TEXAS WASTEWATER CLASS A 2026/2027
EXAM | VERIFIED CURRENTLY TESTING
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
1. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the state agency
responsible for:
A. Issuing driver's licenses
B. Enforcing pollution control laws in Texas
C. Regulating the oil and gas industry
D. Managing state parks
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: TCEQ is the state agency responsible for enforcing pollution control laws in
Texas, including wastewater regulation and permitting .
2. The Texas Water Code establishes protection of water quality and quantity by:
A. Setting stream standards and issuing discharge permits
B. Regulating agricultural runoff only
C. Monitoring air quality
D. Managing state wildlife
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Texas Water Code protects water quality by setting stream standards,
issuing permits for discharges, identifying non-point source controls, and establishing
water reuse .
3. Chapter ___ of the Texas Water Code controls water pollution and gives authority
to TCEQ:
A. Chapter 10
B. Chapter 26
C. Chapter 50
D. Chapter 100
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chapter 26 of the Texas Water Code is the state law controlling water
pollution and grants authority to TCEQ to control discharges in Texas .
4. TCEQ can revoke an operator's license if the operator:
A. Causes a permit violation
B. Falsifies records
C. Neglects their duty
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: TCEQ can revoke an operator's license for causing permit violations, falsifying
records, or neglecting their duty .
5. If an accidental discharge, bypass, or spill of wastewater occurs, the responsible
party MUST notify TCEQ regional offices within how many hours?
A. 12 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 48 hours
D. 72 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: TCEQ must be notified within 24 hours of an accidental discharge, bypass, or
spill .
6. How long are occupational licenses valid in Texas before renewal is required?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Occupational licenses are valid for three years and must be renewed with
TCEQ, requiring completion of CE hours, renewal application, and fee payment .
7. How many hours of Continuing Education (CE) are required for wastewater
license renewal?
,A. 15 hours
B. 20 hours
C. 30 hours
D. 40 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: All wastewater treatment and collection system licenses require 30 hours of
Continuing Education (CE) to be eligible for renewal .
8. What is the application fee for a wastewater operator license?
A. $50
B. $75
C. $111
D. $150
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The application fee for a wastewater operator license is $111 .
9. Which of the following is NOT acceptable work experience for a wastewater
license?
A. Plant operator performing routine on-site operational activities
B. Secretary or bookkeeper not involved in on-site operations
C. Superintendent supervising plant operations
D. Operator conducting routine laboratory tests
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Support personnel such as secretaries, utility relations staff, bookkeepers,
and administrative officials are not acceptable experience UNLESS they conduct routine
on-site operational activities .
10. When must TCEQ be notified about expansions of a treatment facility?
A. After construction is complete
B. During construction
C. Before construction
D. Only if a violation occurs
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: TCEQ must be notified about expansions of a treatment facility before
construction begins .
SECTION 2: TREATMENT PROCESSES & BIOLOGY (Questions 21-50)
11. Pathogenic means:
A. Capable of causing disease
B. Capable of treating disease
C. Relating to plant growth
D. Relating to water quality
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pathogenic means capable of causing disease .
12. The most important role of aerobic bacteria in wastewater treatment is to:
A. Produce oxygen
B. Decompose organic matter
C. Remove nitrogen
D. Kill pathogens
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most important role of aerobic bacteria in wastewater treatment is to
decompose organic matter .
13. Anaerobic bacteria _____ live with O₂ present in the water for their metabolism.
A. Can
B. Cannot
C. Sometimes can
D. Prefer to
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anaerobic bacteria cannot live with oxygen present in the water for their
metabolism .
EXAM | VERIFIED CURRENTLY TESTING
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
1. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the state agency
responsible for:
A. Issuing driver's licenses
B. Enforcing pollution control laws in Texas
C. Regulating the oil and gas industry
D. Managing state parks
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: TCEQ is the state agency responsible for enforcing pollution control laws in
Texas, including wastewater regulation and permitting .
2. The Texas Water Code establishes protection of water quality and quantity by:
A. Setting stream standards and issuing discharge permits
B. Regulating agricultural runoff only
C. Monitoring air quality
D. Managing state wildlife
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Texas Water Code protects water quality by setting stream standards,
issuing permits for discharges, identifying non-point source controls, and establishing
water reuse .
3. Chapter ___ of the Texas Water Code controls water pollution and gives authority
to TCEQ:
A. Chapter 10
B. Chapter 26
C. Chapter 50
D. Chapter 100
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chapter 26 of the Texas Water Code is the state law controlling water
pollution and grants authority to TCEQ to control discharges in Texas .
4. TCEQ can revoke an operator's license if the operator:
A. Causes a permit violation
B. Falsifies records
C. Neglects their duty
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: TCEQ can revoke an operator's license for causing permit violations, falsifying
records, or neglecting their duty .
5. If an accidental discharge, bypass, or spill of wastewater occurs, the responsible
party MUST notify TCEQ regional offices within how many hours?
A. 12 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 48 hours
D. 72 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: TCEQ must be notified within 24 hours of an accidental discharge, bypass, or
spill .
6. How long are occupational licenses valid in Texas before renewal is required?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Occupational licenses are valid for three years and must be renewed with
TCEQ, requiring completion of CE hours, renewal application, and fee payment .
7. How many hours of Continuing Education (CE) are required for wastewater
license renewal?
,A. 15 hours
B. 20 hours
C. 30 hours
D. 40 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: All wastewater treatment and collection system licenses require 30 hours of
Continuing Education (CE) to be eligible for renewal .
8. What is the application fee for a wastewater operator license?
A. $50
B. $75
C. $111
D. $150
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The application fee for a wastewater operator license is $111 .
9. Which of the following is NOT acceptable work experience for a wastewater
license?
A. Plant operator performing routine on-site operational activities
B. Secretary or bookkeeper not involved in on-site operations
C. Superintendent supervising plant operations
D. Operator conducting routine laboratory tests
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Support personnel such as secretaries, utility relations staff, bookkeepers,
and administrative officials are not acceptable experience UNLESS they conduct routine
on-site operational activities .
10. When must TCEQ be notified about expansions of a treatment facility?
A. After construction is complete
B. During construction
C. Before construction
D. Only if a violation occurs
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: TCEQ must be notified about expansions of a treatment facility before
construction begins .
SECTION 2: TREATMENT PROCESSES & BIOLOGY (Questions 21-50)
11. Pathogenic means:
A. Capable of causing disease
B. Capable of treating disease
C. Relating to plant growth
D. Relating to water quality
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pathogenic means capable of causing disease .
12. The most important role of aerobic bacteria in wastewater treatment is to:
A. Produce oxygen
B. Decompose organic matter
C. Remove nitrogen
D. Kill pathogens
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most important role of aerobic bacteria in wastewater treatment is to
decompose organic matter .
13. Anaerobic bacteria _____ live with O₂ present in the water for their metabolism.
A. Can
B. Cannot
C. Sometimes can
D. Prefer to
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anaerobic bacteria cannot live with oxygen present in the water for their
metabolism .
