Texas Wastewater Class A Practice Exam

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• Which form of activated sludge must have primary clarifiers?
• Which instrument is best used to measure the current in a motor operating on three-phase power?
• What does it mean when most gas detection instruments do not latch?
• What characteristics are common to septic wastewater?
• When designing a wastewater collection system, engineers typically plan for how many years into the future?
• What is the main reason for recirculation in a trickling filter system?
• How should trench shoring be installed to ensure safety?
• Which treatment process is primarily used to achieve maximum sludge reduction?
• What is the purpose of reducing BOD in wastewater treatment?
• What is the definition of pH?
• Which dangerous gases might a collection system worker encounter?
• According to the design criteria, how close can a manhole be installed to an existing waterline?
• How long must a one-cylinder reciprocating sludge pump operate to pump 5,000 gallons when producing 84.5 gpm?
• What is the capacity of the large pump that can drop the level in the lift station?
• In the context of safety in the water lab, what is mandatory?
• A cyclone grit separator operates based on which principle?
• What is the proper action to take when flushing wastewater lines with a fire hydrant and flow control is necessary?
• The discharge from a centrifugal pump will increase with which of the following conditions?
• Which of the following correctly describes a wastewater connection?
• What is the primary function of the organizing management function?
• How much additional horsepower is required when using a motor with 20 percent more speed?
• What is the primary purpose of dissolved air flotation in a wastewater treatment plant?
• If the float that triggers the lead pump in a wastewater lift station is positioned above a gravity influent line, what might occur?
• The sludge from a primary clarifier typically contains what percentage of solids?
• Which of the following is a common indicator of organic pollution in water?
• When effluent is land applied for irrigation, which tests are required to be conducted?
• In wastewater treatment, what typically leads to lower DO levels in a receiving stream?
• What is the relationship between F/M ratio and MCRT?
• What processes are utilized to check an upset activated sludge plant?
• Which process is primarily involved in the removal of organic solids from wastewater?
• What occurs during proper employee motivation?
• What is an important condition for a manhole installed near a waterline?
• Which communication skill is essential for effective group discussions?
• Which of the following factors is NOT typically evaluated in a construction site safety checklist?
• The sludge from a primary clarifier typically contains what percent solids?
• What factor significantly improves the functionality of anaerobic digesters?
• What chemical is used for dechlorination?
• Effective communication in a professional setting primarily depends on what skill?
• What type of pump is most commonly used in wastewater collection systems?
• Which form of activated sludge is better at handling shock or toxic loads?
• The primary role of a utility regarding grinder pump lift stations in low pressure sewer systems is to what?
• What is the reportable BOD for a 30 ml wastewater sample incubated for 5 days at 20 degrees C with an initial DO of 6.0 mg/L and final DO of 3.5 mg/L?
• What does biomonitoring primarily test for?
• What role does the zoogleal mass play in a trickling filter?
• If a wastewater pipe has a slope of 4 feet in 200 feet, how is this slope expressed?
• In low pressure sewer systems, the grinder pump lift station is considered what?
• What should be evaluated alongside existing systems in a wastewater rehabilitation program?
• How many feet of clearance must equipment booms maintain from overhead electric lines on a construction job site?
• What is typically the maximum limit for chlorine residual in treated effluent?
• How does organic pollution impact the ability to treat water for potable use later on?
• During which season is blue-green algae most dominant in a pond treatment system?
• What must be submitted to TCEQ before making major changes to the collection system or treatment plant?
• What type of treatment process is an Imhoff tank?
• What is the weir loading in gallons per linear foot per day for the clarifier?
• What type of survey would best identify system problems needing rehabilitation?
• Why might dangerous gases in a confined space go undetected by physical senses?
• What is the standard pH range on Texas effluent discharge permits?
• How many buffers are required for calibrating pH meters in Texas?
• What is the BOD discharge to the POTW from an industrial complex with 500 pounds per population equivalent?
• How should shoring be removed from a trench?
• What happens to the horsepower requirement if a centrifugal pump motor is replaced with a motor that has a 25% higher speed?
• How can an operator increase the degree of nitrification in an activated sludge plant?
• In terms of water quality, what downstream effect does organic pollution have?
• What is the effect of high BOD levels in wastewater?
• Which component is used to collect wastewater in a gravity flow system?
• The sludge from a primary clarifier should typically contain what percent of solids?
• What is typically used to remove turbidity in wastewater?
• Pretreatment of industrial waste primarily aims to minimize what issue?
• What characteristic is essential for a good communicator?
• Disinfection with chlorine is most effective at which pH level?
• A "Racetrack" refers to which type of Activated Sludge treatment?
• A predominance of filaments in an activated sludge plant indicates what condition?
