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CA-NV AWWA Water Quality Laboratory
Analyst Grade 2 – Practice Exam Questions &
Rationales VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
CA-NV AWWA Water Quality Laboratory Analyst Grade 2 – Practice Exam
Exam Coverage Summary
• Regulatory & Certification Framework – CA-NV AWWA Water Quality Laboratory
Analyst certification is recognized by California Title 22 as meeting Technical Manager
qualifications for utility labs . Grade 2 certification covers intermediate-level testing
skills for drinking water and wastewater analysis . Certification is valid for 2 years with
renewal requiring continuing education .
• Grade 2 Qualification Requirements – 4 years experience OR 2 years experience +
Grade 1 certification for 1 year + related associate degree OR 1 year experience +
bachelor's degree . Grade 2 methods include titrimetric, specific ion electrode, and
colorimetric methods .
• Analytical Methods (Grade 2 Scope) – Titrimetric methods (hardness, alkalinity,
chloride) ; Specific Ion Electrode (ISE) technologies ; Colorimetric methods (ammonia,
nitrate, phosphate, fluoride) ; BOD incubation at 20°C ± 1°C for 5 days ± 6 hours ; HPC
pour plate incubation at 35°C for 48 hours .
• Method Detection Limit (MDL) – Statistically defined as 3.14 × standard deviation of ≥7
replicate low-concentration samples; 99% confidence analyte is above zero (40 CFR Part
136 Appendix B) .
• Quality Control – Continuing Calibration Verification (CCV) every 10 samples and at end
of run ; Laboratory Control Sample (LCS) recovery 70–130% for VOCs by GC/MS ; RPD
≤15% for replicate acceptance ; Matrix spikes (MS/MSD) evaluate matrix bias/precision .
• Sample Holding Times – pH and residual chlorine: 0.25 hours ; Color, turbidity: 48
hours ; BOD: 48 hours ; COD, chloride: 28 days ; Solids: 7 days ; TOC: 28 days (preserved
to pH <2, 4°C) .
• Microbiology – Total coliform by MF: 35°C ± 0.5°C incubation ; E. coli confirmation:
44.5°C ; Enzyme substrate test for total coliform/E. coli: incubate at 35°C ± 0.5°C .
• Drinking Water Quality Parameters – Arsenic MCL: 10 μg/L ; Lead and Copper Rule:
first-draw sample after 6-hour stagnation ; Nitrate MCL: 10 mg/L; Fluoride MCL: 4.0
mg/L.
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• Regulatory Framework – Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) establishes national primary
drinking water regulations ; California ELAP certifies laboratories ; NAC 445A requires
proficiency testing semi-annually ; EPA data retention: 10 years .
QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
What is the primary statutory purpose of the California Title 22 regulations regarding water
quality laboratories?
A) To set drinking water fees
B) To establish certification requirements for laboratories analyzing drinking water
C) To mandate pipe materials
D) To regulate well drilling
Answer: B
Title 22 regulations establish certification requirements for environmental laboratories, ensuring
that drinking water testing is performed by qualified facilities and personnel to protect public
health.
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Question 2
Under Nevada Administrative Code (NAC 445A), how often must a certified water quality
laboratory participate in proficiency testing (PT) for each accredited analyte?
A) Annually
B) Every 6 months
C) Twice per year (semi-annually)
D) Quarterly
Answer: C
NAC 445A.870 requires laboratories to demonstrate continued competency through proficiency
testing at least twice per year for each analyte and method for which certification is held.
Question 3
The Method Detection Limit (MDL) is best defined as:
, Page 4 of 183
A) The lowest concentration that can be reported with 100% accuracy
B) The minimum concentration that can be measured with 99% confidence that it is above zero
C) The average of seven replicate blanks
D) The concentration equal to the instrument noise floor
Answer: B
The MDL is statistically defined as 3.14 times the standard deviation of seven or more replicate
low-concentration samples analyzed through the entire method, providing 99% confidence that
the analyte is present above zero (40 CFR Part 136 Appendix B).
Question 4
A laboratory runs a coliform test and observes a positive result on the presumptive test but a
negative result on the confirmed test. How should this be reported?
