TCEQ Class B Surface Water License Exam -
Comprehensive Prep Guide with Verified
Questions and Detailed Solutions - Pass on
Your First Attempt
practical to prevent excessive trench load on the pipe.
The wider the trench, the more trench load is placed on
the pipe. What causes most underground pipe failures?
- ANSWER//90% of underground pipe failures are
related to improper backfill and lack of proper bedding.
An operator hears pinging in the pump. What is causing
this? - ANSWER//Cavitation, caused by formation and
collapse of bubbles in the water which causes noise and
vibration. Pitting of metal may result if cavitation is not
eliminated. What does a check valve on the pump
discharge do? - ANSWER//A check valve on the pump
discharge of a pump prevents back-flow. Customer
complains about low water pressure. What should
operator do? - ANSWER//All complaints should be
throughly checked out by a representative of the
municipality who can deal with the public in a calm and
dignified manner. Some causes of low water pressure
are clogged screens on faucets, a lean or break in the
area, flushing of water mains, build up in pipes or meter,
a partially closed valve, heavy water use during summer
and fire rescue. What is the quality of raw water
affected by? - ANSWER//The quality of raw water in any
geographic locality is determined primarily by natural
factors such as geology, topography, and climate in each
locality. What can affect chemical activity/reactivity in
water? - ANSWER//Chemical activity in the water is
,governed by temperature, with greater activity accruing
at higher temperatures and lower activity at lower.
What is a public water system? - ANSWER//A public
water system is any water system that provides the
public with piped water for human consumption with at
least 15 connection or regularly serves at least 25
individuals daily at-least 60 days out of the year. A
public water system is either a community water system
or a non-community water system. What happens
during thermal stratification in a body of water? -
ANSWER//Thermal stratification causes the bottom
layer of water to lose oxygen resulting in anaerobic
decomposition of organic material. In this process,
hydrogen sulfide is produced there by lowering the pH
that causes iron and manganese from the soil to
become soluble. This also causes a noticeable increase
in carbon dioxide. This causes water quality
deterioration. If the stratification layers mix (the lake
turns over). Lake/Reservoir turn over occurs when cold
heavy dense water develops above warm water, light
(less dense) water and layers stabilize by exchanging
places. What is a standard solution? - ANSWER//A
standard solution is a solution of known strength or
concentration. What is concentration? -
ANSWER//Concentration is the relationship between
the amount of solute in a solution. At what frequency
should you test your water system for radiation? -
ANSWER//Every 4 years What do the absorbive
properties of powder activated carbon include? -
ANSWER//The absorptive properties of activated carbon
include taste and odor-causing substances and
,impurities such as trihilomethanes. What levels of
fluoride do and some examples - ANSWER//Flouride
levels above 2mg/l cause mottling of the enamel
producing a brown stain on teeth. Moderate levels (.7 to
1.0 mg/l) will reduce cavities snd dental care costs.
Some examples are sodium fluoride, sodium
silicoflouride and flourosilic acid are fluoride compounds
that are added to water supplies. What is used as
backflow prevention for drinking water? - ANSWER//Air
gap Backflow preventers What parameters do you
report monthly to the TCEQ? - ANSWER//PH, alkalinity,
and turbidity At what pH's signify the coopers and
alkalinity tests? - ANSWER//8.3 ph and 4.5 ph What cant
you do after a jar test? - ANSWER//Calibrate a pump or
motor When operating a surface water treatment plant,
what laboratory test is of the most significance for
establishing chemical dosages for coagulating water? -
ANSWER//Alkalinity and pH New mains must be
disinfected how? - ANSWER//With a dosage of 50 mg/l
of cl2 for 24hrs or 500 for 30 min What can change the
gradient line? - ANSWER//Leak on an underdrain flange,
valve, gasket Drain a storage tank too fast? -
ANSWER//A vacuum is created which will damage the
tank Pressure testing a new line? - ANSWER//150 psi or
1 1/2 greater than normal op pressure What are the
hazards of powder activated carbon? - ANSWER//Fire
and explosion What is the precent of confined space
deaths? - ANSWER//Approximately 60% Why are there
fans at the top of the cl2 building? - ANSWER//Because
wire will be damage/corroded by a cl2 leak A systems
filtered water must comply with what turbidity
, standards? - ANSWER//.3 NTUs or less in 95% of
monthly samples, with none of them exceeding 1.0 NTU
When do you apply a boil water notification? -
ANSWER//1. When the system pressure is below 20 psi
2. Cl2 levels are low 3. Water outages 4. Repeated
unacceptable microbiological samples If any of these
occur you myst make a notification within 24 hrs to all
connected systems What are the types of violations? -
ANSWER//Acute = 72 hrs Non-Acute = 14 days What are
the requirements for a backwash? - ANSWER//6 to 10 ft
loss of head Turbidities hit 1.0 100+ hrs What should the
backwash expansion of the media be? - ANSWER//30-
50% CL2 residuals in the far reaches of the system
should be? - ANSWER//.2 free or .5 combined What is
the best for oxidizing, taste, odor, color, iron,
manganese or organics in water? - ANSWER//Ozone If
you are over feeding CL2 what is noticed? -
ANSWER//Taste, odor, Di and Tri CL2, nitrification What
are the advantages and disadvantages of a Free Chlorine
disinfection system? - ANSWER//Advantages: More
powerful not affected by temperature Requires 10
minute contact time Disadvantages: May form
Trihelomethanes What are the advantages and
disadvantages of a Combined (Chloramines)? -
ANSWER//Advantages: Lasts longer No trihelomethanes
produced Disadvantages: Requires 60-minute contact
time Is affected by temperature changes Where are
trihelomethanes (THM) usually found? - ANSWER//In
the farthest point from entery into the distribution
system Calcium carbonate saturation is what? -
ANSWER//A pre cursor for trihelomethanes Free Cl2
Comprehensive Prep Guide with Verified
Questions and Detailed Solutions - Pass on
Your First Attempt
practical to prevent excessive trench load on the pipe.
