Removal and Inactivation Requirements
Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section
Handbook notes for this section
Definitions and conditions exactly as the handbook states them.
- Microorganism Required Log Reduction Treatment
- Guidance Manual LT1ESWTR Disinfection Profiling and Benchmarking, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2003.
- Typical Removal Credits and Inactivation Requirements for Various Treatment Technologies
- Typical Log Disinfection Log
- Removal Credits Inactivation Requirements
- Giardia Viruses Giardia Viruses
- Guidance Manual LT1ESWTR Disinfection Profiling and Benchmarking, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2003.
- Of Giardia Cysts By Free Chlorine
Core formulas for this FE topic
Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.
Worked exam-style examples
The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.
removal and inactivation requirements for Giardia in a filtration plant Given initial pathogen concentration (N_0) = 42,860 org/L; final pathogen concentration (N) = 4.4290 org/L, determine the log removal/inactivation credit (logR) in log10.
Given
Find
log removal/inactivation credit (logR), in log10
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Removal and Inactivation Requirements.
- Everything except logR is given, so isolate logR symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Removal and inactivation requirements set the required log reduction of pathogens between raw and finished drinking water.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for logR:
Step 3 — List the givens: initial pathogen concentration (N_0) = 42,860 org/L, final pathogen concentration (N) = 4.4290 org/L.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning logR = 3.9857 log10 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 7.9715 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 1.9929 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 4.3843 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Removal and Inactivation Requirements
removal and inactivation requirements log credit calculation Given initial pathogen concentration (N_0) = 5,020 org/L; log removal/inactivation credit (logR) = 5.9700 log10, determine the final pathogen concentration (N) in org/L.
Given
Find
final pathogen concentration (N), in org/L
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Removal and Inactivation Requirements.
- Everything except N is given, so isolate N symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Removal and inactivation requirements set the required log reduction of pathogens between raw and finished drinking water.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for N:
Step 3 — List the givens: initial pathogen concentration (N_0) = 5,020 org/L, log removal/inactivation credit (logR) = 5.9700 log10.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning N = 0.0054 org/L to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 0.0108 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.0027 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.0059 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Removal and Inactivation Requirements
removal and inactivation requirements for virus control under the surface water rule Given final pathogen concentration (N) = 77.1790 org/L; log removal/inactivation credit (logR) = 3.6200 log10, determine the initial pathogen concentration (N_0) in org/L.
Given
Find
initial pathogen concentration (N_0), in org/L
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Removal and Inactivation Requirements.
- Everything except N_0 is given, so isolate N_0 symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Removal and inactivation requirements set the required log reduction of pathogens between raw and finished drinking water.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for N_0:
Step 3 — List the givens: final pathogen concentration (N) = 77.1790 org/L, log removal/inactivation credit (logR) = 3.6200 log10.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning N_0 = 321,736 org/L to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 643,471 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 160,868 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 353,909 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Removal and Inactivation Requirements
removal and inactivation requirements for Giardia in a filtration plant Given initial pathogen concentration (N_0) = 79,880 org/L; final pathogen concentration (N) = 47.3490 org/L, determine the log removal/inactivation credit (logR) in log10.
Given
Find
log removal/inactivation credit (logR), in log10
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Removal and Inactivation Requirements.
- Everything except logR is given, so isolate logR symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Removal and inactivation requirements set the required log reduction of pathogens between raw and finished drinking water.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for logR:
Step 3 — List the givens: initial pathogen concentration (N_0) = 79,880 org/L, final pathogen concentration (N) = 47.3490 org/L.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning logR = 3.2271 log10 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 6.4543 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 1.6136 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 3.5498 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Removal and Inactivation Requirements
removal and inactivation requirements log credit calculation Given initial pathogen concentration (N_0) = 47,100 org/L; log removal/inactivation credit (logR) = 1.9800 log10, determine the final pathogen concentration (N) in org/L.
Given
Find
final pathogen concentration (N), in org/L
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Removal and Inactivation Requirements.
