OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEMS VOLUME 1 |88 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS|GUARANTEED SUCCESS

The Operator. What is another term for wastewater collection system? 1. Sewerage system. 2. Distribution system. 3. Pipes, pumps, and plants. 4. Sewers. What is meant by operation and maintenance of wastewater collection system? 1. Keeping the facilities in good operating condition. 2. Bypassing raw wastewater from the collection system. 3. Keeping the trucks operating. 4. Working with other utility agencies. What can happen when flows in excess of the sewer capacity occur? 1. Toilets will not flush. 2. Wastewater flows out the manhole. 3. Excess capacity is no longer available. 4. Pipes need to be expanded. What is the result of effective operation and maintenance of a collection system? 1. Fewer job opportunities for qualified collection system operators. 2. Inadequate use of available electric. 3. Overloading of the telephone system. 4. Protection of the community's capital investment in the collection system. What does it take to become a collection system operator? 1. Desire. 2. Good luck. 3. Money. 4. Friends. How should operators do underground sewer work? 1. Safely. 2. Economically. 3. Quickly. 4. Perfectly. O&M. What is a major cause of corrosion in wastewater collection systems? 1. Hydrogen sulfide gas. 2. Earth movement. 3. Pipe materials. 4. Vibration from traffic. What is the principal cause of pipes damage that allows infiltration and exfiltration? 1. Construction activities by other utilities. 2. Root growth. 3. Vibration from traffic. 4. Rigid pipe joints. Why should infiltration/inflow (I/I) into collection systems be reduced? 1. Allows collection system to handle greater quantities of wastewater. 2. Reduces potential for beach closures. 3. Dilutes strength of wastewater flowing in sewer. 4. Decreases flows in ditches in which sewers are installed. Why are collection system operator considered similar to doctors? 1. They try to fix the broken parts of the system. 2. They can always identity the cause of the problem. 3. They operate on wastewater collection system. 4. They diagnose the system and seek cures for its ills. Collection System. Why should collection system operators have a basic knowledge of how engineers design collection systems? 1. To do a better job. 2. To design collection system. 3. To prepare plans and specifications. 4. To estimate costs of construction projects. How are flow velocities estimated in existing sewers flowing partially full? 1. Manning's meters. 2. Velocity meters. 3. Floats. 4. Computer models. What is the purpose of grinder pumps? 1. To pressurize the wastewater to help move it through the collection system. 2. To lift the pumped flows into a gravity flows system. 3. To measure the flows pumped into the collection system. 4. To pump sludge into the collection system from holding tanks. What is the purpose of back flow preventers? 1. Prevent deposition of solids in sewer. 2. Stop the accidental reverse flow of wastewater into buildings. 3. Protect public water supply from contaminated. 4. Provide a filter or screen for rags. How can drop manholes be avoided? 1. Lower the elevation of the manhole. 2. Use steeper slopes for incoming sewers to manhole. 3. Install more manhole. 4. Construct larger diameter sewers. When operators review wastewater collection system design plans and specifications,what should be the most important concern regarding manholes? 1. Well- ventilated location. 2. Located in middle of major streets. 3. Accessible location. 4. Located in creek beds. How is the minimum scouring velocity achieved in a sewer? 1. By using a minimum slope. 2. By regulating flows. 3. By adjusting pipe materials. 4. By changing pipe diameter. Why should the use of sewer easement be minimized? 1. They are very expensive. 2. They are difficult to gain access to and to maintain. 3. They are a burden for design engineers. 4. They are obstruction for traffic. Why are steps or rungs in manholes prohibited in some collection system jurisdictions? 1. To eliminate hazard of corroded steps. 2. To avoid grease accumulations on the steps. 3. To prevent collection of rags and debris on steps. 4. To provide more working space in manhole. What is the flow in cubic feet per second (CFS) in a 10-inch diameter sewer flowing full? A dye test indicates that the flow velocity is 2.2 feet per second. 1.20 cu ft/sec. What is a flow of 1.5 cubic feet per second (CFS) in million gallons per day (MGD)? 1.2 MGD. Safety Procedures. What is defensive driving? 1. A mature attitude toward driving. 2. Driving within the speed limit. 3. Making sure no one drivers into your vehicle. 4. Following approved routes. What is the purpose of traffic control? 1. To control vehicle speed. 2. To provide safe and effective work areas. 3. To minimize congestion. 4. To keep the public happy. When should all spoil material from an excavation be removed from the pavement surface? 1. When the spoil is unsuitable for backfill material. 2. When rain is forecast. 3. When bridges or plates used. 4. When traffic may vibrate the trench walls. When should workers wear high-visibility reflectorized garments? 1. Any time construction work is slow. 2. Any time visibility is reduced by weather,smoke,or fog. 3. Any time traffic is light. 4. Any time photographers are at the work site. How does sewer system confined space entry differ from other permit and non-permit entries? 1. Hazardous atmospheres are rarely encountered. 2. There rarely exists any way to completely isolate the space. 3. Only one person ever enters the confined space. 4. Manhole are the only type of confined spaces entered. What is "hot work"? All work involving 1. Flame-or spark-producing operations. 2. Force mains flowing full and under pressure. 3. Sewer repairs when the pipe is too hot to touch. 4. Outdoor activities when the temperature and humidity cause excessive use sweating. What does engulfment mean? 1. Being where the atmospheric hazards can overcome your respiratory system. 2. Being in a situation where your lung capacity is insufficient to meet oxygen demands of your body. 3. Being surrounded or covered and trapped by a liquid, powder, or granular material. 4. Being capable of swallowing a large amount of liquid in a short time period. How should infectious wastes be disinfected? By using 1. Autoclave. 2. Digestion. 3. Heat drying. 