What is a sign of effective wastewater treatment?

Low levels of pathogens in the effluent are a key indicator of effective wastewater treatment. Pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that can cause disease, must be significantly reduced or eliminated to ensure that treated water is safe for discharge into the environment or for potential reuse. Treatment processes such as disinfection through chlorination or ultraviolet light are specifically designed to target pathogens and achieve this result.

In contrast, high levels of total suspended solids (TSS), increased nutrient content, or excessive algae growth in treated water would suggest ineffective treatment processes. High TSS levels can indicate that solids have not been adequately removed, while nutrient enrichment can lead to water quality issues such as eutrophication. Similarly, excessive algae growth often results from nutrient overload in water bodies, which can have harmful ecological impacts. Thus, low levels of pathogens stand out as a critical benchmark for successful wastewater treatment.