South Carolina Physical/Chemical Wastewater
Operator Class C Exam Practice Questions and
Answers [Verified Answers] Plus Rationales
Latest 2026/27
What is the primary role of a Physical/Chemical Wastewater
Operator Class C?
A. Design highways only
B. Operate and monitor treatment processes that
remove contaminants using physical and chemical
methods
C. Sell pumps only
D. Manage court files only
Rationale: Operators ensure wastewater is treated safely and
in compliance with permit limits.
Physical treatment in wastewater commonly includes:
A. Accounting only
B. Screening, sedimentation, filtration, and flotation
C. Tax collection only
D. Painting tanks only
Rationale: Physical processes remove solids or separate
materials without changing chemistry.
, Chemical treatment commonly includes:
A. Landscaping only
B. Coagulation, pH adjustment, oxidation, and
precipitation
C. Vehicle fueling only
D. Filing permits only
Rationale: Chemical processes alter contaminants to improve
removal.
Why is wastewater treatment necessary?
A. Decoration only
B. To protect public health and receiving waters
C. Increase odors only
D. Raise taxes only
Rationale: Untreated wastewater can spread disease and
pollute waterways.
What is influent?
A. Finished drinking water only
B. Wastewater entering the treatment process
C. Rain on the roof only
D. Laboratory glassware only
Rationale: Influent is the incoming raw wastewater stream.
, What is effluent?
A. Sludge only
B. Treated wastewater leaving the plant
C. Fuel supply only
D. Raw sewage only
Rationale: Effluent is the discharge after treatment.
A bar screen is used to remove:
A. Dissolved salts only
B. Large debris such as rags, sticks, and trash
C. Bacteria only
D. Chlorine only
Rationale: Screens protect downstream equipment from
clogging and damage.
Why are grit chambers used?
A. Decoration only
B. To remove sand, gravel, and heavy inorganic particles
C. Add oxygen only
D. Lower pH only
Rationale: Grit can wear pumps and reduce tank capacity.
Sedimentation tanks primarily remove:
A. Dissolved gases only
B. Settleable suspended solids
Operator Class C Exam Practice Questions and
Answers [Verified Answers] Plus Rationales
Latest 2026/27
What is the primary role of a Physical/Chemical Wastewater
Operator Class C?
A. Design highways only
B. Operate and monitor treatment processes that
remove contaminants using physical and chemical
methods
C. Sell pumps only
D. Manage court files only
Rationale: Operators ensure wastewater is treated safely and
in compliance with permit limits.
Physical treatment in wastewater commonly includes:
A. Accounting only
B. Screening, sedimentation, filtration, and flotation
C. Tax collection only
D. Painting tanks only
Rationale: Physical processes remove solids or separate
materials without changing chemistry.
, Chemical treatment commonly includes:
A. Landscaping only
B. Coagulation, pH adjustment, oxidation, and
precipitation
C. Vehicle fueling only
D. Filing permits only
Rationale: Chemical processes alter contaminants to improve
removal.
Why is wastewater treatment necessary?
A. Decoration only
B. To protect public health and receiving waters
C. Increase odors only
D. Raise taxes only
Rationale: Untreated wastewater can spread disease and
pollute waterways.
What is influent?
A. Finished drinking water only
B. Wastewater entering the treatment process
C. Rain on the roof only
D. Laboratory glassware only
Rationale: Influent is the incoming raw wastewater stream.
, What is effluent?
A. Sludge only
B. Treated wastewater leaving the plant
C. Fuel supply only
D. Raw sewage only
Rationale: Effluent is the discharge after treatment.
A bar screen is used to remove:
A. Dissolved salts only
B. Large debris such as rags, sticks, and trash
C. Bacteria only
D. Chlorine only
Rationale: Screens protect downstream equipment from
clogging and damage.
Why are grit chambers used?
A. Decoration only
B. To remove sand, gravel, and heavy inorganic particles
C. Add oxygen only
D. Lower pH only
Rationale: Grit can wear pumps and reduce tank capacity.
Sedimentation tanks primarily remove:
A. Dissolved gases only
B. Settleable suspended solids
