ADEQ WATER TREATMENT GRADE 1+2
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
2026
What is the primary safety concern when using chlorine gas as opposed to calcium
hypochlorite or sodium hypochlorite? - ANSWERSThe potential for a gas leak.
If a chlorine leak occurs, where will chlorine gas accumulate in the tank? -
ANSWERSThe bottom of the tank.
What is the difference between a reduced pressure principle backflow device and a
double check backflow device? - ANSWERSThe reduced pressure principle backflow
device has a relief valve.
What is the reporting limit for all regulated VOCs? - ANSWERS0.0005 mg/L
What is equipment that utilizes water for cooling, lubrication, washing or as a solvent
always susceptible to? - ANSWERSCross-connection.
What effect does chlorine gas have on the sense of smell? - ANSWERSIt produces
olfactory fatigue.
What contaminants does the monitoring assistance program monitor? -
ANSWERSIOCs, VOCs, and SOCs
What are IOCs? - ANSWERSInorganic compounds
What are VOCs? - ANSWERSvolatile organic compounds
What are SOCs? - ANSWERSSynthetic organic compounds
What device has the greatest potential to cause contamination if a cross connection
occurs? - ANSWERSA pesticide mixing tank.
According to AZ State rule, an "air-gap separation" means a physical separation
between the discharge and of a supply pipe and the top rim of its receiving vessel,
which has a separation equal to at least? - ANSWERS1 inch or 2x the diameter of the
supply pipe, whichever is greater.
Upon expiration of an operator certification, how many days do you have to reinstate it
without retaking the exam? - ANSWERS90 days
,Which two agencies are responsible for approving laboratory analytical methods for
drinking water analysis? - ANSWERSThe EPA and AZ Department of Health Services.
What does a Bellows-type sensor reacts to a change in? - ANSWERSPressure.
What is the most common method used to secure an impeller to the shaft on a double-
suction pump? - ANSWERSA key and a tight fit.
What is a possible cause of a scored shaft sleeve? - ANSWERSThe packing has
broken down.
What is an ion? - ANSWERSan atom with a positive or negative charge
A continuous positive pressure in a distribution system is essential for preventing what?
- ANSWERSA backflow event
Most common causes of public water supply contamination - ANSWERSBackflow or
cross connection
What does a backsiphonage condition usually cause? - ANSWERSReduced pressure
on the service or supply side.
What does a double check valve backflow assembly provide effective protection from? -
ANSWERSBackpressure and backsiphonage of pollution
What is the maximum time period between having a backflow device tested by a
certified backflow tester? - ANSWERS1 year
What is the regulatory definition of a cross connection in a water supply? - ANSWERSA
physical connection between a public water system and any source of water or other
substance that may lead to contamination of the water provided to the public water
system through backflow.
What is backsiphonage? - ANSWERSA reversal of normal flow in a system caused by a
negative pressure in the supply piping.
What is backflow? - ANSWERSUnwanted flow of water in the reverse direction.
What is head? - ANSWERSThe vertical distance, height, or energy of water above a
reference point. A head of water may be measured in either height or pressure.
What type of valve reduces the differential pressure across a closed disk, making the
main valve easier to open and close? - ANSWERSBypass valve
,Cl2 gas entering the throat triggers stricture in the throat. At this point, the victim must
attempt to do what 2 things? - ANSWERS1. Get out of the area of the leak, proceeding
upwind
2. Take only very short breaths through the mouth. Normal breathing causes coughing,
which must be prevented if possible.
What symptoms can chlorine gas cause? - ANSWERSSuffocation, constriction of the
chest, tightness in the throat, and edema of the lungs.
Free available chlorine is good at killing what? - ANSWERSBacteria
How should an operator store an empty chlorine cylinder? - ANSWERSUpright, tagged
as empty.
Chronic exposure to low concentrations of chlorine gas corrodes what body part? -
ANSWERSTeeth
What is the process that changes water vapor to droplets or ice crystals? -
ANSWERSCondensation.
Unit of measurement for sound - ANSWERSDecibels
What happens if grease comes in contact with the winding of a motor? - ANSWERSThe
winding insulation my deteriorate.
What is turbidity? - ANSWERScloudiness of water
What is the most common type of valve used for isolating a small or medium sized
section of a distribution system? - ANSWERSGate valve
What is a possible result of over-greasing a bearing? - ANSWERSThere is extreme
friction in the bearing chamber, causing heat and scoring of the shaft.
