TEXAS WASTEWATER OPERATORS
QUIZ WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
In the activated sludge plants, the operator will experience problems. Some of the
common Operational problems include -
a. Sludge quality, Foaming, Improper operating techniques
b. Sludge consistency, Mechanical failures, Microorganisms die off
c. Odors, Foaming, Operators not understanding lab analysis or how to correct
deficiencies
d. Recycling pumps and lines are typically undersized causing septic sludge, foaming,
Operator training & Understanding of the plant
e. Both a & d - ANSWER-a. Sludge quality, Foaming, Improper operating techniques
In the activated sludge process, techniques used to reduce "Frothing & Foaming"
typically include -
a. Adjusting sludge age, Reducing the amount of air, Spraying the frothing area with
water, Applying de-foaming agents
b. Adjusting recycle rate, Increasing DO, Spraying the frothing area with Ammonia, &
Wasting sludge
c. Reducing sludge age, Increasing air, Increasing detention times, & wasting more of
the sludge blanket
d. Adjusting sludge age, Increasing DO, Return more processed sludge and mix with
raw inflow
e. Frothing only occurs in extreme cases and typically takes care of itself without
operator interference - ANSWER-a. Adjusting sludge age, Reducing the amount of air,
Spraying the frothing area with water, Applying de-foaming agents
Organic loading refers to the pounds per day of_______per acre feet or 1,000 cubic feet
of filter media
a. DO
b. BOD
c. TSS
d. Filtered Solids
e. Unsettleable Solids - ANSWER-b. BOD
The name of the State Agency responsible for enforcing pollution control laws in Texas
is -
a. Texas Water Development Board
b. Texas Water Commission
c. Texas Section of EPA
d. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
e. Texas Water Resource and Conservation Commission - ANSWER-d. Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality
,The term pathogenic means -
a. Aerobic Bacteria
b. Anaerobic Bacteria
c. Fecal Matter
d. Coliform Bacteria
e. Capable of Causing Disease - ANSWER-Capable of Causing Disease
The minimum separation between sewer lines and potable water lines is -
a. 5 feet
b. 7 feet
c. 9 feet
d. 11 feet
e. 24 feet - ANSWER-c. 9 feet
A licensed wastewater operator is a professional who -
a. Consistently does the best job possible
b. Practices personal safety
c. Strives to improve job knowledge
d. Strives to keep the plant and collection system in the best appearance and working
order
e. All the above - ANSWER-e. All the above
An important step in testing a sample for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) is -
a. Settling the sample
b. Filtering the sample
c. Incubating the sample
d. Burning the sample
e. Evaporating the sample - ANSWER-b. Filtering the sample
The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) of a sample is based on -
a. pH readings
b. Measuring Total Suspended Solids (TSS) of a sample
c. Measuring the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) used
d. Measuring the anaerobic decomposition
e. Measuring total detention time - ANSWER-c. Measuring the Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
used
The results of a Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) sample taken at a treatment plant
tells the operator -
a. How the plant is currently operating
b. How the plant was operating 5 days ago
c. How the plant was operating 10 days ago
d. Is of no benefit to the operator
e. How the plant will be performing at TCEQ inspection time - ANSWER-b. How the
plant was operating 5 days ago
,Which of the following are dangerous gases that are likely to be present in lift stations
and or manholes?
a. Natural gas and Gasoline fumes
b. Hydrogen Sulfide and Carbon Dioxide
c. Hydrogen, Sulfur, and Argon
d. Oxygen, Nitrogen and Helium
e. Both a & b - ANSWER-e. Both a & b
A preferred hydraulic method of cleaning sewer lines is -
a. Cable & Auger
b. Continuous Roding Machine
c. Hydro Jet Cleaner
d. Bucket & Belt Press
e. Both a & d - ANSWER-c. Hydro Jet Cleaner
Which device may be used to determine the level of sewage in a lift station?
a. Air bubbler tube
b. Parshall Flume
c. Altitude Valve
d. Air Actuated Valve
e. All the above - ANSWER-a. Air bubbler tube
What is the most important role of aerobic bacteria in the treatment of wastewater?
a. Enhance organic matter
b. Decompose organic matter
c. Introduce workers to dangerous diseases
d. Enhance oxygen production
e. Produces Odor and Offensive Smells - ANSWER-b. Decompose organic matter
The hydraulic loading of a trickling filter may be determined by -
a. BOD and depth of filter media
b. Organic loading and filter volume
c. Total pounds of BOD removed
d. Total pounds of suspended solids applied daily
e. Flow rate and filter area - ANSWER-e. Flow rate and filter area
Which of the following is typically used to dewater sludge?
a. Belt press
b. Drying beds
c. Solid bowl centrifuge
d. Gravity thickener
e. All the above - ANSWER-e. All the above
Which of the following are ways to reduce bad odors coming from a collection system?
