Alabama Water Treatment Operator 1000 Questions (Not Really)

1. Two of the undesirable characteristics of a water that would cause a water to be corrosive includes:

a. High pH and alkalinity

b. No dissolved oxygen and moderate hardness

c. Low temperature and low velocity

d. High carbon dioxide and low pH

e. No hydrogen sulfides and moderate alkalinity

d. High carbon dioxide and low pH

2. If a cross-connection is discovered in connection with a hazardous chemical, what is the best protection to

install?

a. Double check valve assembly

b. Automatic switch over unit

c. Rotating coupling

d. Air gap or RP device

d. Air gap or RP device

3. The chemical used in making a free residual test is:

a. Phenolphthalain

b. Orthotolodine

c. Sodium arsenite

d. N, N-diethyl-phenylene-Diamine (DPD)

e. None of the above

d. N, N-diethyl-phenylene-Diamine (DPD)

4. A 3 MGD well operating an average of 2l hours a day. The rate of flow is approximately:

a. 1,440 gpm

b. 2,400 gpm

c. 3,000 gpm

d. 2,100 gpm

b. 2,400 gpm

5. The static pressure in a pipeline is 20 psi. How much head creates that pressure?

a. 139feet

b. 26 feet

c. 260 feet

d. 46 feet

d. 46 feet

6. Jack lives in Wipple Will Holler and the pressure at his house is 50 psi and his friend Billy Frank lives 3 blocks up at a 100 feet higher elevation. The tank is located at the highest point. What is the pressure at Billy Frank's house?

a. 43 psi

b. 25 psi

c. 6.7 psi

d. 93 psi

c. 6.7 psi

100 ft / 2.31 = 43.3

50 psi - 43.3 = 6.7 psi

Note: Higher Elevation will have lower psi

7. The overflow elevation of the 10,000 gallon elevated tank is 173 feet from ground level. The static pressure at ground level is psi.

a. 20 psi

b. 34 psi

c. 64 psi

d. 75 psi

d. 75 psi

173 ft / 2.31 = 74.89 psi

8. After installing 1 mile of 24-inch PVC pipe (which contains approximately 124,344 gallons of water) you plan to disinfect the entire line. How many pounds of HTH (70% available chlorine) will be needed to

provide the proper concentration to disinfect this new water main?

a. 19.45 pounds

b. 36.3 pounds

c. 51.8 pounds

d. 74.0 pounds

d. 74.0 pounds

124,344 gal / 1,000,000 = .124 mdg

.124 (8.34) 50mg/l (if dose is not given use 50 mg/l)

51.8 / .70 = 74.1 pounds

9. The flow in mains can be expressed in terms of:

a. Cubic feet per second

b. Million gallons per day

c. Gallons per minute

d. All of the above

d. All of the above

10. The volume of water necessary to fill a 1,000 foot long section of 12-inch inside diameter circular pipe is about:

a. 5,888 gallons

b. 7, 700 gallons

c. 2,000 gallons

d. 785 gallons

a. 5,888 gallons

12 inch = 1 ft

1 x 1 x .785 x 1,000 = 785 cf x 7.48 cf /gal = 5871.8 closest to 5,888 gal

11. Staining problems from iron occur most in _____ water.

a. Non-corrosive

b. Hard

c. Soft

d. Corrosive

d. Corrosive

12. If a valve in a pipeline is closed too rapidly it will cause the water in that pipeline to come to a sudden stop, causing waves of high pressure that oscillate back and forth in the pipeline. This reaction is commonly known as:

a. Hydraulic gradient

b. Static oscillation

c. Water hammer

d. Elevation slope

c. Water hammer

13. The indicator organisms used to determine contamination of drinking water are:

a. Coliform group

b. Giardia Iamblia

c. Iron bacteria

d. Salmonella

a. Coliform group

14. Soda ash may be used in water treatment to retard corrosion and:

a. Adjust pH

b. Increase hardness

c. Reduce chlorine demand

d. Reduce taste and odors

a. Adjust pH

15. Determining the pH of the water is one of the most important tests of water quality. The results of the pH test indicate the:

