Water Treatment Plant Operator Practice Exam

The acronym NTU stands for Nephelometric Turbidity Unit, which is a measure used to quantify the turbidity of water. Turbidity refers to how clear or cloudy a water sample is, which can be caused by the presence of suspended particles such as soil, microorganisms, and organic matter.

The measurement is based on the scattering of light as it passes through a water sample. A nephelometer is used in this process to detect the intensity of the light scattered at a specific angle from the light source. The higher the turbidity, the more light is scattered, resulting in a higher NTU value.

Understanding NTU is crucial in water treatment processes as it helps operators assess water quality and determine the effectiveness of filtration and treatment systems. A lower NTU indicates clearer water, which is generally more desirable for both aesthetic and health standards in drinking water.