What indicator is typically monitored to assess the quality of effluent from wastewater treatment facilities?

Monitoring fecal coliform is essential for assessing the quality of effluent from wastewater treatment facilities because it serves as an indicator of pathogenic contamination. Fecal coliform bacteria are present in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and can signify the presence of harmful microorganisms that pose health risks to humans and the environment. The presence of fecal coliform in treated wastewater indicates a potential failure in the treatment process and the need for further analysis and treatment before discharge into natural water bodies.

While pH levels, ammonia nitrogen, and temperature are also crucial parameters in wastewater treatment, they do not provide a direct indication of pathogen presence. pH affects chemical processes in treatment but does not indicate contamination. Ammonia nitrogen is important for assessing nutrient levels and their impact on water quality but does not directly signify health hazards. Temperature can affect the efficiency of biological treatment processes but is not a direct indicator of the microbiological safety of effluent. Thus, fecal coliform is the clear choice for determining the safety and suitability of treated wastewater for release into the environment.