TEEX Basic Water Works Operations Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Is the statement true: Water from a new well must not be used until bacteriological samples on three successive days show coliform found?
• The most important feature of the well screen is the length.
• What is the retention period for a written report?
• Bacteriological sampling aims to detect fecal contamination in drinking water.
• The process of using chemicals to clot particles together is called _____________________.
• Which acid is HOCl?
• A pH of 7 is neutral.
• In what year was the Safe Drinking Water Act enacted?
• What is the quality standard for nitrogen levels in drinking water?
• Which national regulation ensures uniform safety, quality standards, and lack of contaminants in drinking water?
• Water is chemically composed of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.
• To remove suspended solids and chlorine-resistant microorganisms, surface water must be disinfected.
• All employees should be kept informed of utility plans and policies.
• Sharing utility plans with employees helps maintain professionalism and consistency.
• EPA requires a copy of each consumer confidence report to be kept for at least how many years?
• Livestock and septic tanks must be no closer than how many feet to a public well?
• Chlorine density relative to air is about how many times heavier?
• An aquifer is best described as which of the following?
• Besides disinfection, chlorine is used for taste and odor control and ________________.
• Which statement about the hydrologic cycle is correct?
• For how long must chemical analysis records be kept by the state?
• Fecal coliform live in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals.
• Coagulation and flocculation in water treatment are primarily used to:
• Is the statement true: Drawdown refers to the difference between static water level and pumping water level?
• Which records should be kept?
• Common gases found in water include hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, methane, and sodium chloride.
• Backwashing should expand the filter bed by ________%.
• In chlorine gas safety steps, wash in a safety shower or with _____________.
• Which statement about filtration and color is correct?
• Which factors affect coagulation?
• Is the statement true: One way to reduce sand pumping is to increase the pump rate and cycle more?
• The statement 'Fifty percent of public water systems use surface water' is:
• Which of the following is a common cause of taste and odor problems?
• What are some types of well pumps?
• What is the primary regulatory focus of the Texas state agency discussed in the material?
• What is the standard for lead in drinking water?
• Which statement best defines a physical characteristic of water?
• Sodium thiosulfate is put into bacteriological sample bottles to sterilize the water.
• Problems caused by overpumping are declining water levels and subsidence.
• Water samples are tested for microorganisms that indicate fecal contamination.
• Which item is listed as a typical vulnerability in water systems?
• Is the statement true: Drawdown is the difference between static level and pumping level?
• Disinfection destroys pathogens without sterilizing the water.
• Who are your customers?
• The presence of fecal coliform in a water sample indicates intestinal waste is in the sample, but there is no risk of disease.
• What is the quality standard for copper in drinking water?
• Which vulnerability at a facility was identified in the learning check?
• Which statement about water forms is true?
• In Texas, water operator licensing is administered by which agency?
• Which storage facility stores water under pressure?
• Gas chlorinators use a rotameter to meter chlorine in what units?
• Which of the following is a public relations activity to maintain goodwill that involves handling customer complaints?
• The quality standard for public water supplies is based on the use of water for ________________.
• Operators must keep records of water usage, system pressure, sample results, chlorine use, repairs, and maintenance.
• Suspended solids can be removed by filtering and dissolved solids cannot.
• Which of the following statements about water is true?
• In the event of low distribution pressure (below 20 psi), water outages, repeated unacceptable microbiological samples, or failure to maintain adequate chlorine residuals, special precautions must be instituted by the water system.
• Which practice is a method of ensuring well sanitation/safety?
• On the pH scale, which range indicates acidic water?
• The purpose of the sample siting plan is to assure bacteriological samples are taken from vacant houses.
• Is the statement true: Groundwater usually contains more dissolved minerals and gases than surface water, but fewer microorganisms?
• In small water systems, the operator is often a meter reader, repair crew, and pump operator.
• Which color does the DPD test indicate when chlorine is present?
• Hold an open bottle of ________ ammonium hydroxide under a suspected chlorine leak.
• Which of the following is a security improvement?
• Which statement about the pumping level is correct?
• What does transportation distribution refer to?
• Which feature protects the well from collapse and surface contamination?
• What is the Public Law number associated with the Safe Drinking Water Act?
