Water distribution system operation
and maintenance Exam Questions &
Answers
What is the responsibility of the water distribution system operators? - ANSWER-
Water distribution system operators have the responsibility of ensuring that safe and
pleasant drinking water is delivered to everyones tap. Also adequate amounts of
water and pressure must be available during times of emergency, such as a fire.
What do water distribution system operators do with water distribution facilities? -
ANSWER-Water distribution system operators make sure water facilities do their
intended job. Operators operate, maintain, repair and manage these facilities.
List the two major sources of water supplies? - ANSWER-Ground water &
Surface water
Why should surface waters be treated? - ANSWER-Surface water is usually treated
with to remove suspended and dissolved materials and to kill or inactivate disease-
causing organisms.
Why should water distribution system operators discuss proposed facilities with
engineers? - ANSWER-To find out how the engineer intends for these facilities to be
operated, maintained and repaired and also to make suggestions on how these jobs
could be done more easily. Be sure there is adequate room for maintenance and
repair equipment even during adverse weather conditions.
Why are adequate and reliable records very important? - ANSWER-To document the
effectiveness of your operation.
To whom might you have to explain the purpose and operation of your facilities? -
ANSWER-Civic organizations, school classes, representatives of news media, and
even to city council members or directors of their district
Why is the appearance of pump stations and elevated tanks and the grounds around
them important? - ANSWER-It indicates to the public what type of operation you
maintain
Why is safety important? - ANSWER-Very important operator responsibility. Most
accidents result from carelessness or negligence. Safe procedures must be stressed
at all times.
Who hires water distribution system operators? - ANSWER-By cities, water agencies
or districts, private utility companies or industries.
, What does it take to be a good water distribution system operators? - ANSWER-
DESIRE. If you want to be a qualified water distribution system operator, you can do
it.
Air gap - ANSWER-An open vertical drop, or vertical empty space, that separates a
drinking (potable) water supply to be protected from another water system in a water
treatment plant or other location. This open gap prevents the contamination of
drinking water by backsiphonage or back flow because there is no way raw water or
any other water can reach the drinking water.
Altitude valve - ANSWER-A valve that automatically shuts off the flow into an
elevated tank when the water level in the tank reaches a predetermined level. It
automatically opens when the pressure in the distribution system drops below the
pressure in the tank.
Anode - ANSWER-The positive pole or electrode of an electrolytic system , such as
a battery. The anode attracts negatively charged particles or ions (anions).
Available chlorine - ANSWER-A measure of the amount of chlorine available in
chlorinated lime, hypochlorite compounds and other materials that are used as a
source of chlorine when compared with that of elemental (liquid or gaseous) chlorine.
Average demand - ANSWER-The total demand for water during a period of time
divided by the number of days in that time period. This is also called the average
daily demand.
Back flow - ANSWER-A reverse flow condition, created by a difference in water
pressures, which causes water to flow back into the distribution pipes of a potable
water supply from any source or sources other than an intended source.
Backsiphonage - ANSWER-A form of back flow caused by a negative or below
atmospheric pressure within a water system.
Breakpoint chlorination - ANSWER-Addition of chlorine to water until the chlorine
demand has been satisfied. At this point, further additions of chlorine will result in a
free residual chlorine that is directly proportional to the amount of chlorine added
beyond the breakpoint.
Cathode - ANSWER-The negative pole or electrode of an electrolytic cell or system.
The cathode attracts positively charged particles or ions (cations).
Catholic protection - ANSWER-An electrical system for prevention of rust, corrosion
and pitting of metal surfaces which are in contact with water or soil. A low-voltage
current is made to flow through a liquid (water) or a soil in contact with the metal in
such a manner that the external electromotive force renders the metal structure
cathodic. This concentrates corrosion on auxiliary anodic parts which are deliberately
allowed to corrode instead of letting the structure corrode.
