Page 1 of 174
TCEQ Class B Surface Water Operator Exam
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS JUST
RELEASED
TCEQ Class B Surface Water Operator Exam
10 POINT FORM EXAM COVERAGE AREAS (MOSTLY TESTED)
1. Advanced Treatment Processes - Diagnosis and correction of complex problems in coagulation,
flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration; jar test interpretation; optimizing chemical dosages
2. Filtration Systems - Rapid sand and multimedia filter operations; backwash initiation (6-10 feet head
loss or ~100 hours run time); filter rates (2-4 GPM/ft² normal, 16 GPM/ft² for backwash); filter media
layers
3. Disinfection and Chlorination - Chlorine dosage (Dosage = Demand + Residual); breakpoint
chlorination; CT values and log inactivation requirements (Cryptosporidium: 2-log, Giardia: 3-log,
Viruses: 4-log); chloramination and DBP formation (THMs, HAAs)
4. Reservoir Management - Problems associated with thermal stratification and how to correct them;
source water protection
5. Laboratory Analysis and Process Control - Performing and interpreting basic chemical lab analyses;
making proper adjustments to treatment processes based on lab results
6. Pumps and Hydraulics - Pump types (centrifugal most common); cavitation causes (insufficient NPSH);
head terms (static, friction, total dynamic head); water horsepower calculations
7. Distribution System Operations - Diagnosing and correcting complex problems; minimum pressure
(≥35 psi normal, ≥20 psi emergency); leak detection; cross-connection control
8. Regulations and Compliance - Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) standards: chemical, bacteriological,
radiological, physical; TCEQ Chapter 290; MCLs (Lead: 0.015 mg/L, Copper: 1.3 mg/L action level; Nitrate:
10 mg/L)
, Page 2 of 174
9. Turbidity Standards - Combined filter effluent (CFE) <0.3 NTU in ≥95% of monthly samples; never
exceed 1 NTU; individual filter limit 1.0 NTU (take out of service immediately if exceeded)
10. System Requirements - Surface water systems up to 1,000 connections need a Class B operator;
plants can skip on-site operator only with continuous monitors + automatic shutdown/alarms
1. What is the minimum passing score required for the TCEQ Class B Surface Water Operator
examination?
A. 60 percent
B. 65 percent
C. 70 percent
D. 75 percent
Answer: C - All TCEQ occupational licenses require passing the applicable exam with a minimum score of
70 percent .
---
, Page 3 of 174
2. What is the time limit for completing the Class B Surface Water Operator computer-based
examination?
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 3 hours
D. 4 hours
Answer: C - The Class B Surface Water Operator exam has a three-hour time limit unless otherwise
noted .
---
3. What is the application and exam fee for a TCEQ water operator license?
A. $50
B. $75
, Page 4 of 174
C. $100
D. $111
Answer: D - The application fee for a TCEQ water operator license is $111 .
---
4. How many years of experience are required for a Class B Surface Water license with a high school
diploma or GED?
A. 2 years
B. 2.5 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: B - A Class B Surface Water license requires 2.5 years of experience with a high school diploma
or GED .
TCEQ Class B Surface Water Operator Exam
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS JUST
RELEASED
TCEQ Class B Surface Water Operator Exam
10 POINT FORM EXAM COVERAGE AREAS (MOSTLY TESTED)
1. Advanced Treatment Processes - Diagnosis and correction of complex problems in coagulation,
flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration; jar test interpretation; optimizing chemical dosages
2. Filtration Systems - Rapid sand and multimedia filter operations; backwash initiation (6-10 feet head
loss or ~100 hours run time); filter rates (2-4 GPM/ft² normal, 16 GPM/ft² for backwash); filter media
layers
3. Disinfection and Chlorination - Chlorine dosage (Dosage = Demand + Residual); breakpoint
chlorination; CT values and log inactivation requirements (Cryptosporidium: 2-log, Giardia: 3-log,
Viruses: 4-log); chloramination and DBP formation (THMs, HAAs)
4. Reservoir Management - Problems associated with thermal stratification and how to correct them;
source water protection
5. Laboratory Analysis and Process Control - Performing and interpreting basic chemical lab analyses;
making proper adjustments to treatment processes based on lab results
6. Pumps and Hydraulics - Pump types (centrifugal most common); cavitation causes (insufficient NPSH);
head terms (static, friction, total dynamic head); water horsepower calculations
7. Distribution System Operations - Diagnosing and correcting complex problems; minimum pressure
(≥35 psi normal, ≥20 psi emergency); leak detection; cross-connection control
8. Regulations and Compliance - Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) standards: chemical, bacteriological,
radiological, physical; TCEQ Chapter 290; MCLs (Lead: 0.015 mg/L, Copper: 1.3 mg/L action level; Nitrate:
10 mg/L)
, Page 2 of 174
9. Turbidity Standards - Combined filter effluent (CFE) <0.3 NTU in ≥95% of monthly samples; never
exceed 1 NTU; individual filter limit 1.0 NTU (take out of service immediately if exceeded)
10. System Requirements - Surface water systems up to 1,000 connections need a Class B operator;
plants can skip on-site operator only with continuous monitors + automatic shutdown/alarms
1. What is the minimum passing score required for the TCEQ Class B Surface Water Operator
examination?
A. 60 percent
B. 65 percent
C. 70 percent
D. 75 percent
Answer: C - All TCEQ occupational licenses require passing the applicable exam with a minimum score of
70 percent .
---
, Page 3 of 174
2. What is the time limit for completing the Class B Surface Water Operator computer-based
examination?
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 3 hours
D. 4 hours
Answer: C - The Class B Surface Water Operator exam has a three-hour time limit unless otherwise
noted .
---
3. What is the application and exam fee for a TCEQ water operator license?
A. $50
B. $75
, Page 4 of 174
C. $100
D. $111
Answer: D - The application fee for a TCEQ water operator license is $111 .
---
4. How many years of experience are required for a Class B Surface Water license with a high school
diploma or GED?
A. 2 years
B. 2.5 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: B - A Class B Surface Water license requires 2.5 years of experience with a high school diploma
or GED .
