TCEQ Wastewater License Exam Questions &
Answers 2024 Update.
What are the steps of the Water Use Cycle? - (correct answer) -Environment --> Water Treatment -->
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Water Distribution System --> Customer Use --> Wastewater Collection System --> Wastewater
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Treatment --> Environment
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What are the benefits of the collection system? - (correct answer) -- Removal of health hazards
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- Prevention of odors and flies
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- Cleanliness and appearance
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- Comfort and convenience
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Septic vs. Fresh wastewater? - (correct answer) -Septic wastewater doesn't contain dissolved oxygen
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
and is difficult to treat. Fresh wastewater contains dissolved oxygen and is easier to treat, which
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
results in higher quality effluent
yi yi yi yi yi
Inflow - (correct answer) -Surface runoff that enters the collection system
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Infiltration - (correct answer) -Groundwater that enters the collection system through holes, cracks, etc.
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
What is the average domestic contribution to the collection system? (Per person/day) - (correct answer)
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
-100 gallons per day
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What are the four wastewater characteristics? - (correct answer) -Physical, Chemical, Bacteriological,
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and Radiological
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Domestic wastewater is ___% water and ___% solids - (correct answer) -99.9% water, 0.1% solids
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Settleable solids - (correct answer) -Suspended solids that will settle when wastewater flow is still or
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
slow moving
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What is the pH scale range? - (correct answer) -0 (most acidic) to 14 (most basic), 7 is neutral
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Does septic or freshwater have a lower pH? Why? - (correct answer) -Septic has lower pH due to
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
volatile acids formed from wastewater decomposition
yi yi yi yi yi yi
What is Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)? When does it occur? - (correct answer) -A colorless, toxic, and
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
flammable gas that resembles the smell of rotten eggs. It results from the bacterial breakdown of
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
organic matter in the absence of oxygen. It is heavier than air.
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
What is Methane? (CH4) What percentage of methane is in digester gas? - (correct answer) -A colorless,
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
odorless, and highly flammable gas. Methane is an asphyxiant and is lighter than air. Digester gas
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
contains 65% methane and is used for heating fuel or operating equipment.
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
What is carbon dioxide? (CO2) - (correct answer) -A colorless, odorless gas that has a suffocating effect.
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
When inhaled at higher than normal concentrations, it can produce a sour taste in the mouth and a
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
stinging sensation in the nose and throat.
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
, What is carbon monoxide? (CO) - (correct answer) -A colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Why is oil and grease a concern if present in wastewater? - (correct answer) -It may cause explosions,
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
fires, line blockages, and odor
yi yi yi yi yi
What are chlorides and why are excessive chlorides in wastewater bad? - (correct answer) -Excessive
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
chlorides interfere with treatment processes, especially trickling filters. They also affect laboratory
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
tests.
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What does the BOD test measure? - (correct answer) -It measures wastewater strength and the oxygen
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
depleting effect of wastewater effluent on the receiving stream. Specifically, it indicates the amount of
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
organic matter that can be oxidized by biological and chemical action in five days at 20 degrees
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Celsius.
yi
What are pathogens? What are two viral diseases that could be carried in wastewater? - (correct
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answer) -Polio and infectious hepatitis
yi yi yi yi yi
What are precautions individuals can take to protect against pathogens in the collection system? How
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
do communities overall prevent waterborne disease? - (correct answer) -- Wear cut-resistant gloves
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- Wash after contacting wastewater
yi yi yi yi
- Do not eat or smoke around wastewater
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- Disinfect equipment with bleach
yi yi yi yi
- Well-maintained water system
yi yi yi
- Sanitary collection system
yi yi yi
- Well-operated wastewater treatment plant
yi yi yi yi
What is the purpose of wastewater treatment? - (correct answer) -- Dispose of solids
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- Destroy pathogens
yi yi
- Eliminate nuisances
yi yi
- Protect downstream users
yi yi yi
What is the state *law* regulating water pollution control in Texas? - (correct answer) -The Texas Water
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Code
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Who is the primary state *agency* having authority for water pollution control in Texas? - (correct
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answer) -The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
How did the state get its authority to control water pollution? - (correct answer) -The Environmental
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Protection Agency (EPA) delegated that authority to the individual states.
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
What is the EPA's primary wastewater legislation? - (correct answer) -The Federal Water Pollution
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Control Act of 1972. As amended in 1977, this law commonly became known as the Clean Water Act
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
What did the Clean Water Act do? - (correct answer) -- Created pollution control programs
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- Made it unlawful to discharge a point source into navigable waters without a permit
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- Funded construction of wastewater treatment plants
yi yi yi yi yi yi
When can TCEQ revoke an operator's permit? - (correct answer) -If the operator:
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- violates the permit
yi yi yi
- falsifies records
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- states misleading information on the licensing application
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- or causes other violations
yi yi yi yi
What is an accidental discharge? When must TCEQ be notified about it? - (correct answer) -An act or
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
omission through which waste or other substances are inadvertently discharged into water in the state.
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Answers 2024 Update.
