Which of the following is NOT a reason for prechlorination in wastewater treatment?

Prechlorination in wastewater treatment primarily serves several key purposes, among which enhancing the removal of pathogens, reducing odors, and in some contexts, supporting the overall disinfection process are critical.

Enhancing the removal of pathogens is a significant reason for prechlorination, as chlorine is effective at killing or inactivating harmful microorganisms present in wastewater. This step is often taken to ensure a higher level of safety before further treatment processes.

Reducing odors is another important aspect of prechlorination. Chlorine helps to control and neutralize unpleasant smells that can result from the decomposition of organic matter in wastewater, making the treatment process more manageable for both workers and surrounding communities.

While improving water clarity may be a beneficial result of certain treatment processes, it is not a typical function or goal of prechlorination. Prechlorination's chemical properties do not inherently influence the clarity of the water in the same direct manner as flocculation or sedimentation processes would. Instead, prechlorination focuses more on disinfection and odor control, hence making "improving water clarity" the option that does not align with the primary reasons for prechlorination in the treatment of wastewater.

Increasing dissolved oxygen levels is not a goal of prechlorination either, as chlorine