- Everything except N is given, so isolate N symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Removal and inactivation requirements set the required log reduction of pathogens between raw and finished drinking water.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for N:
Step 3 — List the givens: initial pathogen concentration (N_0) = 47,100 org/L, log removal/inactivation credit (logR) = 1.9800 log10.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning N = 493.2 org/L to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 986.4 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 246.6 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 542.5 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Removal and Inactivation Requirements
removal and inactivation requirements for virus control under the surface water rule Given final pathogen concentration (N) = 47.7710 org/L; log removal/inactivation credit (logR) = 4.7100 log10, determine the initial pathogen concentration (N_0) in org/L.
Given
Find
initial pathogen concentration (N_0), in org/L
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Removal and Inactivation Requirements.
- Everything except N_0 is given, so isolate N_0 symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Removal and inactivation requirements set the required log reduction of pathogens between raw and finished drinking water.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for N_0:
Step 3 — List the givens: final pathogen concentration (N) = 47.7710 org/L, log removal/inactivation credit (logR) = 4.7100 log10.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning N_0 = 2,449,990 org/L to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 4,899,980 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 1,224,995 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 2,694,989 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Removal and Inactivation Requirements
removal and inactivation requirements for Giardia in a filtration plant Given initial pathogen concentration (N_0) = 16,020 org/L; final pathogen concentration (N) = 39.3780 org/L, determine the log removal/inactivation credit (logR) in log10.
Given
Find
log removal/inactivation credit (logR), in log10
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Removal and Inactivation Requirements.
- Everything except logR is given, so isolate logR symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Removal and inactivation requirements set the required log reduction of pathogens between raw and finished drinking water.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for logR:
Step 3 — List the givens: initial pathogen concentration (N_0) = 16,020 org/L, final pathogen concentration (N) = 39.3780 org/L.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning logR = 2.6094 log10 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 5.2188 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 1.3047 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 2.8703 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Removal and Inactivation Requirements
removal and inactivation requirements log credit calculation Given initial pathogen concentration (N_0) = 75,360 org/L; log removal/inactivation credit (logR) = 2.9200 log10, determine the final pathogen concentration (N) in org/L.
Given
Find
final pathogen concentration (N), in org/L
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Removal and Inactivation Requirements.
- Everything except N is given, so isolate N symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Removal and inactivation requirements set the required log reduction of pathogens between raw and finished drinking water.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for N:
Step 3 — List the givens: initial pathogen concentration (N_0) = 75,360 org/L, log removal/inactivation credit (logR) = 2.9200 log10.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning N = 90.6026 org/L to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 181.2 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 45.3013 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 99.6629 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Removal and Inactivation Requirements
removal and inactivation requirements for virus control under the surface water rule Given final pathogen concentration (N) = 81.3390 org/L; log removal/inactivation credit (logR) = 3.8900 log10, determine the initial pathogen concentration (N_0) in org/L.
Given
Find
initial pathogen concentration (N_0), in org/L
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Removal and Inactivation Requirements.
- Everything except N_0 is given, so isolate N_0 symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Removal and inactivation requirements set the required log reduction of pathogens between raw and finished drinking water.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for N_0:
Step 3 — List the givens: final pathogen concentration (N) = 81.3390 org/L, log removal/inactivation credit (logR) = 3.8900 log10.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning N_0 = 631,392 org/L to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1,262,783 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 315,696 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 694,531 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Removal and Inactivation Requirements
removal and inactivation requirements for Giardia in a filtration plant Given initial pathogen concentration (N_0) = 64,620 org/L; final pathogen concentration (N) = 14.0750 org/L, determine the log removal/inactivation credit (logR) in log10.
Given
Find
log removal/inactivation credit (logR), in log10
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Removal and Inactivation Requirements.
- Everything except logR is given, so isolate logR symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Removal and inactivation requirements set the required log reduction of pathogens between raw and finished drinking water.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for logR:
Step 3 — List the givens: initial pathogen concentration (N_0) = 64,620 org/L, final pathogen concentration (N) = 14.0750 org/L.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning logR = 3.6619 log10 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 7.3238 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 1.8310 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 4.0281 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Removal and Inactivation Requirements