What is the major reason that turbidity is undesirable?

• A. It causes aesthetic problems
• B. Its presence increases the costs of water treatment
• C. It adds time to the overall water treatment process
• D. It causes health hazards

Answer: (D)

Turbidity is undesirable mainly because it signals and can contribute to health risks in drinking water. Suspended particles can harbor microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, and they shield these pathogens from disinfectants like chlorine. That means even treated water can be harder to disinfect effectively when turbidity is high, increasing the chance of illness for consumers.

Aesthetic issues (water looks cloudy) and the fact that higher turbidity can raise treatment costs or extend processing time are real concerns, but they’re secondary to the safety aspect—protecting public health by ensuring disinfection remains effective and that pathogens aren’t present.