• The required pumping time before taking a sample for physical and chemical analysis is 36 hours.
• Dosage is the amount of chemical applied, demand is the amount used up, what is the amount remaining after reacting with demand?
• Which statement defines potable water?
• Well casing and cementing protect the well from collapse and surface contamination.
• On the hardness scale, which range is considered soft water?
• What are the three broad use categories?
• After exposure to chlorine gas, what is listed as a wash option along with a safety shower?
• Which of the following is NOT a TCEQ required treatment?
• Which methods are used to control taste and odor problems in surface water?
• Some diseases transmitted by unsafe water include typhoid, dysentery, cholera, measles, polio, and cryptosporidiosis.
• Which item is a TCEQ required report?
• Feedlots, sewage treatment plants, and landfills must be at least ______ feet from a public well.
• Chlorine gas density relative to air is approximately how many times heavier?
• The most effective treatment for taste and odor is adsorption with ________.
• Which statement about surface water is true?
• Follow up with a phone call or ______ to make sure everything is satisfactory.
• If backwashing is not performed correctly, which filter issue is most likely to occur?
• Which statement is true about average water use?
• Chemicals used in disinfection are chloramine, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and ________.
• What is the purpose of well casing in a well construction?
• What occurs during the sedimentation step in a conventional water treatment plant?
• Chemical characteristics of water include hardness, pH, solids, and which of the following?
• Calcium hypochlorite is made by reacting chlorine with which substance?
• What determines the amount of water a formation yields?
• Which statement best describes the scope of public relations in utilities?
• It is not important that the utility have a sense of pride and professionalism.
• Water odor is related to which of the following?
• Which of the following is a duty of water utility personnel?
• Under state regulations, how far must disposal be from an intake?
• How do you build your customer relations?
• The four national safety and quality standards for drinking water include physical, chemical, ______ and radiological.
• Which statement best describes storage facilities?
• Why does the container need sodium thiosulfate in it?
• The state requires chemical analysis be kept at least 10 years.
• The water utility field affects everyone because:
• Water plant facilities should be neat and clean to __________.
• Complaints should be treated as a grievance and investigated as a last priority.
• It is an acute public health risk if a positive fecal coliform repeat sample or a positive total coliform repeat sample follows a positive fecal coliform routine sample.
• What does coagulation accomplish in water treatment?
• Public water quality standards are designed for drinking use.
• In a water table well, the cone of depression describes a ______ area around the well.
• Sodium hypochlorite is commonly referred to as what product?
• Color in a public water supply should be less than how many units?
• All public water systems are required to employ licensed operators even if the system only ______ treated water bought from another source.
• To disinfect a new well, a chlorine dosage of at least ______ mg/L of chlorine is required.
• Is the statement true: The mesh size of the screen is determined by the size of the aquifer material?
• Which completion fits the guidance after chlorine gas contact: wash in a safety shower or with _____________.
• What percentage greater than the highest expected dosage must the disinfection capacity provide?
• Which is NOT a property of quality water?
• Which statement correctly describes potable water?
• Which statement best describes the relationship between coagulation and floc formation?
• When does maximum use occur?
• Which item is listed as a vulnerability related to safeguarding the water system?
• The static level of a well supply is defined as which of the following?
• Turbidity is most directly related to which aspect of water quality?
• Water is considered hard when it exceeds how many mg/L of calcium carbonate?
• Which pairing correctly states a minimum setback from a public well?
• Which statement is correct about public water system notifications?
• In the event of chlorine exposure, the text specifies washing either in a safety shower or with _____________.
• Which of the following is NOT listed as a source of taste and odor in water?
• Calcium and magnesium and other minerals cause hardness in water.
• Which of the following is NOT listed as a method for developing a well?
• Is the statement true: The water level with the pump running is called the pumping level?
• What is the primary purpose of coagulation and flocculation in water treatment?
• Which option is NOT listed as a regional agency impacting the water utility industry?
• Which action is listed as a security improvement?
• Before taking a bacteriological sample, you should flush the service line.
• Which compound is not typically used as a coagulant in water treatment?
