Florida (FL) Septic Tank Contractor Practice Exam
400
400 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Florida (FL) Septic Tank Contractor Practice Exam 400
,Q1
Which agency currently has primary regulatory authority over onsite sewage treatment and
disposal systems (OSTDS) in Florida?
A) Florida Department of Health (DOH)
B) Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) CORRECT
C) Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
D) Florida Water Management Districts
Rationale
The regulatory authority for OSTDS was transferred from the DOH to the DEP, making DEP the lead
agency for septic system regulation in Florida under Chapter 62-6 of the Florida Administrative Code.
Q2
What is the primary function of a septic tank?
A) Filter water
B) Store rainwater
C) Separate solids from wastewater CORRECT
D) Disinfect sewage
Rationale
The septic tank's main job is a settling chamber. Heavy solids sink to the bottom to form sludge, while
lighter materials like grease and oils float to the top as scum, allowing clarified wastewater to flow out to
the drainfield.
Q3
What is the minimum setback distance for a septic tank from a private potable well?
A) 50 feet
B) 75 feet CORRECT
C) 100 feet
D) 25 feet
2
,Rationale
62-6.005(1)(a), FAC, requires a 75-foot minimum separation to prevent well contamination.
Q4
What is the minimum required separation distance between a conventional OSTDS drainfield and
a private potable water well?
A) 50 feet
B) 75 feet CORRECT
C) 100 feet
D) 200 feet
Rationale
Florida administrative rules mandate a minimum horizontal separation distance of 75 feet between a
private potable water well and any OSTDS treatment tank or drainfield to mitigate the risk of biological
and chemical contamination of drinking water.
Q5
What is the minimum setback from a septic tank to a property line?
A) 2 feet
B) 5 feet CORRECT
C) 10 feet
D) 15 feet
Rationale
62-6 requirements specify a 5-foot setback from the system to property lines.
Q6
What is the minimum horizontal distance required from an OSTDS treatment tank to the property
line?
A) 5 feet CORRECT
3
, B) 10 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 25 feet
Rationale
Chapter 64E-6, F.A.C., specifies that the minimum horizontal setback between any part of an OSTDS
treatment tank or drainfield and a property boundary line is 5 feet.
Q7
A standard septic tank must be divided into how many compartments?
A) One
B) At least two CORRECT
C) At least three
D) Four
Rationale
To ensure proper solids separation, Florida code requires a multi-compartment tank (usually 2/3 and 1/3
split).
Q8
What layer forms at the bottom of a septic tank?
A) Effluent
B) Scum
C) Sludge CORRECT
D) Foam
Rationale
Sludge is the layer of heavy, inorganic solids and the byproducts of bacterial digestion that settle at the
very bottom of the tank.
4
400
400 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Florida (FL) Septic Tank Contractor Practice Exam 400
,Q1
Which agency currently has primary regulatory authority over onsite sewage treatment and
disposal systems (OSTDS) in Florida?
A) Florida Department of Health (DOH)
B) Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) CORRECT
C) Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
D) Florida Water Management Districts
Rationale
The regulatory authority for OSTDS was transferred from the DOH to the DEP, making DEP the lead
agency for septic system regulation in Florida under Chapter 62-6 of the Florida Administrative Code.
Q2
What is the primary function of a septic tank?
A) Filter water
B) Store rainwater
C) Separate solids from wastewater CORRECT
D) Disinfect sewage
Rationale
The septic tank's main job is a settling chamber. Heavy solids sink to the bottom to form sludge, while
lighter materials like grease and oils float to the top as scum, allowing clarified wastewater to flow out to
the drainfield.
Q3
What is the minimum setback distance for a septic tank from a private potable well?
A) 50 feet
B) 75 feet CORRECT
C) 100 feet
D) 25 feet
2
,Rationale
62-6.005(1)(a), FAC, requires a 75-foot minimum separation to prevent well contamination.
Q4
What is the minimum required separation distance between a conventional OSTDS drainfield and
a private potable water well?
A) 50 feet
B) 75 feet CORRECT
C) 100 feet
D) 200 feet
Rationale
Florida administrative rules mandate a minimum horizontal separation distance of 75 feet between a
private potable water well and any OSTDS treatment tank or drainfield to mitigate the risk of biological
and chemical contamination of drinking water.
Q5
What is the minimum setback from a septic tank to a property line?
A) 2 feet
B) 5 feet CORRECT
C) 10 feet
D) 15 feet
Rationale
62-6 requirements specify a 5-foot setback from the system to property lines.
Q6
What is the minimum horizontal distance required from an OSTDS treatment tank to the property
line?
A) 5 feet CORRECT
3
, B) 10 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 25 feet
Rationale
Chapter 64E-6, F.A.C., specifies that the minimum horizontal setback between any part of an OSTDS
treatment tank or drainfield and a property boundary line is 5 feet.
Q7
A standard septic tank must be divided into how many compartments?
A) One
B) At least two CORRECT
C) At least three
D) Four
Rationale
To ensure proper solids separation, Florida code requires a multi-compartment tank (usually 2/3 and 1/3
split).
Q8
What layer forms at the bottom of a septic tank?
A) Effluent
B) Scum
C) Sludge CORRECT
D) Foam
Rationale
Sludge is the layer of heavy, inorganic solids and the byproducts of bacterial digestion that settle at the
very bottom of the tank.
4
