On-Site Sewage Contractor Exam
Questions and Correct Answers
Absorption field lengths are determined - Answer-by the # of bedrooms in a home or estimated gallon
per day water usage
Absorption field depths are determined by - Answer-the soil conditions on the property
From wells to springs - Answer-a minimum of 50' from septic tanks and a minimum of 100' from
absorption fields
From property lines served by the public - Answer-a minimum of 10' from septic tanks and a minimum
of 5' from the absorption fields
From property lines served by individual - Answer-absorption lines must be 50' from adjacent property
unless development is preplanned
From bodies of water or impoundments - Answer-minimum of 25' from septic tanks and min 50' from
absorption fields
From streams or tributaries - Answer-a min of 25' from septic tanks and a min of 50' from absorption
fields
, From ponded wetlands - Answer-a minimum of 50' for absorption fields
Building with a basement - Answer-septic tank and absorption fields a minimum of 10' from foundation
From a drainage ditch, trash pits, and embankments - Answer-15 feet
If the water supply crosses or comes within 10 feet of the absorption field - Answer-the water supply
line shall be installed at least 12 inches above the top of the aggregate layer of the absorption field line
and shall be encased in single-length larger diameter
After the permit has been issued - Answer-any grading, filling or other site modifications that would
adversely affect the system will render the permit void
the first component of an on-site sewage management system - Answer-the septic tank
Septic tanks are generally pre-cast with - Answer-concrete and delivered to the site. They can also be
poured in place when necessary
Septic tanks must have 2 compartments with the first - Answer-designed to contain at least 2/3 of the
total liquid capacity of the tank
Septic tanks may be constructed from material of than concrete only when - Answer-approved by the
department's technical review committee
Regardless of the tank construction the minimum liquid capacity of a septic tank for one, two, three or
four bedroom homes - Answer-shall not be less than 1,000 gallon
For each additional bedroom over 4 - Answer-the septic tank capacity shall increase by 250 gallons
Questions and Correct Answers
Absorption field lengths are determined - Answer-by the # of bedrooms in a home or estimated gallon
per day water usage
Absorption field depths are determined by - Answer-the soil conditions on the property
From wells to springs - Answer-a minimum of 50' from septic tanks and a minimum of 100' from
absorption fields
From property lines served by the public - Answer-a minimum of 10' from septic tanks and a minimum
of 5' from the absorption fields
From property lines served by individual - Answer-absorption lines must be 50' from adjacent property
unless development is preplanned
From bodies of water or impoundments - Answer-minimum of 25' from septic tanks and min 50' from
absorption fields
From streams or tributaries - Answer-a min of 25' from septic tanks and a min of 50' from absorption
fields
, From ponded wetlands - Answer-a minimum of 50' for absorption fields
Building with a basement - Answer-septic tank and absorption fields a minimum of 10' from foundation
From a drainage ditch, trash pits, and embankments - Answer-15 feet
If the water supply crosses or comes within 10 feet of the absorption field - Answer-the water supply
line shall be installed at least 12 inches above the top of the aggregate layer of the absorption field line
and shall be encased in single-length larger diameter
After the permit has been issued - Answer-any grading, filling or other site modifications that would
adversely affect the system will render the permit void
the first component of an on-site sewage management system - Answer-the septic tank
Septic tanks are generally pre-cast with - Answer-concrete and delivered to the site. They can also be
poured in place when necessary
Septic tanks must have 2 compartments with the first - Answer-designed to contain at least 2/3 of the
total liquid capacity of the tank
Septic tanks may be constructed from material of than concrete only when - Answer-approved by the
department's technical review committee
Regardless of the tank construction the minimum liquid capacity of a septic tank for one, two, three or
four bedroom homes - Answer-shall not be less than 1,000 gallon
For each additional bedroom over 4 - Answer-the septic tank capacity shall increase by 250 gallons