• The keys to good customer relations are (1) everything the utility does is PR, (2) customers are entitled to courteous treatment, (3) every employee is a PR person.
• The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. Which statement best describes this range?
• Which treatment process is most important for destroying disease-causing organisms?
• What is the retention period for a consumer confidence report?
• Which device is commonly used by small water systems to disinfect their supply?
• Which record has a 5-year retention requirement?
• Taste and odor comes from algae, bacteria, organic matter, gases, and chemicals.
• Which duty relates to chlorination facilities?
• Hydrogen sulfide has which odor that is often described as a distinctive rotten egg smell?
• Which statement is true regarding waterborne disease transmission?
• Which statement explains why sludge disposal is necessary?
• Turbidity is the amount of suspended matter such as clay, silt, organic matter, and microorganisms in the water.
• What pressure is considered adequate in the water system?
• Are water table wells usually shallow?
• Total solids in water equal the sum of dissolved and suspended solids. True or False?
• Which physical characteristic indicates the amount of suspended matter?
• Which component allows water to enter the well while providing filtration?
• How long must a chemical analysis record be retained?
• Which of the following is NOT listed as affecting average water use?
• Copper sulfate in dosages of ________ and approved algaecides control algae blooms.
• In chlorinator rooms, ________ must be provided to determine the amount of disinfectant used and the amount remaining daily.
• Which statement about pH adjustment is correct?
• The monthly bacteriological sample should be marked with which label?
• Good treatment of employees includes fair wages, benefits, and __ working conditions.
• Mobile home parks are considered part of which type of water system?
• Which agency issues operator licenses for water systems in Texas?
• The factor that may indicate problems with the pump is changes in which of the following?
• A common filter is the slow sand filter, having several layers of differently sized media.
• All water samples are tested for all waterborne diseases.
• Which of the following is NOT a surface water treatment process?
• Turbidity is a measure of which water quality aspect?
• Treat customers as though another water utility across the street is competing for your __________.
• Interations leave impressions.
• True color is dissolved in water (in solution) and can be removed by filtration.
• Small water systems often use what device to disinfect their water supply?
• Which state regulation enforces state laws as well as federal laws at the state level?
• Get samples to the lab within 36 hours or they are rejected.
• Which of the following is a method of protecting surface sources?
• Can dissolved solids be removed by filtration?
• Which gas is associated with a rotten egg odor in water systems?
• The sample bottle should be fully filled to ensure accuracy.
• Waterborne pathogens live and grow in the intestines of infected people.
• Meter readers are the persons with whom customers have the least contact.
• Sodium hypochlorite is liquid _______________.
• What is the quality standard for fluoride levels in drinking water?
• Acute violations require public notification within 72 hours by radio and television using the words 'Minor Health Concern'.
• Which statement is not true about coagulants?
• Is the statement true: No source of contamination is allowed within 500 feet of a public well?
• Which regulation focuses on restoring and maintaining water sources as well as controlling chemical, physical, and biological quality?
• What does SDWA 1996 require annually that helps build goodwill?
• Which statement reflects a report submission formatting requirement?
• Sedimentation in a typical basin requires detention time of
• Among chemical characteristics, which item is listed alongside hardness and pH?
• Which is the most common type of well construction?
• What is the retention duration for a corrective action record?
• Which is an objective of surface water treatment?
• Which of the following is a groundwater treatment method?
• The plant operator is responsible for treating the water to assure it is safe to drink and use.
• The monthly bacteriological sample should be marked with the word 'construction'.
• When chlorine gas exposure occurs, the procedure advises washing using a safety shower or with ______________.
• Which item is included in TCEQ required reports?
• Which statement about water forms is true?
• A common filter problem is ________, prevented by proper backwashing.
• Public relations is the relationship between you, the water utility employee, and the mayor.
• Water utility system personnel are required to notify the TCEQ of changes or alterations of the system, a new facility to be built, and water supply ______.
• Which statement is correct regarding surface water before treatment?
• Calcium hypochlorite will cause explosions or fires if it contacts which type of material?
• Which of the following is NOT a surface water source?
• Which item is an alternative to a safety shower for decontamination after chlorine exposure?
• The sample bottle should be completely filled with sample water.
