Basic Wastewater Operator Practice Exam

Diseases potentially carried by wastewater include?

1. Typhoid fever

2. Dysentery

3. Cholera

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

Wastewater can be a breeding ground for a variety of pathogens due to the presence of human and animal waste, which may contain bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Typhoid fever, caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, can be contracted through the ingestion of contaminated water or food, making wastewater a potential source of this disease. Dysentery, which can be caused by several pathogens including the bacteria Shigella and the amoeba Entamoeba histolytica, is also associated with contaminated water and surfaces, and can spread quickly in environments with poor sanitation. Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, is primarily transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated water. It is especially prevalent in areas where there is inadequate treatment of wastewater. Since all three of these diseases are linked to exposure to contaminated wastewater, indicating that all of these can indeed be potential threats carried by wastewater highlights the importance of effective wastewater treatment and management to prevent outbreaks and protect public health. Therefore, encompassing all these options confirms the broad range of health risks associated with untreated or inadequately treated wastewater.