NGWA (K) Water Systems Less Than 100 GPM Exam
Question 1. What property of water describes its resistance to flow and deformation, affecting pump
selection?
A) Density
B) Viscosity
C) Conductivity
D) Surface tension
Answer: B) Viscosity
Explanation: Viscosity measures water's resistance to flow; higher viscosity means more resistance,
influencing pump performance and selection.
Question 2. Which type of head is defined as the height that water would rise in a static column due
to elevation?
A) Friction head
B) Static head
C) Dynamic head
D) Velocity head
Answer: B) Static head
Explanation: Static head refers to the elevation difference or height of water in a static condition,
representing potential energy.
Question 3. According to the pressure-head relationship P=ρgh, what happens to pressure when the
head (h) increases?
A) Pressure decreases
B) Pressure remains constant
C) Pressure increases
D) Pressure becomes zero
Answer: C) Pressure increases
Explanation: The formula indicates pressure is directly proportional to head; as head increases,
pressure increases accordingly.
Question 4. Which pump type uses a rotating impeller to increase water pressure and flow?
A) Jet pump
B) Centrifugal pump
C) Submersible pump
D) Reciprocating pump
Answer: B) Centrifugal pump
Explanation: Centrifugal pumps operate with a rotating impeller to convert rotational energy into
fluid flow.
Question 5. What is the primary function of a diffuser in a pump?
A) To increase velocity of water
B) To convert velocity energy into pressure energy
C) To filter debris from water
D) To reduce pump noise
Answer: B) To convert velocity energy into pressure energy
Explanation: Diffusers slow water flow to recover pressure, improving pump efficiency.
Question 6. Which calculation is used to determine the total dynamic head (TDH) of a pump system?
A) Sum of static head and friction head
B) Static head minus friction head
, NGWA (K) Water Systems Less Than 100 GPM Exam
C) Static head plus velocity head only
D) Friction head divided by flow rate
Answer: A) Sum of static head and friction head
Explanation: TDH includes static head, friction losses, and velocity head, representing the total
energy needed.
Question 7. How does atmospheric pressure influence jet pump operation?
A) It creates a vacuum that lifts water
B) It increases water viscosity
C) It reduces the flow rate
D) It prevents cavitation
Answer: A) It creates a vacuum that lifts water
Explanation: Atmospheric pressure helps generate the suction needed in jet pumps to lift water
from the well.
Question 8. When designing a well system, why is proper well development important?
A) To prevent contamination
B) To increase flow capacity and reduce sediments
C) To change aquifer properties
D) To reduce static water level
Answer: B) To increase flow capacity and reduce sediments
Explanation: Proper development clears drilling debris and enhances aquifer connectivity, improving
flow.
Question 9. Which well component prevents debris from entering the pump intake?
A) Well screen
B) Check valve
C) Foot valve
D) Discharge head
Answer: C) Foot valve
Explanation: The foot valve holds water in the line and prevents debris from entering the pump.
Question 10. When selecting a pump, what is essential to match with the manufacturer's
performance curve?
A) Well depth only
B) Flow rate and system head requirements
C) Electrical power supply voltage only
D) Pipe diameter only
Answer: B) Flow rate and system head requirements
Explanation: Performance curves help match the pump's capabilities to the system's flow and head
needs.
Question 11. What is the role of a pressure tank in a water system?
A) To filter water
B) To store water and maintain consistent pressure
C) To increase water temperature
D) To control electrical power
Answer: B) To store water and maintain consistent pressure
Explanation: Pressure tanks supply water on demand and reduce pump cycling, maintaining steady
pressure.
, NGWA (K) Water Systems Less Than 100 GPM Exam
Question 12. Which material is commonly used for piping in water systems due to its corrosion
resistance?
A) Galvanized steel
B) PVC
C) Copper
D) Cast iron
Answer: B) PVC
Explanation: PVC piping is resistant to corrosion, lightweight, and easy to install, making it popular in
water systems.
Question 13. What is the primary purpose of a check valve in a water system?
A) To regulate pressure
B) To prevent backflow
C) To shut off water flow
D) To filter particles
Answer: B) To prevent backflow
Explanation: Check valves allow flow in one direction only, preventing reverse flow that could
damage equipment.
Question 14. Which electrical component is used to protect a motor from overload conditions?
A) Control box
B) Circuit breaker or overload relay
C) Capacitor
D) Transformer
Answer: B) Circuit breaker or overload relay
Explanation: Overload protection devices disconnect power if motor current exceeds safe limits.
Question 15. What safety procedure is essential during pump installation to prevent electrical
hazards?
A) Wearing gloves only
B) Ensuring power is off before wiring
C) Ignoring electrical codes
D) Installing without grounding
Answer: B) Ensuring power is off before wiring
Explanation: Turning off power prevents electrical shock during wiring or maintenance.