• The goal of disinfection is to destroy pathogens while preserving the water's non-sterile state.
• Signs and barriers during service interruptions are used to protect the public.
• Underground fuel tanks and septic drainage must be at least ____ feet from a public well.
• Which item is NOT listed as part of the surface water treatment rules?
• Surface water supplies should be sampled for chemical analysis every year and groundwater supplies should be sampled three times a year.
• Overpumping can cause which problem in the aquifer?
• The number of water taps served by the system determines the minimum number of bacteriological samples.
• Which statement about proximity of boat ramps to water intakes is correct?
• After disinfecting a well, what is a recommended immediate step?
• Chlorinator rooms must have ________-level and ________-level screened vents.
• Which method primarily reduces waterborne diseases?
• Taste and odor control is a required component of surface water treatment.
• Which statement is true about changes to public water systems?
• Which of the following completes the directive: After contacting chlorine gas, wash in a safety shower or with _____________.
• Is the following statement true: The well vent is a vacuum breaker allowing the casing to breathe as water levels change when the pump cycles?
• Which type of pump is commonly used in deep wells and is typically submerged?
• The hydrologic cycle is nature's way of recycling water.
• Which item is a method to maintain good public relations?
• Is the statement true: Groundwater usually contains more dissolved minerals and gases than surface water?
• Which practice helps protect surface water sources by indicating intake locations?
• Meter readers can be ambassadors of goodwill.
• Which statement best describes factors affecting average water use?
• Lime is applied to water to _________________.
• What chlorine dosage is recommended for disinfecting wells?
• Which item is specified as an alternative wash method to a safety shower after chlorine gas contact?
• What are good customer relations based on?
• Before starting construction, the utility must submit engineering plans to the AWWA.
• Which statement correctly describes the hydrologic cycle?
• Which of the following are common contaminants of surface water sources?
• Taste can be influenced by what?
• Which agency requires chemical risk management for chlorine storage?
• A utility's employees should be informed of plans and policies to maintain smooth operations.
• Which two hypochlorite types are used in hypochlorinators?
• Which statement is true about solids in water regarding removal?
• Aquifers are underground, water-bearing formations yielding useful quantities of water.
• Quality water has low amounts of color, turbidity, solids, and ________.
• Stuffer inserts may include a history of the utility.
• In what year was the Federal Water Pollution Control Act enacted?
• Which of the following is a state regulation of surface water?
• The DPD and chlorine reaction turns the water a ____________ color.
• Which component helps support the well and reduce sand entry into the well?
• Who is primarily responsible for ensuring drinking water meets federal and state standards?
• Pretreatment includes lake destratification. Which of the following best describes destratification?
• Which pretreatment process involves debris removal?
• Which of the following is a storage facility listing?
• The claim 'Water must be disinfected, delivered at inadequate pressure, and be ample in quantity' is true.
• Which condition would most likely increase turbidity?
• When should TCEQ be notified?
• A public water system provides the public with piped water for human consumption, serves at least 15 service connections, and regularly serves at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year.
• Which item is NOT listed as a vulnerability?
• Which filtration method is commonly used in conventional surface water treatment?
• Bacteriological samples are used to detect fecal contamination.
• Maintenance crews can warn customers of service interruptions and provide signs and barriers to protect the public.
• Delinquent payment notices should be
• Which statement best describes uses by business category?
• Which statement best describes the objectives of water treatment?
• Which gas commonly found in water is associated with a rotten egg odor?
• Which of the following is a factor that affects sedimentation in clarifiers?
• Identify the non-shower option listed for washing after chlorine gas contact.
• Which factor is NOT listed as affecting coagulation?
• It is possible to have positive samples removed from your record.
• What is drawdown in well supply?
• Which statement accurately describes mg/L in relation to ppm for water?
• Which of the following is an example of a regional or local agency?
• EPA requires a water system to keep a copy of each consumer confidence report at least five years.
• What concentration of ammonium hydroxide should be used near a chlorine leak?
• Red water caused by oxidized iron is in suspension (apparent color) and cannot be removed by filtering.
• Which of the following is a duty of water utility personnel?
• The state agency that regulates drinking water in Texas and administers the federal Safe Drinking Water Act is the ______.
