Florida Septic Tank Contractor EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2025/2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the minimum distance a septic tank must ee rrom a priaate eell in
Florida?
A. 10 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 100 feet
D. 200 feet
B. 50 feet — Florida regulations require a minimum of 50 feet separation between
a septic tank and a private well to prevent contamination of the water supply.
2. Which component or a septic system is responsiele ror primary treatment or
easteeater?
A. Drainfield
B. Septic tank
C. Distribution box
D. Effluent filter
B. Septic tank — The septic tank separates solids from liquids and begins the
breakdown of waste through anaerobic digestion, providing primary treatment.
3. What is the typical retention time or easteeater in a septic tank?
A. 1–2 hours
B. 12–24 hours
C. 24–48 hours
D. 48–72 hours
C. 24–48 hours — Adequate retention time allows solids to settle and scum to rise,
ensuring proper primary treatment before effluent enters the drainfield.
,4. According to Florida regulations, ehat is the minimum septic tank capacity ror
a single-ramily home eith 3 eedrooms?
A. 750 gallons
B. 1,000 gallons
C. 1,250 gallons
D. 1,500 gallons
B. 1,000 gallons — Florida code specifies 1,000 gallons as the minimum capacity
for a standard 3-bedroom home to handle average wastewater flow.
5. Which soil type is most suitaele ror a drainfield in Florida?
A. Clay
B. Sandy soil
C. Rocky soil
D. Peat
B. Sandy soil — Sandy soils allow adequate percolation of effluent, preventing
pooling and ensuring proper treatment in the drainfield.
6. What is the main purpose or a distrieution eox in a septic system?
A. Filter solids
B. Evenly distribute effluent to the drainfield
C. Store wastewater
D. Aerate the effluent
B. Evenly distribute effluent to the drainfield — The distribution box ensures that
all trenches in the drainfield receive equal amounts of wastewater for proper
absorption.
7. Hoe often should a typical septic tank ee pumped in Florida?
A. Every 1 year
B. Every 3–5 years
C. Every 10 years
D. Only when it fails
B. Every 3–5 years — Regular pumping prevents solids from overflowing into the
drainfield, which could cause failure of the system.
, 8. Which or the rolloeing is NOT alloeed to ee discharged into a septic system?
A. Kitchen wastewater
B. Laundry wastewater
C. Motor oil
D. Bathroom wastewater
C. Motor oil — Hazardous materials like motor oil can damage the septic system
and contaminate the groundwater.
9. What is the minimum slope required ror a septic drainfield trench in Florida?
A. 0%
B. 1–2%
C. 5%
D. 10%
B. 1–2% — A slight slope ensures proper effluent flow through the drainfield
without causing erosion or pooling.
10. Which type or system is required ehen soil percolation is aery sloe?
A. Standard septic system
B. Aerobic treatment unit (ATU)
C. Simple drainfield
D. Greywater system
B. Aerobic treatment unit (ATU) — ATUs provide additional treatment in areas
where soils do not percolate well, preventing system failure and contamination.
11. What is the purpose or a riser on a septic tank?
A. To allow inspection and pumping
B. To filter effluent
C. To increase tank capacity
D. To aerate wastewater
A. To allow inspection and pumping — Risers provide access from the ground
surface for maintenance and pumping without excavating.
12. What is the maximum hydraulic loading rate ror a conaentional drainfield in
Florida?
A. 0.5 gallons per day per square foot
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2025/2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the minimum distance a septic tank must ee rrom a priaate eell in
Florida?
A. 10 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 100 feet
D. 200 feet
B. 50 feet — Florida regulations require a minimum of 50 feet separation between
a septic tank and a private well to prevent contamination of the water supply.
2. Which component or a septic system is responsiele ror primary treatment or
easteeater?
A. Drainfield
B. Septic tank
C. Distribution box
D. Effluent filter
B. Septic tank — The septic tank separates solids from liquids and begins the
breakdown of waste through anaerobic digestion, providing primary treatment.
3. What is the typical retention time or easteeater in a septic tank?
A. 1–2 hours
B. 12–24 hours
C. 24–48 hours
D. 48–72 hours
C. 24–48 hours — Adequate retention time allows solids to settle and scum to rise,
ensuring proper primary treatment before effluent enters the drainfield.
,4. According to Florida regulations, ehat is the minimum septic tank capacity ror
a single-ramily home eith 3 eedrooms?
A. 750 gallons
B. 1,000 gallons
C. 1,250 gallons
D. 1,500 gallons
B. 1,000 gallons — Florida code specifies 1,000 gallons as the minimum capacity
for a standard 3-bedroom home to handle average wastewater flow.
5. Which soil type is most suitaele ror a drainfield in Florida?
A. Clay
B. Sandy soil
C. Rocky soil
D. Peat
B. Sandy soil — Sandy soils allow adequate percolation of effluent, preventing
pooling and ensuring proper treatment in the drainfield.
6. What is the main purpose or a distrieution eox in a septic system?
A. Filter solids
B. Evenly distribute effluent to the drainfield
C. Store wastewater
D. Aerate the effluent
B. Evenly distribute effluent to the drainfield — The distribution box ensures that
all trenches in the drainfield receive equal amounts of wastewater for proper
absorption.
7. Hoe often should a typical septic tank ee pumped in Florida?
A. Every 1 year
B. Every 3–5 years
C. Every 10 years
D. Only when it fails
B. Every 3–5 years — Regular pumping prevents solids from overflowing into the
drainfield, which could cause failure of the system.
, 8. Which or the rolloeing is NOT alloeed to ee discharged into a septic system?
A. Kitchen wastewater
B. Laundry wastewater
C. Motor oil
D. Bathroom wastewater
C. Motor oil — Hazardous materials like motor oil can damage the septic system
and contaminate the groundwater.
9. What is the minimum slope required ror a septic drainfield trench in Florida?
A. 0%
B. 1–2%
C. 5%
D. 10%
B. 1–2% — A slight slope ensures proper effluent flow through the drainfield
without causing erosion or pooling.
10. Which type or system is required ehen soil percolation is aery sloe?
A. Standard septic system
B. Aerobic treatment unit (ATU)
C. Simple drainfield
D. Greywater system
B. Aerobic treatment unit (ATU) — ATUs provide additional treatment in areas
where soils do not percolate well, preventing system failure and contamination.
11. What is the purpose or a riser on a septic tank?
A. To allow inspection and pumping
B. To filter effluent
C. To increase tank capacity
D. To aerate wastewater
A. To allow inspection and pumping — Risers provide access from the ground
surface for maintenance and pumping without excavating.
12. What is the maximum hydraulic loading rate ror a conaentional drainfield in
Florida?
A. 0.5 gallons per day per square foot