a. Chlorine residual

b. Hydrogen ion activity

c. Presence of coliform organisms

d. Presence of iron

b. Hydrogen ion activity

16. The amount of chlorine actually used up in reaction with impurities is called:

a. Chlorine feed

b. Chlorine demand

c. Chlorine residual

d. All of the above

b. Chlorine demand

17. Which laboratory test in a water plant is concerned with indicator changes at pH 8.3?

a. Total hardness

b. Total chlorine residual

c. pH

d. Carbon dioxide

d. Carbon dioxide

18. A substance added to water to prevent the formation of a calcium carbonate scale in transmission pipes is known as:

a. A pacifier

b. A passivator

c. An inhibitor

d. Cathodic protection

c. An inhibitor

19. The recovery rate of a well is measured in:

a. Gallons per minute per foot of drawdown

b. Gallons per minute per foot of static level

c. Feet of rise per minute

d. All of the above

c. Feet of rise per minute

20. An aerator is used to:

a. Remove hydrogen sulfide

b. Remove volatile gases

c. Remove carbon dioxide

d. All of the above

d. All of the above

21. One advantage of a gravel wall in a well is that:

a. It lowers the static level

b. It costs less to construct

c. It allows the use of larger screen openings

d. All of the above

c. It allows the use of larger screen openings

22. Ca, (OH)2 and NaOH are commonly called:

a. Hydrated Lime and soda ash

b. Calcium Carbonate and caustic soda

c. Hydrated lime and caustic soda

c. Hydrated lime and caustic soda

23. Which of the following symbols is for free chlorine?

a. HOCl

b. NaOCl

c. Cl2

d. HCI

d. HCI

24. Gallionella or Crenothrix are:

a. A waterborne disease

b. Tuberculation of cast iron pipe

c. Bacterial contamination in sample bottles

d. Iron bacteria

d. Iron bacteria

25. Distribution system components from various manufacturers are compatible because of

a. USEP A regulations

b. ISO standards

c. AWWA standards

d. WEF standards

c. AWWA standards

26. The performance curve of a pump reflects

a. Pump capacity

b. Pump efficiency

c. Pump horsepower

d. All of the above

d. All of the above

27. If the pump bearings on horizontal centrifugal pumps are over lubricated, the most important effect is that the extra lubricant

a. Will result in smoother and more efficient operation of the pump

b. Will not make any difference in the operation of the pump

c. Will be wasted

d. May cause overheating and possible failure of the bearings

d. May cause overheating and possible failure of the bearings

28. A portable ladder must extend _______ feet above the upper surface of an excavated trench.

a. 1

b. 2

c. 3

d. 4

c. 3

29. How long will it take to fill a ground storage tank that holds 150,000 gallons using a pump with an output of 500 gallons per minute?

