NEBRASKA SOIL EVALUATOR
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATED THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED!!!
introduction
Welcome to this comprehensive practice question bank for the Nebraska Soil
Evaluator Examination. This resource is designed to help candidates prepare for
the certification exam administered by the Nebraska Department of Environment
and Energy (NDEE) under Title 124 of the Nebraska Administrative Code.
The questions cover all major content areas including soil science fundamentals,
site evaluation procedures, regulatory requirements, system design principles, and
professional standards. Each question includes four answer choices (A, B, C, D)
with a clear indication of the correct answer and a detailed rationale explaining
why that answer is correct.
1. Which of the following best defines a "Soil Evaluator" under Nebraska
regulations?
A) A registered environmental health specialist who performs soil tests for
agricultural purposes
B) A certified professional holding a certificate by examination or a hardship
certificate issued by the Department in the category of Soil Evaluator
C) Any individual who has completed a soil science course at an accredited
university
D) A professional engineer licensed in Nebraska who designs onsite
wastewater systems
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Title 124, Section 086, a "Soil Evaluator" is specifically defined
as a certified professional holding a certificate by examination or a hardship
certificate issued by the Department in the category of Soil Evaluator. This is the
regulatory definition that establishes who can legally perform soil evaluations for
onsite wastewater systems.
2. What is the primary regulatory framework governing soil evaluators in
Nebraska?
A) Title 117 of the Nebraska Administrative Code
B) Title 124 of the Nebraska Administrative Code
C) The Nebraska Soil Conservation Act
D) The Federal Clean Water Act
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Title 124 of the Nebraska Administrative Code contains the Rules and
Regulations for the Design, Operation and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater
Treatment Systems. This is the primary regulatory framework that governs soil
evaluators and their professional responsibilities.
3. Soil texture is defined as:
A) The arrangement of soil particles into aggregates
B) The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles
C) The soil's ability to transmit water
D) The nutrient-holding capacity of the soil
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Soil texture is a fundamental soil property that describes the relative
proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles. This classification is critical for
understanding water movement, treatment capacity, and system suitability for
onsite wastewater treatment.
, 4. Which of the following features provides evidence of periodic saturation and
seasonal water movement in the soil?
A) Soil structure
B) Soil texture
C) Redoximorphic features
D) Soil color alone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Redoximorphic features (such as mottling) indicate periods of reducing
conditions caused by water saturation. These features provide direct evidence of
seasonal high groundwater and periodic saturation.
5. When completing a site evaluation, professional judgment should be based
on:
A) Owner preference and cost considerations
B) Observed soil and site evidence, plus applicable standards
C) A standard template without site-specific adjustments
D) The most recent industry trends and innovations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Professional judgment in site evaluation must be grounded in observed
soil and site evidence while adhering to applicable standards and regulations. This
ensures that decisions are scientifically valid and compliant with Title 124
requirements.
6. What is the minimum septic tank size required for a four-bedroom home
under Nebraska regulations?
A) 500 gallons
B) 750 gallons
C) 1,000 gallons
D) 1,500 gallons
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nebraska regulations establish minimum design flows and septic tank
, sizes based on the number of bedrooms, with a 1,000-gallon tank being the
standard requirement for a four-bedroom home.
7. Which soil structure is most desirable for wastewater treatment and
infiltration?
A) Platy
B) Blocky
C) Granular
D) Prismatic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Granular soil structure provides excellent pore space, water infiltration,
and treatment capacity. This structure allows for proper wastewater movement
while maintaining adequate treatment of effluent before it reaches groundwater.
8. How should an installer address soil texture when installing a septic system?
A) Describe the relative amounts of sand, silt, and clay particles
B) Measure tank volume under the applicable requirements
C) Set property lines according to the site plan
D) Determine pump horsepower requirements
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Soil texture describes the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay
particles, which directly affects the soil's ability to treat and disperse wastewater.
This information is essential for proper system design.
9. What is the proper approach to site slope during soil treatment system
design?
