FLORIDA SEPTIC TANK CONTRACTOR EXAMINATION
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
1.
What is the primary purpose of an onsite sewage treatment and
disposal system (OSTDS)?
A. To provide drinking water
B. To treat and dispose of wastewater generated on the property
C. To increase groundwater levels
D. To replace municipal electrical systems
Answer: B
Rationale: An OSTDS is designed to receive, treat, and dispose of
wastewater safely when centralized sewer service is unavailable.
2.
Which Florida agency currently has primary responsibility for enforcing
OSTDS laws and rules?
A. Department of Transportation
B. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
C. Department of Environmental Protection
D. Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Answer: C
,Rationale: Florida DEP has been responsible for enforcing OSTDS laws
and rules since July 1, 2021.
3.
Beginning January 2, 2025, which agency manages septic-system
permitting in the specified group of 16 Florida counties?
A. Florida Building Commission
B. Florida Department of Environmental Protection
C. Department of Transportation
D. Environmental Protection Agency
Answer: B
Rationale: DEP assumed septic permitting responsibilities in sixteen
specified counties beginning January 2, 2025.
4.
What is the principal function of a septic tank?
A. Complete elimination of all wastewater contaminants
B. Primary treatment and separation of solids and liquids
C. Increasing wastewater flow velocity
D. Disinfecting all wastewater completely
Answer: B
Rationale: A septic tank provides primary treatment by allowing solids
to settle and floatable materials to separate from wastewater.
,5.
What happens to heavier solids inside a properly functioning septic
tank?
A. They float to the surface
B. They evaporate
C. They settle and form sludge
D. They immediately enter the drainfield
Answer: C
Rationale: Dense solids settle toward the bottom and accumulate as
sludge, which eventually requires removal through proper
maintenance.
6.
What is the primary concern when installing a drainfield?
A. Maximizing vehicle access
B. Providing suitable soil conditions for wastewater treatment and
disposal
C. Keeping the area permanently saturated
D. Placing it directly beneath buildings
Answer: B
Rationale: Drainfields depend on appropriate soil characteristics,
separation distances, and hydraulic conditions for effective treatment.
, 7.
Which soil characteristic is especially important when evaluating a
proposed drainfield?
A. Soil color only
B. Soil texture and permeability characteristics
C. Amount of surface grass
D. Number of nearby trees
Answer: B
Rationale: Soil texture and related hydraulic characteristics strongly
influence wastewater movement and treatment capacity.
8.
Which organization developed the soil-texture classification system
referenced in Florida septic contractor requirements?
A. USDA
B. OSHA
C. FEMA
D. DOT
Answer: A
Rationale: Florida requirements specifically reference the United States
Department of Agriculture soil-texture classification system.
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
1.
What is the primary purpose of an onsite sewage treatment and
disposal system (OSTDS)?
A. To provide drinking water
B. To treat and dispose of wastewater generated on the property
C. To increase groundwater levels
D. To replace municipal electrical systems
Answer: B
Rationale: An OSTDS is designed to receive, treat, and dispose of
wastewater safely when centralized sewer service is unavailable.
2.
Which Florida agency currently has primary responsibility for enforcing
OSTDS laws and rules?
A. Department of Transportation
B. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
C. Department of Environmental Protection
D. Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Answer: C
,Rationale: Florida DEP has been responsible for enforcing OSTDS laws
and rules since July 1, 2021.
3.
Beginning January 2, 2025, which agency manages septic-system
permitting in the specified group of 16 Florida counties?
A. Florida Building Commission
B. Florida Department of Environmental Protection
C. Department of Transportation
D. Environmental Protection Agency
Answer: B
Rationale: DEP assumed septic permitting responsibilities in sixteen
specified counties beginning January 2, 2025.
4.
What is the principal function of a septic tank?
A. Complete elimination of all wastewater contaminants
B. Primary treatment and separation of solids and liquids
C. Increasing wastewater flow velocity
D. Disinfecting all wastewater completely
Answer: B
Rationale: A septic tank provides primary treatment by allowing solids
to settle and floatable materials to separate from wastewater.
,5.
What happens to heavier solids inside a properly functioning septic
tank?
A. They float to the surface
B. They evaporate
C. They settle and form sludge
D. They immediately enter the drainfield
Answer: C
Rationale: Dense solids settle toward the bottom and accumulate as
sludge, which eventually requires removal through proper
maintenance.
6.
What is the primary concern when installing a drainfield?
A. Maximizing vehicle access
B. Providing suitable soil conditions for wastewater treatment and
disposal
C. Keeping the area permanently saturated
D. Placing it directly beneath buildings
Answer: B
Rationale: Drainfields depend on appropriate soil characteristics,
separation distances, and hydraulic conditions for effective treatment.
, 7.
Which soil characteristic is especially important when evaluating a
proposed drainfield?
A. Soil color only
B. Soil texture and permeability characteristics
C. Amount of surface grass
D. Number of nearby trees
Answer: B
Rationale: Soil texture and related hydraulic characteristics strongly
influence wastewater movement and treatment capacity.
8.
Which organization developed the soil-texture classification system
referenced in Florida septic contractor requirements?
A. USDA
B. OSHA
C. FEMA
D. DOT
Answer: A
Rationale: Florida requirements specifically reference the United States
Department of Agriculture soil-texture classification system.