Question 16. During system startup, what is an important step to verify proper operation?
A) Checking for leaks and correct pressure
B) Ignoring electrical connections
C) Running the pump continuously without checks
D) Disabling control switches
Answer: A) Checking for leaks and correct pressure
Explanation: Verifying system integrity ensures safe operation and proper performance.
Question 17. Which method is effective for well cleaning to remove mineral buildup and sediments?
A) Acid treatment and flushing
B) Increasing pump speed
C) Adding chlorine directly to the well
D) Pumping air into the well
Answer: A) Acid treatment and flushing
, NGWA (K) Water Systems Less Than 100 GPM Exam
Explanation: Acid cleaning dissolves mineral deposits, and flushing removes debris, maintaining
efficiency.
Question 18. Why is record keeping important in water system maintenance?
A) To comply with regulations and track system performance
B) To avoid future repairs
C) To increase water hardness
D) To prevent system use
Answer: A) To comply with regulations and track system performance
Explanation: Documentation helps in troubleshooting, regulatory compliance, and planning
maintenance.
Question 19. Which aquifer type is characterized by unconfined water flow with a water table?
A) Confined aquifer
B) Unconfined aquifer
C) Perched aquifer
D) Artesian aquifer
Answer: B) Unconfined aquifer
Explanation: An unconfined aquifer has a water table open to the atmosphere, with no confining
layer above.
Question 20. What is a common source of groundwater contamination?
A) Septic systems
B) Rainwater runoff only
C) Deep well drilling
D) Natural mineral deposits
Answer: A) Septic systems
Explanation: Septic systems can leach contaminants into groundwater if improperly maintained.
Question 21. Which parameter is commonly tested to assess bacterial contamination in water?
A) pH
B) Total dissolved solids
C) Coliform bacteria presence
D) Hardness
Answer: C) Coliform bacteria presence
Explanation: Coliform testing indicates possible bacterial contamination and water safety.
Question 22. What disinfectant is most commonly used to treat bacterial contamination in wells?
A) Chlorine
B) Ozone
C) UV light
D) Fluoride
Answer: A) Chlorine
Explanation: Chlorine effectively kills bacteria and is widely used for disinfecting well water.
Question 23. Which water treatment method involves passing water through a resin to remove
hardness-causing minerals?
A) Sediment filtration
B) Water softening
C) UV disinfection
Question 1. What property of water describes its resistance to flow and deformation, affecting pump
selection?
A) Density
B) Viscosity
C) Conductivity
D) Surface tension
Answer: B) Viscosity
Explanation: Viscosity measures water's resistance to flow; higher viscosity means more resistance,
influencing pump performance and selection.
Question 2. Which type of head is defined as the height that water would rise in a static column due
to elevation?
A) Friction head
B) Static head
C) Dynamic head
D) Velocity head
Answer: B) Static head
Explanation: Static head refers to the elevation difference or height of water in a static condition,
representing potential energy.
Question 3. According to the pressure-head relationship P=ρgh, what happens to pressure when the
head (h) increases?
A) Pressure decreases
B) Pressure remains constant
C) Pressure increases
D) Pressure becomes zero
Answer: C) Pressure increases
Explanation: The formula indicates pressure is directly proportional to head; as head increases,
pressure increases accordingly.
Question 4. Which pump type uses a rotating impeller to increase water pressure and flow?
A) Jet pump
B) Centrifugal pump
C) Submersible pump
D) Reciprocating pump
Answer: B) Centrifugal pump
Explanation: Centrifugal pumps operate with a rotating impeller to convert rotational energy into
fluid flow.
Question 5. What is the primary function of a diffuser in a pump?
A) To increase velocity of water
B) To convert velocity energy into pressure energy
C) To filter debris from water
D) To reduce pump noise
Answer: B) To convert velocity energy into pressure energy
Explanation: Diffusers slow water flow to recover pressure, improving pump efficiency.
Question 6. Which calculation is used to determine the total dynamic head (TDH) of a pump system?
A) Sum of static head and friction head
B) Static head minus friction head
, NGWA (K) Water Systems Less Than 100 GPM Exam
C) Static head plus velocity head only
D) Friction head divided by flow rate
Answer: A) Sum of static head and friction head
Explanation: TDH includes static head, friction losses, and velocity head, representing the total
energy needed.
Question 7. How does atmospheric pressure influence jet pump operation?
A) It creates a vacuum that lifts water
B) It increases water viscosity
C) It reduces the flow rate
D) It prevents cavitation
Answer: A) It creates a vacuum that lifts water
Explanation: Atmospheric pressure helps generate the suction needed in jet pumps to lift water
from the well.
Question 8. When designing a well system, why is proper well development important?
