TCEQ Class A Water Exam | 160
Questions and Verified Answers |
100% Correct | Grade A (2026/2027)
This TCEQ Class A Water Exam set is the best Study guide, to help pass the
advanced operational exam, & help operators master complex water treatment
processes, mathematics, and utility management. It will aid to prepare for the
rigorous testing.
Key Exam Concepts (160Q&A)
The test heavily emphasizes advanced surface water/groundwater treatment and
the management of large-scale systems.
• Advanced Math & Formulas: You will need to calculate detention
times, pumping efficiency, horsepower, disinfection demand and residuals,
and trench volume/excavation requirements.
• Process Control: Mastery of filtration rates, coagulation, flocculation, and
settling basin optimization is heavily featured.
• Regulations: Expect questions regarding the Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA), chemical analysis reporting times, and Maximum Contaminant
Levels (MCLs) for disinfection byproducts like THMs.
• Safety & Administration: Knowledge of OSHA requirements for
excavations and staff leadership principles are also common.
Quiz_________________?
Are annual TTHM MCL violations based on the whole system or a specific
location? -
Answer
Compliance is based on the running annual average of all samples collected over
the past 12 months.
1
, Quiz_________________?
What are the required SOP components? -
Answer
Title page, Table of contents, Purpose, Procedures Quality Assurance/Quality
Control References, Approval Signatures (Author, Reviewer, Management
Approver, QA Reviewer)
Quiz_________________?
Who is responsible for lead ban enforcement? -
Answer
Customer Service Inspector
Quiz_________________?
A system buys water with 1 ppm chlorine and 0.1 ppm free ammonia. How to
make 2.5 ppm total residual with 0 free ammonia? -
Answer
Add enough chlorine to reach breakpoint chlorination (~1.0 ppm chlorine for 0.1
ppm ammonia), then add more chlorine to reach 2.5 ppm residual.
Total chlorine needed ≈ 3.5 ppm.
Quiz_________________?
2
,Public notification is required within 24 hours of: -
Answer
Pressure dropping below 20 psi
E. coli or fecal coliform MCL violations Turbidity > 5.0 NTU
Or at TCEQ's discretion
Quiz_________________?
MCL for total coliform? -
Answer
1 per 100 mL sample
Quiz_________________?
How is the TTHM Operational Evaluation Level (OEL) calculated? -
Answer
Average the four most recent quarterly values: (Q1 + Q2 + Q3 + Q4) ÷ 4
Quiz_________________?
What is the effect of hypolimnion aeration? -
Answer
Raises DO in bottom layer, removes metals, and limits algae nutrients.
Note: Does NOT destroy stratification
3
, Quiz_________________?
What are the main sections of a work zone? -
Answer
Advanced warning area
Transition area
Activity area (includes buffer space and workspace)
Termination area
Quiz_________________?
What is enhanced coagulation? -
Answer
Removal of DBP precursors to a specified level using conventional coagulation
and sedimentation
Quiz_________________?
What tests are required for nitrification monitoring? -
Answer
1. Free Ammonia- Indicates excess ammonia that can feed nitrifying bacteria.
2. Total Chlorine- Helps detect chlorine loss due to nitrification activity.
3. Monochloramine- The main disinfectant in chloraminated systems; a drop
suggests nitrification.
4. Nitrite (NO₂⁻)- A byproduct of the first stage of nitrification.
5. Nitrate (NO₃⁻)- Formed in the later stage of nitrification.
4
Questions and Verified Answers |
100% Correct | Grade A (2026/2027)
This TCEQ Class A Water Exam set is the best Study guide, to help pass the
advanced operational exam, & help operators master complex water treatment
processes, mathematics, and utility management. It will aid to prepare for the
rigorous testing.
Key Exam Concepts (160Q&A)
The test heavily emphasizes advanced surface water/groundwater treatment and
the management of large-scale systems.
• Advanced Math & Formulas: You will need to calculate detention
times, pumping efficiency, horsepower, disinfection demand and residuals,
and trench volume/excavation requirements.
• Process Control: Mastery of filtration rates, coagulation, flocculation, and
settling basin optimization is heavily featured.
• Regulations: Expect questions regarding the Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA), chemical analysis reporting times, and Maximum Contaminant
Levels (MCLs) for disinfection byproducts like THMs.
• Safety & Administration: Knowledge of OSHA requirements for
excavations and staff leadership principles are also common.
Quiz_________________?
Are annual TTHM MCL violations based on the whole system or a specific
location? -
Answer
Compliance is based on the running annual average of all samples collected over
the past 12 months.
1
, Quiz_________________?
What are the required SOP components? -
Answer
Title page, Table of contents, Purpose, Procedures Quality Assurance/Quality
Control References, Approval Signatures (Author, Reviewer, Management
Approver, QA Reviewer)
Quiz_________________?
Who is responsible for lead ban enforcement? -
Answer
Customer Service Inspector
Quiz_________________?
A system buys water with 1 ppm chlorine and 0.1 ppm free ammonia. How to
make 2.5 ppm total residual with 0 free ammonia? -
Answer
Add enough chlorine to reach breakpoint chlorination (~1.0 ppm chlorine for 0.1
ppm ammonia), then add more chlorine to reach 2.5 ppm residual.
Total chlorine needed ≈ 3.5 ppm.
Quiz_________________?
2
,Public notification is required within 24 hours of: -
Answer
Pressure dropping below 20 psi
E. coli or fecal coliform MCL violations Turbidity > 5.0 NTU
Or at TCEQ's discretion
Quiz_________________?
MCL for total coliform? -
Answer
1 per 100 mL sample
Quiz_________________?
How is the TTHM Operational Evaluation Level (OEL) calculated? -
Answer
Average the four most recent quarterly values: (Q1 + Q2 + Q3 + Q4) ÷ 4
Quiz_________________?
What is the effect of hypolimnion aeration? -
Answer
Raises DO in bottom layer, removes metals, and limits algae nutrients.
Note: Does NOT destroy stratification
3
, Quiz_________________?
What are the main sections of a work zone? -
Answer
Advanced warning area
Transition area
Activity area (includes buffer space and workspace)
Termination area
Quiz_________________?
What is enhanced coagulation? -
Answer
Removal of DBP precursors to a specified level using conventional coagulation
and sedimentation
Quiz_________________?
What tests are required for nitrification monitoring? -
Answer
1. Free Ammonia- Indicates excess ammonia that can feed nitrifying bacteria.
2. Total Chlorine- Helps detect chlorine loss due to nitrification activity.
3. Monochloramine- The main disinfectant in chloraminated systems; a drop
suggests nitrification.
4. Nitrite (NO₂⁻)- A byproduct of the first stage of nitrification.
5. Nitrate (NO₃⁻)- Formed in the later stage of nitrification.
4
