What does turbidity indicate in water treatment?

Turbidity is a measure of how clear or cloudy water is, indicating the presence of suspended particles, such as dirt, silt, and other particulate matter. When water is turbid, it means that these particles are scattering light as it passes through the water, which contributes to its cloudiness. This cloudiness can affect the quality of the water and can be a sign of contamination or inadequate treatment processes.

High turbidity levels can hinder the effectiveness of disinfection processes, as particles may shield harmful microorganisms from disinfectants. Therefore, monitoring turbidity is a crucial aspect of water quality assessment and treatment.

Other options relate to different aspects of water quality; for instance, heavy metals or organic materials pertain to specific contaminants, and pH relates to the acidity or alkalinity of water, but they do not measure the clarity or presence of suspended particles directly. Turbidity is specifically focused on this property of water, making it a critical factor in understanding overall water quality.