Dive into the 2026 NY Wastewater Exam – Flush Away the Competition with Confidence!

The incubation temperature range for the Biochemical Oxygen Demand over 5 days (BOD5) test is crucial for ensuring accurate and consistent results when measuring the amount of biodegradable organic material in water. This temperature range is set to optimize the growth of microorganisms that are responsible for consuming the organic matter in the sample.

The correct choice reflects the standard range outlined by methods established in environmental testing protocols, which typically define the incubation temperature for BOD tests to be between 19.0°C and 21.0°C. This range allows for bacteria to thrive while minimizing the risk of stress or death due to temperature extremes, which could affect the BOD readings.

Maintaining such a narrow and specific temperature range is essential because variations outside of this range could lead to inaccurate measurements, potentially either underestimating or overestimating the BOD. The choice made aligns with accepted practices in wastewater treatment and testing, emphasizing the importance of standardized methods to obtain reliable water quality data.