TEXAS TCEQ CLASS B SURFACE WATER &
COMPLETE DETAILED SOLUTIONS (NEW
2026/2027 UPDATE)
10 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Analyze and troubleshoot conventional and advanced surface water treatment processes (coagulation,
flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection) using operational data
2 Apply TCEQ and EPA regulations (e
3 Perform calculations for chemical dosing, CT disinfection, filter loading rates, and distribution system
hydraulics
4 Evaluate emergency response procedures, cross-connection control, and source water protection
strategies
5 Interpret laboratory results and process control charts to optimize water quality and treatment efficiency
6 Texas TCEQ Class B Surface Water & Complete Detailed Solutions
7 New 2026
8 2027 Update
9 Foundations of Environmental Engineering - Drinking Water Treatment & Distribution (Texas TCEQ Class
B Surface Water Operator)
10 Applied Environmental Engineering - Drinking Water Treatment & Distribution (Texas TCEQ Class B
Surface Water Operator)
ABSTRACT
This study document brings together 10 carefully worded exam questions drawn from Texas TCEQ
Class B Surface Water & Complete Detailed Solutions (New 2026/2027 Update), with the strongest
emphasis placed on Analyze and troubleshoot conventional and advanced surface water treatment
processes (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection) using operational data,
Apply TCEQ and EPA regulations (e, Perform calculations for chemical dosing, CT disinfection,
filter loading rates and and distribution system hydraulics. Every item follows the wording style and
level of reasoning you meet in the real paper, and each one is paired with a clear rationale so the
correct choice is never a guess. Work through the set at your own pace, mark the questions that
slow you down, then come back to them until the reasoning feels automatic. Learners who revise
this way walk into the exam room recognising the pattern behind the questions instead of meeting
them for the first time. Keep going - steady, honest practice is what turns a difficult paper into a
comfortable pass.
Page 1
, Q1 ANALYZE AND TROUBLESHOOT CONVENTIONAL AND ADVANCED SURFACE WATER
TREATMENT PROCESSES (COAGULATION, FLOCCULATION, SEDIMENTATION, FILTRATION,
DISINFECTION) USING OPERATIONAL DATA
A surface water treatment plant uses alum coagulation at pH 6.5. Jar tests show
optimal turbidity removal at 25 mg/L alum, but plant effluent turbidity spikes to 1.2
NTU after a raw water pH drop to 5.8. Which adjustment is most likely to restore
optimal coagulation?
A. Increase alum dose to 35 mg/L to compensate for lower pH.
B. Add caustic soda to raise pH to 6.5 before coagulation. CORRECT
C. Switch to ferric chloride without pH adjustment.
D. Decrease alum dose to 15 mg/L to prevent overcharging.
RATIONALE: Alum coagulation is highly pH-dependent; optimal removal occurs near pH 6.5-7.0.
A drop to pH 5.8 reduces floc formation and can solubilize aluminum, increasing turbidity. Raising
pH with caustic soda restores optimal conditions. Increasing alum would further depress pH;
switching coagulants without pH control may not solve the underlying issue; decreasing dose
would worsen destabilization.
Q2 APPLY TCEQ AND EPA REGULATIONS (E
A distribution system has a 12-inch ductile iron main with a Hazen-Williams
C-factor of 130. If flow is 1,500 gpm, what is the approximate head loss per 1,000
feet? (Use Hazen-Williams: h_f = 0.2083 * (100/C)^1.852 * Q^1.852 / d^4.8655, with
Q in gpm, d in inches, h_f in feet per 1,000 ft.)
A. 0.85 ft/1,000 ft
B. 1.25 ft/1,000 ft CORRECT
C. 2.10 ft/1,000 ft
D. 3.40 ft/1,000 ft
RATIONALE: Using the formula: h_f = 0.2083 * (100/130)^1.852 * (1500)^1.852 / (12)^4.8655.
Calculate (100/130)^1.852 0.615; 1500^1.852 1.23×10^6; 12^4.8655 2.45×10^5. Then h_f =
0.2083 * 0.615 * 1.23×10^.45×10^5 1.25 ft/1,000 ft. The other options result from
misapplication of exponents or unit errors.
