Which of the following is a key indicator of water quality in wastewater treatment?

A key indicator of water quality in wastewater treatment is the measurement of pH and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).

pH is crucial because it affects the solubility of metals and the biological activity within the treatment processes. It influences the effectiveness of disinfection and can be indicative of the presence of certain contaminants. Maintaining an appropriate pH level is essential for the health of microorganisms used in biological treatment processes.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is equally important as it measures the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter in the water. A high BOD indicates a high level of organic pollution, which can negatively affect aquatic life if released into the environment without treatment.

Thus, monitoring both pH and BOD provides valuable insight into the wastewater's status, indicating how well the treatment processes are functioning and how the treated water may impact the receiving waters. This dual measure helps in determining the overall quality of the wastewater and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.