Removing turbidity improves water quality by also removing what?

• A. By also removing harmful pathogens such as protozoa
• B. By reducing water temperature
• C. By increasing mineral content
• D. By decreasing pH

Answer: (A)

Removing turbidity targets the suspended solids that give water its cloudiness. Those particles often carry or shield microorganisms, including protozoa. When coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration remove the cloudy particles, a portion of the associated pathogens are physically removed too. Plus, with fewer particulates, disinfectants can work more effectively, further reducing any remaining pathogens. So lowering turbidity helps reduce harmful protozoa in the water. The other options don’t follow from turbidity removal: changes in temperature, mineral content, or pH aren’t direct results of reducing turbidity.