TCEQ Wastewater Class D License Prep Actual
Exam 2026/2027 | Questions with Correct Answers
| Comprehensive Practice Test Aligned with TCEQ
Class D Wastewater Operator Certification
Blueprint | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Grade
Section 1: Statutes, Rules, and Permits (Questions 1–20)
1. Which Texas Water Code chapter grants the TCEQ the authority to issue
wastewater discharge permits and license wastewater operators?
A. Chapter 5
B. Chapter 7
C. Chapter 26
D. Chapter 37
Correct Answer: C. Chapter 26
Rationale: Texas Water Code Chapter 26 is the “Water Quality Control”
chapter that establishes the TCEQ’s authority to regulate discharges into waters
of the state and to administer the wastewater operator licensing program.
2. Under 30 TAC Chapter 217, what is the minimum horizontal separation
required between a wastewater collection line and a water line?
A. 5 feet
B. 6 feet
C. 9 feet
D. 12 feet
Correct Answer: C. 9 feet
Rationale: TCEQ design criteria in 30 TAC Chapter 217 require a minimum
9-foot horizontal separation between wastewater collection lines and water lines
to protect potable water supplies from contamination.
,3. A domestic wastewater discharge permit typically establishes which of the
following?
A. The operator’s salary schedule
B. Effluent limitations and monitoring requirements
C. The plant’s construction budget
D. The number of collection system manholes
Correct Answer: B. Effluent limitations and monitoring requirements
Rationale: A TCEQ waste discharge permit defines the allowable effluent
quality parameters (e.g., BOD, TSS, pH, fecal coliform) and the self-monitoring,
recordkeeping, and reporting obligations of the permittee.
4. Which of the following is a self-reporting requirement for a Class D wastewater
treatment facility?
A. Submitting a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) at the frequency specified in
the permit
B. Publishing the plant’s operating budget in the local newspaper
C. Filing annual property tax returns for the treatment plant
D. Reporting the operator’s continuing education hours to the TCEQ
Correct Answer: A. Submitting a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) at
the frequency specified in the permit
Rationale: Permittees must submit DMRs to the TCEQ according to the
schedule in their permit. The DMR documents effluent monitoring results and
demonstrates compliance with permit limits.
5. The TCEQ may revoke a wastewater operator license for which of the following
reasons?
A. The operator requests a leave of absence
B. The operator fails to pay annual TCEQ licensing fees
C. The operator falsifies monitoring data
D. The operator transfers to a different facility
, Correct Answer: C. The operator falsifies monitoring data
Rationale: Falsifying monitoring data is a serious violation of TCEQ rules
and the operator’s ethical obligations. The TCEQ may revoke, suspend, or refuse
to renew a license for fraud, deceit, or willful misconduct.
6. (SATA) Which of the following are basic provisions typically found in a domestic
wastewater discharge permit? (Select all that apply.)
A. Effluent limitations for BOD and TSS
B. Monitoring frequency and sample collection methods
C. The plant’s annual electricity budget
D. Reporting deadlines for DMRs
E. The operator’s personal vehicle mileage reimbursement rate
Correct Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: A TCEQ discharge permit specifies effluent limits, monitoring
and sampling requirements, and reporting deadlines. Budgetary and personnel
reimbursement matters are not permit provisions.
7. What is the primary purpose of the TCEQ’s wastewater operator licensing
program?
A. To generate revenue for the state
B. To ensure that wastewater treatment plants are operated by qualified
personnel who protect public health and the environment
C. To set the retail price of water and sewer services
D. To design wastewater treatment plants
Correct Answer: B. To ensure that wastewater treatment plants are
operated by qualified personnel who protect public health and the environment
Rationale: The licensing program exists to verify that operators possess
the knowledge and skills necessary to operate treatment facilities in compliance
with state regulations, thereby safeguarding water quality and public health.
, 8. A Class D wastewater operator is authorized to independently operate which of
the following?
A. A total retention lagoon system serving a population of 1,500 or fewer
B. A 10 MGD activated sludge plant
C. A complex industrial pretreatment facility
D. A Class A wastewater treatment plant
Correct Answer: A. A total retention lagoon system serving a population
of 1,500 or fewer
Rationale: The Class D license authorizes operation of basic wastewater
treatment systems, including total retention lagoons and package plants serving
small populations, under the supervision requirements defined by TCEQ rules.
9. Which document contains the TCEQ’s design criteria for domestic wastewater
systems?
A. 30 TAC Chapter 290
B. 30 TAC Chapter 217
C. 30 TAC Chapter 330
D. 30 TAC Chapter 213
Correct Answer: B. 30 TAC Chapter 217
Rationale: 30 TAC Chapter 217, “Design Criteria for Domestic Wastewater
Systems,” establishes minimum standards for the design and construction of
wastewater collection, pumping, treatment, and disposal systems in Texas.
10. An operator notices that the plant’s effluent pH is consistently below the
permit limit. What is the operator’s first responsibility?
