Florida Drinking Water Operator "B" Practice Test

What process is effective in removing THM's after they have formed?

1. Filtration

2. Aeration

3. Chlorination

4. Precipitation

The correct answer is: Aeration

Aeration is a process that effectively aids in the removal of trihalomethanes (THMs) after they have formed in drinking water. THMs are disinfection byproducts that emerge when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter in the water. Aeration helps to reduce THMs by facilitating the volatilization of these compounds. During aeration, water is exposed to air, which allows the THMs to escape into the atmosphere, thereby decreasing their concentration in the water supply. The process of aeration primarily works by increasing the surface area of the water, allowing for better gas exchange between the water and the air. By promoting this gas transfer, THMs can diffuse out of the water more effectively. This makes aeration a valuable method for addressing the presence of these harmful contaminants after they have already formed, contributing to the improvement of water quality. Conversely, while other processes such as filtration, chlorination, and precipitation play important roles in water treatment, they do not specifically target the removal of THMs once they are present in the system. Filtration primarily focuses on solid particles and sediment; chlorination is aimed at disinfection and can actually contribute to THM formation; and precipitation deals with the removal of dissolved solids rather than volatile compounds like TH