Which statement best describes UV disinfection in terms of effluent properties?

Which statement best describes UV disinfection in terms of effluent properties?

• A. It kills microorganisms without significantly altering the physical and chemical properties of the wastewater effluent
• B. It adds chlorine to the water
• C. It increases the temperature of the effluent
• D. It reduces the pH to acidic range

Answer: (A)

UV disinfection inactivates microorganisms using ultraviolet light, and it does so without adding chemicals or significantly changing the effluent’s physical or chemical characteristics. The UV light damages the DNA/RNA of pathogens, preventing them from reproducing, but it doesn’t chemically react with the water or introduce new substances. That means pH, temperature, taste, odor, and other physical-chemical properties stay essentially the same. The main caveat is that the process relies on keeping the water clear enough for UV light to penetrate; high turbidity can reduce effectiveness, but it doesn’t indicate a change to the effluent’s properties itself.

UV disinfection inactivates microorganisms using ultraviolet light, and it does so without adding chemicals or significantly changing the effluent’s physical or chemical characteristics. The UV light damages the DNA/RNA of pathogens, preventing them from reproducing, but it doesn’t chemically react with the water or introduce new substances. That means pH, temperature, taste, odor, and other physical-chemical properties stay essentially the same. The main caveat is that the process relies on keeping the water clear enough for UV light to penetrate; high turbidity can reduce effectiveness, but it doesn’t indicate a change to the effluent’s properties itself.