A. Ignore the reading because pH is not a permit parameter
B. Report the exceedance to the TCEQ and take corrective action
C. Adjust the lab equipment until the reading meets the limit
D. Wait for the next scheduled sampling event
Exam 2026/2027 | Questions with Correct Answers
| Comprehensive Practice Test Aligned with TCEQ
Class D Wastewater Operator Certification
Blueprint | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Grade
Section 1: Statutes, Rules, and Permits (Questions 1–20)
1. Which Texas Water Code chapter grants the TCEQ the authority to issue
wastewater discharge permits and license wastewater operators?
A. Chapter 5
B. Chapter 7
C. Chapter 26
D. Chapter 37
Correct Answer: C. Chapter 26
Rationale: Texas Water Code Chapter 26 is the “Water Quality Control”
chapter that establishes the TCEQ’s authority to regulate discharges into waters
of the state and to administer the wastewater operator licensing program.
2. Under 30 TAC Chapter 217, what is the minimum horizontal separation
required between a wastewater collection line and a water line?
A. 5 feet
B. 6 feet
C. 9 feet
D. 12 feet
Correct Answer: C. 9 feet
Rationale: TCEQ design criteria in 30 TAC Chapter 217 require a minimum
9-foot horizontal separation between wastewater collection lines and water lines
to protect potable water supplies from contamination.
,3. A domestic wastewater discharge permit typically establishes which of the
following?
A. The operator’s salary schedule
B. Effluent limitations and monitoring requirements
C. The plant’s construction budget
D. The number of collection system manholes
Correct Answer: B. Effluent limitations and monitoring requirements
Rationale: A TCEQ waste discharge permit defines the allowable effluent
quality parameters (e.g., BOD, TSS, pH, fecal coliform) and the self-monitoring,
recordkeeping, and reporting obligations of the permittee.
4. Which of the following is a self-reporting requirement for a Class D wastewater
treatment facility?
A. Submitting a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) at the frequency specified in
the permit
B. Publishing the plant’s operating budget in the local newspaper
C. Filing annual property tax returns for the treatment plant
D. Reporting the operator’s continuing education hours to the TCEQ
Correct Answer: A. Submitting a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) at
the frequency specified in the permit
Rationale: Permittees must submit DMRs to the TCEQ according to the
schedule in their permit. The DMR documents effluent monitoring results and
demonstrates compliance with permit limits.
5. The TCEQ may revoke a wastewater operator license for which of the following
reasons?
A. The operator requests a leave of absence
B. The operator fails to pay annual TCEQ licensing fees
C. The operator falsifies monitoring data
D. The operator transfers to a different facility
, Correct Answer: C. The operator falsifies monitoring data
Rationale: Falsifying monitoring data is a serious violation of TCEQ rules
and the operator’s ethical obligations. The TCEQ may revoke, suspend, or refuse
to renew a license for fraud, deceit, or willful misconduct.
6. (SATA) Which of the following are basic provisions typically found in a domestic
wastewater discharge permit? (Select all that apply.)
A. Effluent limitations for BOD and TSS
B. Monitoring frequency and sample collection methods
C. The plant’s annual electricity budget
D. Reporting deadlines for DMRs
E. The operator’s personal vehicle mileage reimbursement rate
Correct Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: A TCEQ discharge permit specifies effluent limits, monitoring
and sampling requirements, and reporting deadlines. Budgetary and personnel
reimbursement matters are not permit provisions.
7. What is the primary purpose of the TCEQ’s wastewater operator licensing
program?
A. To generate revenue for the state
B. To ensure that wastewater treatment plants are operated by qualified
personnel who protect public health and the environment
C. To set the retail price of water and sewer services
D. To design wastewater treatment plants
Correct Answer: B. To ensure that wastewater treatment plants are
operated by qualified personnel who protect public health and the environment
Rationale: The licensing program exists to verify that operators possess
the knowledge and skills necessary to operate treatment facilities in compliance
with state regulations, thereby safeguarding water quality and public health.
, 8. A Class D wastewater operator is authorized to independently operate which of
the following?
A. A total retention lagoon system serving a population of 1,500 or fewer
B. A 10 MGD activated sludge plant
C. A complex industrial pretreatment facility
D. A Class A wastewater treatment plant
Correct Answer: A. A total retention lagoon system serving a population
of 1,500 or fewer
Rationale: The Class D license authorizes operation of basic wastewater
treatment systems, including total retention lagoons and package plants serving
small populations, under the supervision requirements defined by TCEQ rules.
9. Which document contains the TCEQ’s design criteria for domestic wastewater
systems?
A. 30 TAC Chapter 290
B. 30 TAC Chapter 217
C. 30 TAC Chapter 330
D. 30 TAC Chapter 213
Correct Answer: B. 30 TAC Chapter 217
Rationale: 30 TAC Chapter 217, “Design Criteria for Domestic Wastewater
Systems,” establishes minimum standards for the design and construction of
wastewater collection, pumping, treatment, and disposal systems in Texas.
10. An operator notices that the plant’s effluent pH is consistently below the
permit limit. What is the operator’s first responsibility?
A. Ignore the reading because pH is not a permit parameter
B. Report the exceedance to the TCEQ and take corrective action
C. Adjust the lab equipment until the reading meets the limit
D. Wait for the next scheduled sampling event