• Which of the following is not an example of a regional or local agency?
• What is the purpose of a well vent?
• Is the statement true: The water level without the pump running is called the static level, the water level with the pump running is called the pumping level, and the difference between the two is called the dropdown?
• Which federal agency impacts the water utility industry?
• Chlorine and water make two acids: hydrochloric (HCl) and _______________ (HOCl).
• In Texas, all public water systems are required to have which type of facilities?
• A well may be developed by surging, overpumping, jetting, and ______________.
• Which action would mitigate the vulnerability?
• Disinfection capacity for drinking water must be what percent greater than the highest expected dosage?
• What is the retention requirement for a bacteriological analysis record?
• Bucket tests determine the chemical dosage to apply.
• Which groundwater recharge mechanism involves water moving downward through soil due to gravity?
• Listen to special requests and seek solutions to oblige the customer within __________.
• A positive fecal coliform repeat sample following a positive fecal coliform routine sample indicates what level of health risk?
• What is specified as a wash option after chlorine gas contact alongside a safety shower?
• Common deep well pumps include the ______ pump type often used in deep wells.
• What is the quality standard for trihalomethanes in drinking water?
• Filtering is the final step in removing suspended matter and chlorine-resistant microorganisms.
• Which treatment reduces gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide in surface water treatment?
• A sanitary control easement around a public well must cover land within how many feet?
• Chlorination is the most important process in the production of ______________ water.
• Which statement about surface water is accurate?
• Which of the following is NOT listed as an impact if a water facility is not secured?
• Which frequency does the Environmental Protection Agency require community water systems to provide customers with a water quality report?
• A gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds and 1 mg/L equals which concentration unit?
• Which of the following retention periods is not used for any of the listed records?
• Activated carbon adsorption is most effective for removing what?
• Which test helps determine chemical dosages for coagulation/flocculation?
• Which of the following can be used to wash off chlorine gas, according to the instruction, aside from a safety shower?
• Groundwater sampling is more frequent than surface water sampling.
• Complete the sentence: After contacting chlorine gas, wash in a safety shower or with _____________.
• Which gases are commonly found in water?
• Which of the following is a domestic use?
• A sample for physical and chemical analysis must be taken after ______ hours of pumping.
• What is the retention requirement for a variance or exemption record?
• Water bills should be accurate, itemized, and neat, and payment should be optional.
• From a 150-lb cylinder, the maximum sustained gas withdrawal rate per degree Fahrenheit is what?
• Choose the method that completes this safety instruction: wash after chlorine gas contact with a safety shower or with _________.
• Which statement is true about surface water before treatment?
• Complaints should be treated seriously and investigated promptly.
• Which action could mitigate a fence vulnerability?
• Public water systems include cities, municipal utility districts, rural water supply corporations, mobile home parks, and ______.
• Within how many hours must samples reach the lab?
• During sedimentation, which of the following describes the handling of sludge?
• Is the statement 'The gravel pack is fine gravel placed around the screen to reduce pumping bacteria' true?
• Which of the following is NOT a typical part of a well?
• Customers are entitled to which of the following from a water utility employee?
• Public water systems are required to compile a monthly report showing which of the following?
• What is the minimum number of service connections required for a public water system?
• Color in water can result from mineral or organic matter.
• Some regional and local agencies impacting the water utility industry are municipal utility districts, rural water supply corporations, drainage districts, ______, groundwater conservation districts, and subsidence districts.
• Excessive amounts of fluoride may cause ____________ or staining of teeth.
• Which statement best describes filtration in water treatment?
• When does minimum use occur?
• Which description correctly identifies the agencies described as regional and local in impact on the water utility industry?
• The hydrologic cycle is ___________.
• Fill in the blank: After chlorine exposure, wash in a safety shower or with _____________.
• Surface water systems must mail reports to the TCEQ in Austin by the 5th of the following month.
• Which of the following is a domestic use?
• Which of the following is included in public water systems?
• A filter must be whitewashed when a head loss of 6 to 10 feet occurs.
• Which of the following is NOT a source of surface water?
• Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids are byproducts of chlorination and may increase ____________ risk.
