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What should be done to maintain the microorganism population during a plant upset due to hydraulic overload?

  1. Increase WAS

  2. Decrease WAS

  3. Remove excess sludge

  4. Increase aeration

The correct answer is: Decrease WAS

To maintain the microorganism population during a plant upset caused by hydraulic overload, decreasing the wasting of activated sludge (WAS) is crucial. Hydraulic overload can happen when there is an influx of excessive flow, possibly leading to dilution of the biomass in the treatment system. If WAS is increased during such a situation, it can result in the removal of more microorganisms than necessary, further destabilizing the biological treatment process. By decreasing the WAS, more microorganisms remain in the system, which helps to stabilize the treatment process and maintain the desired microbial population necessary for efficient wastewater treatment. This approach provides a buffer against the adverse effects of hydraulic overload, allowing the system to recover more effectively once normal operating conditions resume.