, a. Aeration & Air Scrubbers
b. Adding Enzymes To The Collection System
c. Routinely cleaning slow running or low flow lines
d. Adding Chlorine or Hydrogen Peroxide to the Collection System
e. Both c & d - ANSWER-e. Both c & d
Routinely cleaning slow running or low flow lines
AND Adding Chlorine or Hydrogen Peroxide to the Collection system.
Which of the following types of pipe are commonly used in a wastewater collection
system?
a. Vitrified Clay
b. Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC)
c. Ductile Iron
d. Stainless Steel
e. Both a & b - ANSWER-e. Both a & b
Before entering a confined space a worker should -
a. Use approved monitoring device and check for the presence of dangerous gases
b. Ventilate the space with a blower
c. Wear a safety harness and attach a life line
d. Enter the confined space even if another co-worker in not present
e. a, b, & c - ANSWER-e. a, b, & c
A properly designed and operated primary sedimentation tank should remove percent of
incoming BOD?
a. 10 to 15 %
b. 20 to 30 %
c. 30 to 40 %
d. 35 to 50%
e. None of the above - ANSWER-c. 30 to 40 %
Which of the following are the most important to providing adequate sewage treatment
in a stabilization pond?
a. Protozoa, rotifers and turtles
b. Sunlight, algae, bacteria, and Time
c. Aeration, Sedimentation, and Chlorine Contact
d. Nitrification, Sedimentation, Recirculation, & Detention
e. Blowers, Diffusers, & Ultraviolet Disinfection - ANSWER-b. Sunlight, algae, bacteria,
and Time
Offensive and objectionable odors which sometimes occur in trickling filters usually
indicate that -
a. The filter should be backwashed
b. The flow is too great for the filter area
c. Chlorinator is not working properly & algae is growing on the media
QUIZ WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
In the activated sludge plants, the operator will experience problems. Some of the
common Operational problems include -
a. Sludge quality, Foaming, Improper operating techniques
b. Sludge consistency, Mechanical failures, Microorganisms die off
c. Odors, Foaming, Operators not understanding lab analysis or how to correct
deficiencies
d. Recycling pumps and lines are typically undersized causing septic sludge, foaming,
Operator training & Understanding of the plant
e. Both a & d - ANSWER-a. Sludge quality, Foaming, Improper operating techniques
In the activated sludge process, techniques used to reduce "Frothing & Foaming"
typically include -
a. Adjusting sludge age, Reducing the amount of air, Spraying the frothing area with
water, Applying de-foaming agents
b. Adjusting recycle rate, Increasing DO, Spraying the frothing area with Ammonia, &
Wasting sludge
c. Reducing sludge age, Increasing air, Increasing detention times, & wasting more of
the sludge blanket
d. Adjusting sludge age, Increasing DO, Return more processed sludge and mix with
raw inflow
e. Frothing only occurs in extreme cases and typically takes care of itself without
operator interference - ANSWER-a. Adjusting sludge age, Reducing the amount of air,
Spraying the frothing area with water, Applying de-foaming agents
Organic loading refers to the pounds per day of_______per acre feet or 1,000 cubic feet
of filter media
a. DO
b. BOD
c. TSS
d. Filtered Solids
e. Unsettleable Solids - ANSWER-b. BOD
The name of the State Agency responsible for enforcing pollution control laws in Texas
is -
a. Texas Water Development Board
b. Texas Water Commission
c. Texas Section of EPA
d. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
e. Texas Water Resource and Conservation Commission - ANSWER-d. Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality
,The term pathogenic means -
a. Aerobic Bacteria
b. Anaerobic Bacteria
c. Fecal Matter
d. Coliform Bacteria
e. Capable of Causing Disease - ANSWER-Capable of Causing Disease
The minimum separation between sewer lines and potable water lines is -
a. 5 feet
b. 7 feet
c. 9 feet
d. 11 feet
e. 24 feet - ANSWER-c. 9 feet
A licensed wastewater operator is a professional who -
a. Consistently does the best job possible
b. Practices personal safety
c. Strives to improve job knowledge
d. Strives to keep the plant and collection system in the best appearance and working
order
e. All the above - ANSWER-e. All the above
An important step in testing a sample for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) is -
a. Settling the sample
b. Filtering the sample
c. Incubating the sample
d. Burning the sample
e. Evaporating the sample - ANSWER-b. Filtering the sample
The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) of a sample is based on -
a. pH readings
b. Measuring Total Suspended Solids (TSS) of a sample
c. Measuring the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) used
d. Measuring the anaerobic decomposition
e. Measuring total detention time - ANSWER-c. Measuring the Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
used
The results of a Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) sample taken at a treatment plant
tells the operator -
a. How the plant is currently operating
b. How the plant was operating 5 days ago
c. How the plant was operating 10 days ago
d. Is of no benefit to the operator
e. How the plant will be performing at TCEQ inspection time - ANSWER-b. How the
plant was operating 5 days ago
,Which of the following are dangerous gases that are likely to be present in lift stations
and or manholes?
