Exam Flashcards
What term is used when a water utility divides its total operating expenses into the total revenue?
a. ) Debt ratio
b. ) Operating ratio
c. ) Credit ratio
d. ) Coverage ratio
b.) Operating ratio
Under the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act, it is the duty of the water purveyor to deliver potable water of proper quality only as far as the:
Consumer’s tap inside the home
According to the USEPA drinking water regulations, the owner or operator of a public water system which fails to comply with applicable monitoring requirements must give public notice within:
a. ) 45 days of the violation by posting a notice at the town hall
b. ) 1 year of the violation by including a letter with the water bill
c. ) 3 months of the violation in a daily newspaper in the area served by the system
d. ) 1 week of the violation in a letter hand delivered to customers
c.) 3 months of the violation in a daily newspaper in the area served by the system
A mixture of air and gas is considered hazardous when the mixture exceeds what percentage of the lower explosive limit (LEL)?
10%
Which of the following duties should not be performed by a small system operator?
a. ) Disinfect water mains
b. ) Observe pump motors to detect unusual noises, vibrations, or excessive heat
c. ) Repair and overhaul chlorinators
d. ) Wire pump, compressors and electrical components of the water system
d.) Wire pump, compressors and electrical components of the water system
Which form of hypochlorite is the most dangerous to handle?
a. ) Sodium
b. ) Fluoride
c. ) Calcium
d. ) Chlorine
Calcium
What type of fire extinguisher should be used for fires with live electricity present?
a. ) Class A
b. ) Class B
c. ) Class C
d. ) Class D
c.) Class C
To ensure that the water supplied by a public water system meets federal and state requirements, the water system operator must regularly collect samples and:
Send all analysis results to the State periodically
How many coliform samples are required per month for a water system serving a population between 25 and 100?
a. ) 1
b. ) 2
c. ) 3
d. ) 4
1
What test method best determines chemical feed/dosage rates?
a. ) Jar
b. ) Turbidity
c. ) Hammer
d. ) Hardness
Jar
After a new water mains is installed and pressure tested it should be:
a. ) Flushed with clean water for 24 hours and put into service
b. ) Filled with a solution of 25ppm to 50ppm free chlorine for at least 24 hours prior to flushing
c. ) Filled with clean water and allowed to sit for 5 days at full pressure before turning the water into the system
d. ) Photographed so that mapping can be avoided until the system is complete
b.) Filled with a solution of 25ppm to 50ppm free chlorine for at least 24 hours prior to flushing
What chlorine concentration should be produced when disinfecting a well or well pump?
a. ) 25 mg/L
b. ) 50 mg/L
c. ) 75 mg/L
d. ) 100 mg/L
b.) 50 mg/L
When disinfecting a new or repaired main, what is the minimum chlorine residual at the extreme end of the main after standing for 24 hours?
a. ) 15 mg/L
b. ) 20 mg/L
c. ) 25 mg/L
d. ) 30 mg/L
c.) 25 mg/L
Chlorine will destroy bacteria most rapidly at what pH?
a. ) 7.5
b. ) 8.5
c. ) 9.5
d. ) 10.5
7.5
Which of the following pH ranges would deposit a thin film of calcium carbonate on the inside surface of a pipe?
a. ) 2.0-3.0
b. ) 4.0-5.0
c. ) 6.0-7.0
d. ) 8.0-9.0
d.) 8.0-9.0
Where should sodium hypochlorite (liquid bleach) be stored?
a. ) Away from flammable objects, as it is a fire hazard
b. ) Away from equipment that is susceptible to corrosion
c. ) In closed containers at room temperature for no longer than 6 months
d. ) Near the chemical feed pump day tank, to lessen operator handling risks
b.) Away from equipment that is susceptible to corrosion
The space between the inner or protective casing and the outer casing or drill hole should be filled with cement grout to a minimum of how many feet?