• What is the major cause of stoppages in wastewater lines?
• What is the appearance of biomass on a properly functioning RBC?
• How long should monitoring and reporting records of a wastewater treatment plant be kept at the facility site?
• Which of the following is NOT a symptom of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning?
• When must the TCEQ be notified about expansions of a wastewater treatment facility?
• An injured person is not breathing, but has a pulse. What is the correct first aid response?
• What is a significant hazard associated with the use of powdered activated carbon?
• On a construction job site, equipment booms must maintain a clearance of at least how many feet from overhead electric lines?
• Which water quality parameter is primarily used to evaluate the effectiveness of disinfection?
• According to the Texas Hazard Communication Act, what must employers report annually?
• In Texas, pH meters must be calibrated on how many buffers?
• What is the depth of the weir in the clarifier mentioned?
• What is a potential hazard of not properly treating wastewater?
• What type of process is aerobic digestion?
• What is a common hazard that may occur in a collection system?
• Which substance can interfere with a DPD chlorine test?
• When BOD is calculated, what does the formula typically involve in terms of DO levels?
• What practice is essential for preventing accidents at a construction job site?
• What does proper management involve when controlling utilities?
• Which practice is recommended for maintaining bell and spigot wastewater pipe joints?
• In a mixed liquor test, the MLSS is 2500 mg/L and a 1000 ml sample settles to 400 mls after 30 minutes. What is the SVI?
• What is the formula to calculate the flow rate of a pump when RPM is increased?
• What factor significantly affects the slope of a gravity wastewater line?
• What is the management function of setting goals, policies, and procedures called?
• Which compound is formed when chlorine combines with water?
• What is one of the effects of organic pollution on the receiving stream?
• The biomass on a normal functioning RBC typically has what appearance?
• What type of valve is typically used for isolation purposes in piping systems?
• What is one benefit of using anaerobic digestion in wastewater treatment?
• What is the minimum inside diameter required for a manhole?
• Why is recirculation needed in a trickling filter?
• The Hazard Communication Act of 1985 is classified as what type of law?
• A complete mix activated sludge plant has a fast settling sludge and high amounts of pin floc leaving the clarifier. What is one method of correcting this problem?
• Which process involves utilizing the growth of microorganisms to treat wastewater?
• What is the new horsepower required if the pump is moving 750 gpm and has a head of 170 feet?
• What is the normal appearance of biomass on a rotating biological contactor (RBC)?
• What are the parameters of the BOD test?
• When connecting a public water supply to a potential contamination source, what size air gap is required?
• Which temperature is crucial for the effective operation of a trickling filter?
• What flow rate does the wastewater treatment plant manage?
• What is the minimum temperature that should be maintained in an anaerobic digester?
• What is the minimum flow velocity for utilizing drop manholes?
• How long must a one-cylinder reciprocating sludge pump be operated to pump 5,000 gallons of sludge if it operates at 50 cycles per minute?
• A piston pump with a 5-inch piston and a 10-inch stroke operates at 60 strokes per minute. How many minutes will it take to pump 6,000 gallons?
• What is the velocity of water flowing through a clarifier if the flow is 5,837 gpm?
• What is the most effective way to motivate workers to improve their performance?
• At which pH level does chlorine disinfect the best?
• At what depth is a trench that measures 6 feet deep?
• According to EPA regulations, what is the required quantity of chlorine gas that mandates a utility to have a "Risk Management Plan"?
• What is the primary purpose of a lift station in wastewater management?
• When must TCEQ be notified regarding expansions of a treatment facility?
• What kind of appearance does good biomass on an RBC typically have?
• In wastewater treatment, at what temperature is fecal coliform typically incubated?
• When fighting an electrical fire, which method should be used?
• What is the first step in designing a wastewater rehabilitation program?
• What does eutrophication in a pond system refer to?
• In a construction project scenario, what percentage of completion is achieved if 2,000 feet of pipe, 12 manholes, and 30 connections have been completed?
• What does a low dissolved oxygen (DO) level in an activated sludge system indicate?
• What is the primary goal of wastewater treatment?
• What does the Federal Clean Water Act require regarding sludge disposal?
• What is the major cause of wastewater line stoppages?
• What type of equipment are sewer balls or pigs classified as?
• Along with lowering DO levels, what other effect does organic pollution have on aquatic life?
• How long must MSDS sheets be kept after ceasing the use of a chemical?
• As the complexity of an organization increases, which management function becomes most important?
• Which of the following factors contributes to effective communication in a workplace?
• Which of the following units is commonly used to measure the horsepower of a pump?
• What is the diameter percentage required for deflection tests on flexible or semi-rigid pipes according to TCEQ Design Criteria?
