WASTE WATER GRADE 1 |3 DIFFERENT
VERSIONS COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ Why is it necessary to waste sludge from the treatment process?.
Answer: To keep microorganisms in balance with food source
◍ What is the correct term of terms for the unit that follows the grit chamber?.
Answer: Settling tank, sedimentation tank, primary clarifier
◍ If a trickling filter is 100 ft in diameter and flow is 2800 gpm, what is the
hydraulic loading on the filter?.
Answer: 514 gpd/sq ft
◍ How can most failures of a lift station be prevented?.
Answer: Proper preventative maintenance
◍ What are the major valves found in wastewater lift stations?.
Answer: Gate valves, plug valves, ball check, swing check valves
◍ Anaerobic digester typically contains how much Hydrogen Sulfide/inert
gases?.
Answer: 1%
◍ Activated sludge process.
Answer: An aerobic, biological treatment method that used microorganisms
to produce an acceptable effluent quality by removing substances than have
an O2 demand.
◍ When organic wastes are discharged to receiving waters, oxygen is depleted
by.
, Answer: bacteria
◍ What is a DEBRIS TRAP and where is it installed?.
Answer: A trap designed to allow water to flow through it while catching
and holding back debris. It is installed in the downstream manhole.
◍ class __ fires are the result of an electric problem or malfunctioning electric
equipment.
Answer: C
◍ Average Total Nitrogen in raw domestic wastewater?.
Answer: 40 mg/L
◍ Where do you measure for gases in t manhole?.
Answer: All of the above
◍ Why is disinfection following filtration important?.
Answer: Removes pathogens
◍ collection system designed to provide a velocity of ___ ft/sec.
Answer: 2
◍ Anaerobic conditions in a collection system can cause what gases to
buildup?.
Answer: Hydrogen sulfide and Methane
◍ MBRSBRRBC.
Answer: membrane bio reactorsequencing batch reactorrotating (rotary)
biological contactor
◍ Wastewater that has had the longest detention time in the collection system
will have what color?.
Answer: Black
◍ What are the objectives of screening in wastewater treatment plants..
Answer: To protect downstream equipment by removing grit, trash, floatable
solids and large solids
◍ Where does RAS go when removed from the process?.
, Answer: To the head of secondary treatment
◍ When should atmospheric monitoring in a confined space be performed?.
Answer: Continuously from pre-entry to exit
◍ WPCSOCC stands for what?.
Answer: Water Pollution Control System Operator Certification
Commission
◍ Role and importance of the hydrologic cycle in maintaining water resources.
Answer: The continued cycle of water
◍ What are some types of MECHANICAL cleaning equipment?.
Answer: Power RoddersHand rodsBucket machines
◍ Describe fine bar screens.
Answer: < 2mmdifficult to remove oilcleaned with rakes or brushes
◍ Temperature of a wastewater treatment plant.
Answer: 28-32 C
◍ How can toxic materials could affect the biology of a wastewater treatment
plant.
Answer: Toxic materials can kill the microorganisms in the plant.
◍ Explain the need for treatment of wastewater discharges.
Answer: Must have sufficient DO to sustain all life in the stream. Impacts all
other levels of the food chain. Must be free of pathogens
◍ MCRTSRTF/M RATIO.
Answer: means cell retention timesolids retention timefood/microorganisms
ratio
◍ What is a Free Surface Flow system?.
Answer: A wetland system where flow of water is above the ground. Plants
are rooted in the sediment layer at the base of the water column.
◍ BOD.
Answer: Biochemical oxygen demand, amount of dissolved oxygen needed
, by aerobic decomposers to break down organic materials. Measure of
polluting strength.
◍ The purpose of providing a high dissolved oxygen level in the streams is:.
Answer: to provide an oxygen source for the aquatic life
◍ NH3 (ammonia).
Answer: Nutrient used by aquatic life for growth and reproduction.Range 8 -
18 mg/l (30mg/l)
◍ What is the difference between disinfection and sterilization?.
Answer: Sterilization kills all organisms , not just pathogens
◍ What are the 5 basic NPDES monitoring parameters?.
Answer: Flow, BOD, Suspended Solids, pH, Fecal Coliform
◍ What are the advantages of having a submerged outlet?.
Answer: Prevent algae (surface level) or solids (bottom) loss
◍ Describe cavitation and how it affects a centrifugal pump.
Answer: Formation and collapse of a gas pocket or bubble on the blade of an
impeller. Low pressures, damage to impeller and loud noises.
◍ What temperature does bacteria double?.
Answer: 18F (10C)
◍ Pump controls should have?.
Answer: Pump control valves
◍ CH4 weight compared to air.
Answer: Lighter than air
◍ Which piece of equipment is used to aid he testing for insulation resistance
in a submersible pump motor?.
Answer: Megger
◍ What is the purpose of recirculation in waste treatment ponds?.
Answer: Reduce organic loading and keep a balanced bug population
◍ Detention Time.
