TCEQ Wastewater Class D Exam Questions
with Correct Answers
Hydrologic Cycle
The natural exchange of water between the earth and the air.
Evaporation
Causes surface water to enter the atmosphere and begin the Hydrologic Cycle.
Precipitation
Rain or snow falling from clouds.
Condensation
What causes water vapor to form clouds.
Groundwater sources
Generally better protected from contamination than surface water sources.
Wastewater systems
The goal is to properly collect, transport, and treat both domestic and industrial wastewater
prior to discharge into the environment.
Point-Source
Wastewater entering surface water at a specific point from a specific source.
Non-Point-Source
Contaminated water that enters surface water intermittently.
Wastewater treatment plant operator's knowledge
,A key determining factor whether or not the plant can meet its discharge permit requirements.
Wastewater treatment plants in Texas
Required to be operated by licensed operators.
Clean Water Act of 1972
The major piece of national legislation that governs wastewater treatment.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Controls the wastewater regulations in Texas.
Local governments
Have the authority to inspect water quality within their jurisdictional boundaries and ensure
wastewater treatment facilities are meeting their permit requirements.
Combined Sewer
A sewer designed to carry both sanitary wastewaters and storm or surface water runoff.
Infiltration
The seepage of groundwater into a sewer system, including service connections.
Inflow
Water directly entering the sewer system by unauthorized connections or poorly sealed
manhole covers.
Domestic Waste
Wastewater originating from residential households.
Commercial Waste
,Wastewater originating from commercial establishments such as office buildings, retail stores
and warehouses.
Industrial Waste
Wastewater originating from industrial sources that may contain byproducts of the industrial
process and intermediate waste products.
Physical Characteristics
The physical characteristics of wastewater are quantified by measuring the temperature,
color, odor and turbidity of the waste stream.
Biological Characteristics
The biological characteristics of wastewater are quantified by measuring the biochemical
oxygen demand, coliform bacteria density and by microscopic examination of the mixed
liquor.
Chemical Characteristics
The chemical characteristics of wastewater are quantified by measuring alkalinity,
conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, oxidation-reduction potential and the chemical oxygen
demand concentrations of the wastewater.
Solids
The various forms of solids contained in wastewater include total solids, suspended solids,
volatile solids and dissolved solids.
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. The NPDES permitting system is designed
to control all point source discharges of pollutants into waterways of the United States.
, Infiltration (alternative definition)
Groundwater entering the collection system through leaking joints, cracks, or holes in system
pipes.
Inflow (alternative definition)
The result of surface runoff entering through leaking manhole covers, or illegal roof, gutter
and sump pump connections to the collection system.
Biological activity and water temperature
Warmer water temperatures will result in increased biological activity in a collection system.
Hydrogen sulfide
A dangerous byproduct of organic material decomposition that increases with biological
activity.
COD
Chemical Oxygen Demand, typically ranging between 200 and 600 mg/L in raw wastewater.
BOD:COD relationship
The typical relationship between BOD and COD is 0.5:1 for raw wastewater.
Dissolved oxygen
The amount of oxygen that can be maintained in water, which decreases as water temperature
increases.
CBOD test
A test that measures carbonaceous BOD in biological process effluent water, requiring a
nitrification inhibitor.
with Correct Answers
Hydrologic Cycle
The natural exchange of water between the earth and the air.
Evaporation
Causes surface water to enter the atmosphere and begin the Hydrologic Cycle.
Precipitation
Rain or snow falling from clouds.
Condensation
What causes water vapor to form clouds.
Groundwater sources
Generally better protected from contamination than surface water sources.
Wastewater systems
The goal is to properly collect, transport, and treat both domestic and industrial wastewater
prior to discharge into the environment.
Point-Source
Wastewater entering surface water at a specific point from a specific source.
Non-Point-Source
Contaminated water that enters surface water intermittently.
Wastewater treatment plant operator's knowledge
,A key determining factor whether or not the plant can meet its discharge permit requirements.
Wastewater treatment plants in Texas
Required to be operated by licensed operators.
Clean Water Act of 1972
The major piece of national legislation that governs wastewater treatment.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Controls the wastewater regulations in Texas.
Local governments
Have the authority to inspect water quality within their jurisdictional boundaries and ensure
wastewater treatment facilities are meeting their permit requirements.
Combined Sewer
A sewer designed to carry both sanitary wastewaters and storm or surface water runoff.
Infiltration
The seepage of groundwater into a sewer system, including service connections.
Inflow
Water directly entering the sewer system by unauthorized connections or poorly sealed
manhole covers.
Domestic Waste
Wastewater originating from residential households.
Commercial Waste
,Wastewater originating from commercial establishments such as office buildings, retail stores
and warehouses.
Industrial Waste
Wastewater originating from industrial sources that may contain byproducts of the industrial
process and intermediate waste products.
Physical Characteristics
The physical characteristics of wastewater are quantified by measuring the temperature,
color, odor and turbidity of the waste stream.
Biological Characteristics
The biological characteristics of wastewater are quantified by measuring the biochemical
oxygen demand, coliform bacteria density and by microscopic examination of the mixed
liquor.
Chemical Characteristics
The chemical characteristics of wastewater are quantified by measuring alkalinity,
conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, oxidation-reduction potential and the chemical oxygen
demand concentrations of the wastewater.
Solids
The various forms of solids contained in wastewater include total solids, suspended solids,
volatile solids and dissolved solids.
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. The NPDES permitting system is designed
to control all point source discharges of pollutants into waterways of the United States.
, Infiltration (alternative definition)
Groundwater entering the collection system through leaking joints, cracks, or holes in system
pipes.
Inflow (alternative definition)
The result of surface runoff entering through leaking manhole covers, or illegal roof, gutter
and sump pump connections to the collection system.
Biological activity and water temperature
Warmer water temperatures will result in increased biological activity in a collection system.
Hydrogen sulfide
A dangerous byproduct of organic material decomposition that increases with biological
activity.
COD
Chemical Oxygen Demand, typically ranging between 200 and 600 mg/L in raw wastewater.
BOD:COD relationship
The typical relationship between BOD and COD is 0.5:1 for raw wastewater.
Dissolved oxygen
The amount of oxygen that can be maintained in water, which decreases as water temperature
increases.
CBOD test
A test that measures carbonaceous BOD in biological process effluent water, requiring a
nitrification inhibitor.
