Maine Site Evaluator Licensing Exam Questions
and Correct Answers
QUESTION 1
A Site Evaluator in Maine is primarily responsible for which of the following tasks?
A. Designing municipal stormwater systems
B. Assessing soil and site conditions for wastewater disposal systems
C. Conducting hydrologic modeling for large infrastructure projects
D. Issuing local construction permits
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Site Evaluators are certified to assess soil characteristics, slope, and drainage
suitable for subsurface wastewater disposal systems, as defined in Maine’s Subsurface
Wastewater Disposal Rules.
QUESTION 2
Which soil horizon is most critical for determining suitability for a leach field?
A. O Horizon
B. A Horizon
C. B Horizon
D. C Horizon
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The C horizon typically contains the parent material influencing permeability and
drainage—key factors in wastewater infiltration.
QUESTION 3
According to Maine State Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules, the minimum separation
between the bottom of a disposal field and bedrock must be:
A. 12 inches
B. 18 inches
C. 24 inches
D. 36 inches
,CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: A minimum of 24 inches is required to ensure effective wastewater purification and
prevent groundwater contamination.
QUESTION 4
True or False: A percolation test is mandatory for all site evaluations under Maine rules.
CORRECT ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: Maine permits evaluators to use observed soil texture and structure data instead of
percolation tests when sufficient descriptive data are recorded.
QUESTION 5
Which of the following would most likely disqualify a site for a standard disposal field?
A. Slope of 12%
B. Well-drained sandy loam soil
C. Seasonal high water table at 18 inches
D. 150 feet from a body of surface water
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The minimum separation between wastewater disposal fields and groundwater is
typically 24 inches; a high water table at 18 inches is inadequate.
QUESTION 6
In Maine, Site Evaluator licenses are issued by which department?
A. Department of Environmental Protection
B. Department of Health and Human Services
C. Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry
D. Department of Licensing and Regulation
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The Maine Department of Health and Human Services handles site evaluator
licensing and enforcement.
QUESTION 7
,Which soil property most directly influences the rate of effluent absorption?
A. pH
B. Texture
C. Organic matter content
D. Color
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Texture (relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay) governs pore space and hence
infiltration capacity.
QUESTION 8
The legal purpose of the Site Evaluator’s report includes all EXCEPT:
A. Providing sufficient design data for system engineers
B. Confirming compliance with state wastewater regulations
C. Authorizing land ownership transfer
D. Recording site limitations and recommendations
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: A Site Evaluator’s report is not a legal conveyance document but a technical
regulatory record.
QUESTION 9
What is the primary environmental risk of installing systems without proper evaluation?
A. Reduced system lifespan
B. Uneven effluent distribution
C. Contamination of groundwater and surface water
D. Property boundary disputes
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Poor site selection can lead to untreated wastewater reaching aquifers or streams,
posing serious health hazards.
QUESTION 10
For a fill system, what is the maximum slope allowed under Maine standards?
A. 15%
, B. 20%
C. 25%
D. 30%
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Fill systems may be installed only where slopes do not exceed 15%, ensuring fill
stability and effluent distribution.
QUESTION 11
When classifying soil color using the Munsell system, which three attributes are recorded?
A. Lightness, moisture, and texture
B. Hue, value, and chroma
C. Depth, type, and saturation
D. Tint, brightness, and tone
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The Munsell color system expresses soil color in terms of hue (dominant spectral
color), value (lightness), and chroma (intensity), which aid in identifying soil horizon and
drainage class.
QUESTION 12
Which of the following soil structures is most favorable for subsurface wastewater disposal?
A. Massive structure
B. Platy structure
C. Granular structure
D. Blocky structure
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Granular soil exhibits high porosity and permeability, promoting efficient effluent
infiltration and aeration.
QUESTION 13
True or False: A site with shallow ledge outcrops can still be permitted if an adequate fill
extension is designed.
and Correct Answers
QUESTION 1
A Site Evaluator in Maine is primarily responsible for which of the following tasks?
A. Designing municipal stormwater systems
B. Assessing soil and site conditions for wastewater disposal systems
C. Conducting hydrologic modeling for large infrastructure projects
D. Issuing local construction permits
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Site Evaluators are certified to assess soil characteristics, slope, and drainage
suitable for subsurface wastewater disposal systems, as defined in Maine’s Subsurface
Wastewater Disposal Rules.
QUESTION 2
Which soil horizon is most critical for determining suitability for a leach field?
A. O Horizon
B. A Horizon
C. B Horizon
D. C Horizon
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The C horizon typically contains the parent material influencing permeability and
drainage—key factors in wastewater infiltration.
QUESTION 3
According to Maine State Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules, the minimum separation
between the bottom of a disposal field and bedrock must be:
A. 12 inches
B. 18 inches
C. 24 inches
D. 36 inches
,CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: A minimum of 24 inches is required to ensure effective wastewater purification and
prevent groundwater contamination.
QUESTION 4
True or False: A percolation test is mandatory for all site evaluations under Maine rules.
CORRECT ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: Maine permits evaluators to use observed soil texture and structure data instead of
percolation tests when sufficient descriptive data are recorded.
QUESTION 5
Which of the following would most likely disqualify a site for a standard disposal field?
A. Slope of 12%
B. Well-drained sandy loam soil
C. Seasonal high water table at 18 inches
D. 150 feet from a body of surface water
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The minimum separation between wastewater disposal fields and groundwater is
typically 24 inches; a high water table at 18 inches is inadequate.
QUESTION 6
In Maine, Site Evaluator licenses are issued by which department?
A. Department of Environmental Protection
B. Department of Health and Human Services
C. Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry
D. Department of Licensing and Regulation
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The Maine Department of Health and Human Services handles site evaluator
licensing and enforcement.
QUESTION 7
,Which soil property most directly influences the rate of effluent absorption?
A. pH
B. Texture
C. Organic matter content
D. Color
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Texture (relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay) governs pore space and hence
infiltration capacity.
QUESTION 8
The legal purpose of the Site Evaluator’s report includes all EXCEPT:
A. Providing sufficient design data for system engineers
B. Confirming compliance with state wastewater regulations
C. Authorizing land ownership transfer
D. Recording site limitations and recommendations
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: A Site Evaluator’s report is not a legal conveyance document but a technical
regulatory record.
QUESTION 9
What is the primary environmental risk of installing systems without proper evaluation?
A. Reduced system lifespan
B. Uneven effluent distribution
C. Contamination of groundwater and surface water
D. Property boundary disputes
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Poor site selection can lead to untreated wastewater reaching aquifers or streams,
posing serious health hazards.
QUESTION 10
For a fill system, what is the maximum slope allowed under Maine standards?
A. 15%
, B. 20%
C. 25%
D. 30%
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Fill systems may be installed only where slopes do not exceed 15%, ensuring fill
stability and effluent distribution.
QUESTION 11
When classifying soil color using the Munsell system, which three attributes are recorded?
A. Lightness, moisture, and texture
B. Hue, value, and chroma
C. Depth, type, and saturation
D. Tint, brightness, and tone
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The Munsell color system expresses soil color in terms of hue (dominant spectral
color), value (lightness), and chroma (intensity), which aid in identifying soil horizon and
drainage class.
QUESTION 12
Which of the following soil structures is most favorable for subsurface wastewater disposal?
A. Massive structure
B. Platy structure
C. Granular structure
D. Blocky structure
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Granular soil exhibits high porosity and permeability, promoting efficient effluent
infiltration and aeration.
QUESTION 13
True or False: A site with shallow ledge outcrops can still be permitted if an adequate fill
extension is designed.