VERSIONS COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ Why is it necessary to waste sludge from the treatment process?.
Answer: To keep microorganisms in balance with food source
◍ What is the correct term of terms for the unit that follows the grit chamber?.
Answer: Settling tank, sedimentation tank, primary clarifier
◍ If a trickling filter is 100 ft in diameter and flow is 2800 gpm, what is the
hydraulic loading on the filter?.
Answer: 514 gpd/sq ft
◍ How can most failures of a lift station be prevented?.
Answer: Proper preventative maintenance
◍ What are the major valves found in wastewater lift stations?.
Answer: Gate valves, plug valves, ball check, swing check valves
◍ Anaerobic digester typically contains how much Hydrogen Sulfide/inert
gases?.
Answer: 1%
◍ Activated sludge process.
Answer: An aerobic, biological treatment method that used microorganisms
to produce an acceptable effluent quality by removing substances than have
an O2 demand.
◍ When organic wastes are discharged to receiving waters, oxygen is depleted
by.
, Answer: bacteria
◍ What is a DEBRIS TRAP and where is it installed?.
Answer: A trap designed to allow water to flow through it while catching
and holding back debris. It is installed in the downstream manhole.
◍ class __ fires are the result of an electric problem or malfunctioning electric
equipment.
Answer: C
◍ Average Total Nitrogen in raw domestic wastewater?.
Answer: 40 mg/L
◍ Where do you measure for gases in t manhole?.
Answer: All of the above
◍ Why is disinfection following filtration important?.
Answer: Removes pathogens
◍ collection system designed to provide a velocity of ___ ft/sec.
Answer: 2
◍ Anaerobic conditions in a collection system can cause what gases to
buildup?.
Answer: Hydrogen sulfide and Methane
◍ MBRSBRRBC.
Answer: membrane bio reactorsequencing batch reactorrotating (rotary)
biological contactor
◍ Wastewater that has had the longest detention time in the collection system
will have what color?.
Answer: Black
◍ What are the objectives of screening in wastewater treatment plants..
Answer: To protect downstream equipment by removing grit, trash, floatable
solids and large solids
◍ Where does RAS go when removed from the process?.
, Answer: To the head of secondary treatment
◍ When should atmospheric monitoring in a confined space be performed?.
Answer: Continuously from pre-entry to exit
◍ WPCSOCC stands for what?.
Answer: Water Pollution Control System Operator Certification
Commission
◍ Role and importance of the hydrologic cycle in maintaining water resources.
Answer: The continued cycle of water
◍ What are some types of MECHANICAL cleaning equipment?.
Answer: Power RoddersHand rodsBucket machines
◍ Describe fine bar screens.
Answer: < 2mmdifficult to remove oilcleaned with rakes or brushes
◍ Temperature of a wastewater treatment plant.
Answer: 28-32 C
◍ How can toxic materials could affect the biology of a wastewater treatment
plant.
Answer: Toxic materials can kill the microorganisms in the plant.
◍ Explain the need for treatment of wastewater discharges.
Answer: Must have sufficient DO to sustain all life in the stream. Impacts all
other levels of the food chain. Must be free of pathogens
◍ MCRTSRTF/M RATIO.
Answer: means cell retention timesolids retention timefood/microorganisms
ratio
◍ What is a Free Surface Flow system?.
Answer: A wetland system where flow of water is above the ground. Plants
are rooted in the sediment layer at the base of the water column.
◍ BOD.
Answer: Biochemical oxygen demand, amount of dissolved oxygen needed
, by aerobic decomposers to break down organic materials. Measure of
polluting strength.
◍ The purpose of providing a high dissolved oxygen level in the streams is:.
Answer: to provide an oxygen source for the aquatic life
◍ NH3 (ammonia).
Answer: Nutrient used by aquatic life for growth and reproduction.Range 8 -
18 mg/l (30mg/l)
◍ What is the difference between disinfection and sterilization?.
Answer: Sterilization kills all organisms , not just pathogens
◍ What are the 5 basic NPDES monitoring parameters?.
Answer: Flow, BOD, Suspended Solids, pH, Fecal Coliform
◍ What are the advantages of having a submerged outlet?.
Answer: Prevent algae (surface level) or solids (bottom) loss
◍ Describe cavitation and how it affects a centrifugal pump.
Answer: Formation and collapse of a gas pocket or bubble on the blade of an
impeller. Low pressures, damage to impeller and loud noises.
◍ What temperature does bacteria double?.
Answer: 18F (10C)
◍ Pump controls should have?.
Answer: Pump control valves
◍ CH4 weight compared to air.
Answer: Lighter than air
◍ Which piece of equipment is used to aid he testing for insulation resistance
in a submersible pump motor?.
Answer: Megger
◍ What is the purpose of recirculation in waste treatment ponds?.
Answer: Reduce organic loading and keep a balanced bug population
◍ Detention Time.
