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Water Operator Certification Study Material
( New Mexico) (Advance) Questions and
Answers
Maximum Contaminent Level Ans: MCL
Public water system is a system that serves a population of ___ or
more regularly Ans: 25
Maximum total chlorine residual ___ mg/l Ans: 4
What type of contaminant is Iron Ans: Secondary
Primary contaminant is sometimes added to water supplies to
prevent tooth decay Ans: Fluoride
The Failure of a public water system to comply with the NM
Drinking Water Regulations must be reported to NMED within ___
hours Ans: 48
MCL for Total Trihalomethanes ___ mg/l Ans: 0.1
SDWA sampling results must be reported to Ans: New Mexico
Enviroment Department (NMED)
Ground water systems must sample for inorganic chemicals every
___ years Ans: 3
The SDWA Compliance Cycle for Standardized Monitoring Rule
consists of ___ Compliance Periods Ans: 3
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___ or less than 5% bacteriological samples must be taken every
month before a system is allowed to have TWO positive samples
without violating the drinking water standard? Ans: 40
Action level for Lead ___ mg/l Ans: 0.015
If Bacteriological retakes are done this month what is the
minimum number of samples that must be turned in next month?
Ans: 5
if a 3-log removal is required for Giardia Lamblia what percentage
of organisms can survive and still meet requirements Ans: 0.1
Primary Inorganic Contaminant poses an immediate health risk
Ans: Nitrates
The Presence of Nitrates in the bloodstream that reduces oxygen
uptake that gives the skin a blue tint Ans: Blue Baby Syndrome
Primary Contaminant that shields harmful bacteria from
disinfection processes Ans: Turbidity
Device used to measure NTU's Ans: Nephelometer
Turbidity is Measured with Ans: Turbidimeter or Nephelometer
Chemical sampling results be kept ___ years Ans: 10
Bacteriological sampling results be kept ___ years Ans: 5
Microorganisms whose presence in water indicates probable
presence of pathogens. Ans: Indicator organism
White powder used to neutralize chlorine Ans: Sodium
Thiosulphate
To insure the water being sampled is from the main and not the
customers plumbling Ans: Flush line
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Number is used to determine how many Bac-t samples must be
taken Ans: People served
Minimum number of Bac-T samples required each month? Ans: 1
Anytime the MCL is exceeded and fecal coliform positive results
come back from any of the samples Ans: Non-acute violation
If retakes are required this month what is the minimum number of
samples required next month Ans: 5
Bacteria that are found only in surface water supplies Ans:
Cryptosporidium & Giardia
How soon must NMED be notified that a Bacterial MCL has been
exceeded? ___ hours Ans: 24
Coliform group Ans: Indicator organism
Waterborne pathogens found in all water supplies Ans: Typhoid,
Cholera, Dysentery, Hepatitis, Paratyphoid (types A & B)
Disease causing Bacteria Ans: Pathogens
Water Ans: Universal solvent
Ground & Surface Ans: Two sources of water
Water that is safe to drink Ans: Potable
Natural water cycle Ans: Hydrologic Cycle
Water that is lost or given up to the atmosphere by plants or the
surface of streams, lakes and oceans. Ans: Evapotranspiration
Destruction of Pathogens Ans: Disinfection
May be used for the removal of Iron & Manganese, some kinds of
Taste & Odors, and some dissolved gases, such as Ammonia and
Hydrogen Sulfide Ans: Chlorine
© 2025 All rights reserved
Water Operator Certification Study Material
( New Mexico) (Advance) Questions and
Answers
Maximum Contaminent Level Ans: MCL
Public water system is a system that serves a population of ___ or
more regularly Ans: 25
Maximum total chlorine residual ___ mg/l Ans: 4
What type of contaminant is Iron Ans: Secondary
Primary contaminant is sometimes added to water supplies to
prevent tooth decay Ans: Fluoride
The Failure of a public water system to comply with the NM
Drinking Water Regulations must be reported to NMED within ___
hours Ans: 48
MCL for Total Trihalomethanes ___ mg/l Ans: 0.1
SDWA sampling results must be reported to Ans: New Mexico
Enviroment Department (NMED)
Ground water systems must sample for inorganic chemicals every
___ years Ans: 3
The SDWA Compliance Cycle for Standardized Monitoring Rule
consists of ___ Compliance Periods Ans: 3
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
___ or less than 5% bacteriological samples must be taken every
month before a system is allowed to have TWO positive samples
without violating the drinking water standard? Ans: 40
Action level for Lead ___ mg/l Ans: 0.015
If Bacteriological retakes are done this month what is the
minimum number of samples that must be turned in next month?
Ans: 5
if a 3-log removal is required for Giardia Lamblia what percentage
of organisms can survive and still meet requirements Ans: 0.1
Primary Inorganic Contaminant poses an immediate health risk
Ans: Nitrates
The Presence of Nitrates in the bloodstream that reduces oxygen
uptake that gives the skin a blue tint Ans: Blue Baby Syndrome
Primary Contaminant that shields harmful bacteria from
disinfection processes Ans: Turbidity
Device used to measure NTU's Ans: Nephelometer
Turbidity is Measured with Ans: Turbidimeter or Nephelometer
Chemical sampling results be kept ___ years Ans: 10
Bacteriological sampling results be kept ___ years Ans: 5
Microorganisms whose presence in water indicates probable
presence of pathogens. Ans: Indicator organism
White powder used to neutralize chlorine Ans: Sodium
Thiosulphate
To insure the water being sampled is from the main and not the
customers plumbling Ans: Flush line
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Number is used to determine how many Bac-t samples must be
taken Ans: People served
Minimum number of Bac-T samples required each month? Ans: 1
Anytime the MCL is exceeded and fecal coliform positive results
come back from any of the samples Ans: Non-acute violation
If retakes are required this month what is the minimum number of
samples required next month Ans: 5
Bacteria that are found only in surface water supplies Ans:
Cryptosporidium & Giardia
How soon must NMED be notified that a Bacterial MCL has been
exceeded? ___ hours Ans: 24
Coliform group Ans: Indicator organism
Waterborne pathogens found in all water supplies Ans: Typhoid,
Cholera, Dysentery, Hepatitis, Paratyphoid (types A & B)
Disease causing Bacteria Ans: Pathogens
Water Ans: Universal solvent
Ground & Surface Ans: Two sources of water
Water that is safe to drink Ans: Potable
Natural water cycle Ans: Hydrologic Cycle
Water that is lost or given up to the atmosphere by plants or the
surface of streams, lakes and oceans. Ans: Evapotranspiration
Destruction of Pathogens Ans: Disinfection
May be used for the removal of Iron & Manganese, some kinds of
Taste & Odors, and some dissolved gases, such as Ammonia and
Hydrogen Sulfide Ans: Chlorine
© 2025 All rights reserved
