What is considered to be the best single strength measure of wastewater polluted water containing degradable waste?

The best single strength measure of wastewater polluted water containing degradable waste is the 5-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). This measure is crucial because it specifically assesses the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter present in the water over a five-day period. This is particularly relevant in evaluating the biodegradability of waste, as it indicates how much organic material can be broken down by microorganisms—a key factor in determining the impact of wastewater on aquatic ecosystems.

BOD is valuable for identifying the strength of wastewater that contains biodegradable substances, which are significant in environmental assessments since they can lead to oxygen depletion in receiving waters if not properly managed. High BOD values imply that the wastewater contains a substantial amount of organic matter, which will increase the demand for oxygen in the water and can harm aquatic life.

While other measures like Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) are also important indicators in water quality assessments, they do not serve the specific purpose of assessing organic waste strength from a biodegradability perspective as effectively as BOD does. Total coliform levels, on the other hand, are more related to microbial contamination rather than the organic load of the wastewater. Therefore, BOD stands out as the best single