inherently cause a significant increase in pH levels. Settling tanks primarily remove solids by allowing them to settle to the bottom, filtration systems remove suspended particles, and secondary treatment focuses on biological processes to further break down organic material. None of these systems are directly responsible for altering the pH of wastewater in the same manner that hypochlorination can, making hypochlorination the correct answer in this context.