Water Treatment Exam Questions and
Answers 100% Pass
Potable Water - ANSWER-Water that is healthy for human consumption, and
free of organic and inorganic compounds and microorganisms
Palatable Water - ANSWER-Water that is aesthetically pleasing and free from
turbidity, color, odor, or bad taste
Turbidity - ANSWER-Measures clarity of water; whether water is cloudy or not
What is the purpose of drinking water treatment? - ANSWER-To provide potable
water that is palatable
Major Inorganic Constituents - ANSWER-Calcium, chloride, fluoride, iron,
magnesium
Minor Inorganic Constituents - ANSWER-Copper, lead, arsenic, mercury
Microbial Constituents - ANSWER-Pathogens, indicator organisms
Pathogens - ANSWER-Microorganisms that cause sickness and disease such as
viruses, bacteria, and protozoa
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, Indicator Organisms - ANSWER-Coliforms, used to monitor microbial water
activity
Safe Water Drinking Act of 1974 - ANSWER-Responsibility of water quality
regulation moved from states to EPA. Regulated maximum contaminant levels
(MCLs), calcium levels, etc.
Screening - ANSWER-A physical treatment that removes the large particles from
water, by size from largest to smallest in order to prevent damage to mechanics in
further treatment. Screening occurs using bar racks or bar screens.
Comminutor - ANSWER-Alternative to screens; grinds up coarse solids to be
removed in a later treatment step
Drinking Water Treatment - ANSWER-Physical Treatment: Screening,
Sedimentation, and Filtration
Chemical Treatment: Coagulation-Flocculation and Disinfection
Order: Screening, Coagulation-Flocculation, Sedimentation, Filtration, Disinfection
Coagulation - ANSWER-Charge neutralization step that conditions all matter by
adding coagulants (chemical that destabilizes particles)
Flocculation - ANSWER-Small suspended particles stick together from the
coagulant to form larger particles known as floc
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Answers 100% Pass
Potable Water - ANSWER-Water that is healthy for human consumption, and
free of organic and inorganic compounds and microorganisms
Palatable Water - ANSWER-Water that is aesthetically pleasing and free from
turbidity, color, odor, or bad taste
Turbidity - ANSWER-Measures clarity of water; whether water is cloudy or not
What is the purpose of drinking water treatment? - ANSWER-To provide potable
water that is palatable
Major Inorganic Constituents - ANSWER-Calcium, chloride, fluoride, iron,
magnesium
Minor Inorganic Constituents - ANSWER-Copper, lead, arsenic, mercury
Microbial Constituents - ANSWER-Pathogens, indicator organisms
Pathogens - ANSWER-Microorganisms that cause sickness and disease such as
viruses, bacteria, and protozoa
©️COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 1
, Indicator Organisms - ANSWER-Coliforms, used to monitor microbial water
activity
Safe Water Drinking Act of 1974 - ANSWER-Responsibility of water quality
regulation moved from states to EPA. Regulated maximum contaminant levels
(MCLs), calcium levels, etc.
Screening - ANSWER-A physical treatment that removes the large particles from
water, by size from largest to smallest in order to prevent damage to mechanics in
further treatment. Screening occurs using bar racks or bar screens.
Comminutor - ANSWER-Alternative to screens; grinds up coarse solids to be
removed in a later treatment step
Drinking Water Treatment - ANSWER-Physical Treatment: Screening,
Sedimentation, and Filtration
Chemical Treatment: Coagulation-Flocculation and Disinfection
Order: Screening, Coagulation-Flocculation, Sedimentation, Filtration, Disinfection
Coagulation - ANSWER-Charge neutralization step that conditions all matter by
adding coagulants (chemical that destabilizes particles)
Flocculation - ANSWER-Small suspended particles stick together from the
coagulant to form larger particles known as floc
©️COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2
