Ace the California Wastewater Treatment Operator Exam 2025 – Dive In and Purify Your Career!

Algae can significantly increase the chlorine demand in pond effluent due to the presence of organic matter that requires disinfection. When chlorine is applied to wastewater containing high levels of algae, the chlorine will first react with the organic materials in the algae before it can effectively disinfect any pathogenic organisms present. This reaction consumes a larger amount of chlorine, thereby increasing the overall chlorine demand.

Moreover, algae can contribute to the formation of chlorinated byproducts, which can pose additional health risks and may complicate the treatment process. Therefore, the more algae present, the greater the amount of chlorine required for effective disinfection, leading to an increase in chlorine demand.