California Branch 3 Water Treatment Plant Operator Exam - 100 Questions AND
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADE A
1. What is the minimum education requirement for a California Branch 3 Operator?
A) High school diploma or GED
B) Associate's degree in water technology
C) Bachelor's degree in science
D) No formal education requirement
**ANSWER: A**
2. Which agency administers water treatment operator certification in California?
A) California Department of Public Health
B) California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
C) Division of Drinking Water (DDW)
D) Both B and C
**ANSWER: D**
**EXPLANATION:** The Division of Drinking Water (DDW) under the State Water Resources
Control Board administers operator certification.
3. What is the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) in
California?
A) 0.060 mg/L
B) 0.080 mg/L
C) 0.100 mg/L
D) 0.120 mg/L
**ANSWER: B**
,4. According to California Title 22, what is the maximum allowable turbidity for filtered
water?
A) 0.1 NTU
B) 0.3 NTU
C) 0.5 NTU
D) 1.0 NTU
**ANSWER: A**
5. What is the required minimum free chlorine residual in the distribution system?
A) 0.2 mg/L
B) 0.5 mg/L
C) 1.0 mg/L
D) 2.0 mg/L
**ANSWER: A**
6. The Surface Water Treatment Rule requires what log removal/inactivation of viruses?
A) 2-log
B) 3-log
C) 4-log
D) 5-log
**ANSWER: C**
7. What is the optimal pH range for coagulation with aluminum sulfate (alum)?
A) 5.5-6.5
B) 6.5-7.5
C) 7.5-8.5
, D) 8.5-9.5
**ANSWER: A**
8. The maximum allowable lead concentration at consumer taps is:
A) 0.005 mg/L
B) 0.010 mg/L
C) 0.015 mg/L
D) 0.020 mg/L
**ANSWER: C**
9. According to California regulations, what is the minimum contact time for chlorine
disinfection at 0.5 mg/L residual?
A) 15 minutes
B) 30 minutes
C) 45 minutes
D) 60 minutes
**ANSWER: C**
10. What is the typical detention time in conventional sedimentation basins?
A) 1-2 hours
B) 2-4 hours
C) 4-6 hours
D) 6-8 hours
**ANSWER: B**
11. The maximum contaminant level for arsenic in drinking water is:
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADE A
1. What is the minimum education requirement for a California Branch 3 Operator?
A) High school diploma or GED
B) Associate's degree in water technology
C) Bachelor's degree in science
D) No formal education requirement
**ANSWER: A**
2. Which agency administers water treatment operator certification in California?
A) California Department of Public Health
B) California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
C) Division of Drinking Water (DDW)
D) Both B and C
**ANSWER: D**
**EXPLANATION:** The Division of Drinking Water (DDW) under the State Water Resources
Control Board administers operator certification.
3. What is the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) in
California?
A) 0.060 mg/L
B) 0.080 mg/L
C) 0.100 mg/L
D) 0.120 mg/L
**ANSWER: B**
,4. According to California Title 22, what is the maximum allowable turbidity for filtered
water?
A) 0.1 NTU
B) 0.3 NTU
C) 0.5 NTU
D) 1.0 NTU
**ANSWER: A**
5. What is the required minimum free chlorine residual in the distribution system?
A) 0.2 mg/L
B) 0.5 mg/L
C) 1.0 mg/L
D) 2.0 mg/L
**ANSWER: A**
6. The Surface Water Treatment Rule requires what log removal/inactivation of viruses?
A) 2-log
B) 3-log
C) 4-log
D) 5-log
**ANSWER: C**
7. What is the optimal pH range for coagulation with aluminum sulfate (alum)?
A) 5.5-6.5
B) 6.5-7.5
C) 7.5-8.5
, D) 8.5-9.5
**ANSWER: A**
8. The maximum allowable lead concentration at consumer taps is:
A) 0.005 mg/L
B) 0.010 mg/L
C) 0.015 mg/L
D) 0.020 mg/L
**ANSWER: C**
9. According to California regulations, what is the minimum contact time for chlorine
disinfection at 0.5 mg/L residual?
A) 15 minutes
B) 30 minutes
C) 45 minutes
D) 60 minutes
**ANSWER: C**
10. What is the typical detention time in conventional sedimentation basins?
A) 1-2 hours
B) 2-4 hours
C) 4-6 hours
D) 6-8 hours
**ANSWER: B**
11. The maximum contaminant level for arsenic in drinking water is:
