Page 1 of 106
VIRGINIA WATERWORKS OPERATOR CLASS 1
LICENSE EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
VIRGINIA WATERWORKS OPERATOR CLASS 1 LICENSE EXAM –PRACTICE QUESTIONS
10 MOST TESTED EXAM COVERAGE AREAS
1. Regulatory Framework (Virginia DPOR) – Licensure requirements, exam structure (75
questions, 56 to pass, 4 hours), Class 1 experience qualifications (2.5 years with bachelor's, 6
years with HS diploma, 10 years without HS diploma), open-book exam rules
2. Water Treatment Processes – Coagulation (destabilizing colloidal particles), flocculation,
sedimentation (detention time, surface overflow rate, weir overflow rate), filtration (rapid sand,
dual-media, filter loading rates, backwash)
3. Disinfection & CT Values – Chlorine (HOCl vs OCl⁻, pH effect), chloramines, ozone, UV, CT =
Concentration × Time, breakpoint chlorination, residual disinfection
4. Chemical Dosing & Process Mathematics – Pounds formula (lbs/day = Flow (MGD) × Dose
(mg/L) × 8.34), detention time, filter loading rates, chemical feed rates, percent strength
solutions
5. Water Quality Regulations – Safe Drinking Water Act, Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR, 0.3
NTU ≥95% of measurements), Total Coliform Rule (repeat samples within 24 hours), Lead and
Copper Rule, DBP Rule (TTHM MCL = 80 μg/L, HAA5 = 60 μg/L)
6. Distribution System Operations – Cross-connection control, backflow prevention, water main
breaks, storage tank capacity, fire protection, GIS system mapping, routine flushing
7. Laboratory & Sampling – DPD method for chlorine residual, turbidimeters, EDTA titration for
hardness, E. coli as fecal contamination indicator, alkalinity, pH, jar testing
8. Safety & Hazardous Materials – Chlorine gas toxicity and corrosiveness, confined space entry,
lockout/tagout, PPE, chemical storage (sodium hypochlorite in cool, dark, ventilated area),
HazCom
9. Pumps & Hydraulic Calculations – Centrifugal pumps (most common in water treatment), pump
curves, hydraulic horsepower, flow vs. pressure relationships, well pumping rates
10. Maintenance & System Management – Recordkeeping, preventive maintenance, cross-
connection control programs, fire hydrant maintenance, valve exercising, GIS mapping, system
flushing
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QUESTION 1: Under Virginia regulations, how many experience years are required for a Class 1
Waterworks operator license if the applicant holds a bachelor's degree in engineering or related science
and also holds a Class 2 license?
☐ A) 1 year
☐ B) 2 years
☑ C) 2.5 years
☐ D) 5 years
Answer: C – The qualifying experience shall include 2-1/2 years total, at least one year of which shall be
as an operator or operator-in-training in a Class II or Class I waterworks .
QUESTION 2: What is the total number of items on the Virginia Waterworks Operator Class 1
examination?
☐ A) 60 items
☑ B) 75 items
☐ C) 100 items
☐ D) 120 items
Answer: B – The Class 1 examination contains 75 scored items .
QUESTION 3: The Virginia Waterworks Operator Class 1 examination is how many hours in length?
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☐ A) 2 hours
☐ B) 3 hours
☑ C) 4 hours
☐ D) 5 hours
Answer: C – Candidates have 4 hours to complete the Class 1 examination .
QUESTION 4: What is the minimum score required to pass the Class 1 Waterworks Operator
examination?
☐ A) 42 out of 60
☐ B) 52 out of 70
☑ C) 56 out of 75
☐ D) 60 out of 75
Answer: C – A score of 56 out of 75 is required to pass .
QUESTION 5: The Virginia Waterworks Operator examination is what format?
☐ A) Closed-book, paper-based
☑ B) Open-book, computer-based
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☐ C) Closed-book, computer-based
☐ D) Open-book, paper-based
Answer: B – The exams are open-book and administered in a computerized format through PSI testing
centers .
QUESTION 6: Which Virginia agency is responsible for administering the Waterworks Operator licensing
program?
☐ A) Virginia Department of Health
☑ B) Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
☐ C) Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
☐ D) Virginia Water Authority
Answer: B – The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) contracts
with PSI to conduct the examination program and issues licenses .
QUESTION 7: For an applicant with a high school diploma and a Class 2 license, how many total years of
experience are required for Class 1 licensure?
