AALSO Level 1 Operator Certification Practice Examination
Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: Certified Operator.
Answer: An operator certified by the Kentucky Certification and Licensing Branch who can be in
responsible charge of a wastewater or drinking water system.
Question 2: Certification Process.
Answer: Certification is obtained by meeting minimum education and experience requirements, submitting
the appropriate forms and fee, and passing the certification examination with at least a 70%.
Question 3: Class I.
Answer: Wastewater treatment plant with a design capacity of <=50,000 GPD.
Question 4: Class II.
Answer: Wastewater treatment plant with a design capacity of 50,001 GPD to <= 2,000,000 GPD.
Question 5: Universal solvent.
Answer: Polarity of the molecule, many substances can be dissolved in it
Question 6: Class III.
Answer: Wastewater treatment plant with a design capacity of 2,000,001 to <= 7,500,000 GPD.
Question 7: Class IV.
Answer: Wastewater treatment plant with a design capacity >= 7,500,001 GPD.
Question 8: Education Substitution.
Answer: Education in environmental engineering, environmental technology, and biological, physical, or
chemical sciences shall be substituted if it does not exceed fifty (50) percent of the required experience.
Question 9: Cohesion.
Answer: Water's affinity for "staying together" or staying intact
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, Question 10: Associate Degree Substitution.
Answer: An associate degree may substitute for two (2) years of experience.
Question 11: Adhesion.
Answer: Water's affinity for "breaking off" or sticking to another substance
Question 12: pH.
Answer: Measures the activity of the hydrogen ions in a substance; high activity, low pH; low activity, high
pH
Question 13: Testing for pH.
Answer: Probe with a glass bulb and low voltage, or a chemical substance with a known reaction to pH
Question 14: Baccalaureate Degree Substitution.
Answer: A baccalaureate degree may substitute for four (4) years of experience.
Question 15: Temperature.
Answer: The kinetic energy (motion) of the molecules in a substance. Measured with a thermometer or a
temperature probe.
Question 16: Contact Hours Substitution.
Answer: Ten (10) contact hours, one (1) Continuing Education Unit, or one (1) postsecondary education
quarter hour with a passing grade shall substitute for 0.022 years of experience.
Question 17: Semester Hour Substitution.
Answer: One (1) postsecondary education semester hour with a passing grade shall substitute for 0.033
years of experience.
Question 18: Salinity.
Answer: Measurement of salt ion concentration in water. Measured with a refractometer or by conductivity.
Question 19: Class I Requirements.
Answer: High School Diploma or GED and one (1) year of acceptable operation of a wastewater treatment
plant.
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Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: Certified Operator.
Answer: An operator certified by the Kentucky Certification and Licensing Branch who can be in
responsible charge of a wastewater or drinking water system.
Question 2: Certification Process.
Answer: Certification is obtained by meeting minimum education and experience requirements, submitting
the appropriate forms and fee, and passing the certification examination with at least a 70%.
Question 3: Class I.
Answer: Wastewater treatment plant with a design capacity of <=50,000 GPD.
Question 4: Class II.
Answer: Wastewater treatment plant with a design capacity of 50,001 GPD to <= 2,000,000 GPD.
Question 5: Universal solvent.
Answer: Polarity of the molecule, many substances can be dissolved in it
Question 6: Class III.
Answer: Wastewater treatment plant with a design capacity of 2,000,001 to <= 7,500,000 GPD.
Question 7: Class IV.
Answer: Wastewater treatment plant with a design capacity >= 7,500,001 GPD.
Question 8: Education Substitution.
Answer: Education in environmental engineering, environmental technology, and biological, physical, or
chemical sciences shall be substituted if it does not exceed fifty (50) percent of the required experience.
Question 9: Cohesion.
Answer: Water's affinity for "staying together" or staying intact
Page 1
, Question 10: Associate Degree Substitution.
Answer: An associate degree may substitute for two (2) years of experience.
Question 11: Adhesion.
Answer: Water's affinity for "breaking off" or sticking to another substance
Question 12: pH.
Answer: Measures the activity of the hydrogen ions in a substance; high activity, low pH; low activity, high
pH
Question 13: Testing for pH.
Answer: Probe with a glass bulb and low voltage, or a chemical substance with a known reaction to pH
Question 14: Baccalaureate Degree Substitution.
Answer: A baccalaureate degree may substitute for four (4) years of experience.
Question 15: Temperature.
Answer: The kinetic energy (motion) of the molecules in a substance. Measured with a thermometer or a
temperature probe.
Question 16: Contact Hours Substitution.
Answer: Ten (10) contact hours, one (1) Continuing Education Unit, or one (1) postsecondary education
quarter hour with a passing grade shall substitute for 0.022 years of experience.
Question 17: Semester Hour Substitution.
Answer: One (1) postsecondary education semester hour with a passing grade shall substitute for 0.033
years of experience.
Question 18: Salinity.
Answer: Measurement of salt ion concentration in water. Measured with a refractometer or by conductivity.
Question 19: Class I Requirements.
Answer: High School Diploma or GED and one (1) year of acceptable operation of a wastewater treatment
plant.
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