Which of the following prevents large pieces of waste from damaging pipes or equipment?

Screening is the process used to remove large solids and debris from wastewater before it enters the treatment facilities. This initial step is critical for protecting equipment and pipes from damage caused by oversized materials such as sticks, leaves, and other large objects that may be present in the wastewater. By effectively filtering out these large pieces, screening helps to reduce wear and tear on pumps and other mechanical components, ensuring smoother operation and minimizing maintenance costs.

Decanting, coagulation, and filtration serve different purposes within the wastewater treatment process. While decanting involves separating water from settled solids, coagulation is a chemical process that helps to aggregate small particles for easier removal later in the treatment process. Filtration is aimed at removing smaller particles after primary treatment but does not specifically focus on large debris as screening does. Therefore, screening is the appropriate method for preventing large pieces of waste from causing damage in wastewater treatment systems.