A) To prevent contamination
B) To increase flow capacity and reduce sediments
C) To change aquifer properties
D) To reduce static water level
Answer: B) To increase flow capacity and reduce sediments
Explanation: Proper development clears drilling debris and enhances aquifer connectivity, improving
flow.
Question 9. Which well component prevents debris from entering the pump intake?
A) Well screen
B) Check valve
C) Foot valve
D) Discharge head
Answer: C) Foot valve
Explanation: The foot valve holds water in the line and prevents debris from entering the pump.
Question 10. When selecting a pump, what is essential to match with the manufacturer's
performance curve?
A) Well depth only
B) Flow rate and system head requirements
C) Electrical power supply voltage only
D) Pipe diameter only
Answer: B) Flow rate and system head requirements
Explanation: Performance curves help match the pump's capabilities to the system's flow and head
needs.
Question 11. What is the role of a pressure tank in a water system?
A) To filter water
B) To store water and maintain consistent pressure
C) To increase water temperature
D) To control electrical power
Answer: B) To store water and maintain consistent pressure
Explanation: Pressure tanks supply water on demand and reduce pump cycling, maintaining steady
pressure.
, NGWA (K) Water Systems Less Than 100 GPM Exam
Question 12. Which material is commonly used for piping in water systems due to its corrosion
resistance?
A) Galvanized steel
B) PVC
C) Copper
D) Cast iron
Answer: B) PVC
Explanation: PVC piping is resistant to corrosion, lightweight, and easy to install, making it popular in
water systems.
Question 13. What is the primary purpose of a check valve in a water system?
A) To regulate pressure
B) To prevent backflow
C) To shut off water flow
D) To filter particles
Answer: B) To prevent backflow
Explanation: Check valves allow flow in one direction only, preventing reverse flow that could
damage equipment.
Question 14. Which electrical component is used to protect a motor from overload conditions?
A) Control box
B) Circuit breaker or overload relay
C) Capacitor
D) Transformer
Answer: B) Circuit breaker or overload relay
Explanation: Overload protection devices disconnect power if motor current exceeds safe limits.
Question 15. What safety procedure is essential during pump installation to prevent electrical
hazards?
A) Wearing gloves only
B) Ensuring power is off before wiring
C) Ignoring electrical codes
D) Installing without grounding
Answer: B) Ensuring power is off before wiring
Explanation: Turning off power prevents electrical shock during wiring or maintenance.
Question 16. During system startup, what is an important step to verify proper operation?
A) Checking for leaks and correct pressure
B) Ignoring electrical connections
C) Running the pump continuously without checks
D) Disabling control switches
Answer: A) Checking for leaks and correct pressure
Explanation: Verifying system integrity ensures safe operation and proper performance.
Question 17. Which method is effective for well cleaning to remove mineral buildup and sediments?
A) Acid treatment and flushing
B) Increasing pump speed
C) Adding chlorine directly to the well
D) Pumping air into the well
Answer: A) Acid treatment and flushing
, NGWA (K) Water Systems Less Than 100 GPM Exam
Explanation: Acid cleaning dissolves mineral deposits, and flushing removes debris, maintaining
efficiency.
Question 18. Why is record keeping important in water system maintenance?
A) To comply with regulations and track system performance
B) To avoid future repairs
C) To increase water hardness
D) To prevent system use
Answer: A) To comply with regulations and track system performance
Explanation: Documentation helps in troubleshooting, regulatory compliance, and planning
maintenance.
Question 19. Which aquifer type is characterized by unconfined water flow with a water table?
A) Confined aquifer
B) Unconfined aquifer
C) Perched aquifer
D) Artesian aquifer
Answer: B) Unconfined aquifer
Explanation: An unconfined aquifer has a water table open to the atmosphere, with no confining
layer above.
Question 20. What is a common source of groundwater contamination?
A) Septic systems
B) Rainwater runoff only
C) Deep well drilling
D) Natural mineral deposits
Answer: A) Septic systems
Explanation: Septic systems can leach contaminants into groundwater if improperly maintained.
Question 21. Which parameter is commonly tested to assess bacterial contamination in water?
A) pH
B) Total dissolved solids
C) Coliform bacteria presence
D) Hardness
Answer: C) Coliform bacteria presence
Explanation: Coliform testing indicates possible bacterial contamination and water safety.
Question 22. What disinfectant is most commonly used to treat bacterial contamination in wells?
A) Chlorine
B) Ozone
C) UV light
D) Fluoride
Answer: A) Chlorine
Explanation: Chlorine effectively kills bacteria and is widely used for disinfecting well water.
Question 23. Which water treatment method involves passing water through a resin to remove
hardness-causing minerals?
A) Sediment filtration
B) Water softening
C) UV disinfection
