Which term describes the intentional diversion of wastewater from any portion of a treatment facility?

• A. Spill
• B. Bypass
• C. Upset
• D. Overflow

Answer: (B)

Deliberate diversion of wastewater around part of a treatment facility is described as a bypass. A bypass is when operators intentionally route influent or effluent away from all or part of the treatment process, often to allow maintenance or to protect the plant during unusual conditions. In permit terms, bypass can be authorized under specific conditions and with proper notification, but it remains an intentional action. By contrast, a spill is an accidental release to the environment, an upset is a process disturbance causing exceedances not due to intentional diversion, and an overflow usually refers to a discharge that exceeds capacity. So the term that best fits is bypass.