MAINE SITE EVALUATOR LICENSING
Exam Questions and Answers Latest
Version A+
QUESTION>> 1
Efluent dosing at intermittent intervals improves treatment by:
A. Keeping soil saturated continuously
B. Allowing alternating wet and dry cycles for oxygen renewal
C. Increasing system pressure
D. Reducing pipe friction
CORRECT ANSWER>> B
RATIONALE: Dry periods restore oxygen, improving nitrification and pathogen reduction.
QUESTION>> 2
When excavation reveals “fragipan,” it indicates:
A. Loose sand
,B. Cemented, brittle subsoil restricting roots and percolation
C. Organic layer with peat accumulation
D. Saturated clay horizon
CORRECT ANSWER>> B
RATIONALE: Fragipans are dense horizons limiting water movement and rooting—often design
constraints.
QUESTION>> 3
The lateral flow of efluent through unsaturated subsoil primarily depends on:
A. Capillary continuity and slope gradient
B. Particle chemical composition only
C. Evaporation rates
D. Climate zone
CORRECT ANSWER>> A
RATIONALE: Lateral dispersion follows gravitational and capillary pathways influenced by slope
and porosity.
QUESTION>> 4
A percolation test shows 5 minutes per inch; this is classified as:
A. Very slow
B. Slow
C. Moderate
D. Rapid
CORRECT ANSWER>> D
RATIONALE: Fast percolation within 5 mpi corresponds to rapid soils needing sufficient horizontal
separation.
QUESTION>> 5
If a replacement field cannot meet setback distances, the evaluator must:
A. Approve without comment
B. Apply for variance with justification
,C. Relocate water well
D. Reduce septic tank size
CORRECT ANSWER>> B
RATIONALE: Variance process documents necessary deviations while maintaining environmental
protection.
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 efluent 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 efluent 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%
Exam Questions and Answers Latest
Version A+
QUESTION>> 1
Efluent dosing at intermittent intervals improves treatment by:
A. Keeping soil saturated continuously
B. Allowing alternating wet and dry cycles for oxygen renewal
C. Increasing system pressure
D. Reducing pipe friction
CORRECT ANSWER>> B
RATIONALE: Dry periods restore oxygen, improving nitrification and pathogen reduction.
QUESTION>> 2
When excavation reveals “fragipan,” it indicates:
A. Loose sand
,B. Cemented, brittle subsoil restricting roots and percolation
C. Organic layer with peat accumulation
D. Saturated clay horizon
CORRECT ANSWER>> B
RATIONALE: Fragipans are dense horizons limiting water movement and rooting—often design
constraints.
QUESTION>> 3
The lateral flow of efluent through unsaturated subsoil primarily depends on:
A. Capillary continuity and slope gradient
B. Particle chemical composition only
C. Evaporation rates
D. Climate zone
CORRECT ANSWER>> A
RATIONALE: Lateral dispersion follows gravitational and capillary pathways influenced by slope
and porosity.
QUESTION>> 4
A percolation test shows 5 minutes per inch; this is classified as:
A. Very slow
B. Slow
C. Moderate
D. Rapid
CORRECT ANSWER>> D
RATIONALE: Fast percolation within 5 mpi corresponds to rapid soils needing sufficient horizontal
separation.
QUESTION>> 5
If a replacement field cannot meet setback distances, the evaluator must:
A. Approve without comment
B. Apply for variance with justification
,C. Relocate water well
D. Reduce septic tank size
CORRECT ANSWER>> B
RATIONALE: Variance process documents necessary deviations while maintaining environmental
protection.
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 efluent 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 efluent 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%
