Providing several treatment processes that can each remove a water contaminant is an example of what?

The multiple barrier approach is an effective strategy in water treatment that involves using several treatment processes to address various water contaminants. This method enhances safety and effectiveness by providing multiple lines of defense against potential hazards. Each treatment process can target specific types of contaminants, making the overall system more robust in ensuring safe drinking water.

Utilizing a multiple barrier approach is crucial because different contaminants require different types of treatment methods for effective removal. For instance, one barrier might involve chemical disinfection to eliminate pathogens, while another might use filtration to remove particulate matter or specific pollutants. By implementing multiple treatment processes, the system reduces the risk of contamination effectively, ensuring a higher reliability of water quality.

In contrast, a single treatment approach relies on one method to achieve the desired water quality, which can be less effective against a variety of contaminants. Multi-stage filtration typically refers to a series of filtration steps but does not encompass other treatment processes such as disinfection. Sequential treatment suggests performing treatments in a specific order, which may not account for the simultaneous removal of multiple contaminants.

Thus, the focus on using several treatment processes to manage different contaminants directly aligns with the principles of the multiple barrier approach, making it the correct answer.