TCEQ Wastewater (Class D)
License Prep questions
with correct answers
Hydrologic Cycle - CORRECT ANSWERSThe natural exchange of water between the
earth and the air.
,Evaporation - CORRECT ANSWERSCauses surface water to enter the atmosphere
and begin the Hydrologic Cycle.
Precipitation - CORRECT ANSWERSRain or snow falling from clouds.
Condensation - CORRECT ANSWERSWhat causes water vapor to form clouds.
Groundwater sources - CORRECT ANSWERSGenerally better protected from
contamination than surface water sources.
Wastewater systems - CORRECT ANSWERSThe goal is to properly collect, transport,
and treat both domestic and industrial wastewater prior to discharge into the
environment.
Point-Source - CORRECT ANSWERSWastewater entering surface water at a specific
point from a specific source.
Non-Point-Source - CORRECT ANSWERSContaminated water that enters surface
water intermittently.
Wastewater treatment plant operator's knowledge - CORRECT ANSWERSA key
determining factor whether or not the plant can meet its discharge permit requirements.
Wastewater treatment plants in Texas - CORRECT ANSWERSRequired to be operated
by licensed operators.
Clean Water Act of 1972 - CORRECT ANSWERSThe major piece of national legislation
that governs wastewater treatment.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) - CORRECT ANSWERSControls
the wastewater regulations in Texas.
Local governments - CORRECT ANSWERSHave the authority to inspect water quality
within their jurisdictional boundaries and ensure wastewater treatment facilities are
meeting their permit requirements.
Combined Sewer - CORRECT ANSWERSA sewer designed to carry both sanitary
wastewaters and storm or surface water runoff.
Infiltration - CORRECT ANSWERSThe seepage of groundwater into a sewer system,
including service connections.
Inflow - CORRECT ANSWERSWater directly entering the sewer system by
unauthorized connections or poorly sealed manhole covers.
, Domestic Waste - CORRECT ANSWERSWastewater originating from residential
households.
Commercial Waste - CORRECT ANSWERSWastewater originating from commercial
establishments such as office buildings, retail stores and warehouses.
Industrial Waste - CORRECT ANSWERSWastewater originating from industrial sources
that may contain byproducts of the industrial process and intermediate waste products.
Physical Characteristics - CORRECT ANSWERSThe physical characteristics of
wastewater are quantified by measuring the temperature, color, odor and turbidity of the
waste stream.
Biological Characteristics - CORRECT ANSWERSThe biological characteristics of
wastewater are quantified by measuring the biochemical oxygen demand, coliform
bacteria density and by microscopic examination of the mixed liquor.
Chemical Characteristics - CORRECT ANSWERSThe chemical characteristics of
wastewater are quantified by measuring alkalinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH,
oxidation-reduction potential and the chemical oxygen demand concentrations of the
wastewater.
Solids - CORRECT ANSWERSThe various forms of solids contained in wastewater
include total solids, suspended solids, volatile solids and dissolved solids.
NPDES - CORRECT ANSWERSNational Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. The
NPDES permitting system is designed to control all point source discharges of
pollutants into waterways of the United States.
Infiltration (alternative definition) - CORRECT ANSWERSGroundwater entering the
collection system through leaking joints, cracks, or holes in system pipes.
Inflow (alternative definition) - CORRECT ANSWERSThe result of surface runoff
entering through leaking manhole covers, or illegal roof, gutter and sump pump
connections to the collection system.
Biological activity and water temperature - CORRECT ANSWERSWarmer water
temperatures will result in increased biological activity in a collection system.
Hydrogen sulfide - CORRECT ANSWERSA dangerous byproduct of organic material
decomposition that increases with biological activity.
COD - CORRECT ANSWERSChemical Oxygen Demand, typically ranging between
200 and 600 mg/L in raw wastewater.
License Prep questions
with correct answers
Hydrologic Cycle - CORRECT ANSWERSThe natural exchange of water between the
earth and the air.
,Evaporation - CORRECT ANSWERSCauses surface water to enter the atmosphere
and begin the Hydrologic Cycle.
Precipitation - CORRECT ANSWERSRain or snow falling from clouds.
Condensation - CORRECT ANSWERSWhat causes water vapor to form clouds.
Groundwater sources - CORRECT ANSWERSGenerally better protected from
contamination than surface water sources.
Wastewater systems - CORRECT ANSWERSThe goal is to properly collect, transport,
and treat both domestic and industrial wastewater prior to discharge into the
environment.
Point-Source - CORRECT ANSWERSWastewater entering surface water at a specific
point from a specific source.
Non-Point-Source - CORRECT ANSWERSContaminated water that enters surface
water intermittently.
Wastewater treatment plant operator's knowledge - CORRECT ANSWERSA key
determining factor whether or not the plant can meet its discharge permit requirements.
Wastewater treatment plants in Texas - CORRECT ANSWERSRequired to be operated
by licensed operators.
Clean Water Act of 1972 - CORRECT ANSWERSThe major piece of national legislation
that governs wastewater treatment.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) - CORRECT ANSWERSControls
the wastewater regulations in Texas.
Local governments - CORRECT ANSWERSHave the authority to inspect water quality
within their jurisdictional boundaries and ensure wastewater treatment facilities are
meeting their permit requirements.
Combined Sewer - CORRECT ANSWERSA sewer designed to carry both sanitary
wastewaters and storm or surface water runoff.
Infiltration - CORRECT ANSWERSThe seepage of groundwater into a sewer system,
including service connections.
Inflow - CORRECT ANSWERSWater directly entering the sewer system by
unauthorized connections or poorly sealed manhole covers.
, Domestic Waste - CORRECT ANSWERSWastewater originating from residential
households.
Commercial Waste - CORRECT ANSWERSWastewater originating from commercial
establishments such as office buildings, retail stores and warehouses.
Industrial Waste - CORRECT ANSWERSWastewater originating from industrial sources
that may contain byproducts of the industrial process and intermediate waste products.
Physical Characteristics - CORRECT ANSWERSThe physical characteristics of
wastewater are quantified by measuring the temperature, color, odor and turbidity of the
waste stream.
Biological Characteristics - CORRECT ANSWERSThe biological characteristics of
wastewater are quantified by measuring the biochemical oxygen demand, coliform
bacteria density and by microscopic examination of the mixed liquor.
Chemical Characteristics - CORRECT ANSWERSThe chemical characteristics of
wastewater are quantified by measuring alkalinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH,
oxidation-reduction potential and the chemical oxygen demand concentrations of the
wastewater.
Solids - CORRECT ANSWERSThe various forms of solids contained in wastewater
include total solids, suspended solids, volatile solids and dissolved solids.
NPDES - CORRECT ANSWERSNational Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. The
NPDES permitting system is designed to control all point source discharges of
pollutants into waterways of the United States.
Infiltration (alternative definition) - CORRECT ANSWERSGroundwater entering the
collection system through leaking joints, cracks, or holes in system pipes.
Inflow (alternative definition) - CORRECT ANSWERSThe result of surface runoff
entering through leaking manhole covers, or illegal roof, gutter and sump pump
connections to the collection system.
Biological activity and water temperature - CORRECT ANSWERSWarmer water
temperatures will result in increased biological activity in a collection system.
Hydrogen sulfide - CORRECT ANSWERSA dangerous byproduct of organic material
decomposition that increases with biological activity.
COD - CORRECT ANSWERSChemical Oxygen Demand, typically ranging between
200 and 600 mg/L in raw wastewater.
