Exam Coverage Summary
Domain I: Ethical and Legal Issues
Professional ethics and integrity for certified operators
State regulations for obtaining and maintaining certification
Roles: Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), Back-up ORC, contract operators
System owner vs. ORC responsibilities
Disciplinary actions and consequences
Permitting authority: NC DEQ, Local Health Departments, WPCSOCC
What ORCs may/may not do without a repair permit
Domain II: Introduction to Wastewater
Types and sources of wastewater
Major constituents: BOD, TSS, nutrients, pathogens
Treatment processes in subsurface systems
Design flow vs. actual flow calculations
Mass balance concepts
Domain III: Safety
Health and safety hazards (confined spaces, H2S, electrical)
Personal protective equipment requirements
Public health protection measures
Electrical safety and when to call licensed electrician
Plumbing services requirements
Domain IV: Subsurface Wastewater Systems Overview
System types: conventional, LPP, drip, sand filters, peat biofilters
Site conditions warranting each system type
Innovative Approvals requirements
Domain V: System Components
Collection and Primary Treatment: septic tanks, baffles, compartments
Advanced/Secondary Pretreatment: aerobic units, media filters, disinfection
Distribution: gravity, pressure manifold, LPP, drip systems
, Pumps, controls, dosing (demand, timed, multiple field)
Dispersal and Soil Treatment: trenches, chambers, gravel
Domain VI: Monitoring and Sampling
Sampling protocols and requirements
Groundwater monitoring requirements
Interpreting monitoring results
Domain VII: Math for Operators
Tank and pipe volume calculations
Flow rates and pumping characteristics
Septic system performance data
Time clock and telemetry data
Mass balance calculations
Domain VIII: System Operation and Maintenance
Reading plans, specifications, permits
Records and inspection documentation
Management plans for undocumented systems
Routine, preventative, and special inspections
System evaluation and troubleshooting
Permitting requirements for modifications
Domain IX: Records, Reports, and Contracts
Maintaining permit and documentation
Scheduling inspections and sampling
Filing reports timely
Contract execution with system owners
North Carolina Specific Regulations
Separation distances: well (100 ft), property line (10 ft), surface water (50 ft), old
drainfield (20 ft)
Design flow: 110 gallons/bedroom/day
Septic tank sizing: 750 gal (1-2 BR), 900 gal (3 BR)
Deep hole test: minimum 36 inches
Dosing volume: maximum 20% of design daily flow
Percolation rate: maximum 60 minutes/inch
, Vertical separation to water table: minimum 18 inches
Presoaking: minimum 12 hours
Inspection frequency: every 1-3 years
Questions 1
1. An ORC discovers that a system owner has made unauthorized modifications to the
distribution system without a permit. What is the ORC's primary responsibility?
A) Ignore the modifications since the owner is responsible
B) Notify the local health department immediately
C) Document the modifications in the inspection report and notify the system owner and local
health department
D) Repair the system to its original condition without notifying anyone
Rationale: The ORC must recognize when system modifications require permits and properly
document violations. Notifying both the owner and regulatory authority is the ethical and
legal obligation under NC regulations. Modifications without permits are violations that
must be reported to protect public health and water resources .
2. A contract operator is taking over management of a system. Before beginning work,
what must be properly executed?
A) A verbal agreement with the property owner
B) A contract with the system owner that addresses all operational responsibilities and
requirements
C) A notification to the neighbors
D) A permit from the local health department
Rationale: The Needs-to-Know document explicitly addresses the importance of properly
executing contracts with system owners and what issues such contracts should cover. A
written contract protects both parties and clearly defines responsibilities, service scope, and
expectations .
3. A certified operator becomes aware that the system owner has been discharging
prohibited wastes into the system. What is the appropriate action?
A) Continue pumping the tank as scheduled and ignore the issue
B) Inform the owner that this is unacceptable and document the conversation in system
, records
C) Immediately terminate the service contract
D) Report the owner to the local health department without discussion
Rationale: The operator's ethical responsibility includes recognizing situations that may
jeopardize operator integrity and certification. Proper documentation and education of the
owner is the professional approach. If the issue continues, regulatory notification may be
necessary .
4. Under North Carolina regulations, who has primary authority for issuing septic
permits and enforcing rules at the local level?
A) NC Department of Environmental Quality
B) Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification Commission
C) Local Health Department
D) Division of Water Resources
Rationale: Authority is delegated to local health departments to issue septic permits, regulate
installations, and enforce NC laws and rules. This is clearly established in NC regulations
for onsite wastewater systems .
5. An ORC is asked by a system owner to provide false inspection records to help sell
the property. What should the ORC do?
A) Provide the records as requested since the owner is paying for services
B) Refuse to falsify records and inform the owner of the legal consequences
C) Provide partial records that are incomplete but not technically false
D) Report the owner immediately to the Commission without warning
Rationale: Professional ethics demand integrity in recordkeeping. Providing false
information jeopardizes operator certification and constitutes a disciplinary violation. The
operator must maintain accurate records that reflect true inspection results .
6. According to 15A NCAC 08G .0201, what is the timeline for submitting an Operator
Designation Form after a new system is completed?
A) Within 30 days of system completion
B) 60 days prior to wastewater being introduced into the system
C) Within 90 days of system operation
D) At the time of the first inspection
Domain I: Ethical and Legal Issues
Professional ethics and integrity for certified operators
State regulations for obtaining and maintaining certification
Roles: Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), Back-up ORC, contract operators
System owner vs. ORC responsibilities
Disciplinary actions and consequences
Permitting authority: NC DEQ, Local Health Departments, WPCSOCC
What ORCs may/may not do without a repair permit
Domain II: Introduction to Wastewater
Types and sources of wastewater
Major constituents: BOD, TSS, nutrients, pathogens
Treatment processes in subsurface systems
Design flow vs. actual flow calculations
Mass balance concepts
Domain III: Safety
Health and safety hazards (confined spaces, H2S, electrical)
Personal protective equipment requirements
Public health protection measures
Electrical safety and when to call licensed electrician
Plumbing services requirements
Domain IV: Subsurface Wastewater Systems Overview
System types: conventional, LPP, drip, sand filters, peat biofilters
Site conditions warranting each system type
Innovative Approvals requirements
Domain V: System Components
Collection and Primary Treatment: septic tanks, baffles, compartments
Advanced/Secondary Pretreatment: aerobic units, media filters, disinfection
Distribution: gravity, pressure manifold, LPP, drip systems
, Pumps, controls, dosing (demand, timed, multiple field)
Dispersal and Soil Treatment: trenches, chambers, gravel
Domain VI: Monitoring and Sampling
Sampling protocols and requirements
Groundwater monitoring requirements
Interpreting monitoring results
Domain VII: Math for Operators
Tank and pipe volume calculations
Flow rates and pumping characteristics
Septic system performance data
Time clock and telemetry data
Mass balance calculations
Domain VIII: System Operation and Maintenance
Reading plans, specifications, permits
Records and inspection documentation
Management plans for undocumented systems
Routine, preventative, and special inspections
System evaluation and troubleshooting
Permitting requirements for modifications
Domain IX: Records, Reports, and Contracts
Maintaining permit and documentation
Scheduling inspections and sampling
Filing reports timely
Contract execution with system owners
North Carolina Specific Regulations
Separation distances: well (100 ft), property line (10 ft), surface water (50 ft), old
drainfield (20 ft)
Design flow: 110 gallons/bedroom/day
Septic tank sizing: 750 gal (1-2 BR), 900 gal (3 BR)
Deep hole test: minimum 36 inches
Dosing volume: maximum 20% of design daily flow
Percolation rate: maximum 60 minutes/inch
, Vertical separation to water table: minimum 18 inches
Presoaking: minimum 12 hours
Inspection frequency: every 1-3 years
Questions 1
1. An ORC discovers that a system owner has made unauthorized modifications to the
distribution system without a permit. What is the ORC's primary responsibility?
A) Ignore the modifications since the owner is responsible
B) Notify the local health department immediately
C) Document the modifications in the inspection report and notify the system owner and local
health department
D) Repair the system to its original condition without notifying anyone
Rationale: The ORC must recognize when system modifications require permits and properly
document violations. Notifying both the owner and regulatory authority is the ethical and
legal obligation under NC regulations. Modifications without permits are violations that
must be reported to protect public health and water resources .
2. A contract operator is taking over management of a system. Before beginning work,
what must be properly executed?
A) A verbal agreement with the property owner
B) A contract with the system owner that addresses all operational responsibilities and
requirements
C) A notification to the neighbors
D) A permit from the local health department
Rationale: The Needs-to-Know document explicitly addresses the importance of properly
executing contracts with system owners and what issues such contracts should cover. A
written contract protects both parties and clearly defines responsibilities, service scope, and
expectations .
3. A certified operator becomes aware that the system owner has been discharging
prohibited wastes into the system. What is the appropriate action?
A) Continue pumping the tank as scheduled and ignore the issue
B) Inform the owner that this is unacceptable and document the conversation in system
, records
C) Immediately terminate the service contract
D) Report the owner to the local health department without discussion
Rationale: The operator's ethical responsibility includes recognizing situations that may
jeopardize operator integrity and certification. Proper documentation and education of the
owner is the professional approach. If the issue continues, regulatory notification may be
necessary .
4. Under North Carolina regulations, who has primary authority for issuing septic
permits and enforcing rules at the local level?
A) NC Department of Environmental Quality
B) Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification Commission
C) Local Health Department
D) Division of Water Resources
Rationale: Authority is delegated to local health departments to issue septic permits, regulate
installations, and enforce NC laws and rules. This is clearly established in NC regulations
for onsite wastewater systems .
5. An ORC is asked by a system owner to provide false inspection records to help sell
the property. What should the ORC do?
A) Provide the records as requested since the owner is paying for services
B) Refuse to falsify records and inform the owner of the legal consequences
C) Provide partial records that are incomplete but not technically false
D) Report the owner immediately to the Commission without warning
Rationale: Professional ethics demand integrity in recordkeeping. Providing false
information jeopardizes operator certification and constitutes a disciplinary violation. The
operator must maintain accurate records that reflect true inspection results .
6. According to 15A NCAC 08G .0201, what is the timeline for submitting an Operator
Designation Form after a new system is completed?
A) Within 30 days of system completion
B) 60 days prior to wastewater being introduced into the system
C) Within 90 days of system operation
D) At the time of the first inspection
