Massachusetts Wastewater Operator Grade 6 Practice Test 2026 – Comprehensive Exam Prep

The amount of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) that an average person contributes to collected wastewater daily is typically around 0.17 lbs/person/day. This value is significant because BOD is a measure of the organic matter in wastewater that microorganisms will decompose, and it plays a crucial role in assessing the potential impact of wastewater on the environment, particularly in terms of oxygen depletion in receiving waters.

Understanding BOD is essential for wastewater treatment operators, as it influences the design and operation of treatment facilities. When designing treatment processes, operators need to anticipate the BOD load contributed by the population served, which in this case reflects the average contributions of a residential community.

The average value of 0.17 lbs/person/day serves as a baseline for estimating overall wastewater treatment needs for municipal systems. It’s important for operators to use accurate figures for BOD contributions when evaluating treatment efficiency and environmental compliance.