Prepare for the Massachusetts Wastewater Exam with our comprehensive quiz. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each loaded with hints and explanations. Ensure success for your test day!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Which of the following pollutants is compatible with the operation of a POTW?

  1. Heavy metals.

  2. Pesticides.

  3. Ammonia.

  4. Pharmaceuticals.

The correct answer is: Ammonia.

Ammonia is considered compatible with the operation of a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) because these systems are specifically designed to handle nitrogenous compounds, including ammonia. In municipal wastewater treatment, the biological treatment processes, particularly in aeration basins, utilize bacteria that can effectively assimilate and convert ammonia into nitrate through nitrification. This biochemical process is critical in removing nitrogen from wastewater before it is discharged into the environment, thereby meeting regulatory compliance and protecting water quality. While heavy metals, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals can pose significant challenges for POTWs, they are often lethal to the microorganisms used in biological treatment processes or can accumulate in the biosolids, creating further disposal issues. In contrast, ammonia is typically managed within the treatment system, making it a compatible pollutant for effective treatment and compliance with environmental standards.