MT CERTIFIED INSTALLERS TEST QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS | RATED A+
Give examples of alternative septic systems - CORRECT ANSWER -absorption beds, seepage pits,
elevated sand mounds, evapotranspiration beds.
What soils work best for treating septic system effluent? - CORRECT ANSWER -Sandy loam is
usually considered the ideal soil type for drainfields because it has enough fine soil particles to
react with and treat wastewater and yet it is coarse enough to retain its permeability.
Why is sewage a public concern? - CORRECT ANSWER -It contains bacteria, viruses, and
intestinal parasites that can cause disease.
What is primary treatment? What does it consist of? - CORRECT ANSWER -Primary treatment
refers to the septic tank itself; The tank separates solids from liquids and allows liquid effluent
to move to the drainfield. As solids sit in the tank, anaerobic organisms digest organic material.
How does soil help treat wastewater? - CORRECT ANSWER -Soil acts like a filter, trapping larger
particles while the rest of the liquid moves through the pores. It provides a surface for chemical
and biochemical reactions to happen. Most soil particles and organic matter are negatively
charged that attract positively charged contaminants of wastewater such as ammonia,
phosphorus, bacteria and viruses.
What is sandy loam comprised of? Why is it considered to be ideal for wastewater treatment? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Sandy loam is made of sand, silt, and clay. It is considered ideal because it
has enough fine soil particles to react with and treat wastewater and yet is course enough to
retain its permeability.
What is a cesspool? Why is a cesspool not suitable as the sole means of wastewater treatment?
- CORRECT ANSWER -A cesspool is a hole in the ground that:
-does not supply primary treatment
, -is located closer to groundwater
-does not facilitate aerobic breakdown of contaminants due to depth
What is the reserve volume in a dosage tank? - CORRECT ANSWER -25% of the design flow
(gallons per day)
What is the distance between the Alarm Float and the "On" float? - CORRECT ANSWER -3 inches
What is the significance of the volume between the "On" float and the "Off" float? - CORRECT
ANSWER -It is some fraction of the volume of effluent the drainfield receives per dose
(gallons/day)
What is the minimum setback distance from the septic tank to a well? - CORRECT ANSWER -50 ft
What is the minimum setback distance from the drainfield to a well? - CORRECT ANSWER -50 ft
What is the minimum setback distance from the drain field to property boundaries? - CORRECT
ANSWER -10 ft
What is the minimum setback distance from the septic tank to property boundaries? - CORRECT
ANSWER -10 ft
What is the minimum setback distance from the septic tank to the structure foundation? -
CORRECT ANSWER -10 ft
What is the minimum setback distance from the septic tank to the structure foundation? -
CORRECT ANSWER -10 ft
CORRECT ANSWERS | RATED A+
Give examples of alternative septic systems - CORRECT ANSWER -absorption beds, seepage pits,
elevated sand mounds, evapotranspiration beds.
What soils work best for treating septic system effluent? - CORRECT ANSWER -Sandy loam is
usually considered the ideal soil type for drainfields because it has enough fine soil particles to
react with and treat wastewater and yet it is coarse enough to retain its permeability.
Why is sewage a public concern? - CORRECT ANSWER -It contains bacteria, viruses, and
intestinal parasites that can cause disease.
What is primary treatment? What does it consist of? - CORRECT ANSWER -Primary treatment
refers to the septic tank itself; The tank separates solids from liquids and allows liquid effluent
to move to the drainfield. As solids sit in the tank, anaerobic organisms digest organic material.
How does soil help treat wastewater? - CORRECT ANSWER -Soil acts like a filter, trapping larger
particles while the rest of the liquid moves through the pores. It provides a surface for chemical
and biochemical reactions to happen. Most soil particles and organic matter are negatively
charged that attract positively charged contaminants of wastewater such as ammonia,
phosphorus, bacteria and viruses.
What is sandy loam comprised of? Why is it considered to be ideal for wastewater treatment? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Sandy loam is made of sand, silt, and clay. It is considered ideal because it
has enough fine soil particles to react with and treat wastewater and yet is course enough to
retain its permeability.
What is a cesspool? Why is a cesspool not suitable as the sole means of wastewater treatment?
- CORRECT ANSWER -A cesspool is a hole in the ground that:
-does not supply primary treatment
, -is located closer to groundwater
-does not facilitate aerobic breakdown of contaminants due to depth
What is the reserve volume in a dosage tank? - CORRECT ANSWER -25% of the design flow
(gallons per day)
What is the distance between the Alarm Float and the "On" float? - CORRECT ANSWER -3 inches
What is the significance of the volume between the "On" float and the "Off" float? - CORRECT
ANSWER -It is some fraction of the volume of effluent the drainfield receives per dose
(gallons/day)
What is the minimum setback distance from the septic tank to a well? - CORRECT ANSWER -50 ft
What is the minimum setback distance from the drainfield to a well? - CORRECT ANSWER -50 ft
What is the minimum setback distance from the drain field to property boundaries? - CORRECT
ANSWER -10 ft
What is the minimum setback distance from the septic tank to property boundaries? - CORRECT
ANSWER -10 ft
What is the minimum setback distance from the septic tank to the structure foundation? -
CORRECT ANSWER -10 ft
What is the minimum setback distance from the septic tank to the structure foundation? -
CORRECT ANSWER -10 ft
