TCEQ Surface Water B License
Exam Practice Questions and
Answers (2026–2027)
1. What pressure is used when pressure-testing a new water line?
o Answer: 1.5 times the normal operating pressure, or 150 psi,
whichever is greater.
o Rationale: This ensures the line can safely withstand normal and peak
operating conditions without leaking.
2. What conditions require a repeat bacteriological sample?
o Answer: Incomplete paperwork, insufficient sample volume,
contamination in the bottle, or a positive E. coli result.
o Rationale: Repeat samples are necessary to verify water safety and
rule out false or inaccurate results.
3. What are the three thermal layers in a stratified lake or reservoir?
o Answer: Epilimnion, thermocline, and hypolimnion.
o Rationale: These layers affect water quality, oxygen levels, and
treatment challenges.
4. What standard should bleach used in drinking water treatment meet?
o Answer: NSF certification standards.
o Rationale: NSF-certified bleach is approved for safe use in drinking
water systems.
5. What is a solids contact unit?
o Answer: A sludge blanket treatment unit that combines mixing,
flocculation, and sedimentation into one process.
o Rationale: Combining these processes improves treatment efficiency
and reduces plant footprint.
6. What is the most common sludge removal process used in Texas?
o Answer: Lagooning.
o Rationale: Lagooning is commonly used because it is simple and cost-
effective.
, 7. What are the required log removals for major pathogens?
o Answer: Cryptosporidium = 2-log (99%), Giardia = 3-log (99.9%),
Viruses = 4-log (99.99%).
o Rationale: These removal requirements help ensure treated water is
safe from harmful pathogens.
8. Which membrane filtration systems remove the highest amount of
turbidity?
o Answer: Reverse osmosis and nanofiltration.
o Rationale: These membranes have very small pore sizes and remove
extremely fine particles.
9. What chemicals are used to remove hardness?
o Answer: Lime and soda ash.
o Rationale: These chemicals react with calcium and magnesium to
form solids that can be removed.
10.Why is aeration used in water softening?
Answer: To remove carbon dioxide and improve hardness precipitation.
Rationale: Removing carbon dioxide helps increase pH and improve the
softening process.
11.What is the purpose of a jar test?
Answer: To determine the best coagulant dose and pH for treatment.
Rationale: Jar testing helps operators find the most effective treatment
conditions before applying chemicals to the full plant.
12.What can replace primary coagulation chemicals in some systems?
Answer: Cationic polymers.
Rationale: Polymers can improve floc formation and reduce the amount of
alum or ferric chemicals needed.
13.What indicates an improper chloramine ratio?
Answer: Excess ammonia and the formation of di-chloramines or tri-
chloramines.
Rationale: Improper ratios can create bad taste, odor, and ineffective
disinfection.
14.What is the Texas Hazard Communication Right to Know law?
Answer: A law requiring employers to provide workers with chemical safety
information, training, PPE, and access to Safety Data Sheets.
Rationale: Workers must know the hazards of the chemicals they handle.
Exam Practice Questions and
Answers (2026–2027)
1. What pressure is used when pressure-testing a new water line?
o Answer: 1.5 times the normal operating pressure, or 150 psi,
whichever is greater.
o Rationale: This ensures the line can safely withstand normal and peak
operating conditions without leaking.
2. What conditions require a repeat bacteriological sample?
o Answer: Incomplete paperwork, insufficient sample volume,
contamination in the bottle, or a positive E. coli result.
o Rationale: Repeat samples are necessary to verify water safety and
rule out false or inaccurate results.
3. What are the three thermal layers in a stratified lake or reservoir?
o Answer: Epilimnion, thermocline, and hypolimnion.
o Rationale: These layers affect water quality, oxygen levels, and
treatment challenges.
4. What standard should bleach used in drinking water treatment meet?
o Answer: NSF certification standards.
o Rationale: NSF-certified bleach is approved for safe use in drinking
water systems.
5. What is a solids contact unit?
o Answer: A sludge blanket treatment unit that combines mixing,
flocculation, and sedimentation into one process.
o Rationale: Combining these processes improves treatment efficiency
and reduces plant footprint.
6. What is the most common sludge removal process used in Texas?
o Answer: Lagooning.
o Rationale: Lagooning is commonly used because it is simple and cost-
effective.
, 7. What are the required log removals for major pathogens?
o Answer: Cryptosporidium = 2-log (99%), Giardia = 3-log (99.9%),
Viruses = 4-log (99.99%).
o Rationale: These removal requirements help ensure treated water is
safe from harmful pathogens.
8. Which membrane filtration systems remove the highest amount of
turbidity?
o Answer: Reverse osmosis and nanofiltration.
o Rationale: These membranes have very small pore sizes and remove
extremely fine particles.
9. What chemicals are used to remove hardness?
o Answer: Lime and soda ash.
o Rationale: These chemicals react with calcium and magnesium to
form solids that can be removed.
10.Why is aeration used in water softening?
Answer: To remove carbon dioxide and improve hardness precipitation.
Rationale: Removing carbon dioxide helps increase pH and improve the
softening process.
11.What is the purpose of a jar test?
Answer: To determine the best coagulant dose and pH for treatment.
Rationale: Jar testing helps operators find the most effective treatment
conditions before applying chemicals to the full plant.
12.What can replace primary coagulation chemicals in some systems?
Answer: Cationic polymers.
Rationale: Polymers can improve floc formation and reduce the amount of
alum or ferric chemicals needed.
13.What indicates an improper chloramine ratio?
Answer: Excess ammonia and the formation of di-chloramines or tri-
chloramines.
Rationale: Improper ratios can create bad taste, odor, and ineffective
disinfection.
14.What is the Texas Hazard Communication Right to Know law?
Answer: A law requiring employers to provide workers with chemical safety
information, training, PPE, and access to Safety Data Sheets.
Rationale: Workers must know the hazards of the chemicals they handle.
