WASTEWATER
By Rick LallishDuring a visual inspection of the activated sludge aeration basin, you notice that a stiff white foam has formed on the surface. What is the most probable condition?A. Young sludge or underloaded systemB. Filamentous overloadingC. Polymer overdosingD. Older sludge or overloaded systemAnswer: A. The formation of stiff white foam on the aeration basin is typical of young sludge or an underloaded system. The food-to-microorganism ratio is most likely very high and the mean cell residence time is extremely low. Microscopic observation will show flagellates and amoeba as the highest populations, and the MLSS is very low. This is normal on plant startup,