a. 2.0 hours

b. 2.5 hours

c. 4.0 hours

d. 5.0 hours

d. 5.0 hours

30. A vacuum is formed in the chlorinator by the

a. Chlorine cylinder pressure

b. Pump

c. Pressure differential through the ejector

d. Rotameter

c. Pressure differential through the ejector

31. The rated flow of a water meter, as stated by the manufacturer, is based on ______ flow

a. Continuous

b. Intermittent

c. Short-time peak

d. None of the above

a. Continuous

32. On a switch that has been tagged and locked out, the warning tag must have

a. Directions for removing the tag

b. Name of the nearest physician to call in case of an emergency

c. Name and signature of the person who locked out the switch

d. Telephone number of electrical supervisor

c. Name and signature of the person who locked out the switch

33. In general, a pH of treated water below 6.5 indicates

a. High alkalinity

b. Free chlorine residual greater than 1.0 ppm

c. Corrosive water

d. High levels of total solids

c. Corrosive water

34. When comparing friction loss in various types of pipes, a larger Hazen-Williams C value indicates the pipe

a. Is more durable

b. Is rougher outside

c. Is smoother inside

d. Is able to withstand a higher pressure

c. Is smoother inside

35. Generally, a valve exercising program recommends valves be exercised

a. Once every 6 months

b. Once every 2 years

c. Once every year

d. Not at all

c. Once every year

36. The most widely used type of primer in a pumping station is a

a. Diesel engine

b. Electric motor

c. Gasoline engine

d. Steam engine

b. Electric motor

37. A groundwater storage tank is 60 ft wide, 12 ft long and 12 ft deep. How many gallons of water will it hold?

a. 86,400

b. 64,627

c. 720,576

d. 800,000

b. 64,627

38. Hydrostatic pressure testing is the process used to test

a. The hydraulics of a system

b. Thrust restraints

c. Leakage in the pipe

d. All of the above

c. Leakage in the pipe

39. Water leaking to the surface after operating an old valve probably is caused by

a. A broken stem

b. Dried out packing

c. Plugged weep holes

d. Incomplete seating

b. Dried out packing

40. Water hammer is most likely caused by

a. Air in the water

b. Closing a valve too fast

c. Hardness of the water

d. Too much water in a reservoir

b. Closing a valve too fast

41. To repack a buried gate valve, the valve must be

a. Removed from service

b. Fully closed

c. Of the rising stem type

d. Fully open

d. Fully open

42. Centrifugal pump parts include

a. Diaphragm

b. Piston

c. Rotor

d. Volute

d. Volute

43. In order to comply with safety regulations, all couplings on pumps must be

a. Able to rotate freely

b. Guarded

c. Properly aligned

d. Tight

b. Guarded

44. It is essential to ventilate a valve vault before entry in order to

a. Remove excess moisture

b. Equalize temperature and pressure

c. Eliminate foul odors

d. Remove dangerous gases and/or ensure proper oxygen levels

d. Remove dangerous gases and/or ensure proper oxygen levels

45. What device measures the flow rate of gases?

a. Parshall flume

b. Rotameter

c. Float

d. Weir

b. Rotameter

46. How often should preventative maintenance for equipment be performed?

a. Once every week

b. After a breakdown

c. According to the manufacturer's recommendations

d. When time permits

c. According to the manufacturer's Recommendations

47. Dynamic head is best described as the

a. Velocity of water in a main at full pumping pressure

b. Total energy that a pump must develop for pumping to take place

c. Total pressure in feet of head, measured at the pump discharge during periods of rest in the system

d. Pumping end of any device used to force water into a pressure system

c. Total pressure in feet of head, measured at the pump discharge during periods of rest in the system

