AWWA Cross-Connection Control Specialist Exam
Prep – Study Guide & Review
Section 1: Fundamentals & Definitions (Questions 1-20)
1. What is the primary goal of a Cross-Connection Control Program?
A) To improve water pressure
B) To protect the public water system from contamination
C) To reduce water consumption
D) To simplify plumbing codes
Answer: B) To protect the public water system from contamination ✓
2. A cross-connection is defined as:
A) A connection between two water mains
B) A link between a potable water line and a non-potable source
C) A type of fire sprinkler system
D) A connection to a public sewer
Answer: B) A link between a potable water line and a non-potable source ✓
3. Backpressure is a condition where the downstream pressure is ______ the supply pressure.
A) Equal to
B) Less than
C) Greater than
D) Unrelated to
Answer: C) Greater than ✓
4. Backsiphonage is caused by:
A) A pump creating excess pressure
B) A negative or sub-atmospheric pressure in the supply piping
C) A chemical reaction in the water
D) High water demand
Answer: B) A negative or sub-atmospheric pressure in the supply piping ✓
5. Which of the following is the correct definition of "potable water"?
A) Water that is safe for drinking and domestic use
B) Water that is only used for irrigation
C) Water that has been treated with chlorine
D) Water from a private well
Answer: A) Water that is safe for drinking and domestic use ✓
,6. The term "containment" refers to protecting:
A) A specific fixture from contamination
B) The entire internal plumbing of a facility
C) The public water system at the service connection
D) A single appliance
Answer: C) The public water system at the service connection ✓
7. "Isolation" or "Internal Protection" refers to protecting:
A) The public water main
B) A specific hazard within a customer's plumbing system
C) The water meter
D) The service line
Answer: B) A specific hazard within a customer's plumbing system ✓
8. Which agency is primarily responsible for establishing plumbing fixture requirements and
standards?
A) EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
B) AWWA (American Water Works Association)
C) ASSE (American Society of Sanitary Engineering)
D) FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
Answer: C) ASSE (American Society of Sanitary Engineering) ✓
9. The legal authority for a water purveyor to implement a cross-connection control program
typically comes from:
A) Federal law
B) The local plumbing inspector
C) State or provincial regulations
D) The insurance company
Answer: C) State or provincial regulations ✓
10. Which of the following is considered a pollutant?
A) A substance that constitutes a nuisance but is not hazardous to health
B) A substance that poses a health hazard
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B
Answer: A) A substance that constitutes a nuisance but is not hazardous to health ✓
11. Which of the following is considered a contaminant?
A) A substance that constitutes a nuisance but is not hazardous to health
B) A substance that poses a health hazard
,C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B
Answer: B) A substance that poses a health hazard ✓
12. The point where a water purveyor loses jurisdiction over the water is typically at the:
A) Water treatment plant
B) Curb stop or meter
C) First fixture inside the building
D) Fire hydrant
Answer: B) Curb stop or meter ✓
13. A direct cross-connection is one that:
A) Is subject to backpressure only
B) Is subject to backsiphonage only
C) Is continuous and not subject to any valves or controls
D) Requires a double check valve assembly
Answer: C) Is continuous and not subject to any valves or controls ✓
14. An indirect cross-connection is one that:
A) Is connected to a non-potable system through an air gap
B) Is subject to backpressure only
C) Is connected through an intermediate fixture or means that can waste the water
D) Is permanently sealed
Answer: C) Is connected through an intermediate fixture or means that can waste the water ✓
15. The most reliable form of backflow prevention is:
A) A Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB)
B) A Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA)
C) An Air Gap
D) An Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB)
Answer: C) An Air Gap ✓
16. Who has the ultimate responsibility for preventing cross-connections?
A) The water purveyor
B) The plumbing inspector
C) The property owner
D) The cross-connection control specialist
Answer: C) The property owner ✓
, 17. A water purveyor's primary responsibility is to protect the:
A) Customer's internal plumbing
B) Public water distribution system
C) Revenue from water sales
D) Fire suppression systems
Answer: B) Public water distribution system ✓
18. Which term describes a physical link between a potable and non-potable system?
A) Cross-Connection
B) Backflow
C) Backpressure
D) Backsiphonage
Answer: A) Cross-Connection ✓
19. The actual reversal of flow of water or other substances into the potable water system is
called:
A) Cross-Connection
B) Backflow
C) Contamination
D) Pollution
Answer: B) Backflow ✓
20. A "health hazard" is any condition that could:
A) Create a foul taste or odor
B) Discolor the water
C) Cause death, illness, or spread disease
D) Reduce water pressure
Answer: C) Cause death, illness, or spread disease ✓
Section 2: Backflow Prevention Assemblies & Devices (Questions 21-50)
21. An Air Gap must be at least _____ the diameter of the effective opening and never less
than 1 inch.
A) One time
B) Two times
C) Three times
D) Four times
Answer: B) Two times ✓
Prep – Study Guide & Review
Section 1: Fundamentals & Definitions (Questions 1-20)
1. What is the primary goal of a Cross-Connection Control Program?
A) To improve water pressure
B) To protect the public water system from contamination
C) To reduce water consumption
D) To simplify plumbing codes
Answer: B) To protect the public water system from contamination ✓
2. A cross-connection is defined as:
A) A connection between two water mains
B) A link between a potable water line and a non-potable source
C) A type of fire sprinkler system
D) A connection to a public sewer
Answer: B) A link between a potable water line and a non-potable source ✓
3. Backpressure is a condition where the downstream pressure is ______ the supply pressure.
A) Equal to
B) Less than
C) Greater than
D) Unrelated to
Answer: C) Greater than ✓
4. Backsiphonage is caused by:
A) A pump creating excess pressure
B) A negative or sub-atmospheric pressure in the supply piping
C) A chemical reaction in the water
D) High water demand
Answer: B) A negative or sub-atmospheric pressure in the supply piping ✓
5. Which of the following is the correct definition of "potable water"?
A) Water that is safe for drinking and domestic use
B) Water that is only used for irrigation
C) Water that has been treated with chlorine
D) Water from a private well
Answer: A) Water that is safe for drinking and domestic use ✓
,6. The term "containment" refers to protecting:
A) A specific fixture from contamination
B) The entire internal plumbing of a facility
C) The public water system at the service connection
D) A single appliance
Answer: C) The public water system at the service connection ✓
7. "Isolation" or "Internal Protection" refers to protecting:
A) The public water main
B) A specific hazard within a customer's plumbing system
C) The water meter
D) The service line
Answer: B) A specific hazard within a customer's plumbing system ✓
8. Which agency is primarily responsible for establishing plumbing fixture requirements and
standards?
A) EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
B) AWWA (American Water Works Association)
C) ASSE (American Society of Sanitary Engineering)
D) FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
Answer: C) ASSE (American Society of Sanitary Engineering) ✓
9. The legal authority for a water purveyor to implement a cross-connection control program
typically comes from:
A) Federal law
B) The local plumbing inspector
C) State or provincial regulations
D) The insurance company
Answer: C) State or provincial regulations ✓
10. Which of the following is considered a pollutant?
A) A substance that constitutes a nuisance but is not hazardous to health
B) A substance that poses a health hazard
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B
Answer: A) A substance that constitutes a nuisance but is not hazardous to health ✓
11. Which of the following is considered a contaminant?
A) A substance that constitutes a nuisance but is not hazardous to health
B) A substance that poses a health hazard
,C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B
Answer: B) A substance that poses a health hazard ✓
12. The point where a water purveyor loses jurisdiction over the water is typically at the:
A) Water treatment plant
B) Curb stop or meter
C) First fixture inside the building
D) Fire hydrant
Answer: B) Curb stop or meter ✓
13. A direct cross-connection is one that:
A) Is subject to backpressure only
B) Is subject to backsiphonage only
C) Is continuous and not subject to any valves or controls
D) Requires a double check valve assembly
Answer: C) Is continuous and not subject to any valves or controls ✓
14. An indirect cross-connection is one that:
A) Is connected to a non-potable system through an air gap
B) Is subject to backpressure only
C) Is connected through an intermediate fixture or means that can waste the water
D) Is permanently sealed
Answer: C) Is connected through an intermediate fixture or means that can waste the water ✓
15. The most reliable form of backflow prevention is:
A) A Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB)
B) A Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA)
C) An Air Gap
D) An Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB)
Answer: C) An Air Gap ✓
16. Who has the ultimate responsibility for preventing cross-connections?
A) The water purveyor
B) The plumbing inspector
C) The property owner
D) The cross-connection control specialist
Answer: C) The property owner ✓
, 17. A water purveyor's primary responsibility is to protect the:
A) Customer's internal plumbing
B) Public water distribution system
C) Revenue from water sales
D) Fire suppression systems
Answer: B) Public water distribution system ✓
18. Which term describes a physical link between a potable and non-potable system?
A) Cross-Connection
B) Backflow
C) Backpressure
D) Backsiphonage
Answer: A) Cross-Connection ✓
19. The actual reversal of flow of water or other substances into the potable water system is
called:
A) Cross-Connection
B) Backflow
C) Contamination
D) Pollution
Answer: B) Backflow ✓
20. A "health hazard" is any condition that could:
A) Create a foul taste or odor
B) Discolor the water
C) Cause death, illness, or spread disease
D) Reduce water pressure
Answer: C) Cause death, illness, or spread disease ✓
Section 2: Backflow Prevention Assemblies & Devices (Questions 21-50)
21. An Air Gap must be at least _____ the diameter of the effective opening and never less
than 1 inch.
A) One time
B) Two times
C) Three times
D) Four times
Answer: B) Two times ✓