How many pounds is 1 gal of water? - ANSWERS8.34 lbs
How many gallons is one cubic foot of water? - ANSWERS7.48 gallons?
How many feet of water has 1 psi of head pressure? - ANSWERS2.31 ft
How many liters is one gallon of water? - ANSWERS3.785 L
What is peak demand? - ANSWERSThe maximum momentary load placed on a water
treatment plant, pumping station, or distribution system.
What is the range of the pH scale? - ANSWERS0-14
, What is the most likely type of symptom from low level chlorine gas exposure? -
ANSWERSA burning sensation in the throat and eyes.
What is a water hammer? - ANSWERSA pressure surge in a pipeline resulting from the
rapid increase or decrease in water flow.
What type of valve is not buried and an operator will need to know from an inspection if
it is open or closed? - ANSWERSOS&Y outside screw or Yoke valve
What is the correct order for placing shoring equipment in a trench. - ANSWERSStarting
from the top move to the bottom of the trench and reverse to remove it.
Name the different types of pressure sensing devices. - ANSWERSHelical sensor
Bourdon type
Bellows sensor
Which disease is not transmittable by water? - ANSWERSAIDs
At which type of facility is a remote operator allowed to operate? - ANSWERSAny
Grade 1 or Grade 2 facility
What is the advantage of a wet tap vs a dry tap? - ANSWERSYou do not need to down
or turn off the water line.
How often should a remote operator inspect a grade 1 or 2 plant that produces
groundwater? - ANSWERSAs often as necessary, but no less than monthly.
What must an operator ensure when installing a pressure vacuum breaker backflow
device? - ANSWERSIt must be at least 12 inches
Define head - ANSWERSA measurement of the energy possessed by the water at any
particular location in the water system
Name the three types of head - ANSWERSPressure head
Elevation head
Velocity head
Define pressure head - ANSWERSThe amount of energy in water due to water
pressure
Define elevation head - ANSWERSThe energy possessed per unit weight of a fluid
because of its elevation above some reference point. Also called position head or
potential head
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
2026
What is the primary safety concern when using chlorine gas as opposed to calcium
hypochlorite or sodium hypochlorite? - ANSWERSThe potential for a gas leak.
If a chlorine leak occurs, where will chlorine gas accumulate in the tank? -
ANSWERSThe bottom of the tank.
What is the difference between a reduced pressure principle backflow device and a
double check backflow device? - ANSWERSThe reduced pressure principle backflow
device has a relief valve.
What is the reporting limit for all regulated VOCs? - ANSWERS0.0005 mg/L
What is equipment that utilizes water for cooling, lubrication, washing or as a solvent
always susceptible to? - ANSWERSCross-connection.
What effect does chlorine gas have on the sense of smell? - ANSWERSIt produces
olfactory fatigue.
What contaminants does the monitoring assistance program monitor? -
ANSWERSIOCs, VOCs, and SOCs
What are IOCs? - ANSWERSInorganic compounds
What are VOCs? - ANSWERSvolatile organic compounds
What are SOCs? - ANSWERSSynthetic organic compounds
What device has the greatest potential to cause contamination if a cross connection
occurs? - ANSWERSA pesticide mixing tank.
According to AZ State rule, an "air-gap separation" means a physical separation
between the discharge and of a supply pipe and the top rim of its receiving vessel,
which has a separation equal to at least? - ANSWERS1 inch or 2x the diameter of the
supply pipe, whichever is greater.
Upon expiration of an operator certification, how many days do you have to reinstate it
without retaking the exam? - ANSWERS90 days
,Which two agencies are responsible for approving laboratory analytical methods for
drinking water analysis? - ANSWERSThe EPA and AZ Department of Health Services.
What does a Bellows-type sensor reacts to a change in? - ANSWERSPressure.
What is the most common method used to secure an impeller to the shaft on a double-
suction pump? - ANSWERSA key and a tight fit.
What is a possible cause of a scored shaft sleeve? - ANSWERSThe packing has
broken down.
What is an ion? - ANSWERSan atom with a positive or negative charge
A continuous positive pressure in a distribution system is essential for preventing what?
