Minnesota Subsurface Sewage
Treatment System Service Provider
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. The primary purpose of a Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS)
service provider is to:
A. Design public wastewater treatment plants
B. Maintain, evaluate, and service individual sewage treatment systems
C. Operate municipal drinking water facilities
D. Install electrical utility systems
Answer: B. Maintain, evaluate, and service individual sewage treatment
systems
,Rationale: SSTS service providers are responsible for activities such as
maintenance, inspections, troubleshooting, and servicing of subsurface
sewage treatment systems to protect public health and the environment.
2. In Minnesota, SSTS regulations are primarily intended to protect:
A. Road construction standards
B. Agricultural crop yields only
C. Public health and groundwater resources
D. Electrical safety systems
Answer: C. Public health and groundwater resources
Rationale: Minnesota SSTS rules focus on preventing contamination of
groundwater, surface water, and exposure to untreated sewage.
3. The septic tank in an SSTS primarily functions to:
A. Disinfect wastewater completely
B. Separate solids and allow partial treatment
C. Pump wastewater directly into groundwater
D. Increase wastewater temperature
Answer: B. Separate solids and allow partial treatment
Rationale: Septic tanks provide settling of solids, flotation of scum, and
anaerobic treatment before effluent enters the soil treatment area.
, 4. The layer of floating material in a septic tank is called:
A. Sludge
B. Effluent
C. Scum
D. Biomass
Answer: C. Scum
Rationale: Scum consists of lighter materials such as fats, oils, and grease
that float on the wastewater surface inside the septic tank.
5. The settled solids at the bottom of a septic tank are known as:
A. Sludge
B. Scum
C. Effluent
D. Filtrate
Answer: A. Sludge
Rationale: Sludge is composed of heavier solids that settle at the bottom of
the tank and require periodic removal.
6. The liquid leaving a septic tank is called:
A. Biosolids
B. Effluent
, C. Residual waste
D. Potable water
Answer: B. Effluent
Rationale: Effluent is the partially treated wastewater that flows from the
septic tank to the soil treatment system.
7. A septic tank should generally be pumped when:
A. It is completely full of clear water
B. Sludge and scum accumulation reduce treatment capacity
C. The soil freezes
D. The system is newly installed
Answer: B. Sludge and scum accumulation reduce treatment capacity
Rationale: Pumping removes accumulated solids that interfere with
settling and can cause solids to move into the drainfield.
8. The soil treatment area is designed to:
A. Store untreated sewage permanently
B. Provide final treatment and dispersal
C. Replace the septic tank
D. Eliminate all pumping needs
Answer: B. Provide final treatment and dispersal
Treatment System Service Provider
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. The primary purpose of a Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS)
service provider is to:
A. Design public wastewater treatment plants
B. Maintain, evaluate, and service individual sewage treatment systems
C. Operate municipal drinking water facilities
D. Install electrical utility systems
Answer: B. Maintain, evaluate, and service individual sewage treatment
systems
,Rationale: SSTS service providers are responsible for activities such as
maintenance, inspections, troubleshooting, and servicing of subsurface
sewage treatment systems to protect public health and the environment.
2. In Minnesota, SSTS regulations are primarily intended to protect:
A. Road construction standards
B. Agricultural crop yields only
C. Public health and groundwater resources
D. Electrical safety systems
Answer: C. Public health and groundwater resources
Rationale: Minnesota SSTS rules focus on preventing contamination of
groundwater, surface water, and exposure to untreated sewage.
3. The septic tank in an SSTS primarily functions to:
A. Disinfect wastewater completely
B. Separate solids and allow partial treatment
C. Pump wastewater directly into groundwater
D. Increase wastewater temperature
Answer: B. Separate solids and allow partial treatment
Rationale: Septic tanks provide settling of solids, flotation of scum, and
anaerobic treatment before effluent enters the soil treatment area.
, 4. The layer of floating material in a septic tank is called:
A. Sludge
B. Effluent
C. Scum
D. Biomass
Answer: C. Scum
Rationale: Scum consists of lighter materials such as fats, oils, and grease
that float on the wastewater surface inside the septic tank.
5. The settled solids at the bottom of a septic tank are known as:
A. Sludge
B. Scum
C. Effluent
D. Filtrate
Answer: A. Sludge
Rationale: Sludge is composed of heavier solids that settle at the bottom of
the tank and require periodic removal.
6. The liquid leaving a septic tank is called:
A. Biosolids
B. Effluent
, C. Residual waste
D. Potable water
Answer: B. Effluent
Rationale: Effluent is the partially treated wastewater that flows from the
septic tank to the soil treatment system.
7. A septic tank should generally be pumped when:
A. It is completely full of clear water
B. Sludge and scum accumulation reduce treatment capacity
C. The soil freezes
D. The system is newly installed
Answer: B. Sludge and scum accumulation reduce treatment capacity
Rationale: Pumping removes accumulated solids that interfere with
settling and can cause solids to move into the drainfield.
8. The soil treatment area is designed to:
A. Store untreated sewage permanently
B. Provide final treatment and dispersal
C. Replace the septic tank
D. Eliminate all pumping needs
Answer: B. Provide final treatment and dispersal
