Texas On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF)
Installer II Exam
1. What is the primary threat from a malfunctioning OSSF system?
Waterborne disease .
2. Which state agency is responsible for regulating OSSFs in Texas?
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) .
3. In what year did statewide regulation of OSSFs in Texas begin?
September 1989 .
4. What is the desired level of OSSF regulation in Texas?
Local regulation .
5. What does pH measure in wastewater?
Acidity or basicity .
6. What chemical contaminant from septic tanks causes methemoglobinemia (blue
baby syndrome) in infants?
Nitrates .
7. What is a pathogen?
A disease-causing microorganism .
8. What are the two primary tests used to measure the strength of sewage?
BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) and TSS (Total Suspended Solids) .
9. What does BOD measure?
The amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in
wastewater .
, 10. What does TSS measure in wastewater?
The amount of solid particles suspended in the wastewater .
11. What are the most common chemical elements found in sewage?
Solids, gases, fats, and greases .
12. List three diseases transmitted by inadequately treated sewage.
Typhoid, cholera, and hepatitis .
13. How long is a new OSSF license valid in Texas?
3 years .
14. How many hours of continuing education are required to renew an OSSF
license?
24 hours .
15. Which individual is authorized to review permit applications and conduct OSSF
inspections?
Designated Representative .
16. Who is authorized to construct, install, alter, or repair an OSSF for
compensation?
An Installer .
17. Who is responsible for conducting soil evaluations and site surveys?
Site Evaluator .
18. What is a major reason for OSSF system failure?
Hydraulic overloading .
19. The size of an OSSF system is normally based on what criteria?
Hydraulic loading .
20. What is the first step in reducing the wastewater load to an OSSF?
Elimination of leaks .
Installer II Exam
1. What is the primary threat from a malfunctioning OSSF system?
Waterborne disease .
2. Which state agency is responsible for regulating OSSFs in Texas?
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) .
3. In what year did statewide regulation of OSSFs in Texas begin?
September 1989 .
4. What is the desired level of OSSF regulation in Texas?
Local regulation .
5. What does pH measure in wastewater?
Acidity or basicity .
6. What chemical contaminant from septic tanks causes methemoglobinemia (blue
baby syndrome) in infants?
Nitrates .
7. What is a pathogen?
A disease-causing microorganism .
8. What are the two primary tests used to measure the strength of sewage?
BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) and TSS (Total Suspended Solids) .
9. What does BOD measure?
The amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in
wastewater .
, 10. What does TSS measure in wastewater?
The amount of solid particles suspended in the wastewater .
11. What are the most common chemical elements found in sewage?
Solids, gases, fats, and greases .
12. List three diseases transmitted by inadequately treated sewage.
Typhoid, cholera, and hepatitis .
13. How long is a new OSSF license valid in Texas?
3 years .
14. How many hours of continuing education are required to renew an OSSF
license?
24 hours .
15. Which individual is authorized to review permit applications and conduct OSSF
inspections?
Designated Representative .
16. Who is authorized to construct, install, alter, or repair an OSSF for
compensation?
An Installer .
17. Who is responsible for conducting soil evaluations and site surveys?
Site Evaluator .
18. What is a major reason for OSSF system failure?
Hydraulic overloading .
19. The size of an OSSF system is normally based on what criteria?
Hydraulic loading .
20. What is the first step in reducing the wastewater load to an OSSF?
Elimination of leaks .
