🏊 Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Practice Questions
Pool Closure Criteria
1. What are 12 reasons a health inspector may close a pool?
o Pump/filter not working for more than an hour
o Main drain is not visible
o Chemical readings out of range
o No pool operator present (15-minute grace period)
o No lifeguard or CPR certifications present
o Water is below the skimmer line
o Danger to the public
o Chlorinator is not working
o Health inspector is not allowed in
o Bathrooms or drains not working
o Flow rate is too low
o No landline phone available
Water Testing & Recordkeeping
2. How often must a Certified Pool Operator test and record water
chemistry?
o Test chlorine (Cl) and pH every hour
o Test Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, and Cyanuric Acid once per
week
, o Maintain records on-site for at least 2 years; total retention for 3 years
Water Balance Factors
3. What are the five factors of water balance?
o pH
o Total Alkalinity
o Calcium Hardness
o Temperature
o Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
4. What is corrosive water, and what causes it?
o Water with low pH that dissolves materials it contacts
5. What is scaling water, and what causes it?
o Water with high pH leading to mineral deposits on surfaces
6. What is the regulated pH range for pool water?
o 7.2 to 7.8
7. Which chemical is used to test pH levels?
o Phenol Red
8. How can pH levels be adjusted?
o To lower pH: add muriatic acid
o To raise pH: add sodium carbonate (soda ash), sodium bisulfate, or
carbon dioxide
Pool Closure Criteria
1. What are 12 reasons a health inspector may close a pool?
o Pump/filter not working for more than an hour
o Main drain is not visible
o Chemical readings out of range
o No pool operator present (15-minute grace period)
o No lifeguard or CPR certifications present
o Water is below the skimmer line
o Danger to the public
o Chlorinator is not working
o Health inspector is not allowed in
o Bathrooms or drains not working
o Flow rate is too low
o No landline phone available
Water Testing & Recordkeeping
2. How often must a Certified Pool Operator test and record water
chemistry?
o Test chlorine (Cl) and pH every hour
o Test Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, and Cyanuric Acid once per
week
, o Maintain records on-site for at least 2 years; total retention for 3 years
Water Balance Factors
3. What are the five factors of water balance?
o pH
o Total Alkalinity
o Calcium Hardness
o Temperature
o Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
4. What is corrosive water, and what causes it?
o Water with low pH that dissolves materials it contacts
5. What is scaling water, and what causes it?
o Water with high pH leading to mineral deposits on surfaces
6. What is the regulated pH range for pool water?
o 7.2 to 7.8
7. Which chemical is used to test pH levels?
o Phenol Red
8. How can pH levels be adjusted?
o To lower pH: add muriatic acid
o To raise pH: add sodium carbonate (soda ash), sodium bisulfate, or
carbon dioxide