☐ A) 2.5 years
☐ B) 4 years
VIRGINIA WATERWORKS OPERATOR CLASS 1
LICENSE EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
VIRGINIA WATERWORKS OPERATOR CLASS 1 LICENSE EXAM –PRACTICE QUESTIONS
10 MOST TESTED EXAM COVERAGE AREAS
1. Regulatory Framework (Virginia DPOR) – Licensure requirements, exam structure (75
questions, 56 to pass, 4 hours), Class 1 experience qualifications (2.5 years with bachelor's, 6
years with HS diploma, 10 years without HS diploma), open-book exam rules
2. Water Treatment Processes – Coagulation (destabilizing colloidal particles), flocculation,
sedimentation (detention time, surface overflow rate, weir overflow rate), filtration (rapid sand,
dual-media, filter loading rates, backwash)
3. Disinfection & CT Values – Chlorine (HOCl vs OCl⁻, pH effect), chloramines, ozone, UV, CT =
Concentration × Time, breakpoint chlorination, residual disinfection
4. Chemical Dosing & Process Mathematics – Pounds formula (lbs/day = Flow (MGD) × Dose
(mg/L) × 8.34), detention time, filter loading rates, chemical feed rates, percent strength
solutions
5. Water Quality Regulations – Safe Drinking Water Act, Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR, 0.3
NTU ≥95% of measurements), Total Coliform Rule (repeat samples within 24 hours), Lead and
Copper Rule, DBP Rule (TTHM MCL = 80 μg/L, HAA5 = 60 μg/L)
6. Distribution System Operations – Cross-connection control, backflow prevention, water main
breaks, storage tank capacity, fire protection, GIS system mapping, routine flushing
7. Laboratory & Sampling – DPD method for chlorine residual, turbidimeters, EDTA titration for
hardness, E. coli as fecal contamination indicator, alkalinity, pH, jar testing
8. Safety & Hazardous Materials – Chlorine gas toxicity and corrosiveness, confined space entry,
lockout/tagout, PPE, chemical storage (sodium hypochlorite in cool, dark, ventilated area),
HazCom
9. Pumps & Hydraulic Calculations – Centrifugal pumps (most common in water treatment), pump
curves, hydraulic horsepower, flow vs. pressure relationships, well pumping rates
10. Maintenance & System Management – Recordkeeping, preventive maintenance, cross-
connection control programs, fire hydrant maintenance, valve exercising, GIS mapping, system
flushing
, Page 2 of 106
QUESTION 1: Under Virginia regulations, how many experience years are required for a Class 1
Waterworks operator license if the applicant holds a bachelor's degree in engineering or related science
and also holds a Class 2 license?
☐ A) 1 year
☐ B) 2 years
☑ C) 2.5 years
☐ D) 5 years
Answer: C – The qualifying experience shall include 2-1/2 years total, at least one year of which shall be
as an operator or operator-in-training in a Class II or Class I waterworks .
QUESTION 2: What is the total number of items on the Virginia Waterworks Operator Class 1
examination?
☐ A) 60 items
☑ B) 75 items
☐ C) 100 items
☐ D) 120 items
Answer: B – The Class 1 examination contains 75 scored items .
QUESTION 3: The Virginia Waterworks Operator Class 1 examination is how many hours in length?
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☐ A) 2 hours
☐ B) 3 hours
☑ C) 4 hours
☐ D) 5 hours
Answer: C – Candidates have 4 hours to complete the Class 1 examination .
QUESTION 4: What is the minimum score required to pass the Class 1 Waterworks Operator
examination?
☐ A) 42 out of 60
☐ B) 52 out of 70
☑ C) 56 out of 75
☐ D) 60 out of 75
Answer: C – A score of 56 out of 75 is required to pass .
QUESTION 5: The Virginia Waterworks Operator examination is what format?
☐ A) Closed-book, paper-based
☑ B) Open-book, computer-based
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☐ C) Closed-book, computer-based
☐ D) Open-book, paper-based
Answer: B – The exams are open-book and administered in a computerized format through PSI testing
centers .
QUESTION 6: Which Virginia agency is responsible for administering the Waterworks Operator licensing
program?
☐ A) Virginia Department of Health
☑ B) Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
☐ C) Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
☐ D) Virginia Water Authority
Answer: B – The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) contracts
with PSI to conduct the examination program and issues licenses .
QUESTION 7: For an applicant with a high school diploma and a Class 2 license, how many total years of
experience are required for Class 1 licensure?
☐ A) 2.5 years
☐ B) 4 years