A) Site slope has no effect on system selection
B) Slope affects layout, grading, and feasible distribution approaches
C) Slope determines the required tank capacity
D) Slope is only considered for aesthetic purposes
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATED THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED!!!
introduction
Welcome to this comprehensive practice question bank for the Nebraska Soil
Evaluator Examination. This resource is designed to help candidates prepare for
the certification exam administered by the Nebraska Department of Environment
and Energy (NDEE) under Title 124 of the Nebraska Administrative Code.
The questions cover all major content areas including soil science fundamentals,
site evaluation procedures, regulatory requirements, system design principles, and
professional standards. Each question includes four answer choices (A, B, C, D)
with a clear indication of the correct answer and a detailed rationale explaining
why that answer is correct.
1. Which of the following best defines a "Soil Evaluator" under Nebraska
regulations?
A) A registered environmental health specialist who performs soil tests for
agricultural purposes
B) A certified professional holding a certificate by examination or a hardship
certificate issued by the Department in the category of Soil Evaluator
C) Any individual who has completed a soil science course at an accredited
university
D) A professional engineer licensed in Nebraska who designs onsite
wastewater systems
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Title 124, Section 086, a "Soil Evaluator" is specifically defined
as a certified professional holding a certificate by examination or a hardship
certificate issued by the Department in the category of Soil Evaluator. This is the
regulatory definition that establishes who can legally perform soil evaluations for
onsite wastewater systems.
2. What is the primary regulatory framework governing soil evaluators in
Nebraska?
A) Title 117 of the Nebraska Administrative Code
B) Title 124 of the Nebraska Administrative Code
C) The Nebraska Soil Conservation Act
D) The Federal Clean Water Act
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Title 124 of the Nebraska Administrative Code contains the Rules and
Regulations for the Design, Operation and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater
Treatment Systems. This is the primary regulatory framework that governs soil
evaluators and their professional responsibilities.
3. Soil texture is defined as:
A) The arrangement of soil particles into aggregates
B) The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles
C) The soil's ability to transmit water
D) The nutrient-holding capacity of the soil
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Soil texture is a fundamental soil property that describes the relative
proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles. This classification is critical for
understanding water movement, treatment capacity, and system suitability for
onsite wastewater treatment.
, 4. Which of the following features provides evidence of periodic saturation and
seasonal water movement in the soil?
A) Soil structure
B) Soil texture
C) Redoximorphic features
D) Soil color alone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Redoximorphic features (such as mottling) indicate periods of reducing
conditions caused by water saturation. These features provide direct evidence of
seasonal high groundwater and periodic saturation.
5. When completing a site evaluation, professional judgment should be based
on:
A) Owner preference and cost considerations
B) Observed soil and site evidence, plus applicable standards
C) A standard template without site-specific adjustments
D) The most recent industry trends and innovations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Professional judgment in site evaluation must be grounded in observed
soil and site evidence while adhering to applicable standards and regulations. This
ensures that decisions are scientifically valid and compliant with Title 124
requirements.
6. What is the minimum septic tank size required for a four-bedroom home
under Nebraska regulations?
A) 500 gallons
B) 750 gallons
C) 1,000 gallons
D) 1,500 gallons
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nebraska regulations establish minimum design flows and septic tank
, sizes based on the number of bedrooms, with a 1,000-gallon tank being the
standard requirement for a four-bedroom home.
7. Which soil structure is most desirable for wastewater treatment and
infiltration?
A) Platy
B) Blocky
C) Granular
D) Prismatic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Granular soil structure provides excellent pore space, water infiltration,
and treatment capacity. This structure allows for proper wastewater movement
while maintaining adequate treatment of effluent before it reaches groundwater.
8. How should an installer address soil texture when installing a septic system?
A) Describe the relative amounts of sand, silt, and clay particles
B) Measure tank volume under the applicable requirements
C) Set property lines according to the site plan
D) Determine pump horsepower requirements
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Soil texture describes the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay
particles, which directly affects the soil's ability to treat and disperse wastewater.
This information is essential for proper system design.
9. What is the proper approach to site slope during soil treatment system
design?
A) Site slope has no effect on system selection
B) Slope affects layout, grading, and feasible distribution approaches
C) Slope determines the required tank capacity
D) Slope is only considered for aesthetic purposes
