UTAH ON-SITE WASTEWATER PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION 2026–2027 | 210 ORIGINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS,100% CORRECT ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES | LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2 & LEVEL 3 STUDY GUIDE
1.
Which Utah certification level primarily covers soil evaluations and
percolation testing?
A. Level 3
B. Level 1
C. Level 2
D. Operator Grade IV
Answer: B. Level 1
Rationale: Level 1 certification focuses on soil evaluations and
percolation testing.
2.
A conventional onsite wastewater system generally includes which
combination?
A. Lagoon, aerator, and clarifier
B. Well, pump, and water tower
C. Building sewer, septic tank, and absorption system
D. Lift station, headworks, and activated sludge basin
,Answer: C. Building sewer, septic tank, and absorption system
Rationale: A conventional underground wastewater disposal system
uses these basic components.
3.
Which level is required to design, inspect, and maintain alternative
onsite wastewater systems?
A. Level 1
B. Level 2
C. Level 3
D. None
Answer: C. Level 3
Rationale: Utah identifies Level 3 as covering alternative as well as
conventional systems.
4.
What is the primary purpose of a percolation test?
A. Determine septic tank capacity
B. Evaluate the rate at which water moves through soil
C. Measure chlorine concentration
D. Determine wastewater temperature
Answer: B. Evaluate the rate at which water moves through soil
Rationale: Percolation testing provides information about soil
infiltration characteristics.
5.
A soil profile containing a restrictive layer that prevents adequate
downward movement of effluent should be considered:
,A. Favorable without further evaluation
B. Potentially limiting to wastewater disposal
C. Ideal for rapid infiltration
D. Equivalent to gravel
Answer: B. Potentially limiting to wastewater disposal
Rationale: Restrictive layers can limit infiltration and cause wastewater
to accumulate or move laterally.
6.
Which Utah level includes Level 1 activities as part of its scope?
A. Level 2 only
B. Level 3 only
C. Levels 2 and 3
D. None
Answer: C. Levels 2 and 3
Rationale: Level 2 and Level 3 professionals include soil evaluation and
percolation testing within their broader scopes.
7.
What is the principal function of a septic tank?
A. Completely disinfect wastewater
B. Separate solids and provide anaerobic treatment
C. Pump groundwater into the building
D. Increase soil permeability
Answer: B. Separate solids and provide anaerobic treatment
Rationale: Septic tanks provide settling, flotation, and biological
treatment before effluent reaches the disposal area.
, 8.
Why is groundwater protection important when designing an onsite
wastewater system?
A. Groundwater has no relationship to wastewater disposal
B. Effluent can contaminate groundwater if disposal is inadequate
C. Groundwater determines septic tank color
D. Groundwater eliminates the need for soil evaluation
Answer: B. Effluent can contaminate groundwater if disposal is
inadequate
Rationale: Proper separation and treatment help prevent pollutants
from reaching groundwater.
9.
Which condition is generally most desirable for an absorption area?
A. Adequate unsaturated soil for treatment and dispersal
B. Permanently saturated soil
C. Solid bedrock immediately beneath the system
D. Surface water covering the disposal area
Answer: A. Adequate unsaturated soil for treatment and dispersal
Rationale: Unsaturated soil provides space for infiltration and
treatment of effluent.
10.
A professional who holds Level 2 certification must maintain which
lower certification?
A. Level 1
B. Level 3
EXAMINATION 2026–2027 | 210 ORIGINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS,100% CORRECT ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES | LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2 & LEVEL 3 STUDY GUIDE
1.
Which Utah certification level primarily covers soil evaluations and
percolation testing?
A. Level 3
B. Level 1
C. Level 2
D. Operator Grade IV
Answer: B. Level 1
Rationale: Level 1 certification focuses on soil evaluations and
percolation testing.
2.
A conventional onsite wastewater system generally includes which
combination?
A. Lagoon, aerator, and clarifier
B. Well, pump, and water tower
C. Building sewer, septic tank, and absorption system
D. Lift station, headworks, and activated sludge basin
,Answer: C. Building sewer, septic tank, and absorption system
Rationale: A conventional underground wastewater disposal system
uses these basic components.
3.
Which level is required to design, inspect, and maintain alternative
onsite wastewater systems?
A. Level 1
B. Level 2
C. Level 3
D. None
Answer: C. Level 3
Rationale: Utah identifies Level 3 as covering alternative as well as
conventional systems.
4.
What is the primary purpose of a percolation test?
A. Determine septic tank capacity
B. Evaluate the rate at which water moves through soil
C. Measure chlorine concentration
D. Determine wastewater temperature
Answer: B. Evaluate the rate at which water moves through soil
Rationale: Percolation testing provides information about soil
infiltration characteristics.
5.
A soil profile containing a restrictive layer that prevents adequate
downward movement of effluent should be considered:
,A. Favorable without further evaluation
B. Potentially limiting to wastewater disposal
C. Ideal for rapid infiltration
D. Equivalent to gravel
Answer: B. Potentially limiting to wastewater disposal
Rationale: Restrictive layers can limit infiltration and cause wastewater
to accumulate or move laterally.
6.
Which Utah level includes Level 1 activities as part of its scope?
A. Level 2 only
B. Level 3 only
C. Levels 2 and 3
D. None
Answer: C. Levels 2 and 3
Rationale: Level 2 and Level 3 professionals include soil evaluation and
percolation testing within their broader scopes.
7.
What is the principal function of a septic tank?
A. Completely disinfect wastewater
B. Separate solids and provide anaerobic treatment
C. Pump groundwater into the building
D. Increase soil permeability
Answer: B. Separate solids and provide anaerobic treatment
Rationale: Septic tanks provide settling, flotation, and biological
treatment before effluent reaches the disposal area.
, 8.
Why is groundwater protection important when designing an onsite
wastewater system?
A. Groundwater has no relationship to wastewater disposal
B. Effluent can contaminate groundwater if disposal is inadequate
C. Groundwater determines septic tank color
D. Groundwater eliminates the need for soil evaluation
Answer: B. Effluent can contaminate groundwater if disposal is
inadequate
Rationale: Proper separation and treatment help prevent pollutants
from reaching groundwater.
9.
Which condition is generally most desirable for an absorption area?
A. Adequate unsaturated soil for treatment and dispersal
B. Permanently saturated soil
C. Solid bedrock immediately beneath the system
D. Surface water covering the disposal area
Answer: A. Adequate unsaturated soil for treatment and dispersal
Rationale: Unsaturated soil provides space for infiltration and
treatment of effluent.
10.
A professional who holds Level 2 certification must maintain which
lower certification?
A. Level 1
B. Level 3
