Water Treatment & Distribution Flashcards

1
Q

What are the main causes of “red” water complaints?

A

Iron and Manganese

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2
Q

According to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), what are primary standards?

A

Primary standards relate to concerns that can cause immediate harm.

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3
Q

According to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), what are secondary standards?

A

Secondary standards are aesthetic concerns, such as taste and smell.

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4
Q

What is turbidity?

A

Turbidity is clay, silt, or mud in the water and relates to the clarity of the water. Turbidity should not be present in groundwater supplies.

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5
Q

What is the main cause of odor and taste complaints in surface supplies?

A

Algae

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6
Q

What is the main cause of odor and taste complaints in groundwater supplies?

A

Inorganic chemicals

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7
Q

What is the main cause of a “rotten egg” odor?

A

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

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8
Q

What is pH?

A

pH is the measurement of the acidity of water using the concentration of hydrogen and hydroxide ions.

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9
Q

What is the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)?

A

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was passed in 1976. The law regulations include permissible Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for inorganic and organic chemicals, radioactivity, turbidity, and microbiological levels.

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10
Q

How is the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) enforced throughout the country?

A

A primary agency in each state (like the ADEQ in Arizona) enforces the act. Their regulations include all of the SDWA regulations and can also include additional state-specific regulations.

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11
Q

Which of the following pH values is acidic?
A. 10.9
B. 8.2
C. 7.0
D. 4.5

A

D. 4.5

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12
Q

Water with a pH of 7.0 is:
A. Neutral
B. Alkaline
C. Acidic
D. Aerobic

A

A. Neutral

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13
Q

Chemical adsorption is used to remove:
A. Minerals
B. Organic materials
C. Bacteria
D. Turbidity

A

B. Organic materials

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14
Q

The chemical used in a gas stripping process is:
A. Oxygen
B. Chlorine
C. Iron
D. Ozone

A

A. Oxygen

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15
Q

What defines a Public Water System?

A

A public water system is defined as a system that has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year.

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16
Q

Primary contaminants can be grouped into what 4 major categories?

A

Inorganic contaminants
Organic contaminants
Radiological contaminants
Microbiological contaminants

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17
Q

What is a “Maximum Contaminant Level” (MCL)?

A

The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) is the maximum amount of a substance that can be allowed in water, according to the regulations.

18
Q

What do inorganic contaminants usually consist of?

A

Inorganic contaminants usually consist of heavy metals such as arsenic, copper, lead, and asbestos.

19
Q

What is the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for arsenic?

A

0.010 mg/L

20
Q

When referring to the Lead and Copper Rule, what is a “first draw” sample?

A

A “first draw” sample is a sample taken from the customer’s tap after the water has been standing in the plumbing for at least 6 hours but no longer than 18 hours.

21
Q

What is “Blue Baby Syndrome”?

A

A condition that occurs in pregnant mothers and infants under 18 months in which the presence of nitrate in the bloodstream reduces oxygen uptake, giving the skin a blue tint. The medical term for this illness is methahemoglobinemia.

22
Q

What is the optimum dosage for flouride?

A

0.8-1.2 mg/L, usually determined by the average ambient air temperature for the system.

23
Q

How is turbidity measured?

A

Turbidity is measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTUs), using a device called a nephelometer or a turbidimeter.

24
Q

What is the Maximum Contaminant Level regarding pH?

A

6.5-8.5 mg/L

25
Q

What are secondary contaminants defined as?

A

Secondary contaminants are defined as substances in water that cause temporary physical discomfort and make water unsuitable for use, although they don’t present a serious health hazard.

26
Q

What is the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Turbidity?

A

0.3 NTU in 95% of samples

27
Q

What do microbiological contaminants consist of?

A

Microbiological contaminants consist of coliform bacteria that represent the indicator organisms used in determining biological contamination, indicating that some pathogenic organisms may be present.

28
Q

For what amount of time must a water system retain copies of most chemical and radiochemical analysis records?

A

10 years (except lead and copper)

29
Q

For what amount of time must a water system retain copies of bacteriological tests and turbidity results?

A

5 years

30
Q

For what amount of time must a water system retain copies of lead and copper records?

A

12 years

31
Q

What is immediately required after a BAC-T sample has been reported as positive?

A

A repeat sample must be obtained. If the repeat sample comes back negative, then there is no violation.

32
Q

What does a Tier 1 violation consist of?

A

A Tier 1 requires public notice when a violation has a significant potential for immediate adverse health effect. Tier 1 violations require 24-hour public notice and must be reported to a primary agency (ADEQ) within 24 hours.
(Ex: a positive Fecal Coliform sample)

33
Q

What does a Tier 2 violation consist of?

A

A Tier 2 notification is required for a violation that has potential for a serious (not immediate) adverse health effect. Tier 2 violations require public notice within 30 days. Violations must be reported to a primary agency within 10 days.

34
Q

What does a Tier 3 violation consist of?

A

A Tier 3 violation consists of violations not included in Tier 1 and Tier 2 and requires public notice within 12 months. Violations must be reported to a primary agency within 10 days.

35
Q

What is the maximum amount of chlorine that can be taken out of a 150 lb chlorine tank in a 24-hour period?

A

40 lbs per day

36
Q

What are the action levels for lead and copper?

A

1.3 mg/L for Copper
0.015 mg/L for Lead

37
Q

What is the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Total Trihalomethanes?

A

0.080 mg/L

38
Q

What are two waterborne pathogens that are only found in surface water supplies?

A

Cryptosporidium and Giardia

39
Q

What are five waterborne pathogens that are found in all water supplies?

A

Typhoid
Paratyphoid (Types A and B)
Cholera
Dysentery
Hepatitis

40
Q

Why are coliform bacteria groups used to test for waterborne pathogens instead of individual pathogens?

A

Coliform bacteria groups are chosen as the indicator organisms because they live longer in water and easier to detect. If there are no coliform bacteria, then it is assumed there are no pathogens present either.

41
Q

At what temperature must a water sample be refrigerated until it is tested?

A

39°F or 4°C

42
Q

After a sample is collected, testing must be done within how many hours?

A

30 hours