Page 2
COMPLETE DETAILED SOLUTIONS (NEW
2026/2027 UPDATE)
10 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Analyze and troubleshoot conventional and advanced surface water treatment processes (coagulation,
flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection) using operational data
2 Apply TCEQ and EPA regulations (e
3 Perform calculations for chemical dosing, CT disinfection, filter loading rates, and distribution system
hydraulics
4 Evaluate emergency response procedures, cross-connection control, and source water protection
strategies
5 Interpret laboratory results and process control charts to optimize water quality and treatment efficiency
6 Texas TCEQ Class B Surface Water & Complete Detailed Solutions
7 New 2026
8 2027 Update
9 Foundations of Environmental Engineering - Drinking Water Treatment & Distribution (Texas TCEQ Class
B Surface Water Operator)
10 Applied Environmental Engineering - Drinking Water Treatment & Distribution (Texas TCEQ Class B
Surface Water Operator)
ABSTRACT
This study document brings together 10 carefully worded exam questions drawn from Texas TCEQ
Class B Surface Water & Complete Detailed Solutions (New 2026/2027 Update), with the strongest
emphasis placed on Analyze and troubleshoot conventional and advanced surface water treatment
processes (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection) using operational data,
Apply TCEQ and EPA regulations (e, Perform calculations for chemical dosing, CT disinfection,
filter loading rates and and distribution system hydraulics. Every item follows the wording style and
level of reasoning you meet in the real paper, and each one is paired with a clear rationale so the
correct choice is never a guess. Work through the set at your own pace, mark the questions that
slow you down, then come back to them until the reasoning feels automatic. Learners who revise
this way walk into the exam room recognising the pattern behind the questions instead of meeting
them for the first time. Keep going - steady, honest practice is what turns a difficult paper into a
comfortable pass.
Page 1
, Q1 ANALYZE AND TROUBLESHOOT CONVENTIONAL AND ADVANCED SURFACE WATER
TREATMENT PROCESSES (COAGULATION, FLOCCULATION, SEDIMENTATION, FILTRATION,
DISINFECTION) USING OPERATIONAL DATA
A surface water treatment plant uses alum coagulation at pH 6.5. Jar tests show
optimal turbidity removal at 25 mg/L alum, but plant effluent turbidity spikes to 1.2
NTU after a raw water pH drop to 5.8. Which adjustment is most likely to restore
optimal coagulation?
A. Increase alum dose to 35 mg/L to compensate for lower pH.
B. Add caustic soda to raise pH to 6.5 before coagulation. CORRECT
C. Switch to ferric chloride without pH adjustment.
D. Decrease alum dose to 15 mg/L to prevent overcharging.
RATIONALE: Alum coagulation is highly pH-dependent; optimal removal occurs near pH 6.5-7.0.
A drop to pH 5.8 reduces floc formation and can solubilize aluminum, increasing turbidity. Raising
pH with caustic soda restores optimal conditions. Increasing alum would further depress pH;
switching coagulants without pH control may not solve the underlying issue; decreasing dose
would worsen destabilization.
Q2 APPLY TCEQ AND EPA REGULATIONS (E
A distribution system has a 12-inch ductile iron main with a Hazen-Williams
C-factor of 130. If flow is 1,500 gpm, what is the approximate head loss per 1,000
feet? (Use Hazen-Williams: h_f = 0.2083 * (100/C)^1.852 * Q^1.852 / d^4.8655, with
Q in gpm, d in inches, h_f in feet per 1,000 ft.)
A. 0.85 ft/1,000 ft
B. 1.25 ft/1,000 ft CORRECT
C. 2.10 ft/1,000 ft
D. 3.40 ft/1,000 ft
RATIONALE: Using the formula: h_f = 0.2083 * (100/130)^1.852 * (1500)^1.852 / (12)^4.8655.
Calculate (100/130)^1.852 0.615; 1500^1.852 1.23×10^6; 12^4.8655 2.45×10^5. Then h_f =
0.2083 * 0.615 * 1.23×10^.45×10^5 1.25 ft/1,000 ft. The other options result from
misapplication of exponents or unit errors.
Page 2