48. What federal law is designed to protect the safety and health of operators?

a. OSHA

b. FMLA

c. FLSA

d. ADEA

a. OSHA

49. What federal law regulates public water supplies?

a. Safe Drinking Water Act

b. Clean Water Act

c. Taft-Hartley Act

d. Standard Methods

a. Safe Drinking Water Act

50. The purpose of a GFI is to:

a. Prevent electrical shock in a wet or damp environment

b. Ground all electrical equipment

c. Replace a fuse

d. Take the place of a circuit breaker

a. Prevent electrical shock in a wet or damp environment

51. Convert 60.5°F to °C

a. 15.8°C

b. 20.6°C

c. 72.0°C

d. 101.2°C

a. 15.8°C

52. Which of the following are two types of samples?

a. Dessicator and gooch

b. Wet and dry

c. Buret and flask

d. Grab and composite

d. Grab and composite

53. Cavitations in pumps is caused by pumping

a. Against discharge heads higher than design values

b. Excessive amounts of abrasive solids

c. Flow rates considerably higher than design flows

d. With impeller speed below manufacturer's recommendations

c. Flow rates considerably higher than design flows

54. When the static level of the groundwater is 50 feet below the ground surface, the most suitable type of pump is a

a. Air lift pump

b. Gear pump

c. Horizontal centrifugal pump

d. Turbine pump

d. Turbine pump

55. The minimum pressure required in a water distribution system is

a. 20 psi

b. 25 psi

c. 30 psi

d. 35 psi

a. 20 psi

56. Which valve is most suitable for throttling applications?

a. Ball

b. Check

c. Gate

d. Tapping

a. Ball

57. Single phasing of a motor means

a. A one-stage operation

b. Loss of one power phase

c. An in-phase system

d. Better operation for a motor

b. Loss of one power phase

58. What should an operator do when entering a room containing a high concentration of chlorine gas?

a. Stay low on the floor

b. Hold breath and have help standing by

c. Use self-contained air or oxygen and have help standing by

d. Cover nose with a wet handkerchief

c. Use self-contained air or oxygen and have help standing by

59. The sample bottle should be filled to ______ when collecting a bacteriological sample.

a. Halfway or more

b. Within 1 inch of the top

c. Overflowing

d. The top

b. Within 1 inch of the top

60. What type of test kit is used to determine chlorine residuals?

a. Chloride

b. DPD

c. pH

d. Phenolphthalein

b. DPD

61. Giardia cysts may be removed from a surface water source using which of the following methods?

a. Chlorination and filtration

b. Filtration and aeration

c. Fluoridation and stabilization

d. Sedimentation and coagulation

a. Chlorination and filtration

62. Sodium thiosulfate is added to a microbiological sample bottle in order to

a. Extend the allowable holding time from 6 to 30 hours

b. React with nitrates that interfere with the MPN test

c. Remove any chlorine residual present

d. Ensure sterilization of sample bottle

c. Remove any chlorine residual present

63. A chlorine feed room should be

a. Closed with no ventilation

b. Opened at the top

c. Ventilated near the floor level

d. Ventilated near the top of the room

c. Ventilated near the floor level

64. When employees are working in trenches 5 feet deep or more, an adequate means of exit, such as a ladder or steps, must be located no further than _____ apart

a. 5 feet

b. 10 feet

c. 25 feet

d. 45 feet

c. 25 feet

65. The two major requirements in sizing a household service are adequate

a. Corrosion and longevity

b. Flow rate and C factor

c. Flow rate and volume

d. Pressure and flow rate

d. Pressure and flow rate

66. Improper rotation in a centrifugal pump may cause

a. Worn bearings

b. Impeller spin off

c. Over pressure

d. Reverse flow

b. Impeller spin off

67. The basic unit of electrical power is the

a. Coulomb

b. Ohm

c. Volt

d. Watt

c. Volt

68. A coupon test installation in a distribution system is used to

a. Determine the system's water quality

b. Determine the rate of scaling or corrosion

c. Calculate the daily treatment changes

d. Assist in calculating hydrant flows

b. Determine the rate of scaling or corrosion

69. Disease-causing bacteria are known as

a. Coliforms

b. Noncoliforms

c. Nonpathogenic

d. Pathogenic

d. Pathogenic

70. Normally, surface water and groundwater have a pH range of

a. 9.0 to 10.5

b. 6.8 to 8.5

c. 1.5 to 4.0

d. None of the above

b. 6.8 to 8.5

71. Which is the best definition of turbidity in water?

a. Anything in water that scatters light

b. Sequestered iron and manganese particles

c. The amount of dissolved material in water

d. The combined optical effect of pH, chlorine and color

a. Anything in water that scatters light

72. A "competent person" must inspect excavations and adjust areas for hazards

a. Continuously while workers are inside the excavation

b. Hourly while workers are inside the excavation

c. Prior to the start of work each day only

d. Daily, prior to the start of work, and as needed throughout the shift

d. Daily, prior to the start of work, and as needed throughout the shift

73. The component of a centrifugal pump sometimes installed on the end of a suction pipe to hold the priming is known as a

a. Casing

b. Drain

c. Foot valve

d. Ventilator

c. Foot valve

74. The treatment process designed to kill pathogenic organisms is

a. Disinfection

b. Oxidation

c. Pasteurization

d. Sterilization

a. Disinfection

75. The term "MCL" means

a. Maximum chlorine residual level

b. Minimum coliform level

c. Multi-colonies level

d. Maximum contaminant level

d. Maximum contaminant level

76. The primary source of trihalomethanes (THMs)in drinking water is

a. Polymer coagulants

b. Industrial solvents

c. Leaching from paint linings in water storage tanks

d. The reaction of chlorine compounds and organic matter

d. The reaction of chlorine compounds and organic matter

77. The primary origin of coliforms in water supplies is

a. Natural algae growth

b. Industrial solvents

c. Fecal contamination by warm-blooded animals

d. Acid rain

c. Fecal contamination by warm-blooded animals

78. Pressure in a pipeline may be affected by

a. Color and turbidity

b. Friction and elevation

c. Hardness and temperature

d. Turbidity and temperature

b. Friction and elevation

79. What are the difference between a maximum contaminant level (MCL) and a secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL)?

