1 | Page
Certified Pool Operator Questions and
Correct Answers
Automatic Feeders Ans: electronically controlled pool equipment
that monitors and adjusts pool chemicals, particularly pH and
chlorine levels
Backwash Ans: the process of reversing or redirecting the water
flow through a sand filter, for the purpose of cleaning the filter.
Particulate matter accumulates in the filter bed and, over time, can
reduce the efficiency of the filter thus reducing water flow.
Backwashing removes this particulate matter and sends it to
waste.
Backwash Cycle Ans: the time required to backwash the filter
media and elements completely.
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, 2 | Page
Bacteria Ans: one-celled organisms that can either be pathogenic
(disease-producing) or non-pathogenic. A bactericide is a chemical
that kills bacteria.
Barrier Ans: a nonchlorine polymer uses as a swimming pool
sanitizer and algistat. It cannot be used in conjunction with
Chlorine.
Baquacil Ans: A fence, safety cover, wall, or a combination
thereof that completely surround or covers the swimming pool
and obstructs access to the swimming pool.
Bather Load Ans: the number of swimmers in a pool at a given
time. Many state codes determine maximum bather loads that
should not be exceeded.
Bleach Out Ans: Bleaching out can happen if a chlorine or
bromine reading is extremely high (above 10ppm). Reading
appears to be turning pink but suddenly goes clear.
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Balanced Water Ans: -The correct ratio of hardness, alkalinity,
temperature, dissolved solids, and pH that prevent pool water
from being either corrosive or scale forming
-water that is neutral, that is neither corrosive nor basic. Balanced
water possesses the correct combination of mineral and pH level.
Breakpoint Ans: the process of adding sufficient free available
chlorine or other nonchlorine oxidants to convert chloramines and
ammonia-nitrogen compounds to inert nitrogen gas. Breakpoint is
achieved by most operators by superchlorination.
Broadcast Ans: a method of introducing granular or powdered
chemicals to a pool by spreading them widely over the surface.
Brominator Ans: a device used to deliver bromine disinfectant to
a swimming pool or spa at a controlled rate.
Bromine Ans: another acceptable disinfectant used in swimming
pools/spas. Also, a member of the halogen family it offers some
excellent disinfectant properties.
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Buffer Ans: -Weak acid or base that can react with strong acids or
bases to help prevent sharp, sudden changes in pH.
-A combination of weak acids and weak bases and their salts that
help to resist changes in pH. Sodium bicarbonate is an example of
a popular buffer used in pool water.
Calcification Ans: the formation of hard cement-like sand filters.
A build-up of calcium compounds can cause the sand to become
cemented together. This can be caused when the water is flowing
at too fast of a rate through the filters. Old sand can also become
calcified.
Calcium Chloride Ans: A soluble white salt used to raise the
calcium hardness of the pool or spa water.
Calcium Hardness Ans: -hardness is a measure of the mineral
content of water (water is referred to as too hard or too soft)
© 2025 All rights reserved
Certified Pool Operator Questions and
Correct Answers
Automatic Feeders Ans: electronically controlled pool equipment
that monitors and adjusts pool chemicals, particularly pH and
chlorine levels
Backwash Ans: the process of reversing or redirecting the water
flow through a sand filter, for the purpose of cleaning the filter.
Particulate matter accumulates in the filter bed and, over time, can
reduce the efficiency of the filter thus reducing water flow.
Backwashing removes this particulate matter and sends it to
waste.
Backwash Cycle Ans: the time required to backwash the filter
media and elements completely.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Bacteria Ans: one-celled organisms that can either be pathogenic
(disease-producing) or non-pathogenic. A bactericide is a chemical
that kills bacteria.
Barrier Ans: a nonchlorine polymer uses as a swimming pool
sanitizer and algistat. It cannot be used in conjunction with
Chlorine.
Baquacil Ans: A fence, safety cover, wall, or a combination
thereof that completely surround or covers the swimming pool
and obstructs access to the swimming pool.
Bather Load Ans: the number of swimmers in a pool at a given
time. Many state codes determine maximum bather loads that
should not be exceeded.
Bleach Out Ans: Bleaching out can happen if a chlorine or
bromine reading is extremely high (above 10ppm). Reading
appears to be turning pink but suddenly goes clear.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Balanced Water Ans: -The correct ratio of hardness, alkalinity,
temperature, dissolved solids, and pH that prevent pool water
from being either corrosive or scale forming
-water that is neutral, that is neither corrosive nor basic. Balanced
water possesses the correct combination of mineral and pH level.
Breakpoint Ans: the process of adding sufficient free available
chlorine or other nonchlorine oxidants to convert chloramines and
ammonia-nitrogen compounds to inert nitrogen gas. Breakpoint is
achieved by most operators by superchlorination.
Broadcast Ans: a method of introducing granular or powdered
chemicals to a pool by spreading them widely over the surface.
Brominator Ans: a device used to deliver bromine disinfectant to
a swimming pool or spa at a controlled rate.
Bromine Ans: another acceptable disinfectant used in swimming
pools/spas. Also, a member of the halogen family it offers some
excellent disinfectant properties.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
Buffer Ans: -Weak acid or base that can react with strong acids or
bases to help prevent sharp, sudden changes in pH.
-A combination of weak acids and weak bases and their salts that
help to resist changes in pH. Sodium bicarbonate is an example of
a popular buffer used in pool water.
Calcification Ans: the formation of hard cement-like sand filters.
A build-up of calcium compounds can cause the sand to become
cemented together. This can be caused when the water is flowing
at too fast of a rate through the filters. Old sand can also become
calcified.
Calcium Chloride Ans: A soluble white salt used to raise the
calcium hardness of the pool or spa water.
Calcium Hardness Ans: -hardness is a measure of the mineral
content of water (water is referred to as too hard or too soft)
© 2025 All rights reserved
