OSSF DR EVALUATION EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS SCORED A+
✔✔The _______ is responsible for reviewing permit applications, site evaluations,
planning materials, and conducting inspections of OSSFs - ✔✔DR (designated
representative)
✔✔_______ adopted the current OSSF Rules in 1997 and revised them several times -
✔✔TCEQ
✔✔Class II soils include the USDA classes of _________ and __________. - ✔✔sandy
loam, loam
✔✔The _________ is a tool to graphically delineate soil textural classes. - ✔✔USDA
soil textural triangle
✔✔List the two unsuitable types of soil structure or structural condition. - ✔✔Platy (like a
stack of plates)
Massive ( can't break it up, huge pieces)
✔✔A soil color pattern of orange and brown on a background of gray or bluish color is
called - ✔✔mottling
✔✔The ideal soil environment for organic effluent decomposition is one of good ______
and ________. - ✔✔soil air, soil water balance
✔✔Soil associations are _______ units which encompass broad areas with similar
patterns of __________, __________, __________, and _________. - ✔✔soil. soil
profiles, vegetation, relief, and drainage
✔✔The county ____________________ is an essential tool for conducting a site
evaluation but does not take the place of the on-site field soil evaluation. - ✔✔soil
survey
✔✔Sites with greater than ____ percent slope are unsuitable. - ✔✔30
✔✔A minimum lot size of _______ acre is required for subdivisions serviced by
_________ water. The minimum size is ______ acre for those serviced by
___________. - ✔✔0.5, public, 1, private well
✔✔Soil evaluation pits shall be excavated to a depth of _____ inches below the
proposed _________ or to a _________ horizon, whichever is shallower. - ✔✔24,
drainfield, restrictive
, ✔✔Any soil profile with an indication of high-water table within _____ inches below the
proposed drainfield shall be considered _____________ for a standard drainfield. -
✔✔24, unsuitable
✔✔The ___________ and ____________ of each soil horizon should be measured
from ________ to _________ and recorded in the soil evaluation report. - ✔✔sequence,
depth, top, bottom
✔✔The depth of soil classified as suitable with respect to texture shall be at least ____
inches below the bottom of the proposed excavation for a standard drainfield. - ✔✔24
✔✔If a soil with no gravel will not form a ribbon in the texture-by-feel method, it is
classified as ______ or ______, class ____. - ✔✔sand or loamy sand, Ib
✔✔If a soil forms a ribbon greater than 2 inches, and neither smooth or gritty
consistency predominates, the soil is _______, class _____. - ✔✔clay, IV
✔✔Soil suitability factors include: _________, ________, and _________. - ✔✔soil
texture, soil depth, and restrictive horizon
✔✔Overall site suitability factors include ________, ________, ___________, and
____________. - ✔✔site factor, soil factors, groundwater evaluation, and surface
drainage analysis
✔✔A common reason for wastewater system failure is __________. - ✔✔hydraulic
overloading (due to modernized tank usually)
✔✔The value Q is - ✔✔Quantity of Sewage (GPD)
✔✔Some malfunctioning OSSF can be made to function properly with minimal cost by
implementing ______________. - ✔✔water conservation measures.
✔✔In estimating water usage for a single-family dwelling, the number of _________ in
the home is a key indicator; however, _________ should also be considered. -
✔✔bedrooms, square footage
✔✔List four water saving plumbing devices that can be used in a home. - ✔✔low flow
toilets, low flow shower head, low flow faucets, pressure reducing valves
✔✔Identify four water-saving habits homeowners should adopt - ✔✔don't leave water
running, full laundry and dishwasher loads, reduce/eliminate use of garbage disposals,
not using toilet for trash disposal
SOLUTIONS SCORED A+
✔✔The _______ is responsible for reviewing permit applications, site evaluations,
planning materials, and conducting inspections of OSSFs - ✔✔DR (designated
representative)
✔✔_______ adopted the current OSSF Rules in 1997 and revised them several times -
✔✔TCEQ
✔✔Class II soils include the USDA classes of _________ and __________. - ✔✔sandy
loam, loam
✔✔The _________ is a tool to graphically delineate soil textural classes. - ✔✔USDA
soil textural triangle
✔✔List the two unsuitable types of soil structure or structural condition. - ✔✔Platy (like a
stack of plates)
Massive ( can't break it up, huge pieces)
✔✔A soil color pattern of orange and brown on a background of gray or bluish color is
called - ✔✔mottling
✔✔The ideal soil environment for organic effluent decomposition is one of good ______
and ________. - ✔✔soil air, soil water balance
✔✔Soil associations are _______ units which encompass broad areas with similar
patterns of __________, __________, __________, and _________. - ✔✔soil. soil
profiles, vegetation, relief, and drainage
✔✔The county ____________________ is an essential tool for conducting a site
evaluation but does not take the place of the on-site field soil evaluation. - ✔✔soil
survey
✔✔Sites with greater than ____ percent slope are unsuitable. - ✔✔30
✔✔A minimum lot size of _______ acre is required for subdivisions serviced by
_________ water. The minimum size is ______ acre for those serviced by
___________. - ✔✔0.5, public, 1, private well
✔✔Soil evaluation pits shall be excavated to a depth of _____ inches below the
proposed _________ or to a _________ horizon, whichever is shallower. - ✔✔24,
drainfield, restrictive
, ✔✔Any soil profile with an indication of high-water table within _____ inches below the
proposed drainfield shall be considered _____________ for a standard drainfield. -
✔✔24, unsuitable
✔✔The ___________ and ____________ of each soil horizon should be measured
from ________ to _________ and recorded in the soil evaluation report. - ✔✔sequence,
depth, top, bottom
✔✔The depth of soil classified as suitable with respect to texture shall be at least ____
inches below the bottom of the proposed excavation for a standard drainfield. - ✔✔24
✔✔If a soil with no gravel will not form a ribbon in the texture-by-feel method, it is
classified as ______ or ______, class ____. - ✔✔sand or loamy sand, Ib
✔✔If a soil forms a ribbon greater than 2 inches, and neither smooth or gritty
consistency predominates, the soil is _______, class _____. - ✔✔clay, IV
✔✔Soil suitability factors include: _________, ________, and _________. - ✔✔soil
texture, soil depth, and restrictive horizon
✔✔Overall site suitability factors include ________, ________, ___________, and
____________. - ✔✔site factor, soil factors, groundwater evaluation, and surface
drainage analysis
✔✔A common reason for wastewater system failure is __________. - ✔✔hydraulic
overloading (due to modernized tank usually)
✔✔The value Q is - ✔✔Quantity of Sewage (GPD)
✔✔Some malfunctioning OSSF can be made to function properly with minimal cost by
implementing ______________. - ✔✔water conservation measures.
✔✔In estimating water usage for a single-family dwelling, the number of _________ in
the home is a key indicator; however, _________ should also be considered. -
✔✔bedrooms, square footage
✔✔List four water saving plumbing devices that can be used in a home. - ✔✔low flow
toilets, low flow shower head, low flow faucets, pressure reducing valves
✔✔Identify four water-saving habits homeowners should adopt - ✔✔don't leave water
running, full laundry and dishwasher loads, reduce/eliminate use of garbage disposals,
not using toilet for trash disposal
