KENTUCKY CERTIFIED SEPTIC SYSTEM
INSTALLER EXAM ACTUAL PREP QUESTIONS
AND WELL REVISED ANSWERS - LATEST AND
COMPLETE UPDATE WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS – ASSURED PASS –
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE ASSESSMENT
1. A property owner in Kentucky wants to install a septic system on a 1-acre
lot. Which is the primary factor that determines the allowable system type?
A. Proximity to the nearest fire hydrant
B. Soil percolation rate and depth to seasonal high groundwater
C. Size of the driveway
D. Age of the home
Rationale: The soil percolation rate and depth to seasonal high groundwater are
the most critical factors for determining which type of septic system is suitable
for a specific site according to Kentucky regulations.
2. Which component of a septic system is responsible for removing solids
from wastewater before it enters the soil absorption field?
A. Distribution box
B. Soil absorption system
C. Septic tank
D. Effluent filter
Rationale: The septic tank separates solids from liquid wastewater, allowing
solids to settle and begin anaerobic digestion.
, 3. Kentucky regulations require a minimum vertical separation between the
bottom of the soil absorption system and seasonal high groundwater for
conventional gravity systems. What is this distance?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 24 inches
D. 36 inches
Rationale: A 24-inch vertical separation ensures adequate treatment of effluent
by the native soil before reaching groundwater.
4. During a site evaluation, the percolation test shows a rate of 20 minutes per
inch. Which soil absorption system is most appropriate?
A. Shallow trench
B. Conventional trench
C. Sand mound
D. Drip distribution
Rationale: A percolation rate of 20 min/in is within the acceptable range for
conventional gravity systems in Kentucky.
5. A homeowner wants to use a septic system for a house with 6 bedrooms.
What design factor must be calculated first?
A. Number of bathrooms
B. Daily design flow in gallons per day
C. Lot frontage
D. Soil texture
,Rationale: The daily design flow, often based on bedrooms, determines tank size
and soil absorption system dimensions.
6. Which of the following is considered an improper use of a septic system?
A. Flushing human waste and toilet paper
B. Discharging laundry graywater
C. Using low-sudsing detergents
D. Disposing of solvents and paints
Rationale: Solvents and paints can kill the septic tank’s microbial population
and contaminate groundwater.
7. Which is the most critical factor in determining whether a mound system is
required?
A. Slope of the lot
B. Shallow soil depth or high water table
C. Availability of electricity
D. Proximity to roads
Rationale: Mound systems are used when soil depth over restrictive layers is
insufficient for proper effluent treatment.
8. A septic installer observes that the effluent in a tank is unusually clear, with
very little scum or sludge. This may indicate:
A. Normal system operation
B. Recent heavy water usage diluting the solids
C. Pump failure
D. Soil clogging
, Rationale: Excessive water use can temporarily reduce solids accumulation,
making the effluent appear unusually clear.
9. Which of the following practices reduces the risk of soil clogging in a
septic system?
A. Installing garbage disposals
B. Frequent use of bleach
C. Regular pumping of the septic tank
D. Planting trees near the absorption field
Rationale: Regular pumping prevents solids from entering the absorption field
and forming a biomat that can cause clogging.
10.A Kentucky septic system installer must keep records of system installation
for how many years?
A. 1 year
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Rationale: State regulations require records of installation, including site
evaluations and system specifications, to be retained for at least five years.
11.Which method is approved for soil texture evaluation at a septic system
site?
A. Chemical testing of effluent
B. Textural hand analysis (feel method)
C. Measuring soil color only
D. Using GPS coordinates
INSTALLER EXAM ACTUAL PREP QUESTIONS
AND WELL REVISED ANSWERS - LATEST AND
COMPLETE UPDATE WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS – ASSURED PASS –
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE ASSESSMENT
1. A property owner in Kentucky wants to install a septic system on a 1-acre
lot. Which is the primary factor that determines the allowable system type?
A. Proximity to the nearest fire hydrant
B. Soil percolation rate and depth to seasonal high groundwater
C. Size of the driveway
D. Age of the home
Rationale: The soil percolation rate and depth to seasonal high groundwater are
the most critical factors for determining which type of septic system is suitable
for a specific site according to Kentucky regulations.
2. Which component of a septic system is responsible for removing solids
from wastewater before it enters the soil absorption field?
A. Distribution box
B. Soil absorption system
C. Septic tank
D. Effluent filter
Rationale: The septic tank separates solids from liquid wastewater, allowing
solids to settle and begin anaerobic digestion.
, 3. Kentucky regulations require a minimum vertical separation between the
bottom of the soil absorption system and seasonal high groundwater for
conventional gravity systems. What is this distance?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 24 inches
D. 36 inches
Rationale: A 24-inch vertical separation ensures adequate treatment of effluent
by the native soil before reaching groundwater.
4. During a site evaluation, the percolation test shows a rate of 20 minutes per
inch. Which soil absorption system is most appropriate?
A. Shallow trench
B. Conventional trench
C. Sand mound
D. Drip distribution
Rationale: A percolation rate of 20 min/in is within the acceptable range for
conventional gravity systems in Kentucky.
5. A homeowner wants to use a septic system for a house with 6 bedrooms.
What design factor must be calculated first?
A. Number of bathrooms
B. Daily design flow in gallons per day
C. Lot frontage
D. Soil texture
,Rationale: The daily design flow, often based on bedrooms, determines tank size
and soil absorption system dimensions.
6. Which of the following is considered an improper use of a septic system?
A. Flushing human waste and toilet paper
B. Discharging laundry graywater
C. Using low-sudsing detergents
D. Disposing of solvents and paints
Rationale: Solvents and paints can kill the septic tank’s microbial population
and contaminate groundwater.
7. Which is the most critical factor in determining whether a mound system is
required?
A. Slope of the lot
B. Shallow soil depth or high water table
C. Availability of electricity
D. Proximity to roads
Rationale: Mound systems are used when soil depth over restrictive layers is
insufficient for proper effluent treatment.
8. A septic installer observes that the effluent in a tank is unusually clear, with
very little scum or sludge. This may indicate:
A. Normal system operation
B. Recent heavy water usage diluting the solids
C. Pump failure
D. Soil clogging
, Rationale: Excessive water use can temporarily reduce solids accumulation,
making the effluent appear unusually clear.
9. Which of the following practices reduces the risk of soil clogging in a
septic system?
A. Installing garbage disposals
B. Frequent use of bleach
C. Regular pumping of the septic tank
D. Planting trees near the absorption field
Rationale: Regular pumping prevents solids from entering the absorption field
and forming a biomat that can cause clogging.
10.A Kentucky septic system installer must keep records of system installation
for how many years?
A. 1 year
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Rationale: State regulations require records of installation, including site
evaluations and system specifications, to be retained for at least five years.
11.Which method is approved for soil texture evaluation at a septic system
site?
A. Chemical testing of effluent
B. Textural hand analysis (feel method)
C. Measuring soil color only
D. Using GPS coordinates
