Texas Water Class B Groundwater Operator Exam | TCEQ
Complete Question Bank, Practice Questions & Answers
2026/2027
Question 1
What is the primary difference between a confined aquifer and an
unconfined aquifer?
• A. A confined aquifer contains no water under pressure, while an
unconfined aquifer does.
• B. A confined aquifer is bounded above and below by
impermeable or semi-permeable geologic layers, with water
under hydrostatic pressure, whereas an unconfined aquifer has a
water table exposed to the atmosphere.
• C. Unconfined aquifers are always deeper than confined aquifers.
• D. Confined aquifers are replenished exclusively by direct rainfall
infiltration within 50 feet.
Correct Answer: B. A confined aquifer is bounded above and below by
impermeable or semi-permeable geologic layers, with water under
hydrostatic pressure, whereas an unconfined aquifer has a water table
exposed to the atmosphere.
Detailed Rationale: Confined aquifers are sealed by confining layers
(aquitards/aquicludes), causing water to rise in a well above the top of
the aquifer (artesian conditions), unlike unconfined aquifers where the
water table forms the upper boundary.
,Question 2
According to TCEQ 30 TAC Chapter 290, what is the standard minimum
radius for a sanitary control easement (SCE) around a newly installed
public drinking water well?
• A. 50 feet
• B. 100 feet
• C. 150 feet
• D. 500 feet
Correct Answer: C. 150 feet
Detailed Rationale: TCEQ regulations mandate a 150-foot minimum
sanitary control easement around public water supply wells to protect
the immediate recharge area from potential contamination sources like
septic tanks and sewer lines.
Question 3
A production well pumps at a rate of 500 GPM. If the static water level
is 50 feet below ground level and the pumping water level is 80 feet
below ground level, what is the specific capacity of the well?
• A. 6.25 GPM/ft
• B. 10.0 GPM/ft
• C. 16.6 GPM/ft
• D. 30.0 GPM/ft
Correct Answer: A. 6.25 GPM/ft
,Detailed Rationale: Specific capacity is calculated by dividing the well
yield (𝑄) by the drawdown (𝑠). Drawdown = Pumping Level - Static Level
(80 − 50 = 30 ft). Specific Capacity = 500 GPM/30 ft = 16.67 (Wait,
let's recalculate: 500/30 = 16.66 GPM/ft. Let's adjust the numbers so
it matches option C).
Correction: If yield is 500 GPM and drawdown is 30 feet, specific
capacity is 16.6 GPM/ft, which matches option C. Let's adjust Option C
to be the correct answer.
Corrected Answer: C. 16.6 GPM/ft.
Question 4
What is the primary purpose of well development immediately after
drilling and casing a new groundwater well?
• A. To test the electrical motor resistance.
• B. To remove fine-grained sediments and drilling mud from the
formation immediately surrounding the screen, maximizing well
yield and hydraulic efficiency.
• C. To chlorinate the entire aquifer.
• D. To measure the static water temperature.
Correct Answer: B. To remove fine-grained sediments and drilling mud
from the formation immediately surrounding the screen, maximizing
well yield and hydraulic efficiency.
Detailed Rationale: Well development (using surging, jetting, or
pumping) clears out drilling fluids and fine particles from the gravel
pack and formation, preventing sand pumping and enhancing water
entry.
, Question 5
What is the main advantage of a vertical turbine pump over a
submersible pump in large municipal deep wells?
• A. The motor is located above ground, making maintenance,
inspection, and electrical repairs much easier without pulling the
pump from the well.
• B. Vertical turbine pumps operate entirely underwater with no
surface components.
• C. They require no lubrication or packing.
• D. They cannot cavitate under any condition.
Correct Answer: A. The motor is located above ground, making
maintenance, inspection, and electrical repairs much easier without
pulling the pump from the well.
Detailed Rationale: Surface-mounted motors on vertical turbine
assemblies allow for direct servicing of electrical components and
drives without lifting wet pump columns from deep downhole
locations.
Question 6
According to TCEQ 30 TAC 290, what is the minimum free chlorine
residual that must be maintained throughout the distribution system
supplied by a groundwater source at all times?
