WASTEWATER TREATMENT
OPERATOR EXAM QUESTIONS
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ Chlorine Dosage Calculation. Answer: Determining the daily
chlorine requirement based on effluent chlorine dosage and flow
rate
◉ Detention Time Calculation. Answer: Calculating the detention
time of a settling tank based on dimensions and flow rate
◉ Sludge Volume Calculation. Answer: Calculating the volume of
sludge in a digester based on dimensions and liquid level
◉ Total Flow Volume Calculation. Answer: Calculating the total
volume of flow recorded by a flow meter during a monitoring period
◉ Types of Pumps in Wastewater Treatment. Answer: Commonly
used pumps include centrifugal and positive displacement pumps
◉ Power Tools in Wastewater Treatment. Answer: Tools like drills,
saws, grinders, and sanders used in operations
,◉ Recirculation for Grease Reduction. Answer: Weekly recirculation
of digested sludge to reduce grease buildup
◉ Largest Bar Spacing Device. Answer: Preliminary screening device
with the largest steel bar spacing
◉ Primary Cause of Electric Motor Failure. Answer: Dirt
accumulation typically suspected first in motor failure
◉ Flow Meter Accuracy Check. Answer: First action when suspecting
inaccurate flow meter values
◉ Winter Icing in Trickling Filter. Answer: Action to take when a
trickling filter experiences icing in winter
◉ Pump Vibrations Due to Incorrect Motor-Pump Relationship.
Answer: Reason behind pump vibrations caused by improper motor-
pump relationship
◉ Function of Stones in Trickling Filters. Answer: Stones in trickling
filters support organism growth to reduce BOD
◉ Issue with Cycling Pumps in Lift Station. Answer: Possible issue
when lead and lag pumps cycle despite constant flow
, ◉ Activated-Sludge System Variables. Answer: Operating variables
include aeration time, dissolved oxygen, and F/M ratio
◉ Preventing Floated Solids in Dissolved Air Flotation. Answer:
Method to prevent floated solids from entering effluent in flotation
thickeners
◉ Critical Parameter on Chemical Feed Pump. Answer: Vibration is
the critical parameter to monitor on a chemical feed pump
◉ Consequence of Cattail Growth in Lagoon. Answer: Result of
cattail growth includes short circuiting in the affected lagoon
◉ Positive Displacement Sludge Pump Usage. Answer: Usage caution
includes not operating without proper priming
◉ Minimal Damage Sustaining Pump. Answer: Piston pump can
sustain minimal damage if discharge valve is momentarily closed
◉ Benefit of Rock Media in Filters. Answer: Rock media benefit
includes larger void spaces than random media
OPERATOR EXAM QUESTIONS
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ Chlorine Dosage Calculation. Answer: Determining the daily
chlorine requirement based on effluent chlorine dosage and flow
rate
◉ Detention Time Calculation. Answer: Calculating the detention
time of a settling tank based on dimensions and flow rate
◉ Sludge Volume Calculation. Answer: Calculating the volume of
sludge in a digester based on dimensions and liquid level
◉ Total Flow Volume Calculation. Answer: Calculating the total
volume of flow recorded by a flow meter during a monitoring period
◉ Types of Pumps in Wastewater Treatment. Answer: Commonly
used pumps include centrifugal and positive displacement pumps
◉ Power Tools in Wastewater Treatment. Answer: Tools like drills,
saws, grinders, and sanders used in operations
,◉ Recirculation for Grease Reduction. Answer: Weekly recirculation
of digested sludge to reduce grease buildup
◉ Largest Bar Spacing Device. Answer: Preliminary screening device
with the largest steel bar spacing
◉ Primary Cause of Electric Motor Failure. Answer: Dirt
accumulation typically suspected first in motor failure
◉ Flow Meter Accuracy Check. Answer: First action when suspecting
inaccurate flow meter values
◉ Winter Icing in Trickling Filter. Answer: Action to take when a
trickling filter experiences icing in winter
◉ Pump Vibrations Due to Incorrect Motor-Pump Relationship.
Answer: Reason behind pump vibrations caused by improper motor-
pump relationship
◉ Function of Stones in Trickling Filters. Answer: Stones in trickling
filters support organism growth to reduce BOD
◉ Issue with Cycling Pumps in Lift Station. Answer: Possible issue
when lead and lag pumps cycle despite constant flow
, ◉ Activated-Sludge System Variables. Answer: Operating variables
include aeration time, dissolved oxygen, and F/M ratio
◉ Preventing Floated Solids in Dissolved Air Flotation. Answer:
Method to prevent floated solids from entering effluent in flotation
thickeners
◉ Critical Parameter on Chemical Feed Pump. Answer: Vibration is
the critical parameter to monitor on a chemical feed pump
◉ Consequence of Cattail Growth in Lagoon. Answer: Result of
cattail growth includes short circuiting in the affected lagoon
◉ Positive Displacement Sludge Pump Usage. Answer: Usage caution
includes not operating without proper priming
◉ Minimal Damage Sustaining Pump. Answer: Piston pump can
sustain minimal damage if discharge valve is momentarily closed
◉ Benefit of Rock Media in Filters. Answer: Rock media benefit
includes larger void spaces than random media
