WV SEPTIC INSTALLER PRACTICE –
SET #1 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
What is the minimum septic tank size required for a single-family dwelling with up to 4
bedrooms in WV? - ANS 1,000 gallons
For each bedroom beyond 4, how many gallons must be added to the minimum septic tank
size? - ANS 250 gallons
True or False: Metal septic tanks are approved for use in West Virginia. - ANS False
What is the required minimum clearance between a septic tank and a private water well? -
ANS 50 feet
True or False: A soil absorption system may be installed under a driveway or parking lot. -
ANS False
What is the minimum trench depth allowed for a standard soil absorption system? - ANS 18
inches
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What is the maximum trench depth for a standard soil absorption system? - ANS 36 inches
How many inches of gravel must be placed beneath the distribution pipe in a trench? - ANS 6
inches
How many inches of gravel must be placed above the distribution pipe? - ANS 2 inches
True or False: The invert of the septic tank inlet must be at least 2 inches higher than the outlet
invert. - ANS True
Which type of distribution system is required on sloping ground? - ANS Serial distribution
At what slope percentage are soil absorption systems prohibited? - ANS More than 25%
True or False: Effluent from an upslope trench must flow to the downslope trench in serial
distribution. - ANS True
What is the minimum horizontal separation distance between a drain field and a stream? -
ANS 20 feet
What is the minimum horizontal separation distance between a soil absorption system and a
water well? - ANS 100 feet
True or False: Percolation rates slower than 90 minutes per inch are acceptable for standard
absorption fields. - ANS False
How many percolation test holes are required across an absorption field site? - ANS At least 4
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
SET #1 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
What is the minimum septic tank size required for a single-family dwelling with up to 4
bedrooms in WV? - ANS 1,000 gallons
For each bedroom beyond 4, how many gallons must be added to the minimum septic tank
size? - ANS 250 gallons
True or False: Metal septic tanks are approved for use in West Virginia. - ANS False
What is the required minimum clearance between a septic tank and a private water well? -
ANS 50 feet
True or False: A soil absorption system may be installed under a driveway or parking lot. -
ANS False
What is the minimum trench depth allowed for a standard soil absorption system? - ANS 18
inches
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What is the maximum trench depth for a standard soil absorption system? - ANS 36 inches
How many inches of gravel must be placed beneath the distribution pipe in a trench? - ANS 6
inches
How many inches of gravel must be placed above the distribution pipe? - ANS 2 inches
True or False: The invert of the septic tank inlet must be at least 2 inches higher than the outlet
invert. - ANS True
Which type of distribution system is required on sloping ground? - ANS Serial distribution
At what slope percentage are soil absorption systems prohibited? - ANS More than 25%
True or False: Effluent from an upslope trench must flow to the downslope trench in serial
distribution. - ANS True
What is the minimum horizontal separation distance between a drain field and a stream? -
ANS 20 feet
What is the minimum horizontal separation distance between a soil absorption system and a
water well? - ANS 100 feet
True or False: Percolation rates slower than 90 minutes per inch are acceptable for standard
absorption fields. - ANS False
How many percolation test holes are required across an absorption field site? - ANS At least 4
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