a. ) 10 feet
b. ) 15 feet
c. ) 20 feet
d. ) 35 feet
10 feet
Clearwells are used for:
a. ) Treated water
b. ) Pumps and supplies
c. ) High pH water
d. ) Untreated well water
a.) Treated water
The four components of a fire hydrant are:
a. ) The inlet pipe connection from water supply, main valve, barrel, and the arm
b. ) The inlet pipe connection from water supply, main valve, barrel, and the head
c. ) The outlet pipe connection to water supply, main valve, barrel, and the head
d. ) the inlet pipe connection from water supply, the trigger, barrel, and the head
b.) The inlet pipe connection from water supply, main valve, barrel, and the head
Electrical demand in a wiring system is determined by the amount of:
a. ) Ohms in the entire system
b. ) Voltage a system draws
c. ) Watts consumed
d. ) Water pressure in the system
c.) Watts consumed
Chlorine may be added to water in a continuous, slug, and/or the ______ method to initially disinfect a pipeline?
a. ) Segmented
b. ) Tablet
c. ) Low dose
d. ) Air injection
Tablet
Wear rings in a centrifugal pump are designed to:
a. ) Prevent excessive internal water circulation between the suction and discharge sides of the pump
b. ) Prevent wear of the impeller and inside case
c. ) Allow excessive internal wear circulation to occur between the suction and discharge
d. ) Both A & B
d.) Both A & B
Chlorine gas is considered to be 100% pure, bleach is approximately 5 1/4% pure, while HTH dry powder chlorine is set at ___ % purity.
a. ) 20%
b. ) 45%
c. ) 65%
d. ) 80%
c.) 65%
When chlorine gas is added to water the pH goes down due to:
a. ) Chlorine gas producing caustic substances
b. ) Two base materials that form
c. ) Two acids that form
d. ) Caustic soda being formed in the water
c.) Two acids that form
The correct protective methods for backflow prevention devices in the order of decreasing effectiveness are:
a. ) Air gap, VB, RPZ, and DCVA
b. ) Air gap, VB, DCVA, and RPZ
c. ) Air gap, RPZ, VB, and DCVA
d. ) Air gap, RPZ, DCVA, and VB
d.) Air gap, RPZ, DCVA, and VB
Which is the best and most reliable method for finding a very small chlorine leak?
a. ) Use soap on possible areas of leak and watch for bubbles
b. ) Use a strong ammonia solution on a cloth swab and place it by the suspected leak
c. ) Use methane gas and watch for a dark brown smoke
d. ) Use a chlorine gas detector and place it next to any area suspected of leaking
d.) Use a chlorine gas detector and place it next to any area suspected of leaking
Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCL) solution is available with _____ available chlorine.
a. ) 2 to 5%
b. ) 5 to 20%
c. ) 25 to 50%
d. ) 50 to 70%
c.) 25 to 50%
The volume of a sample for coliform compliance is:
a. ) 100 mL
b. ) 200 mL
c. ) 300 mL
d. ) 0; there is no compliance for coliforms
a.) 100 mL
Which water quality parameter requires a grab sample?
a. ) pH
b. ) Iron
c. ) Nitrate
d. ) Zinc
pH
When PVC pipe is stacked loose, it should not be stacked more than how high?
a. ) 2.0 feet
b. ) 3.0 feet
c. ) 5.0 feet
d. ) 7.5 feet
b.) 3.0 feet
Which is the most common cause for pipe joint failure (leaking) in newly laid pipe?
a. ) The use of a cracked gasket
b. ) Not pushing the spigot end the full distance into the bell
c. ) Not having the joint completely clean
d. ) An incorrect trench bedding angle
c.) Not having the joint completely clean
Compression fittings used with copper or plastic tubing seal by means of a:
a. ) Beveled sleeve
b. ) Compression ring
c. ) Compressed beveled gasket
d. ) Compressed o-rings located at either end of the fitting’s beveled neck
c.) Compressed beveled gasket
Thrust from a water surge almost always acts ______ to the inside surface that it pushes against.
