WASTEWATER CLASS B TEXAS
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026
The name of the State Agency responsible for enforcing pollution control laws in Texas -
ANSWERSTexas Commission of Environmental Quality
The term pathogenic means - ANSWERSCapable of causing disease
The minimum separation between sewer lines and potable water lines is - ANSWERS9
feet
A licensed wastewater operator is a professional - ANSWERSconsistently does best job
possible, practices personal safety, strives to improve job knowledge, strives to keep
the plant and collection system in the best appearance and working order
An important step in testing a sample for Total Suspended Solids is -
ANSWERSFiltering a sample
The Biochemical oxygen Demand (BOD) of a sample is based on -
ANSWERSMeasuring the dissolved oxygen (DO) used
The results of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) sample taken at a treatment plant
tells the operator - ANSWERSHow the plant was operating 5 days ago
Which of the following are dangerous gasses that are likely to be present in lift stations
and manholes? - ANSWERSNatural gas, gasoline fumes, hydrogen sulfide and carbon
dioxide
A preferred hydraulic method of cleaning sewer lines is - ANSWERSHydro Jet Cleaner
Ways to reduce bad odors coming from a collection system - ANSWERSroutinely
cleaning slow running or low flow lines, adding chlorine or hydrogen peroxide to the
collection system
Types of pipe that are commonly used in wastewater collection system -
ANSWERSductile iron, Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC)
Before entering a confined space a worker should - ANSWERSUse approved
monitoring device and check for the presence of dangerous gasses, ventilate the space
with a blower, wear a safety harness and attach a life line
, A properly designed and operated primary sedimentation tank should remove _____
percent of incoming BOD - ANSWERS30-40%
Devices that may be used to determine the level of sewage in a lift station -
ANSWERSair bubbler, floats, electrodes, Acoustic (sonic)
What is the most important role of aerobic bacteria in the treatment of wastewater? -
ANSWERSdecompose organic matter
The hydraulic loading of a trickling filter may be determined by - ANSWERSflow rate
and filter area
These can be used to dewater sludge - ANSWERSbelt press, drying beds, solid bowl
centrifuge, gravity thickener
Most important to providing adequate sewage treatment in a stabilization pond -
ANSWERSsunlight, algae, bacteria and time
Offensive and objectionable odors which sometimes occur in trickling filters usually
indicate - ANSWERSseptic conditions are present
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in aeration tank of an activated sludge plant should be
maintained at or about - ANSWERS2 to 4 mg/L
Contributes to the infiltration in a collection system - ANSWERSbreaks in the main lines,
high ground water levels, heavy rains, hydro jet cleaning plugged mains
When a centrifuge pump loses prime the - ANSWERSpump is no longer moving liquid
A Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) is - ANSWERSfixed firm biological treatment
process
Needs to be checked regularly to properly operate an activated sludge treatment plant -
ANSWERSaeration equipment and mixed liquor solids
Point source discharges are - ANSWERSdischarges that come from pipes or ditches
that are monitored, controlled and inspected
Non-point discharges are - ANSWERSdischarges that have intermittent, dispersed
flows having little or no control
The Texas Water Code establishes the protection of water quality and quantity of the
state by - ANSWERSsetting stream standards, issues permits for discharges, identifies
non-point source controls, and establishes water reuse.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026
The name of the State Agency responsible for enforcing pollution control laws in Texas -
ANSWERSTexas Commission of Environmental Quality
The term pathogenic means - ANSWERSCapable of causing disease
The minimum separation between sewer lines and potable water lines is - ANSWERS9
feet
A licensed wastewater operator is a professional - ANSWERSconsistently does best job
possible, practices personal safety, strives to improve job knowledge, strives to keep
the plant and collection system in the best appearance and working order
An important step in testing a sample for Total Suspended Solids is -
ANSWERSFiltering a sample
The Biochemical oxygen Demand (BOD) of a sample is based on -
ANSWERSMeasuring the dissolved oxygen (DO) used
The results of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) sample taken at a treatment plant
tells the operator - ANSWERSHow the plant was operating 5 days ago
Which of the following are dangerous gasses that are likely to be present in lift stations
and manholes? - ANSWERSNatural gas, gasoline fumes, hydrogen sulfide and carbon
dioxide
A preferred hydraulic method of cleaning sewer lines is - ANSWERSHydro Jet Cleaner
Ways to reduce bad odors coming from a collection system - ANSWERSroutinely
cleaning slow running or low flow lines, adding chlorine or hydrogen peroxide to the
collection system
Types of pipe that are commonly used in wastewater collection system -
ANSWERSductile iron, Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC)
Before entering a confined space a worker should - ANSWERSUse approved
monitoring device and check for the presence of dangerous gasses, ventilate the space
with a blower, wear a safety harness and attach a life line
, A properly designed and operated primary sedimentation tank should remove _____
percent of incoming BOD - ANSWERS30-40%
Devices that may be used to determine the level of sewage in a lift station -
ANSWERSair bubbler, floats, electrodes, Acoustic (sonic)
What is the most important role of aerobic bacteria in the treatment of wastewater? -
ANSWERSdecompose organic matter
The hydraulic loading of a trickling filter may be determined by - ANSWERSflow rate
and filter area
These can be used to dewater sludge - ANSWERSbelt press, drying beds, solid bowl
centrifuge, gravity thickener
Most important to providing adequate sewage treatment in a stabilization pond -
ANSWERSsunlight, algae, bacteria and time
Offensive and objectionable odors which sometimes occur in trickling filters usually
indicate - ANSWERSseptic conditions are present
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in aeration tank of an activated sludge plant should be
maintained at or about - ANSWERS2 to 4 mg/L
Contributes to the infiltration in a collection system - ANSWERSbreaks in the main lines,
high ground water levels, heavy rains, hydro jet cleaning plugged mains
When a centrifuge pump loses prime the - ANSWERSpump is no longer moving liquid
A Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) is - ANSWERSfixed firm biological treatment
process
Needs to be checked regularly to properly operate an activated sludge treatment plant -
ANSWERSaeration equipment and mixed liquor solids
Point source discharges are - ANSWERSdischarges that come from pipes or ditches
that are monitored, controlled and inspected
Non-point discharges are - ANSWERSdischarges that have intermittent, dispersed
flows having little or no control
The Texas Water Code establishes the protection of water quality and quantity of the
state by - ANSWERSsetting stream standards, issues permits for discharges, identifies
non-point source controls, and establishes water reuse.
