Certified Pool Operator Test Review Questions and Answers Updated 2026/2027 Version | Verified Answers

Certified Pool Operator Test Review Questions and Answers Updated 2026/2027 Version | Verified Answers 1. To raise Calcium Hardness, - ANSWER add calcium chloride 2. Total Dissolved Liquids (TDS) - ANSWER sum of all organic and inorganic materials dissolved in the water- cannot be eliminated with a chemical----- 1500 ppm allowed in water 3. Temperature - ANSWER Max temps = 88 for swimming pool 96 for therapy pool 104 for hot tub 4. Saturation Index - ANSWER -.5-.5 check once a week for a pool, everyday for a spa 5. Employees have the right to know: - ANSWER - may come into contact w/blood -may come into contact w/ dangerous chemicals - personal protection - material safety data sheet 6. Cyanuric Acid (CYA) - ANSWER chemical used to stabilize an outdoor pool (not UV light sensitive) added directly through the skimmer, 7. Regulated Cya levels - ANSWER 30-100 ppm 8. Sodium Hypochlorite NaOCl - ANSWER Liquid Chlorine, or bleach 9. FAC's and CAC's - ANSWER Free Available Chlorine = good chlorine (disinfects) Combined Available Chlorine = Chloramines = bad stuff you can smell, ammonia and no disinfectants 10. Regulated range for FAC's - ANSWER 1.5-10 for a pool 3-10 for a wading pool 4-10 for a spa 11. Total Alkalinity - ANSWER represents the amount of carbonates, bicarbonates, and hydroxides in a solution - you want this to be high, because the pH resists changes in fluctuating 12. pH Bounce - ANSWER low alkalinity 13. Regulated Total Alkalinity range - ANSWER 60-180 ppm ideal goal is 100ppm 14. To lower Total Alkalinity, - ANSWER add muriatic acid 15. To raise Total Alkalinity, - ANSWER add Baking Soda 16. Calcium Hardness - ANSWER amount of calcium and magnesium in the water (mineral content in water) 17. Regulated calcium hardness range - ANSWER 150-400ppm 18. Breakpoint for FAC (SHocking the Pool) - ANSWER TAC-FAC= CAC 19. Breakpoint= FAC + 10(CAC) 20. To lower chlorine levels, - ANSWER add sodium thiosulfate 21. 12 Reasons why the health inspector will close your pool - ANSWER 1. pump filter not working for more than an hour 2. main drain is not visible 3. chemical readings out of range 4. no pool operator (15 minute grace period) 5. no lifeguard or cpr certs present 6. water is below the skimmer line 7. danger to the public 8. chlorinator is not working 9. health inspector is not allowed in 10. bathrooms + drains not working 11. flow rate is too low 12. no phone (landline) 22. Measuring records as the CPO - ANSWER Operator must test the water for Cl and pH every hour, and Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness and Cyanuric Acid once per week. Records must be maintained on site and available for at least 2 years at the pool and 3 years total. 23. 5 Factors of Water Balance - ANSWER pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, Temperature, and total dissolved liquids 24. Corrosive water - ANSWER pH is too low, dissolves everything it contacts 25. scaling water - ANSWER pH it too high, mineral deposits on walls or pipes 26. Regulated pH range - ANSWER 7.2-7.8 pH reading is tested with Phenol Red 27. To lower pH, - ANSWER add muriatic acid 28. To raise the pH, - ANSWER add sodium carbonate (Soda Ash) 2. sodium bisulfate 3. carbon dioxide