a. ) Vertically
b. ) Horizontally
c. ) Perpendicular
d. ) Vertically and horizontally
c.) Perpendicular
Which device serves the same function as the packing?
a. ) Inline suction gland
b. ) Packing gland
c. ) Mechanical seal
d. ) Lantern seal
c.) Mechanical seal
Which is used to stop air leakage into the casing around the pump shaft?
a. ) Packing gland
b. ) Lantern ring
c. ) Seals
d. ) Shaft sleeves
c.) Seals
Which is at the top the stuffing box?
a. ) Packing gland
b. ) Lantern ring
c. ) Mechanical seal
d. ) Seal cage
a.) Packing gland
Which assembly holds the lantern ring and packing?
a. ) Shaft assembly
b. ) Casing ring assembly
c. ) Packing gland box
d. ) Stuffing box
d.) Stuffing box
Water hammer can be described as:
a. ) Particle waves
b. ) Acoustic waves
c. ) Rogue waves
d. ) Longitudinal waves
b.) Acoustic waves
When fully opened, which valve will have the highest head loss?
a. ) Gate valve
b. ) Plug valve
c. ) Globe valve
d. ) Ball valve
c.) Globe valve
Which type of pressure sensor uses a wire fastened to a diaphragm?
a. ) Bellows sensor
b. ) Strain gauge
c. ) Helical sensor
d. ) Diaphragm element
b.) Strain gauge
Why is it so important to monitor the speed of a variable speed pump?
a. ) To prevent excessive temperatures from developing
b. ) To prevent vibration from developing
c. ) To prevent speed oscillation from occurring
d. ) To prevent cavitation from occurring
d.) To prevent cavitation from occurring
Which basic electrical unit is used to measure a material’s opposition to the flow of electricity?
a. ) Ampere
b. ) Ohm
c. ) Volts
d. ) Resistance or impedance
b.) Ohm
How often should the temperature of centrifugal pump motor bearings be checked with a thermometer?
a. ) Every day
b. ) Once a week
c. ) Twice a month
d. ) Once a month
d.) Once a month
Which device changes alternating current to direct current by allowing the electric current to flow in one direction but blocking flow in the opposite direction?
a. ) Regulator
b. ) Converter
c. ) Inverter
d. ) Rectifier
d.) Rectifier
To ease the installation of impeller wear rings, they can be:
a. ) Lubricated with a light oil
b. ) Greased with lithium
c. ) Heated
d. ) Cooled
c.) Heated
A positive fecal coliform test must be reported to the primary agency within:
a. ) 8 hours
b. ) 12 hours
c. ) 24 hours
d. ) 48 hours
c.) 24 hours
Which is the approximate angle of repose for average soils when using the sloping method for the prevention of cave-ins? (Note: horizontal to vertical distance, respectively)
a. ) 0.5:1.0
b. ) 1.0:1.0
c. ) 1.5:1.0
d. ) 2.0:1.0
b.) 1.0:1.0
A system that fails to collect water samples in their distribution system would fall under which public notification requirement?
a. ) Tier I
b. ) Tier II
c. ) Tier III
d. ) Tier IV
a.) Tier I
Iron can cause “red water” and thus customer complaints when its concentration is above its secondary maximum contaminant level of:
a. ) 0.01 mg/L
b. ) 0.05 mg/L
c. ) 0.10 mg/L
d. ) 0.30 mg/L
d.) 0.30 mg/L
Which of the following is a type of joint for ductile iron piping?
a. ) Welded joint
b. ) Restrained joint
c. ) Expansion joint
d. ) Rubber gasket joint
b.) Restrained joint
Which of the following is a type of joint for ductile iron piping?
a. ) Welded joint
b. ) Bell and spigot joint
c. ) Expansion joint
d. ) Flanged joint
d.) Flanged joint
Minor head losses are caused by:
a. ) Slime growths and corrosion or scaling
b. ) Corrosion and tuberculation
c. ) The type of material and “C” factor
d. ) Sudden changes in direction or velocity of flow
d.) Sudden changes in direction or velocity of flow
Which is pipe strength expressed in?
