Georgia (GA) Utility Manager Practice Exam: 100 Questions with Answers & Explanations
LATEST
**1. Which state agency has primary regulatory authority over public water systems in
Georgia?**
A) Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD)
B) Georgia Department of Natural Resources
C) Georgia Public Service Commission
D) Georgia Department of Public Health
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) within the
Department of Natural Resources regulates public water systems under the Georgia Safe
Drinking Water Act.
**2. Under Georgia law, what is the minimum number of service connections that defines a
"public water system"?**
A) 5
B) 10
C) 15
D) 25
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** Georgia defines a public water system as one serving at least 15 service
connections or 25 individuals at least 60 days per year.
**3. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total coliform bacteria in drinking water
is:**
A) 0 presence in any sample
B) 1 positive sample per month
,C) 5% positive samples per month
D) No MCL for coliform
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** The Total Coliform Rule allows no more than 5% of monthly samples to be
positive for coliform bacteria.
**4. What is the action level for lead in drinking water according to Georgia regulations?**
A) 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb)
B) 0.05 mg/L (50 ppb)
C) 0.10 mg/L (100 ppb)
D) 0.50 mg/L (500 ppb)
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** The action level for lead is 0.015 mg/L (15 parts per billion).
**5. The Surface Water Treatment Rule requires what minimum log removal/inactivation of
Giardia lamblia?**
A) 1-log
B) 2-log
C) 3-log
D) 4-log
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** The SWTR requires at least 3-log (99.9%) removal/inactivation of Giardia
lamblia.
**6. How often must community water systems conduct lead and copper tap sampling?**
A) Monthly
B) Quarterly
,C) Annually
D) Every 3 years
**Answer: D**
**Explanation:** Reduced monitoring allows testing every 3 years if action levels are not
exceeded.
**7. What is the minimum required chlorine residual at the furthest point in the distribution
system?**
A) 0.2 mg/L
B) 0.5 mg/L
C) 1.0 mg/L
D) 2.0 mg/L
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** Georgia requires minimum 0.2 mg/L chlorine residual throughout the
distribution system.
**8. Cross-connection control programs are required for which type of water systems?**
A) All community water systems
B) Systems serving over 1,000 people
C) Systems with surface water sources
D) Systems with groundwater under direct influence
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** All community water systems must have cross-connection control
programs.
**9. What is the maximum allowable trihalomethane (TTHM) level under the Stage 2
Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts Rule?**
, A) 0.040 mg/L (40 ppb)
B) 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
C) 0.100 mg/L (100 ppb)
D) 0.200 mg/L (200 ppb)
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** The MCL for TTHMs is 0.080 mg/L as a running annual average.
**10. How often must sanitary surveys be conducted for community water systems using
groundwater?**
A) Every 3 years
B) Every 5 years
C) Every 10 years
D) Only when problems occur
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** Groundwater systems require sanitary surveys every 3 years; surface
water systems require them every 5 years.
**11. Under Georgia's Water Use Act, what threshold requires a water withdrawal
permit?**
A) Any withdrawal
B) Over 10,000 gallons per day
C) Over 100,000 gallons per day
D) Over 1,000,000 gallons per day
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** A permit is required for withdrawals exceeding 100,000 gallons per day on
any 30-day average.
LATEST
**1. Which state agency has primary regulatory authority over public water systems in
Georgia?**
A) Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD)
B) Georgia Department of Natural Resources
C) Georgia Public Service Commission
D) Georgia Department of Public Health
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) within the
Department of Natural Resources regulates public water systems under the Georgia Safe
Drinking Water Act.
**2. Under Georgia law, what is the minimum number of service connections that defines a
"public water system"?**
A) 5
B) 10
C) 15
D) 25
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** Georgia defines a public water system as one serving at least 15 service
connections or 25 individuals at least 60 days per year.
**3. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total coliform bacteria in drinking water
is:**
A) 0 presence in any sample
B) 1 positive sample per month
,C) 5% positive samples per month
D) No MCL for coliform
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** The Total Coliform Rule allows no more than 5% of monthly samples to be
positive for coliform bacteria.
**4. What is the action level for lead in drinking water according to Georgia regulations?**
A) 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb)
B) 0.05 mg/L (50 ppb)
C) 0.10 mg/L (100 ppb)
D) 0.50 mg/L (500 ppb)
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** The action level for lead is 0.015 mg/L (15 parts per billion).
**5. The Surface Water Treatment Rule requires what minimum log removal/inactivation of
Giardia lamblia?**
A) 1-log
B) 2-log
C) 3-log
D) 4-log
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** The SWTR requires at least 3-log (99.9%) removal/inactivation of Giardia
lamblia.
**6. How often must community water systems conduct lead and copper tap sampling?**
A) Monthly
B) Quarterly
,C) Annually
D) Every 3 years
**Answer: D**
**Explanation:** Reduced monitoring allows testing every 3 years if action levels are not
exceeded.
**7. What is the minimum required chlorine residual at the furthest point in the distribution
system?**
A) 0.2 mg/L
B) 0.5 mg/L
C) 1.0 mg/L
D) 2.0 mg/L
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** Georgia requires minimum 0.2 mg/L chlorine residual throughout the
distribution system.
**8. Cross-connection control programs are required for which type of water systems?**
A) All community water systems
B) Systems serving over 1,000 people
C) Systems with surface water sources
D) Systems with groundwater under direct influence
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** All community water systems must have cross-connection control
programs.
**9. What is the maximum allowable trihalomethane (TTHM) level under the Stage 2
Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts Rule?**
, A) 0.040 mg/L (40 ppb)
B) 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
C) 0.100 mg/L (100 ppb)
D) 0.200 mg/L (200 ppb)
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** The MCL for TTHMs is 0.080 mg/L as a running annual average.
**10. How often must sanitary surveys be conducted for community water systems using
groundwater?**
A) Every 3 years
B) Every 5 years
C) Every 10 years
D) Only when problems occur
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** Groundwater systems require sanitary surveys every 3 years; surface
water systems require them every 5 years.
**11. Under Georgia's Water Use Act, what threshold requires a water withdrawal
permit?**
A) Any withdrawal
B) Over 10,000 gallons per day
C) Over 100,000 gallons per day
D) Over 1,000,000 gallons per day
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** A permit is required for withdrawals exceeding 100,000 gallons per day on
any 30-day average.
