TCEQ Wastewater License Exam Questions & Answers

What are the steps of the Water Use Cycle? - ANSWERSEnvironment --> Water Treatment --> Water Distribution System --> Customer Use --> Wastewater Collection System --> Wastewater Treatment --> Environment AnswerWhat are the benefits of the collection system? - ANSWERS- Removal of health hazards - Prevention of odors and flies - Cleanliness and appearance - Comfort and convenience AnswerSeptic vs. Fresh wastewater? - ANSWERSSeptic wastewater doesn't contain dissolved oxygen and is difficult to treat. Fresh wastewater contains dissolved oxygen and is easier to treat, which results in higher quality effluent AnswerInflow - ANSWERSSurface runoff that enters the collection system AnswerInfiltration - ANSWERSGroundwater that enters the collection system through holes, cracks, etc. AnswerWhat is the average domestic contribution to the collection system? (Per person/day) - ANSWERS100 gallons per day AnswerWhat are the four wastewater characteristics? - ANSWERSPhysical, Chemical, Bacteriological, and Radiological AnswerDomestic wastewater is ___% water and ___% solids - ANSWERS99.9% water, 0.1% solids AnswerSettleable solids - ANSWERSSuspended solids that will settle when wastewater flow is still or slow moving AnswerWhat is the pH scale range? - ANSWERS0 (most acidic) to 14 (most basic), 7 is neutral AnswerDoes septic or freshwater have a lower pH? Why? - ANSWERSSeptic has lower pH due to volatile acids formed from wastewater decomposition AnswerWhat is Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)? When does it occur? - ANSWERSA colorless, toxic, and flammable gas that resembles the smell of rotten eggs. It results from the bacterial breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. It is heavier than air. AnswerWhat is Methane? (CH4) What percentage of methane is in digester gas? - ANSWERSA colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas. Methane is an asphyxiant and is lighter than air. Digester gas contains 65% methane and is used for heating fuel or operating equipment. AnswerWhat is carbon dioxide? (CO2) - ANSWERSA colorless, odorless gas that has a suffocating effect. When inhaled at higher than normal concentrations, it can produce a sour taste in the mouth and a stinging sensation in the nose and throat. AnswerWhat is carbon monoxide? (CO) - ANSWERSA colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas AnswerWhy is oil and grease a concern if present in wastewater? - ANSWERSIt may cause explosions, fires, line blockages, and odor AnswerWhat are chlorides and why are excessive chlorides in wastewater bad? - ANSWERSExcessive chlorides interfere with treatment processes, especially trickling filters. They also affect laboratory tests. AnswerWhat does the BOD test measure? - ANSWERSIt measures wastewater strength and the oxygen depleting effect of wastewater effluent on the receiving stream. Specifically, it indicates the amount of organic matter that can be oxidized by biological and chemical action in five days at 20 degrees Celsius. AnswerWhat are pathogens? What are two viral diseases that could be carried in wastewater? - ANSWERSPolio and infectious hepatitis AnswerWhat are precautions individuals can take to protect against pathogens in the collection system? How do communities overall prevent waterborne disease? - ANSWERS- Wear cut-resistant gloves - Wash after contacting wastewater - Do not eat or smoke around wastewater - Disinfect equipment with bleach - Well-maintained water system - Sanitary collection system - Well-operated wastewater treatment plant AnswerWhat is the purpose of wastewater treatment? - ANSWERS- Dispose of solids - Destroy pathogens - Eliminate nuisances - Protect downstream users AnswerWhat is the state *law* regulating water pollution control in Texas? - ANSWERSThe Texas Water Code AnswerWho is the primary state *agency* having authority for water pollution control in Texas? - ANSWERSThe Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) AnswerHow did the state get its authority to control water pollution? - ANSWERSThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delegated that authority to the individual states. AnswerWhat is the EPA's primary wastewater legislation? - ANSWERSThe Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972. As amended in 1977, this law commonly became known as the Clean Water Act AnswerWhat did the Clean Water Act do? - ANSWERS- Created pollution control programs - Made it unlawful to discharge a point source into navigable waters without a permit - Funded construction of wastewater treatment plants AnswerWhen can TCEQ revoke an operator's permit? - ANSWERSIf the operator: - violates the permit - falsifies records - states misleading information on the licensing application - or causes other violations AnswerWhat is an accidental discharge? When must TCEQ be notified about it? - ANSWERSAn act or omission through which waste or other substances are inadvertently discharged into water in the state. TCEQ must be notified within 24 hours if one occurs. AnswerWhat is an unauthorized discharge? - ANSWERSAny discharge of wastewater into or adjacent to waters in the state at a location not permitted as an outfall. Ex: SSO AnswerAt what population does a city may have to establish a water pollution control and abatement program? - ANSWERS10,000 or more AnswerLift stations are built when wastewater is: - ANSWERS- Raised to a higher elevation - Pumped over a hill - Lifted at a plant for gravity flow AnswerTCEQ's goals regarding water pollution control are: - ANSWERS- To maintain state water quality - To promote wastewater collection and disposal systems - To use all reasonable methods to implement the state water plan AnswerThe TCEQ may assess administrative penalties up to $______ per day for each violation - ANSWERS$25,000 AnswerRequired records, such as flow and effluent quality, must be kept for ___ years. Sludge records must be kept ___ years. - ANSWERS3, 5 AnswerReports, including Discharge Monitoring Reports and Monthly Effluent Reports, are to be submitted to the TCEQ no later than the __ of the _____ month. - ANSWERS20th, following AnswerAbout ___ pounds of BOD are contributed daily by each person (The BOD population equivalent) - ANSWERS0.17 AnswerAny plant with a design flow above ___ MGD is required to install instrumentation for continuous flow totalizing - ANSWERS0.5 MGD AnswerWhat does preliminary treatment do? - ANSWERSIt protects the treatment system from large obstructions in the raw influent, unnecessary wear on process equipment, and fluctuations of flow and pollutant strength AnswerWhat does primary treatment do? It should remove what percentage of settleable solids, suspended solids, BOD, and total organic matter? - ANSWERSPrimary treatment is the removal of settleable solids from the raw wastewater It should remove: - 90-95% of settleable solids - 50-70% of suspended solids - 35% of BOD - 20-30% of total organic matter AnswerWhat are the essential requirements of life? - ANSWERS- energy - oxygen - carbon - nitrogen -phosphorus - water - sulfur