TEXAS WASTEWATER D 2026 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔What is carbon monoxide? (CO) - ✔✔A colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas
✔✔Why is oil and grease a concern if present in wastewater? - ✔✔It may cause
explosions, fires, line blockages, and odor
✔✔What are chlorides and why are excessive chlorides in wastewater bad? -
✔✔Excessive chlorides interfere with treatment processes, especially trickling filters.
They also affect laboratory tests.
✔✔What does the BOD test measure? - ✔✔It measures wastewater strength and the
oxygen depleting effect of wastewater effluent on the receiving stream. Specifically, it
indicates the amount of organic matter that can be oxidized by biological and chemical
action in five days at 20 degrees Celsius.
✔✔What are pathogens? What are two viral diseases that could be carried in
wastewater? - ✔✔Polio and infectious hepatitis
✔✔What are precautions individuals can take to protect against pathogens in the
collection system? How do communities overall prevent waterborne disease? - ✔✔-
Wear cut-resistant gloves
- Wash after contacting wastewater
- Do not eat or smoke around wastewater
- Disinfect equipment with bleach
- Well-maintained water system
- Sanitary collection system
- Well-operated wastewater treatment plant
✔✔What is the purpose of wastewater treatment? - ✔✔- Dispose of solids
- Destroy pathogens
- Eliminate nuisances
- Protect downstream users
✔✔What is the state *law* regulating water pollution control in Texas? - ✔✔The Texas
Water Code
✔✔Who is the primary state *agency* having authority for water pollution control in
Texas? - ✔✔The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
✔✔How did the state get its authority to control water pollution? - ✔✔The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) delegated that authority to the individual states.
, ✔✔What is the EPA's primary wastewater legislation? - ✔✔The Federal Water Pollution
Control Act of 1972. As amended in 1977, this law commonly became known as the
Clean Water Act
✔✔What did the Clean Water Act do? - ✔✔- Created pollution control programs
- Made it unlawful to discharge a point source into navigable waters without a permit
- Funded construction of wastewater treatment plants
✔✔When can TCEQ revoke an operator's permit? - ✔✔If the operator:
- violates the permit
- falsifies records
- states misleading information on the licensing application
- or causes other violations
✔✔What is an accidental discharge? When must TCEQ be notified about it? - ✔✔An act
or omission through which waste or other substances are inadvertently discharged into
water in the state. TCEQ must be notified within 24 hours if one occurs.
✔✔What is an unauthorized discharge? - ✔✔Any discharge of wastewater into or
adjacent to waters in the state at a location not permitted as an outfall. Ex: SSO
✔✔At what population does a city may have to establish a water pollution control and
abatement program? - ✔✔10,000 or more
✔✔Lift stations are built when wastewater is: - ✔✔- Raised to a higher elevation
- Pumped over a hill
- Lifted at a plant for gravity flow
✔✔TCEQ's goals regarding water pollution control are: - ✔✔- To maintain state water
quality
- To promote wastewater collection and disposal systems
- To use all reasonable methods to implement the state water plan
✔✔The TCEQ may assess administrative penalties up to $______ per day for each
violation - ✔✔$25,000
✔✔Required records, such as flow and effluent quality, must be kept for ___ years.
Sludge records must be kept ___ years. - ✔✔3, 5
✔✔Reports, including Discharge Monitoring Reports and Monthly Effluent Reports, are
to be submitted to the TCEQ no later than the __ of the _____ month. - ✔✔20th,
following
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔What is carbon monoxide? (CO) - ✔✔A colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas
✔✔Why is oil and grease a concern if present in wastewater? - ✔✔It may cause
explosions, fires, line blockages, and odor
✔✔What are chlorides and why are excessive chlorides in wastewater bad? -
✔✔Excessive chlorides interfere with treatment processes, especially trickling filters.
They also affect laboratory tests.
✔✔What does the BOD test measure? - ✔✔It measures wastewater strength and the
oxygen depleting effect of wastewater effluent on the receiving stream. Specifically, it
indicates the amount of organic matter that can be oxidized by biological and chemical
action in five days at 20 degrees Celsius.
✔✔What are pathogens? What are two viral diseases that could be carried in
wastewater? - ✔✔Polio and infectious hepatitis
✔✔What are precautions individuals can take to protect against pathogens in the
collection system? How do communities overall prevent waterborne disease? - ✔✔-
Wear cut-resistant gloves
- Wash after contacting wastewater
- Do not eat or smoke around wastewater
- Disinfect equipment with bleach
- Well-maintained water system
- Sanitary collection system
- Well-operated wastewater treatment plant
✔✔What is the purpose of wastewater treatment? - ✔✔- Dispose of solids
- Destroy pathogens
- Eliminate nuisances
- Protect downstream users
✔✔What is the state *law* regulating water pollution control in Texas? - ✔✔The Texas
Water Code
✔✔Who is the primary state *agency* having authority for water pollution control in
Texas? - ✔✔The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
✔✔How did the state get its authority to control water pollution? - ✔✔The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) delegated that authority to the individual states.
, ✔✔What is the EPA's primary wastewater legislation? - ✔✔The Federal Water Pollution
Control Act of 1972. As amended in 1977, this law commonly became known as the
Clean Water Act
✔✔What did the Clean Water Act do? - ✔✔- Created pollution control programs
- Made it unlawful to discharge a point source into navigable waters without a permit
- Funded construction of wastewater treatment plants
✔✔When can TCEQ revoke an operator's permit? - ✔✔If the operator:
- violates the permit
- falsifies records
- states misleading information on the licensing application
- or causes other violations
✔✔What is an accidental discharge? When must TCEQ be notified about it? - ✔✔An act
or omission through which waste or other substances are inadvertently discharged into
water in the state. TCEQ must be notified within 24 hours if one occurs.
✔✔What is an unauthorized discharge? - ✔✔Any discharge of wastewater into or
adjacent to waters in the state at a location not permitted as an outfall. Ex: SSO
✔✔At what population does a city may have to establish a water pollution control and
abatement program? - ✔✔10,000 or more
✔✔Lift stations are built when wastewater is: - ✔✔- Raised to a higher elevation
- Pumped over a hill
- Lifted at a plant for gravity flow
✔✔TCEQ's goals regarding water pollution control are: - ✔✔- To maintain state water
quality
- To promote wastewater collection and disposal systems
- To use all reasonable methods to implement the state water plan
✔✔The TCEQ may assess administrative penalties up to $______ per day for each
violation - ✔✔$25,000
✔✔Required records, such as flow and effluent quality, must be kept for ___ years.
Sludge records must be kept ___ years. - ✔✔3, 5
✔✔Reports, including Discharge Monitoring Reports and Monthly Effluent Reports, are
to be submitted to the TCEQ no later than the __ of the _____ month. - ✔✔20th,
following
