Which of the following is a direct outcome of failing to implement quality control in wastewater treatment?

Failing to implement quality control in wastewater treatment directly leads to public health threats due to untreated effluent. Quality control measures are crucial for ensuring that the wastewater treatment process effectively removes contaminants and meets regulatory standards before the effluent is released back into the environment. Without these measures, there is a significant risk that harmful pathogens, chemicals, and other pollutants could escape into water bodies, potentially impacting drinking water supplies and harming aquatic ecosystems. This failure not only poses health risks to the public but also undermines the overall effectiveness of the wastewater treatment process.

The other options do not accurately reflect the consequences of lacking quality control. For example, failing to implement quality control typically does not lead to increased regulatory compliance; rather, it might result in more non-compliance issues, which could lead to penalties and sanctions. Similarly, operational costs are more likely to rise due to increased costs associated with regulatory fines, remediation efforts, and potential damage to community relations. Enhanced community relations would also be unlikely without a strong commitment to quality and safety, as communities tend to lose trust in facilities that do not demonstrate effective treatment processes.