4. UV light. Why do some agencies use "wristlets"? 1. They are easier to use then a ladder to exit a manhole. 2. They are preferred by operators because they are quick and easy to place on your wrists. 3. They are the safest and most effective alternative to removing a body through a manhole. 4. They are used to protect operator's wrists from strains and sprains during a slip or fall. What should be the first test performed with atmospheric analyzes? 1. Oxygen content. 2. Combustible gases. 3. Toxic gases. 4. Inert gases. What type of glove should be worn to protect against sparks,flames, and heate? 1. Aluminum gloves. 2. Cork-dipped gloves. 3. Metal mesh gloves. 4. Rubber gloves. What should happen if an "alarm condition" develops in a confined space? 1. Atmospheric testing equipment shall be recalibrated. 2. Operators shall receive additional training. 3. Area shall be evacuated, ventilated, and retested. 4. Confined space entry permit shall be reviewed. Why should other utility companies be contacted before opening a collection system excavation? 1. To avoid damaging other underground utilities. 2. To coordinate repair activities. 3. To plan roadway resurfacing programs. 4. To utilize the same equipment. What shoring? 1. A framework designed to support the walls of a trench. 2. An area along the edge of a body of water. 3. Bedding used to protect the bottom of a sewer pipe. 4. Material used to protect the trench bottom. Why should electrical panel doors be closed when re-energizing a circuit? 1. Protect wiring against corrosion. 2. Protect inside of panel from sunlight. 3. Protect you against the explosion of circuit breakers. 4. Protect electrical components from weather. What is the best noise control measures? 1. Source control. 2. Path control. 3. Ear protection control. 4. Receiver control. Inspection & Testing. What should be done with the information gathered during the inspection and testing of wastewater collection systems. 1. Analyzed by information analysts to identify trends. 2. Develop operation and maintenance programs to ensure intended performance. 3. Filed in data management system. 4. Studied by statisticians to develop relevant parameters. What problem is created when a leaky sewer is located under a water table? 1. Corrosion rates of the pipe material are increased. 2. Erosive velocities develop inside the sewer pipe. 3. Force of water can cause the pipe to crack or break. 4. Infiltration can take place and occupy valuable capacity in the sewer. What is the major problem caused by inflow and infiltration? 1. Excessive residence time and setting of solids in sewer. 2. Hydraulic overload of the collection system. 3. Loss of valuable water for reclamation. 4. Subsidence as a result of removing excess water. Under what conditions should manhole be inspected more frequently? 1. When many hazardous gases are discovered in the manhole. 2. When many serious defects that need correcting are discovered. 3. When more manholes start overflowing. 4. When more operators/inspectors become available. What is expected of a collection system TV operator? 1. Ability to recognize and evaluate conditions found in pipe by TV. 2. Capability of directing the TV program. 3. Desire to keep TV camera from becoming stuck in sewer. 4. Knowledge of TV electronics. In what direction should the TV camera be pulled? 1. In the direction against the flow. 2. In the direction from the downstream manhole to the upstream manhole. 3. In the direction of the flow. 4. In the direction opposite of the flow. Why should work clothes never be washed with the family laundry? 1. Because the agency has the facilities to wash work clothes. 2. To prevent the loss of work clothes. 3. To reduce the chances of infecting the operator's family. 4. To save on washing costs at home. Where should all footage readings start when televising a sewer? 1. Center of camera. 2. Center of manhole. 3. Focal point of camera. 4. Front of camera. Whenever pulling or moving a TV camera in a sewer back more than one foot, why must the slack be taken out of the power cable while the camera is moving backwards? 1. To avoid improper footage measurements. 2. To avoid tangling and wearing the power in the cable. 3. To prevent distorting of transmitted TV picture. 4. To prevent excessive use of power in the cable. What can be done to be able to smoke test where there are high wastewater flows that prevent safe plugging of a sewer to be smoke test? 1. Ignite additional smoke bombs to increase concentrations of smoke. 2. Implement a public information program to request 3. Installed bypass pumps to divert flow. 4. Use heavy canvas with weights on bottom to confine smoke. Why should the blower be started and allowed to force air into the pipe system for 5 to 10 minutes or longer before any smoke bomb is lit? 1. To allow time to notify the fire department. 2. To avoid frightening the public. 3. To clear the sewer of odors. 4. To get an air flow established. What information should be recorded when smoke is observed coming from the vents only of a house? 1. This house have a defective vent. 2. This house have a leaky sewer vent. 3. This house have an empty trap. 4. This house is OK. Why should sewers be tested for flammable and explosive gases before smoke testing? 1. To assure public that sewers are safe. 2. To comply with confined space entry procedures. 3. To determine if the fire department should be notified. 4. To prevent lighted bomb from causing a fire or explosion. Why should powdered dye NOT be used on a windy day. 1. Dye's color can change under windy conditions. 2. Once wind scatters powdered dye, the dye is impossible to collect. 3. Testing for hazardous atmospheres is difficult when dye is present during windy days. 4. Winds can provide excessive ventilation of the sewer. Cleaning & Maintenance. What does the receipt of numerous odor complaints often indicate? 1. Allergy season is over. 2. Customers are paying their bills. 3. Public know how to file a complaint. 4. Sewer need to be cleaned. Why should the operator at the downstream wastewater treatment plant be notified before clearing a large septic stoppage? 1. To allow notification of pollution control authorities. 2. To notify agency officials of potential problems. 3. To prevent plant from being short of staff when septic slug arrives. 4. To prevent treatment processes from becoming upset and failing to do their jobs.