Florida (FL) Septic Tank Contractor
Exam | 500+ State-Specific Questions with
Verified Answers & Detailed
Explanations (Updated)
Questions, Answers And rAtionAles
Question 1
A septic tank is being installed for a single-family residence in Florida. What is the minimum setback
required between the septic tank and a private potable well?
A. 25 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 75 feet
D. 100 feet
Correct Answer: C. 75 feet
Rationale:
Florida DOH requires a minimum 75-foot separation to protect wells from contamination.
Question 2
A homeowner reports sewage backing up into the home after heavy rainfall. The soil is poorly draining
and standing water is above the drainfield. What is the most likely cause?
A. Undersized septic tank
B. Hydraulic overload of the drainfield
C. Broken inlet baffle
D. Improper pipe slope
Correct Answer: B. Hydraulic overload of the drainfield
Rationale:
Saturated soil prevents absorption, causing hydraulic overload, common in Florida’s high-water table
areas.
,Question 3
What is the minimum septic tank size required for a three-bedroom single-family home in Florida?
A. 750 gallons
B. 900 gallons
C. 1,000 gallons
D. 1,200 gallons
Correct Answer: C. 1,000 gallons
Rationale:
Florida requires 1,000 gallons minimum for three-bedroom homes.
Question 4
Who issues septic system permits in Florida?
A. EPA
B. County building department
C. Florida Department of Health
D. Department of Environmental Protection
Correct Answer: C. Florida Department of Health
Rationale:
Septic systems in Florida are regulated by DOH, not DEP.
Question 5
Why is a soil profile evaluation required before septic system installation?
A. To determine tank material
B. To evaluate soil color only
C. To determine seasonal high water table and soil suitability
D. To calculate plumbing fixture units
Correct Answer: C. To determine seasonal high water table and soil suitability
Rationale:
Drainfields must be installed above seasonal high water tables; soil suitability is critical.
,Question 6
The seasonal high water table is:
A. The deepest groundwater level recorded
B. Average groundwater depth over a year
C. The highest groundwater level during the wet season
D. The level at which soil compacts
Correct Answer: C. The highest groundwater level during the wet season
Rationale:
Drainfields must remain above high water tables to prevent failure.
Question 7
What is the primary function of a septic tank?
A. Absorb effluent
B. Disinfect wastewater
C. Separate solids from liquids
D. Pump wastewater to the drainfield
Correct Answer: C. Separate solids from liquids
Rationale:
Tanks settle solids and scum, protecting the drainfield.
Question 8
What is the purpose of the outlet baffle?
A. Prevent inflow blockages
B. Keep solids from entering the drainfield
C. Increase wastewater velocity
D. Measure effluent levels
Correct Answer: B. Keep solids from entering the drainfield
Rationale:
Outlet baffles prevent sludge and scum from clogging the drainfield.
Question 9
Which hazard presents the greatest immediate risk during septic tank excavation?
, A. Noise exposure
B. Biological contamination
C. Cave-ins and trench collapse
D. Sun exposure
Correct Answer: C. Cave-ins and trench collapse
Rationale:
Trench collapse is the leading cause of fatalities in excavation work.
Question 10
A homeowner adds two bedrooms. What must happen to the existing septic system?
A. No action
B. Pump tank
C. Evaluate and possibly upgrade system
D. Automatically relocate drainfield
Correct Answer: C. Evaluate and possibly upgrade system
Rationale:
Added bedrooms increase wastewater flow; system must be reevaluated.
Question 11
Which type of soil absorbs wastewater most efficiently for a drainfield?
A. Sandy soil
B. Clay soil
C. Silt soil
D. Rock
Correct Answer: A. Sandy soil
Rationale:
Sandy soil drains quickly and is preferred for septic drainfields in Florida.
Question 12
How far must a drainfield be from a lake or pond in Florida?
A. 10 feet
B. 25 feet
Exam | 500+ State-Specific Questions with
Verified Answers & Detailed
Explanations (Updated)
Questions, Answers And rAtionAles
Question 1
A septic tank is being installed for a single-family residence in Florida. What is the minimum setback
required between the septic tank and a private potable well?
A. 25 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 75 feet
D. 100 feet
Correct Answer: C. 75 feet
Rationale:
Florida DOH requires a minimum 75-foot separation to protect wells from contamination.
Question 2
A homeowner reports sewage backing up into the home after heavy rainfall. The soil is poorly draining
and standing water is above the drainfield. What is the most likely cause?
A. Undersized septic tank
B. Hydraulic overload of the drainfield
C. Broken inlet baffle
D. Improper pipe slope
Correct Answer: B. Hydraulic overload of the drainfield
Rationale:
Saturated soil prevents absorption, causing hydraulic overload, common in Florida’s high-water table
areas.
,Question 3
What is the minimum septic tank size required for a three-bedroom single-family home in Florida?
A. 750 gallons
B. 900 gallons
C. 1,000 gallons
D. 1,200 gallons
Correct Answer: C. 1,000 gallons
Rationale:
Florida requires 1,000 gallons minimum for three-bedroom homes.
Question 4
Who issues septic system permits in Florida?
A. EPA
B. County building department
C. Florida Department of Health
D. Department of Environmental Protection
Correct Answer: C. Florida Department of Health
Rationale:
Septic systems in Florida are regulated by DOH, not DEP.
Question 5
Why is a soil profile evaluation required before septic system installation?
A. To determine tank material
B. To evaluate soil color only
C. To determine seasonal high water table and soil suitability
D. To calculate plumbing fixture units
Correct Answer: C. To determine seasonal high water table and soil suitability
Rationale:
Drainfields must be installed above seasonal high water tables; soil suitability is critical.
,Question 6
The seasonal high water table is:
A. The deepest groundwater level recorded
B. Average groundwater depth over a year
C. The highest groundwater level during the wet season
D. The level at which soil compacts
Correct Answer: C. The highest groundwater level during the wet season
Rationale:
Drainfields must remain above high water tables to prevent failure.
Question 7
What is the primary function of a septic tank?
A. Absorb effluent
B. Disinfect wastewater
C. Separate solids from liquids
D. Pump wastewater to the drainfield
Correct Answer: C. Separate solids from liquids
Rationale:
Tanks settle solids and scum, protecting the drainfield.
Question 8
What is the purpose of the outlet baffle?
A. Prevent inflow blockages
B. Keep solids from entering the drainfield
C. Increase wastewater velocity
D. Measure effluent levels
Correct Answer: B. Keep solids from entering the drainfield
Rationale:
Outlet baffles prevent sludge and scum from clogging the drainfield.
Question 9
Which hazard presents the greatest immediate risk during septic tank excavation?
, A. Noise exposure
B. Biological contamination
C. Cave-ins and trench collapse
D. Sun exposure
Correct Answer: C. Cave-ins and trench collapse
Rationale:
Trench collapse is the leading cause of fatalities in excavation work.
Question 10
A homeowner adds two bedrooms. What must happen to the existing septic system?
A. No action
B. Pump tank
C. Evaluate and possibly upgrade system
D. Automatically relocate drainfield
Correct Answer: C. Evaluate and possibly upgrade system
Rationale:
Added bedrooms increase wastewater flow; system must be reevaluated.
Question 11
Which type of soil absorbs wastewater most efficiently for a drainfield?
A. Sandy soil
B. Clay soil
C. Silt soil
D. Rock
Correct Answer: A. Sandy soil
Rationale:
Sandy soil drains quickly and is preferred for septic drainfields in Florida.
Question 12
How far must a drainfield be from a lake or pond in Florida?
A. 10 feet
B. 25 feet