a. MCL violations automatically trigger acute violations, while violations of SMCLs do not

b. MCLs relate to health effects while SMCLs relate to aesthetic concerns

c. MCL violation levels may not be superseded by the state, while SMCL violation levels may

d. MCLs relate to known effects of contaminants, while SMCLs relate to suspected effects of contaminants

b. MCLs relate to health effects while SMCLs relate to aesthetic concerns

80. The purpose of an electrical lock-out device is to

a. Introduce electric current to a specific circuit

b. Keep operators out of an electrical control room while maintenance is being performed

c. Lock out an electrical switch box door

d. Positively prevent the operation of an electrical circuit

d. Positively prevent the operation of an electrical circuit

81. The maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) of known or probable carcinogens is

a. Set by the state

b. The same as the maximum contaminant level (MCL)

c. The minimum detectable level of a given contaminant

d. Zero

d. Zero

82. An objectionable feature of iron and manganese in water is

a. Health hazard

b. Mottled teeth

c. Skin irritation

d. Staining of fixtures

d. Staining of fixtures

83. The pressure that a pump must operate against is measured in

a. Foot pounds

b. Milligrams per liter

c. Pounds per square inch

d. Horsepower

c. Pounds per square inch

84. If the speed of a centrifugal pump is increased, and the head remains the same, the gallons per minute output will

a. Decrease

b. Increase

c. Remain the same

d. Increase slightly, then decrease

b. Increase

85. A suspension of very minute particles that cause an appearance of cloudiness is called

a. Bacteria

b. Color

c. Dissolved solids

d. Turbidity

d. Turbidity

86. The diameter of a cylindrical tank is 10 feet. If filled to a depth of 10 feet, it will contain approximately

how many gallons of water?

a. 2.987

b. 5,872

c. 6,024

d. 10,602

b. 5,872

87. An air-gap device is used to

a. Clean lines

b. Let air in manholes

c. Prevent backflow of nonpotable water into a drinking water supply

d. Test for oxygen deficiency

c. Prevent backflow of nonpotable water into a drinking water supply

88. When should existing wells be disinfected?

a. After an intense, long duration storm

b. After well or pump repairs

c. Every year

d. Never, existing wells don't need to be disinfected

b. After well or pump repairs

89. What could cause a pump to start too frequently?

a. Cut-off pressure setting too high

b. Impellers worn

c. Leaking foot valve

d. Motor bearings worn

c. Leaking foot valve

90. How is chlorine contact time measured?

a. Flow time a determined by dye tracer studies during low demands

b. Flow time from point of application to point of entering distribution system

c. Flow time from point of application to point of use by consumer

d. Flow time through finished water holding facility

b. Flow time from point of application to point of entering distribution system

91. What is the chlorine dose?

a. Chlorine demand minus chlorine residual

b. Chlorine demand plus chlorine residual

e. Chlorine demand plus free chlorine

d. Chlorine residual minus chlorine demand

b. Chlorine demand plus chlorine residual

92. Why should chlorine never be injected in the intake side of the pump?

a. Chlorine will cause pump corrosion problems

b. Chlorine will come out of solution when passing through the pump

c. Insufficient contact time will occur in the pump

d. Pump impeller will cause excessive chlorine mixing

a. Chlorine will cause pump corrosion problems

93. Which piece of laboratory equipment is the most accurate way to measure a volume of liquid?

a. Beaker

b. Flask

c. Graduated cylinder

d. Pipet

d. Pipet

94. What is the accepted method used to measure turbidity?

a. Candle

b. Jackson

c. Light

d. Nephelometric

d. Nephelometric

95. How would you detect a chlorine leak?

a. Puffs from a bottle of ammonia will identify location of leak

b. Pour ammonia solution directly on valve

c. Sniff where you think it's leaking

d. Sprinkle DPD on fusible plug

a. Puffs from a bottle of ammonia will identify location of leak

96. What is the major cause of hard water?

a. Calcium

b. Magnesium

c. Iron

d. Manganese

a. Calcium

97. When handling a coliform sample, why must there be a chain of command where each person taking charge of the samples must sign the paperwork?

a. To keep samples from getting lost

b. To prevent bad samples

c. To show that the samples have been cared for properly by responsible people

d. So supplies can be ordered when needed

c. To show that the samples have been cared for properly by responsible people

98. When an indicator light will not come on even though the instrument has been repaired what could you do?

a. Replace the bulb

b. Call an electrician

c. Get a new instrument

d. Ignore the problem if the instrument is working properly

a. Replace the bulb

99. Where does post-chlorination take place?

a. At the raw water

b. On top of the filters

c. Before the clear well

d. In the distribution system

c. Before the clear well

100. How should you move a 150-lb chlorine cylinder?

a. Lay the cylinder on its side and roll it

b. Call the fire department

c. Use a hand truck

d. With a crane

c. Use a hand truck