Ontario Operator-in-Training (OIT) Practice Exam

Which method can be commonly used for treating iron and manganese in water?

1. Boiling

2. Sequestering or removal by oxidation and filtration

3. UV light treatment

4. Chlorination

The correct answer is: Sequestering or removal by oxidation and filtration

The method of sequestering or removal by oxidation and filtration is widely recognized as an effective way to treat iron and manganese in water. Iron and manganese often occur together in groundwater and can lead to undesirable staining and other issues if present in high concentrations. Sequestering agents can bind to these metals, preventing them from precipitating out of the solution, which allows for easier removal through filtration processes. Oxidation techniques, such as introducing air or chlorine into the water, convert dissolved iron and manganese into insoluble forms. These insoluble particles can then be physically removed from the water via filtration. This treatment method not only addresses the presence of these metals but also enhances the aesthetic quality of the water. Other methods, while useful for different purposes, would not effectively treat iron and manganese specifically. Boiling would not eliminate these metals; UV light treatment is more suited for disinfecting pathogens, rather than dealing with metal contaminants, and chlorination primarily targets bacteria and viruses but does not effectively manage iron and manganese concentrations in water.