What are the steps of the Water Use Cycle? - (correct answer) -Environment --> Water Treatment -->
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Water Distribution System --> Customer Use --> Wastewater Collection System --> Wastewater
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Treatment --> Environment
yi yi yi
What are the benefits of the collection system? - (correct answer) -- Removal of health hazards
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- Prevention of odors and flies
yi yi yi yi yi
- Cleanliness and appearance
yi yi yi
- Comfort and convenience
yi yi yi
Septic vs. Fresh wastewater? - (correct answer) -Septic wastewater doesn't contain dissolved oxygen
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
and is difficult to treat. Fresh wastewater contains dissolved oxygen and is easier to treat, which
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
results in higher quality effluent
yi yi yi yi yi
Inflow - (correct answer) -Surface runoff that enters the collection system
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Infiltration - (correct answer) -Groundwater that enters the collection system through holes, cracks, etc.
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
What is the average domestic contribution to the collection system? (Per person/day) - (correct answer)
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
-100 gallons per day
yi yi yi yi
What are the four wastewater characteristics? - (correct answer) -Physical, Chemical, Bacteriological,
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
and Radiological
yi yi
Domestic wastewater is ___% water and ___% solids - (correct answer) -99.9% water, 0.1% solids
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Settleable solids - (correct answer) -Suspended solids that will settle when wastewater flow is still or
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
slow moving
yi yi
What is the pH scale range? - (correct answer) -0 (most acidic) to 14 (most basic), 7 is neutral
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Does septic or freshwater have a lower pH? Why? - (correct answer) -Septic has lower pH due to
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
volatile acids formed from wastewater decomposition
yi yi yi yi yi yi
What is Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)? When does it occur? - (correct answer) -A colorless, toxic, and
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
flammable gas that resembles the smell of rotten eggs. It results from the bacterial breakdown of
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
organic matter in the absence of oxygen. It is heavier than air.
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
What is Methane? (CH4) What percentage of methane is in digester gas? - (correct answer) -A colorless,
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
odorless, and highly flammable gas. Methane is an asphyxiant and is lighter than air. Digester gas
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
contains 65% methane and is used for heating fuel or operating equipment.
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
What is carbon dioxide? (CO2) - (correct answer) -A colorless, odorless gas that has a suffocating effect.
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
When inhaled at higher than normal concentrations, it can produce a sour taste in the mouth and a
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
stinging sensation in the nose and throat.
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
, What is carbon monoxide? (CO) - (correct answer) -A colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Why is oil and grease a concern if present in wastewater? - (correct answer) -It may cause explosions,
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
fires, line blockages, and odor
yi yi yi yi yi
What are chlorides and why are excessive chlorides in wastewater bad? - (correct answer) -Excessive
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
chlorides interfere with treatment processes, especially trickling filters. They also affect laboratory
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
tests.
yi
What does the BOD test measure? - (correct answer) -It measures wastewater strength and the oxygen
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
depleting effect of wastewater effluent on the receiving stream. Specifically, it indicates the amount of
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
organic matter that can be oxidized by biological and chemical action in five days at 20 degrees
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Celsius.
yi
What are pathogens? What are two viral diseases that could be carried in wastewater? - (correct
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
answer) -Polio and infectious hepatitis
yi yi yi yi yi
What are precautions individuals can take to protect against pathogens in the collection system? How
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
do communities overall prevent waterborne disease? - (correct answer) -- Wear cut-resistant gloves
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- Wash after contacting wastewater
yi yi yi yi
- Do not eat or smoke around wastewater
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- Disinfect equipment with bleach
yi yi yi yi
- Well-maintained water system
yi yi yi
- Sanitary collection system
yi yi yi
- Well-operated wastewater treatment plant
yi yi yi yi
What is the purpose of wastewater treatment? - (correct answer) -- Dispose of solids
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- Destroy pathogens
yi yi
- Eliminate nuisances
yi yi
- Protect downstream users
yi yi yi
What is the state *law* regulating water pollution control in Texas? - (correct answer) -The Texas Water
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Code
yi
Who is the primary state *agency* having authority for water pollution control in Texas? - (correct
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
answer) -The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
How did the state get its authority to control water pollution? - (correct answer) -The Environmental
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Protection Agency (EPA) delegated that authority to the individual states.
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
What is the EPA's primary wastewater legislation? - (correct answer) -The Federal Water Pollution
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
Control Act of 1972. As amended in 1977, this law commonly became known as the Clean Water Act
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
What did the Clean Water Act do? - (correct answer) -- Created pollution control programs
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- Made it unlawful to discharge a point source into navigable waters without a permit
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- Funded construction of wastewater treatment plants
yi yi yi yi yi yi
When can TCEQ revoke an operator's permit? - (correct answer) -If the operator:
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- violates the permit
yi yi yi
- falsifies records
yi yi
- states misleading information on the licensing application
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
- or causes other violations
yi yi yi yi
What is an accidental discharge? When must TCEQ be notified about it? - (correct answer) -An act or
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
omission through which waste or other substances are inadvertently discharged into water in the state.
yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi
