TEEX Basic Water Works Operations Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

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