• How is a confined space defined?
• What is a key element to consider when preparing for construction changes in wastewater management?
• What is the thickness range of typical biomass found on an RBC?
• A wastewater stabilization pond of 130,680 sq. ft. can approximately serve how many people?
• Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a confined space?
• Which parameter is essential in maintaining proper aerobic conditions in biological treatment systems?
• According to the Texas Hazard Communication Act of 1985, who must receive annual training about the utility's policies and employee rights?
• How deep is the clarifier mentioned in the context?
• What is the approximate volume of wastewater flowing through a 30-inch diameter pipe when half-full and flowing at about two fps?
• A 24-inch wastewater interceptor is flowing half-full at a rate of 3 fps. What is the approximate volume of wastewater flowing through the line in gpm?
• What is the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for coliform bacteria in water?
• What is the recommended method for removing shoring from a trench?
• Why is it important to monitor the influent temperature in wastewater processes?
• What should a supervisor do if an employee engages in misconduct?
• What is the main purpose of primary treatment in wastewater management?
• What type of pumping system is characterized by continuous flow and positive displacement?
• Which of the following is a characteristic of anaerobic digestion in wastewater treatment?
• Why might dangerous gases in a confined space not be detectable by physical senses?
• During which season does blue-green algae dominate in a pond treatment system?
• Which of the following is a requirement of the Federal Clean Water Act?
• What is the purpose of a capital improvement fund?
• According to regulations, what is the minimum psi pressure rating for pipe and fittings used in wastewater pressure mains?
• What is the purpose of a clarifier in a wastewater treatment plant?
• What factor primarily affects the BOD of a wastewater sample?
• In an anaerobic digester, what is the ideal gas content percentage of methane and carbon dioxide?
• Why is seeding of BOD samples necessary?
• What motivates the growth of aquatic organisms such as algae in the context of organic pollution?
• What factors influence the effectiveness of an activated sludge process?
• When setting work goals for an employee, what should accompany those goals?
• In wastewater management, what is the significance of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) testing?
• When designing a wastewater collection system, engineers typically consider the population for how many years into the future?
• What management function involves selecting and training employees in an organization?
• How many cubic yards of material will be required to fill the trench, after accounting for the removal of material?
• Which method is typically used to measure Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)?
• What are the dangerous gases a collection system worker might encounter?
• What is the measured flow rate of the small pump in the lift station scenario?
• In Texas, when is disinfection of treated effluent not required?
• What is a characteristic property of grease that contributes to blockages in wastewater systems?
• What is PL 92-500 more commonly known as?
• How frequently must a facility conduct a TCLP test on its sludge if the disposal rate is equal to or greater than 15,000 metric tons annually?
• If 300 ml of 0.02 N H₂SO₄ is needed, how much of 0.5 N solution is required?
• How is the weir positioned in relation to the outer wall of the clarifier?
• What is the new output in gallons per minute (gpm) when a pump is increased from 1170 RPMs to 1750 RPMs?
• Why is employee participation in goal development important?
• How should trench shoring be installed for safety?
• What is the amount of suspended solids per milliliter in a sample, following filtration measurements?
• When chlorinating treated wastewater, which chlorine residual do we test for?
• Which principle does a bubbler level control system operate off?
• How many cubic yards of material were removed from a trench that is 4,100 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 6 feet deep?
• Which of the following are symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning?
• Which of the following factors would lead to suspending BOD sample tests?
• What is the smallest pipe size recommended for air recirculation in a self-priming centrifugal pump?
• Which waste condition makes treatment processes easier and more effective?
• What is the diameter of the clarifier in the wastewater treatment plant described?
• Which activated sludge process has a detention time of 18 to 20 + hours in the aeration basin?
• What is the new head in feet when the pump's RPM increases to 1750?
• At what minimum temperature should an anaerobic digester be maintained?
• What is the minimum velocity of flow required in a wastewater line?
• How is the horsepower of a pump typically calculated?
• As the population of a collection system increases, what happens to the ratio of peak flow to average daily flow?
• What role does activated carbon typically play in wastewater treatment?
• To effectively be a team player, what is a crucial practice one should adopt?
• Which nutrient is commonly limited in wastewater treatment to control algal blooms?
• What is often a primary indicator of wastewater treatment efficiency?
• What type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for an electrical control panel that has been de-energized?
• A collection system that averages 1.0 mgd or more must employ what type of operator?
• When should drop manholes be utilized in a wastewater system?
• Why is it important to monitor the pH level in wastewater treatment?
• What does effective pretreatment of industrial waste help to achieve?
• Which component of the wastewater management system is primarily affected by the presence of roots?
• When setting work goals for an employee, what should accompany these goals?