• Detention time in sedimentation basins must be at least ________ hours to allow floc to settle.
• Which public use is listed as the most important?
• Is the statement true: The water level with the pump running is called the pumping level?
• Which statement reflects a public relations principle for utilities?
• Which statement best describes a public water system?
• Is the mesh size of the screen determined by the size of the aquifer material, the size of the gravel in the gravel pack, and the type of well development?
• Utility employees should guard the water supply and facilities from contamination, public tours, and terrorism.
• What is the pumping level of a well supply?
• Water is always found pure in nature.
• Which process is listed as part of pretreatment in surface water treatment?
• The action level for copper is 1.3 mg/L and for lead it is ________ mg/L.
• Which action could improve your score on the profession scorecard?
• Taste and odor in water can originate from algae, bacteria, organic matter, gases, and chemicals.
• Which of the following is an operator licensing requirement?
• After disinfection, how many successive samples must show no coliform organisms before the well is considered safe?
• Hypochlorinators consist of a mixing tank, water, ______ hypochlorite, or ______ hypochlorite and a chemical pump.
• Most groundwater is relatively free of suspended matter, but which parameter can be a major problem in surface water?
• Most surface water is low in minerals, gases, and ________.
• EPA requires any private, municipal, or industrial entity storing or using ________ pounds or more chlorine to have a chemical risk management program.
• Operators have a responsibility to provide drinking water that meets federal and state standards.
• Which is an objective of surface water treatment?
• Bleach used in public water systems must be approved by which organization?
• Chemically, water is made of ________________.
• Which statement about TCEQ surface water treatment requirements is correct?
• The total coliform group of viruses are the indicators of fecal contamination.
• Which term refers to minerals such as calcium and magnesium that contribute to water hardness?
• Which statement best describes public uses of water?
• Which item is not listed as a chemical characteristic in the described water quality context?
• Which practice helps customers perceive reliability of water quality?
• Disinfection destroys disease-causing microorganisms called pathogens.
• Which of the following is NOT listed as a job impacting public relations?
• Minimum chlorine residuals of ________ (free) and ________ (combined) are required in the far reaches of the distribution system.
• Which statement is a requirement for submitted reports?
• Changes in well water levels or the volume of water produced can alert the operator to a drop in the water table, screen stoppage, or damage to the ________.
• A Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (________) must be readily available.
• The most important federal law impacting the water utility industry is the ______.
• Which statement reflects public health notification requirements for public water systems?
• Stuffers sent to customers in billing statements may contain
• Sodium thiosulfate is added to bacteriological sample bottles.
• In case of leaks, the best source of help is the _____________.
• The statement 'Water from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs is groundwater' is:
• Physical characteristics of water are temperature, turbidity, color, taste, odor, and pH.
• One of the most important purposes of a public water supply is ______________.
• The immediate decontamination method mentioned for chlorine exposure includes using a safety shower or with ____________.
• Which chemical completes the list of disinfection chemicals: chloramine, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and ________?
• A siting plan is used to determine where bacteriological samples are collected.
• Besides disinfection and taste and odor control, chlorine is used for which of the following?
• Which statement best describes security concerns?
• Which jobs impact public relations?
• What is the purpose of scales in chlorinator rooms?
• Pretreatment includes lake destratification, control of algae, debris removal, presedimentation, aeration, ________, and activated carbon adsorption.
• Organic matter in water includes which group?
• The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14.
• Which term describes the concentration of hydrogen ions in water?
• The quantity of water a formation yields depends on the thickness and permeability of the formation.
• Infected fecal matter entering a water supply transmits pathogens to healthy people.
• Heat-sensitive pressure relief plugs in chlorine containers melt at about ________ degrees F.
• Excessive nitrates in drinking water can cause which syndrome in infants?
• How are waterborne diseases reduced?
• Which of the following statements reflects the TCEQ requirements for disinfection?
• Dissolved solids can be removed by filtration.
• A report that is attractive and easy to understand can build goodwill and trust with customers. Which word best completes the sentence?
• Which type of well rises to the surface due to natural pressure in a confined aquifer?
• In typical surface water treatment, filtration is followed by terminal disinfection.
• Which of the following is NOT listed as a pretreatment process?