Water Treatment Operator-in-Training (OIT) Practice Test

What is the primary purpose of a wastewater treatment plant?

1. To recycle water

2. To reduce bacterial growth

3. To remove contaminants from water

4. To store water

The correct answer is: To remove contaminants from water

The primary purpose of a wastewater treatment plant is to remove contaminants from water. This process involves several stages, including physical, chemical, and biological treatment methods to ensure that harmful substances, such as pathogens, nutrients, and organic matter, are adequately eliminated from the wastewater. By achieving this goal, the treatment plant enables the safe discharge of treated water into natural bodies or allows for its reuse for various purposes. While recycling water is a beneficial outcome of treatment processes, it is not the main goal of the facility. Similarly, reducing bacterial growth is a part of the treatment process but is not the overarching purpose of the plant. Finally, although storage of water can occur in certain treatment systems, it is not a primary function of wastewater treatment; instead, the focus is on purification and making the water safe for environmental return or reuse.