a. Natural gas and Gasoline fumes
b. Hydrogen Sulfide and Carbon Dioxide
c. Hydrogen, Sulfur, and Argon
d. Oxygen, Nitrogen and Helium
e. Both a & b - ANSWER-e. Both a & b
A preferred hydraulic method of cleaning sewer lines is -
a. Cable & Auger
b. Continuous Roding Machine
c. Hydro Jet Cleaner
d. Bucket & Belt Press
e. Both a & d - ANSWER-c. Hydro Jet Cleaner
Which device may be used to determine the level of sewage in a lift station?
a. Air bubbler tube
b. Parshall Flume
c. Altitude Valve
d. Air Actuated Valve
e. All the above - ANSWER-a. Air bubbler tube
What is the most important role of aerobic bacteria in the treatment of wastewater?
a. Enhance organic matter
b. Decompose organic matter
c. Introduce workers to dangerous diseases
d. Enhance oxygen production
e. Produces Odor and Offensive Smells - ANSWER-b. Decompose organic matter
The hydraulic loading of a trickling filter may be determined by -
a. BOD and depth of filter media
b. Organic loading and filter volume
c. Total pounds of BOD removed
d. Total pounds of suspended solids applied daily
e. Flow rate and filter area - ANSWER-e. Flow rate and filter area
Which of the following is typically used to dewater sludge?
a. Belt press
b. Drying beds
c. Solid bowl centrifuge
d. Gravity thickener
e. All the above - ANSWER-e. All the above
Which of the following are ways to reduce bad odors coming from a collection system?
, a. Aeration & Air Scrubbers
b. Adding Enzymes To The Collection System
c. Routinely cleaning slow running or low flow lines
d. Adding Chlorine or Hydrogen Peroxide to the Collection System
e. Both c & d - ANSWER-e. Both c & d
Routinely cleaning slow running or low flow lines
AND Adding Chlorine or Hydrogen Peroxide to the Collection system.
Which of the following types of pipe are commonly used in a wastewater collection
system?
a. Vitrified Clay
b. Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC)
c. Ductile Iron
d. Stainless Steel
e. Both a & b - ANSWER-e. Both a & b
Before entering a confined space a worker should -
a. Use approved monitoring device and check for the presence of dangerous gases
b. Ventilate the space with a blower
c. Wear a safety harness and attach a life line
d. Enter the confined space even if another co-worker in not present
e. a, b, & c - ANSWER-e. a, b, & c
A properly designed and operated primary sedimentation tank should remove percent of
incoming BOD?
a. 10 to 15 %
b. 20 to 30 %
c. 30 to 40 %
d. 35 to 50%
e. None of the above - ANSWER-c. 30 to 40 %
Which of the following are the most important to providing adequate sewage treatment
in a stabilization pond?
a. Protozoa, rotifers and turtles
b. Sunlight, algae, bacteria, and Time
c. Aeration, Sedimentation, and Chlorine Contact
d. Nitrification, Sedimentation, Recirculation, & Detention
e. Blowers, Diffusers, & Ultraviolet Disinfection - ANSWER-b. Sunlight, algae, bacteria,
and Time
Offensive and objectionable odors which sometimes occur in trickling filters usually
indicate that -
a. The filter should be backwashed
b. The flow is too great for the filter area
c. Chlorinator is not working properly & algae is growing on the media
