CLASS A WATER OPERATOR EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
When must an operator be certified - Answer-within 10 days of employment or
appointment as an operator
An Operator is - Answer-a person who performs work on, or determines the method
of working on, water works or who changes water quality either directly or by order.
This includes a person who sets or removes meters, makes service connections, or
repairs lines.
Water Works - Answer-all facilities used in the procurement, treatment, storage,
pumping, or distribution of water for human consumption.
Superintendent - Answer-the operator in direct responsible charge of an entire plant
or distribution system. This is true even if other official titles are sometimes assigned
by employers
Operator Certification Unit - Answer-(1500 or less = D) (1500 - 15000 = C) (15000-
50000 = B) (>50000 = A) All surface water systems must be operated by a
Superintendent with at least a class C certification for populations less than 15000
Public Water Supply Operation (Chap 631) - Answer-Regulations for actual
operation of public water supply system. this includes sampling, monitoring,
reporting, and public notice requirements for water supplies.Implemented by the
Water Quality Division of ODEQ.
Public Water Supply Construction Standard (Chap 626) - Answer-Standards for the
construciotn or modification of the physical system of public water supply systems.
This document is also implemented by the Water Quality Division of ODEQ
Rules for Oklahoma Hazard Communication Standard - Answer-Rules regarding the
transmission of necessary information to employees about the properties and
potential hazards of hazardous substances in the workplace. Enforced by the Public
Employees Health and Safety Division of the Oklahoma State Department of Labor.
Monthly Operations Report (MOR) - Answer-A complete record of most of the major
factors involved in plant operations for each day of the month. It is the
Superintendent's responsibility to ensure MOR is kept up to date and accurate.
Original MOR must be submitted by the 10th day of the following month to the DEQ
Water Quality Division. A second copy must be kept at the facilityh for at least 10
years.
Falsification of Records - Answer-Punishable by loss of certification, fine of up to
25,000 per violation and 1 year in jail.
CH 3 - Records at water systems must be kept for - Answer-10 years
, Ch 3 - The superintendent of a water system treating surface water for a community
of 550 persons must hold at least - Answer-Class C certification
Ch 3 - If the Utilities Director selects which chemicals and what must be used in the
community water system, he or she - Answer-Must be certified at the same level
required of the superintendent
Ch 3 - Which of the following requirements is primarily concerned with keeping a
permanent, unalterable record of laboratory data? - Answer-A bound volume must
be kept for records of the test results, date, time, and signature of analyst.
Nutrients - Answer-Nitrate, phosphate, and other compounds. They are often
responsible for water quality problems associated with surface water supplies.
Algae bloom - Answer-Sudden increase in algae populations in surface water
sources. the most common water quality problems associated with surface water
supply systems can be traced directly back to algal blooms.
Quality Problems associated with Algae blooms - Answer-1. taste and odor problems
2. Increased pH levels
3. Increase in organic loading
4. Dissolved oxygen depletion
Copper Sulfate (CuSO4) Bluestone - Answer-Chemical used to control Algae growth
in water sources.
Ch 4 - A surface water source is usually (in terms of taste and odor) - Answer-lower
quality water than ground water
Ch 4 - The chemical sometimes used to control algae populations in surface water
sources is - Answer-CuSO4
Ch 4 - What is the approximate volume of a reservois in gallons for a reservoir of 58
acre/ft? - Answer-18.9MG (1 acre/ft = 325851, 325851*58=18,899,358)
Ch 4 - How much CuSO4 is needed to dose a reservoir with 0.5mg/L if the reservoir
volume is 20MG and the CuSO4 solution is 25% - Answer-335 lbs (insert Math here)
Acre/ft to gallons - Answer-325,851 gallons
Primary Coagulants - Answer-Primary coagulants cause the initial coagulation
reaction to take place and cause the particles to begin clumping together.
Coagulant Aids - Answer-added to form bigger flocs. Include pH adjusters, activated
silica, clay, and polymers. Increases density and prevents shearing.
Aluminum sulfate (alum) - Answer-Al2(SO4)3*14H2O is a common primary
coagulant. Most effective between pH 5.0 and 7.0. Alum will consume 0.5mg/L of
alkalinity for every 1.0mg/L of alum that is dissolved in water. Alkalinity is necessary
for coagulation to occur. Alum tends to lower pH.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
When must an operator be certified - Answer-within 10 days of employment or
appointment as an operator
An Operator is - Answer-a person who performs work on, or determines the method
of working on, water works or who changes water quality either directly or by order.
