OSSF Glossary – Questions With Complete Solutions
A subsurface leach field constructed with perforated pipe and gravel or other
porous media Right Ans - Absorptive Drainfield
A process whereby molecules or particles bind to a surface; in wastewater
treatment, particles, such as bacteria, bind to surface of soil particles and are
thereby filtered from the water. Right Ans - Adsorption
Bacteria that require free oxygen for their life processes Right Ans -
Aerobic bacteria
Bacteria that cannot live where dissolved oxygen is present Right Ans -
Anaerobic bacteria
An individual who has been properly registered with TCEQ and is undertaking
an on-the-job training program under the supervision of an installer who has
agreed to accept responsibility for the individual Right Ans - apprentice
Underground, porous, permeable, water- bearing, geologic formations
Right Ans - Aquifer
A confined aquifer that is overlaid by a layer of impervious material through
which it receives little or no recharge Right Ans - Artesian aquifer
Local government entity that is authorized by Texas commission on
environmental quality to implement and enforce the OSSF law and rules
Right Ans - Authorized agent
A sight taken with the level to a point of known origin Right Ans - Backsight
unicellular, prokaryotic microorganisms of diverse shapes and sizes Right
Ans - Bacteria
A fixed reference point or object, more or less permanent in character, the
elevation of which is known Right Ans - Bench mark
, The dissolved oxygen required to partially stabilize organic material
biologically and chemically at 20• C in 5 days Right Ans - Biochemical
Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Drilled holes greater than four feet in depth and eight to 36 inches or larger in
diameter that are usually filled with crushed stone and into which wastewater
is discharged Right Ans - Bore hole
The quantity of negative charges on the surface of soil particles that allow the
soil particles to attract positively charged ions (cations). It is an indication of
soil fertility for plant growth and is primarily determined by clay and organic
matter content Right Ans - Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
Pits constructed in permeable soil with sides that are curbed with open-
jointed material to the bottom of the pit that receives direct discharge of raw
wastewater Right Ans - Cesspool
OSHA describes a confined space as a work area with limited or restricted
means of entry or exit that is not designed for continuous employee
occupancy Right Ans - Confined space
Attributes of the soil expressed as the degree of cohesion and adhesion
between soil particles or in the resistance to deformation or rupture Right
Ans - Consistency
An individual who holds a DR certificate issued by TCEQ and is designated by
the authorized agent to enforce the OSSF laws and regulations within the
authorized agent's area of jurisdiction Right Ans - Designated
Representative (DR)
The part of the on-site sewage facility that releases the wastewater effluent
Right Ans - Disposal facility
Gaseous oxygen dissolved in an aqueous solution, such as wastewater
Right Ans - Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
A system used to dispose of wastewater effluent Right Ans - Drainfields
A subsurface leach field constructed with perforated pipe and gravel or other
porous media Right Ans - Absorptive Drainfield
A process whereby molecules or particles bind to a surface; in wastewater
treatment, particles, such as bacteria, bind to surface of soil particles and are
thereby filtered from the water. Right Ans - Adsorption
Bacteria that require free oxygen for their life processes Right Ans -
Aerobic bacteria
Bacteria that cannot live where dissolved oxygen is present Right Ans -
Anaerobic bacteria
An individual who has been properly registered with TCEQ and is undertaking
an on-the-job training program under the supervision of an installer who has
agreed to accept responsibility for the individual Right Ans - apprentice
Underground, porous, permeable, water- bearing, geologic formations
Right Ans - Aquifer
A confined aquifer that is overlaid by a layer of impervious material through
which it receives little or no recharge Right Ans - Artesian aquifer
Local government entity that is authorized by Texas commission on
environmental quality to implement and enforce the OSSF law and rules
Right Ans - Authorized agent
A sight taken with the level to a point of known origin Right Ans - Backsight
unicellular, prokaryotic microorganisms of diverse shapes and sizes Right
Ans - Bacteria
A fixed reference point or object, more or less permanent in character, the
elevation of which is known Right Ans - Bench mark
, The dissolved oxygen required to partially stabilize organic material
biologically and chemically at 20• C in 5 days Right Ans - Biochemical
Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Drilled holes greater than four feet in depth and eight to 36 inches or larger in
diameter that are usually filled with crushed stone and into which wastewater
is discharged Right Ans - Bore hole
The quantity of negative charges on the surface of soil particles that allow the
soil particles to attract positively charged ions (cations). It is an indication of
soil fertility for plant growth and is primarily determined by clay and organic
matter content Right Ans - Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
Pits constructed in permeable soil with sides that are curbed with open-
jointed material to the bottom of the pit that receives direct discharge of raw
wastewater Right Ans - Cesspool
OSHA describes a confined space as a work area with limited or restricted
means of entry or exit that is not designed for continuous employee
occupancy Right Ans - Confined space
Attributes of the soil expressed as the degree of cohesion and adhesion
between soil particles or in the resistance to deformation or rupture Right
Ans - Consistency
An individual who holds a DR certificate issued by TCEQ and is designated by
the authorized agent to enforce the OSSF laws and regulations within the
authorized agent's area of jurisdiction Right Ans - Designated
Representative (DR)
The part of the on-site sewage facility that releases the wastewater effluent
Right Ans - Disposal facility
Gaseous oxygen dissolved in an aqueous solution, such as wastewater
Right Ans - Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
A system used to dispose of wastewater effluent Right Ans - Drainfields