• What is the primary requirement for documenting compliance with the Hazard Communication Act?
• In low pressure sewer systems, what is the status of a grinder pump lift station?
• Which activated sludge process does not achieve complete nitrification?
• In wastewater management, what does sludge typically refer to?
• If 10 gallons of a 12% solution is mixed with 50 gallons of a 0.8% solution, what is the percent strength of the resultant mixed solution?
• What is the purpose of biomonitoring a plant's effluent?
• What does the Standard Dimension Ratio (SDR) in PVC pipe represent?
• What happens to a company's operations certificate if it ceases operations or is sold?
• Which type of wastewater treatment functions during the endogenous bacteria growth phase?
• Which of the following backflow devices is approved in Texas?
• Which of the following is an important trait of a good communicator?
• What is the first action to take if a worker suspects the presence of dangerous gases in a confined space?
• What is one requirement of the Federal Clean Water Act?
• What type of treatment system typically utilizes a biosorption process?
• Why is lime commonly added to sludge in wastewater treatment?
• In the previous mixed liquor test, what is the quality of the sludge?
• What is the effect on pump discharge when the head decreases?
• According to Texas regulations, what is the minimum psi pressure rating for pipes and fittings used in wastewater pressure systems?
• As the population of a collection system increases, what happens to the ratio of peak flow to average daily flow?
• What is an effective way to motivate workers to improve their performance?
• Which type of activated sludge configuration has two aeration basins per single treatment unit?
• What is the typical color of fresh wastewater?
• What is the ideal gas composition in an anaerobic digester?
• As the roadway speed increases at a construction site, how should the spacing between cones and barricades be adjusted?
• Which task does a manager perform when controlling a utility?
• An industrial complex has a BOD discharge of 500 pounds per day. What is the population equivalent of this discharge?
• What is the minimum clearance required from the sidewall of a pipe to the trench wall in an excavation?
• What can turn a non-permit confined space entry into a permit-required confined space entry?
• What is an air gap in plumbing designed to do?
• What is the minimum velocity of flow that should be maintained in a wastewater line?
• What type of protection do cartridge respirators provide?
• What is the purpose of the Hazard Communication Act’s labeling requirements?
• Which gas is known to be harmful and may be found in wastewater?
• What are the parameters of the BOD test in days?
• What is included in proper safety practices in the water lab?
• If a centrifugal pump motor is replaced with one that has 20 percent more speed, how much will the horsepower required increase?
• What is the smallest pipe size recommended for air recirculation in a self-priming centrifugal pump?
• What is a pneumatic ejector primarily used for?
• What is the value of the flow rate where a 24-inch interceptor is flowing half-full at 3 fps?
• How often must employers train staff on hazardous materials under the Hazard Communication Act?
• How often should pH meters be calibrated for accuracy?
• When chlorine is used in water treatment, what form is the effective disinfectant?
• In BOD analysis, distilled water should not exceed how many mg/L oxygen depletion?
• What result do nutrients from organic pollution often lead to in waterways?
• What is the standard chlorine residual and contact time specified on Texas discharge permits?
• When using a fire hydrant to flush wastewater lines, what is a crucial requirement?
• What is a critical element to consider when designing a wastewater collection system?
• Effective communication in the workplace primarily depends on what skill?
• In trenching operations, which of these factors is vital for worker safety?
• What is the main goal of a sanitary wastewater physical survey?
• How often should pH meters be calibrated?
• What describes a chemical element?
• What does Standard Dimension Ratio (SDR) in PVC pipe define?
• What pH level is optimal for disinfection with chlorine?
• If 15,000 gallons of sludge containing 4% solids is processed to produce a 25% cake, how many dry metric tons of sludge are disposed of?
• What is a common symptom of exposure to carbon monoxide?
• What is the clarifier detention time in hours for a wastewater treatment plant with a flow of 2.5 mgd?
• What is the primary goal of monitoring BOD levels in wastewater?
• According to specific design criteria, a manhole can be installed within 9 feet of an existing waterline if it is:
• What type of fire extinguisher is suitable for a de-energized electrical control panel?
• Why is recirculation necessary in a trickling filter plant?
• What is the hydraulic loading on the clarifier in gallons per square foot per day?
• What should be prioritized when designing a wastewater collection system?
• Which of the following factors is NOT considered when assessing activated sludge quality?
• What phase of bacterial growth occurs during extended aeration wastewater treatment?
• What is the recommended practice when laying bell and spigot wastewater pipes?
• In the context of wastewater treatment, what does BOD stand for?
• What is eutrophication in a pond system?
• In Texas, what is an oxidation ditch treatment plant commonly referred to as?
• A construction site safety evaluation checklist should include which of the following elements?