A) Negative for total coliforms
B) Positive for total coliforms
CA-NV AWWA Water Quality Laboratory
Analyst Grade 2 – Practice Exam Questions &
Rationales VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
CA-NV AWWA Water Quality Laboratory Analyst Grade 2 – Practice Exam
Exam Coverage Summary
• Regulatory & Certification Framework – CA-NV AWWA Water Quality Laboratory
Analyst certification is recognized by California Title 22 as meeting Technical Manager
qualifications for utility labs . Grade 2 certification covers intermediate-level testing
skills for drinking water and wastewater analysis . Certification is valid for 2 years with
renewal requiring continuing education .
• Grade 2 Qualification Requirements – 4 years experience OR 2 years experience +
Grade 1 certification for 1 year + related associate degree OR 1 year experience +
bachelor's degree . Grade 2 methods include titrimetric, specific ion electrode, and
colorimetric methods .
• Analytical Methods (Grade 2 Scope) – Titrimetric methods (hardness, alkalinity,
chloride) ; Specific Ion Electrode (ISE) technologies ; Colorimetric methods (ammonia,
nitrate, phosphate, fluoride) ; BOD incubation at 20°C ± 1°C for 5 days ± 6 hours ; HPC
pour plate incubation at 35°C for 48 hours .
• Method Detection Limit (MDL) – Statistically defined as 3.14 × standard deviation of ≥7
replicate low-concentration samples; 99% confidence analyte is above zero (40 CFR Part
136 Appendix B) .
• Quality Control – Continuing Calibration Verification (CCV) every 10 samples and at end
of run ; Laboratory Control Sample (LCS) recovery 70–130% for VOCs by GC/MS ; RPD
≤15% for replicate acceptance ; Matrix spikes (MS/MSD) evaluate matrix bias/precision .
• Sample Holding Times – pH and residual chlorine: 0.25 hours ; Color, turbidity: 48
hours ; BOD: 48 hours ; COD, chloride: 28 days ; Solids: 7 days ; TOC: 28 days (preserved
to pH <2, 4°C) .
• Microbiology – Total coliform by MF: 35°C ± 0.5°C incubation ; E. coli confirmation:
44.5°C ; Enzyme substrate test for total coliform/E. coli: incubate at 35°C ± 0.5°C .
• Drinking Water Quality Parameters – Arsenic MCL: 10 μg/L ; Lead and Copper Rule:
first-draw sample after 6-hour stagnation ; Nitrate MCL: 10 mg/L; Fluoride MCL: 4.0
mg/L.
,Page 2 of 183
• Regulatory Framework – Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) establishes national primary
drinking water regulations ; California ELAP certifies laboratories ; NAC 445A requires
proficiency testing semi-annually ; EPA data retention: 10 years .
QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
What is the primary statutory purpose of the California Title 22 regulations regarding water
quality laboratories?
A) To set drinking water fees
B) To establish certification requirements for laboratories analyzing drinking water
C) To mandate pipe materials
D) To regulate well drilling
Answer: B
Title 22 regulations establish certification requirements for environmental laboratories, ensuring
that drinking water testing is performed by qualified facilities and personnel to protect public
health.
,Page 3 of 183
Question 2
Under Nevada Administrative Code (NAC 445A), how often must a certified water quality
laboratory participate in proficiency testing (PT) for each accredited analyte?
A) Annually
B) Every 6 months
C) Twice per year (semi-annually)
D) Quarterly
Answer: C
NAC 445A.870 requires laboratories to demonstrate continued competency through proficiency
testing at least twice per year for each analyte and method for which certification is held.
Question 3
The Method Detection Limit (MDL) is best defined as:
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A) The lowest concentration that can be reported with 100% accuracy
B) The minimum concentration that can be measured with 99% confidence that it is above zero
C) The average of seven replicate blanks
D) The concentration equal to the instrument noise floor
Answer: B
The MDL is statistically defined as 3.14 times the standard deviation of seven or more replicate
low-concentration samples analyzed through the entire method, providing 99% confidence that
the analyte is present above zero (40 CFR Part 136 Appendix B).
Question 4
A laboratory runs a coliform test and observes a positive result on the presumptive test but a
negative result on the confirmed test. How should this be reported?
A) Negative for total coliforms
B) Positive for total coliforms