This includes a person who sets or removes meters, makes service connections, or
repairs lines.
Water Works - Answer-all facilities used in the procurement, treatment, storage,
pumping, or distribution of water for human consumption.
Superintendent - Answer-the operator in direct responsible charge of an entire plant
or distribution system. This is true even if other official titles are sometimes assigned
by employers
Operator Certification Unit - Answer-(1500 or less = D) (1500 - 15000 = C) (15000-
50000 = B) (>50000 = A) All surface water systems must be operated by a
Superintendent with at least a class C certification for populations less than 15000
Public Water Supply Operation (Chap 631) - Answer-Regulations for actual
operation of public water supply system. this includes sampling, monitoring,
reporting, and public notice requirements for water supplies.Implemented by the
Water Quality Division of ODEQ.
Public Water Supply Construction Standard (Chap 626) - Answer-Standards for the
construciotn or modification of the physical system of public water supply systems.
This document is also implemented by the Water Quality Division of ODEQ
Rules for Oklahoma Hazard Communication Standard - Answer-Rules regarding the
transmission of necessary information to employees about the properties and
potential hazards of hazardous substances in the workplace. Enforced by the Public
Employees Health and Safety Division of the Oklahoma State Department of Labor.
Monthly Operations Report (MOR) - Answer-A complete record of most of the major
factors involved in plant operations for each day of the month. It is the
Superintendent's responsibility to ensure MOR is kept up to date and accurate.
Original MOR must be submitted by the 10th day of the following month to the DEQ
Water Quality Division. A second copy must be kept at the facilityh for at least 10
years.
Falsification of Records - Answer-Punishable by loss of certification, fine of up to
25,000 per violation and 1 year in jail.
CH 3 - Records at water systems must be kept for - Answer-10 years
, Ch 3 - The superintendent of a water system treating surface water for a community
of 550 persons must hold at least - Answer-Class C certification
Ch 3 - If the Utilities Director selects which chemicals and what must be used in the
community water system, he or she - Answer-Must be certified at the same level
required of the superintendent
Ch 3 - Which of the following requirements is primarily concerned with keeping a
permanent, unalterable record of laboratory data? - Answer-A bound volume must
be kept for records of the test results, date, time, and signature of analyst.
Nutrients - Answer-Nitrate, phosphate, and other compounds. They are often
responsible for water quality problems associated with surface water supplies.
Algae bloom - Answer-Sudden increase in algae populations in surface water
sources. the most common water quality problems associated with surface water
supply systems can be traced directly back to algal blooms.
Quality Problems associated with Algae blooms - Answer-1. taste and odor problems
2. Increased pH levels
3. Increase in organic loading
4. Dissolved oxygen depletion
Copper Sulfate (CuSO4) Bluestone - Answer-Chemical used to control Algae growth
in water sources.
Ch 4 - A surface water source is usually (in terms of taste and odor) - Answer-lower
quality water than ground water
Ch 4 - The chemical sometimes used to control algae populations in surface water
sources is - Answer-CuSO4
Ch 4 - What is the approximate volume of a reservois in gallons for a reservoir of 58
acre/ft? - Answer-18.9MG (1 acre/ft = 325851, 325851*58=18,899,358)
Ch 4 - How much CuSO4 is needed to dose a reservoir with 0.5mg/L if the reservoir
volume is 20MG and the CuSO4 solution is 25% - Answer-335 lbs (insert Math here)
Acre/ft to gallons - Answer-325,851 gallons
Primary Coagulants - Answer-Primary coagulants cause the initial coagulation
reaction to take place and cause the particles to begin clumping together.
Coagulant Aids - Answer-added to form bigger flocs. Include pH adjusters, activated
silica, clay, and polymers. Increases density and prevents shearing.
Aluminum sulfate (alum) - Answer-Al2(SO4)3*14H2O is a common primary
coagulant. Most effective between pH 5.0 and 7.0. Alum will consume 0.5mg/L of
alkalinity for every 1.0mg/L of alum that is dissolved in water. Alkalinity is necessary
for coagulation to occur. Alum tends to lower pH.