• A. 0.0 mg/L
• B. 0.2 mg/L (or 0.5 mg/L for chloramines)
• C. 1.0 mg/L
Complete Question Bank, Practice Questions & Answers
2026/2027
Question 1
What is the primary difference between a confined aquifer and an
unconfined aquifer?
• A. A confined aquifer contains no water under pressure, while an
unconfined aquifer does.
• B. A confined aquifer is bounded above and below by
impermeable or semi-permeable geologic layers, with water
under hydrostatic pressure, whereas an unconfined aquifer has a
water table exposed to the atmosphere.
• C. Unconfined aquifers are always deeper than confined aquifers.
• D. Confined aquifers are replenished exclusively by direct rainfall
infiltration within 50 feet.
Correct Answer: B. A confined aquifer is bounded above and below by
impermeable or semi-permeable geologic layers, with water under
hydrostatic pressure, whereas an unconfined aquifer has a water table
exposed to the atmosphere.
Detailed Rationale: Confined aquifers are sealed by confining layers
(aquitards/aquicludes), causing water to rise in a well above the top of
the aquifer (artesian conditions), unlike unconfined aquifers where the
water table forms the upper boundary.
,Question 2
According to TCEQ 30 TAC Chapter 290, what is the standard minimum
radius for a sanitary control easement (SCE) around a newly installed
public drinking water well?
• A. 50 feet
• B. 100 feet
• C. 150 feet
• D. 500 feet
Correct Answer: C. 150 feet
Detailed Rationale: TCEQ regulations mandate a 150-foot minimum
sanitary control easement around public water supply wells to protect
the immediate recharge area from potential contamination sources like
septic tanks and sewer lines.
Question 3
A production well pumps at a rate of 500 GPM. If the static water level
is 50 feet below ground level and the pumping water level is 80 feet
below ground level, what is the specific capacity of the well?
• A. 6.25 GPM/ft
• B. 10.0 GPM/ft
• C. 16.6 GPM/ft
• D. 30.0 GPM/ft
Correct Answer: A. 6.25 GPM/ft
,Detailed Rationale: Specific capacity is calculated by dividing the well
yield (𝑄) by the drawdown (𝑠). Drawdown = Pumping Level - Static Level
(80 − 50 = 30 ft). Specific Capacity = 500 GPM/30 ft = 16.67 (Wait,
let's recalculate: 500/30 = 16.66 GPM/ft. Let's adjust the numbers so
it matches option C).
Correction: If yield is 500 GPM and drawdown is 30 feet, specific
capacity is 16.6 GPM/ft, which matches option C. Let's adjust Option C
to be the correct answer.
Corrected Answer: C. 16.6 GPM/ft.
Question 4
What is the primary purpose of well development immediately after
drilling and casing a new groundwater well?
• A. To test the electrical motor resistance.
• B. To remove fine-grained sediments and drilling mud from the
formation immediately surrounding the screen, maximizing well
yield and hydraulic efficiency.
• C. To chlorinate the entire aquifer.
• D. To measure the static water temperature.
Correct Answer: B. To remove fine-grained sediments and drilling mud
from the formation immediately surrounding the screen, maximizing
well yield and hydraulic efficiency.
Detailed Rationale: Well development (using surging, jetting, or
pumping) clears out drilling fluids and fine particles from the gravel
pack and formation, preventing sand pumping and enhancing water
entry.
, Question 5
What is the main advantage of a vertical turbine pump over a
submersible pump in large municipal deep wells?
• A. The motor is located above ground, making maintenance,
inspection, and electrical repairs much easier without pulling the
pump from the well.
• B. Vertical turbine pumps operate entirely underwater with no
surface components.
• C. They require no lubrication or packing.
• D. They cannot cavitate under any condition.
Correct Answer: A. The motor is located above ground, making
maintenance, inspection, and electrical repairs much easier without
pulling the pump from the well.
Detailed Rationale: Surface-mounted motors on vertical turbine
assemblies allow for direct servicing of electrical components and
drives without lifting wet pump columns from deep downhole
locations.
Question 6
According to TCEQ 30 TAC 290, what is the minimum free chlorine
residual that must be maintained throughout the distribution system
supplied by a groundwater source at all times?
• A. 0.0 mg/L
• B. 0.2 mg/L (or 0.5 mg/L for chloramines)
• C. 1.0 mg/L
