What is meant by "water treatment efficiency"?

Water treatment efficiency refers to the effectiveness of contaminant removal during the treatment process. This concept is crucial in ensuring that the water being supplied to the public meets safety standards and is free from harmful substances. High efficiency in water treatment indicates that a significant proportion of contaminants—such as bacteria, sediments, organic materials, and chemicals—have been successfully removed, resulting in clean and safe drinking water.

When assessing water treatment systems, one of the primary goals is to maximize the removal of undesirable impurities while minimizing the costs and resources required to do so. Therefore, evaluating the effectiveness of contaminant removal is a key component of overall water treatment efficiency.

In contrast, the other options focus on aspects like the quantity of water treated, clarity of the water, or the total volume delivered, which do not directly address the quality of the treatment regarding contaminant removal. These factors, while important in their own contexts, do not provide insights into how well the treatment process is functioning in terms of improving water safety and quality.