Centrifugal pump - ANSWER-A pump consisting of an impeller fixed on a rotating
shaft that is enclosed in a casing and having an inlet and discharge connection. As
and maintenance Exam Questions &
Answers
What is the responsibility of the water distribution system operators? - ANSWER-
Water distribution system operators have the responsibility of ensuring that safe and
pleasant drinking water is delivered to everyones tap. Also adequate amounts of
water and pressure must be available during times of emergency, such as a fire.
What do water distribution system operators do with water distribution facilities? -
ANSWER-Water distribution system operators make sure water facilities do their
intended job. Operators operate, maintain, repair and manage these facilities.
List the two major sources of water supplies? - ANSWER-Ground water &
Surface water
Why should surface waters be treated? - ANSWER-Surface water is usually treated
with to remove suspended and dissolved materials and to kill or inactivate disease-
causing organisms.
Why should water distribution system operators discuss proposed facilities with
engineers? - ANSWER-To find out how the engineer intends for these facilities to be
operated, maintained and repaired and also to make suggestions on how these jobs
could be done more easily. Be sure there is adequate room for maintenance and
repair equipment even during adverse weather conditions.
Why are adequate and reliable records very important? - ANSWER-To document the
effectiveness of your operation.
To whom might you have to explain the purpose and operation of your facilities? -
ANSWER-Civic organizations, school classes, representatives of news media, and
even to city council members or directors of their district
Why is the appearance of pump stations and elevated tanks and the grounds around
them important? - ANSWER-It indicates to the public what type of operation you
maintain
Why is safety important? - ANSWER-Very important operator responsibility. Most
accidents result from carelessness or negligence. Safe procedures must be stressed
at all times.
Who hires water distribution system operators? - ANSWER-By cities, water agencies
or districts, private utility companies or industries.
, What does it take to be a good water distribution system operators? - ANSWER-
DESIRE. If you want to be a qualified water distribution system operator, you can do
it.
Air gap - ANSWER-An open vertical drop, or vertical empty space, that separates a
drinking (potable) water supply to be protected from another water system in a water
treatment plant or other location. This open gap prevents the contamination of
drinking water by backsiphonage or back flow because there is no way raw water or
any other water can reach the drinking water.
Altitude valve - ANSWER-A valve that automatically shuts off the flow into an
elevated tank when the water level in the tank reaches a predetermined level. It
automatically opens when the pressure in the distribution system drops below the
pressure in the tank.
Anode - ANSWER-The positive pole or electrode of an electrolytic system , such as
a battery. The anode attracts negatively charged particles or ions (anions).
Available chlorine - ANSWER-A measure of the amount of chlorine available in
chlorinated lime, hypochlorite compounds and other materials that are used as a
source of chlorine when compared with that of elemental (liquid or gaseous) chlorine.
Average demand - ANSWER-The total demand for water during a period of time
divided by the number of days in that time period. This is also called the average
daily demand.
Back flow - ANSWER-A reverse flow condition, created by a difference in water
pressures, which causes water to flow back into the distribution pipes of a potable
water supply from any source or sources other than an intended source.
Backsiphonage - ANSWER-A form of back flow caused by a negative or below
atmospheric pressure within a water system.
Breakpoint chlorination - ANSWER-Addition of chlorine to water until the chlorine
demand has been satisfied. At this point, further additions of chlorine will result in a
free residual chlorine that is directly proportional to the amount of chlorine added
beyond the breakpoint.
Cathode - ANSWER-The negative pole or electrode of an electrolytic cell or system.
The cathode attracts positively charged particles or ions (cations).
Catholic protection - ANSWER-An electrical system for prevention of rust, corrosion
and pitting of metal surfaces which are in contact with water or soil. A low-voltage
current is made to flow through a liquid (water) or a soil in contact with the metal in
such a manner that the external electromotive force renders the metal structure
cathodic. This concentrates corrosion on auxiliary anodic parts which are deliberately
allowed to corrode instead of letting the structure corrode.
Centrifugal pump - ANSWER-A pump consisting of an impeller fixed on a rotating
shaft that is enclosed in a casing and having an inlet and discharge connection. As