a. ) Hydrostatic potential
b. ) Psi and durability
c. ) Tensile and flexural strength
d. ) Baud units
c.) Tensile and flexural strength
The resistance of a material to longitudinal pulling forces before it breaks is called:
a. ) Flexural strength
b. ) Shear strength
c. ) Ductile strength
d. ) Tensile strength
d.) Tensile strength
Most water systems use hydrants with two nozzles with diameters of ______ and one nozzle with a diameter of ______.
a. ) 2.0 inches; 3.0 inches
b. ) 2.0 inches; 4.0 inches
c. ) 2.5 inches; 3.5 inches
d. ) 2.5 inches; 4.5 inches
d.) 2.5 inches; 4.5 inches
Which is a closed fire line?
a. ) Broken fire hydrant or pipeline that feeds a fire hydrant
b. ) Unmetered connection for a fire protection system
c. ) Closed valve to a fire hydrant
d. ) Closed valve to a fire sprinkler system
b.) Unmetered connection for a fire protection system
Which of the following is a type of joint for steel piping?
a. ) Flexible ball joint
b. ) Restrained joint
c. ) Expansion joint
d. ) Push-on joint
c.) Expansion joint
Which of the following is a type of joint for steel piping?
a. ) Flexible ball joint
b. ) Rubber gasket joint
c. ) Restrained joint
d. ) Galvanized steel ring
c.) Restrained joint
Which needs to be determined first when designing a pump station?
a. ) Discharge requirements
b. ) Head requirements
c. ) Power requirements
d. ) Capacity requirements
b.) Head requirements
What is the height to which siphoned water can be lifted at sea level?
a. ) 22.4 feet
b. ) 32.0 feet
c. ) 33.9 feet
d. ) 34.0 feet
c.) 33.9 feet
How many times higher than the normal operating pressure should the pressure rating of the distribution system piping be?
a. ) 1.0 to 2.0 times
b. ) 2.5 to 4.0 times
c. ) 4.0 to 5.0 times
d. ) 5.0 to 7.0 times
b.) 2.5 to 4.0 times
Which of the following types of pipe comes in diameters as large as 168 inches (14 feet)?
a. ) Cast-iron pipe
b. ) Reinforced concrete
c. ) Ductile iron
d. ) Prestressed concrete
b.) Reinforced concrete
Which type of pipe has the highest normal maximum working pressure?
a. ) Reinforced concrete
b. ) Ductile iron
c. ) Polyvinyl chloride
d. ) High-density polyethylene
b.) Ductile iron
Which type of pipe has the lowest normal maximum working pressure?
a. ) Reinforced concrete
b. ) Ductile iron
c. ) Polyvinyl chloride
d. ) High-density polyethylene
c.) Polyvinyl chloride
Which type of pipe requires special external protection in high-chloride soils?
a. ) Reinforced concrete
b. ) Ductile iron
c. ) Steel
d. ) High-density polyethylene
a.) Reinforced concrete
Which is the proper detention time for disinfecting a water storage tank that is filled with already chlorinated water such that the free chlorine residual is 10 mg/L after the proper detention time is completed?
a. ) 4 hours
b. ) 6 hours
c. ) 8 hours
d. ) 24 hours
b.) 6 hours
Which is the proper detention time for disinfecting a water storage tank with water that is mixed with hypochlorite already in the tank such that the free chlorine is 10 mg/L after proper detention time is complete?
a. ) 4 hours
b. ) 6 hours
c. ) 12 hours
d. ) 24 hours
d.) 24 hours
Usually the best disinfectant to use in large-diameter pipes or very long pipelines is:
a. ) Calcium hypochlorite
b. ) Sodium hypochlorite
c. ) Chlorine gas
d. ) Chloramines
c.) Chlorine gas