- ANSWERSA backflow event
Most common causes of public water supply contamination - ANSWERSBackflow or
cross connection
What does a backsiphonage condition usually cause? - ANSWERSReduced pressure
on the service or supply side.
What does a double check valve backflow assembly provide effective protection from? -
ANSWERSBackpressure and backsiphonage of pollution
What is the maximum time period between having a backflow device tested by a
certified backflow tester? - ANSWERS1 year
What is the regulatory definition of a cross connection in a water supply? - ANSWERSA
physical connection between a public water system and any source of water or other
substance that may lead to contamination of the water provided to the public water
system through backflow.
What is backsiphonage? - ANSWERSA reversal of normal flow in a system caused by a
negative pressure in the supply piping.
What is backflow? - ANSWERSUnwanted flow of water in the reverse direction.
What is head? - ANSWERSThe vertical distance, height, or energy of water above a
reference point. A head of water may be measured in either height or pressure.
What type of valve reduces the differential pressure across a closed disk, making the
main valve easier to open and close? - ANSWERSBypass valve
,Cl2 gas entering the throat triggers stricture in the throat. At this point, the victim must
attempt to do what 2 things? - ANSWERS1. Get out of the area of the leak, proceeding
upwind
2. Take only very short breaths through the mouth. Normal breathing causes coughing,
which must be prevented if possible.
What symptoms can chlorine gas cause? - ANSWERSSuffocation, constriction of the
chest, tightness in the throat, and edema of the lungs.
Free available chlorine is good at killing what? - ANSWERSBacteria
How should an operator store an empty chlorine cylinder? - ANSWERSUpright, tagged
as empty.
Chronic exposure to low concentrations of chlorine gas corrodes what body part? -
ANSWERSTeeth
What is the process that changes water vapor to droplets or ice crystals? -
ANSWERSCondensation.
Unit of measurement for sound - ANSWERSDecibels
What happens if grease comes in contact with the winding of a motor? - ANSWERSThe
winding insulation my deteriorate.
What is turbidity? - ANSWERScloudiness of water
What is the most common type of valve used for isolating a small or medium sized
section of a distribution system? - ANSWERSGate valve
What is a possible result of over-greasing a bearing? - ANSWERSThere is extreme
friction in the bearing chamber, causing heat and scoring of the shaft.
How many pounds is 1 gal of water? - ANSWERS8.34 lbs
How many gallons is one cubic foot of water? - ANSWERS7.48 gallons?
How many feet of water has 1 psi of head pressure? - ANSWERS2.31 ft
How many liters is one gallon of water? - ANSWERS3.785 L
What is peak demand? - ANSWERSThe maximum momentary load placed on a water
treatment plant, pumping station, or distribution system.
What is the range of the pH scale? - ANSWERS0-14
, What is the most likely type of symptom from low level chlorine gas exposure? -
ANSWERSA burning sensation in the throat and eyes.
What is a water hammer? - ANSWERSA pressure surge in a pipeline resulting from the
rapid increase or decrease in water flow.
What type of valve is not buried and an operator will need to know from an inspection if
it is open or closed? - ANSWERSOS&Y outside screw or Yoke valve
What is the correct order for placing shoring equipment in a trench. - ANSWERSStarting
from the top move to the bottom of the trench and reverse to remove it.
Name the different types of pressure sensing devices. - ANSWERSHelical sensor
Bourdon type
Bellows sensor
Which disease is not transmittable by water? - ANSWERSAIDs
At which type of facility is a remote operator allowed to operate? - ANSWERSAny
Grade 1 or Grade 2 facility
What is the advantage of a wet tap vs a dry tap? - ANSWERSYou do not need to down
or turn off the water line.
How often should a remote operator inspect a grade 1 or 2 plant that produces
groundwater? - ANSWERSAs often as necessary, but no less than monthly.
What must an operator ensure when installing a pressure vacuum breaker backflow
device? - ANSWERSIt must be at least 12 inches
Define head - ANSWERSA measurement of the energy possessed by the water at any
particular location in the water system
Name the three types of head - ANSWERSPressure head
Elevation head
Velocity head
Define pressure head - ANSWERSThe amount of energy in water due to water
pressure
Define elevation head - ANSWERSThe energy possessed per unit weight of a fluid
because of its elevation above some reference point. Also called position head or
potential head