The wider the trench, the more trench load is placed on
the pipe. What causes most underground pipe failures?
- ANSWER//90% of underground pipe failures are
related to improper backfill and lack of proper bedding.
An operator hears pinging in the pump. What is causing
this? - ANSWER//Cavitation, caused by formation and
collapse of bubbles in the water which causes noise and
vibration. Pitting of metal may result if cavitation is not
eliminated. What does a check valve on the pump
discharge do? - ANSWER//A check valve on the pump
discharge of a pump prevents back-flow. Customer
complains about low water pressure. What should
operator do? - ANSWER//All complaints should be
throughly checked out by a representative of the
municipality who can deal with the public in a calm and
dignified manner. Some causes of low water pressure
are clogged screens on faucets, a lean or break in the
area, flushing of water mains, build up in pipes or meter,
a partially closed valve, heavy water use during summer
and fire rescue. What is the quality of raw water
affected by? - ANSWER//The quality of raw water in any
geographic locality is determined primarily by natural
factors such as geology, topography, and climate in each
locality. What can affect chemical activity/reactivity in
water? - ANSWER//Chemical activity in the water is
,governed by temperature, with greater activity accruing
at higher temperatures and lower activity at lower.
What is a public water system? - ANSWER//A public
water system is any water system that provides the
public with piped water for human consumption with at
least 15 connection or regularly serves at least 25
individuals daily at-least 60 days out of the year. A
public water system is either a community water system
or a non-community water system. What happens
during thermal stratification in a body of water? -
ANSWER//Thermal stratification causes the bottom
layer of water to lose oxygen resulting in anaerobic
decomposition of organic material. In this process,
hydrogen sulfide is produced there by lowering the pH
that causes iron and manganese from the soil to
become soluble. This also causes a noticeable increase
in carbon dioxide. This causes water quality
deterioration. If the stratification layers mix (the lake
turns over). Lake/Reservoir turn over occurs when cold
heavy dense water develops above warm water, light
(less dense) water and layers stabilize by exchanging
places. What is a standard solution? - ANSWER//A
standard solution is a solution of known strength or
concentration. What is concentration? -
ANSWER//Concentration is the relationship between
the amount of solute in a solution. At what frequency
should you test your water system for radiation? -
ANSWER//Every 4 years What do the absorbive
properties of powder activated carbon include? -
ANSWER//The absorptive properties of activated carbon
include taste and odor-causing substances and
,impurities such as trihilomethanes. What levels of
fluoride do and some examples - ANSWER//Flouride
levels above 2mg/l cause mottling of the enamel
producing a brown stain on teeth. Moderate levels (.7 to
1.0 mg/l) will reduce cavities snd dental care costs.
Some examples are sodium fluoride, sodium
silicoflouride and flourosilic acid are fluoride compounds
that are added to water supplies. What is used as
backflow prevention for drinking water? - ANSWER//Air
gap Backflow preventers What parameters do you
report monthly to the TCEQ? - ANSWER//PH, alkalinity,
and turbidity At what pH's signify the coopers and
alkalinity tests? - ANSWER//8.3 ph and 4.5 ph What cant
you do after a jar test? - ANSWER//Calibrate a pump or
motor When operating a surface water treatment plant,
what laboratory test is of the most significance for
establishing chemical dosages for coagulating water? -
ANSWER//Alkalinity and pH New mains must be
disinfected how? - ANSWER//With a dosage of 50 mg/l
of cl2 for 24hrs or 500 for 30 min What can change the
gradient line? - ANSWER//Leak on an underdrain flange,
valve, gasket Drain a storage tank too fast? -
ANSWER//A vacuum is created which will damage the
tank Pressure testing a new line? - ANSWER//150 psi or
1 1/2 greater than normal op pressure What are the
hazards of powder activated carbon? - ANSWER//Fire
and explosion What is the precent of confined space
deaths? - ANSWER//Approximately 60% Why are there
fans at the top of the cl2 building? - ANSWER//Because
wire will be damage/corroded by a cl2 leak A systems
filtered water must comply with what turbidity
, standards? - ANSWER//.3 NTUs or less in 95% of
monthly samples, with none of them exceeding 1.0 NTU
When do you apply a boil water notification? -
ANSWER//1. When the system pressure is below 20 psi
2. Cl2 levels are low 3. Water outages 4. Repeated
unacceptable microbiological samples If any of these
occur you myst make a notification within 24 hrs to all
connected systems What are the types of violations? -
ANSWER//Acute = 72 hrs Non-Acute = 14 days What are
the requirements for a backwash? - ANSWER//6 to 10 ft
loss of head Turbidities hit 1.0 100+ hrs What should the
backwash expansion of the media be? - ANSWER//30-
50% CL2 residuals in the far reaches of the system
should be? - ANSWER//.2 free or .5 combined What is
the best for oxidizing, taste, odor, color, iron,
manganese or organics in water? - ANSWER//Ozone If
you are over feeding CL2 what is noticed? -
ANSWER//Taste, odor, Di and Tri CL2, nitrification What
are the advantages and disadvantages of a Free Chlorine
disinfection system? - ANSWER//Advantages: More
powerful not affected by temperature Requires 10
minute contact time Disadvantages: May form
Trihelomethanes What are the advantages and
disadvantages of a Combined (Chloramines)? -
ANSWER//Advantages: Lasts longer No trihelomethanes
produced Disadvantages: Requires 60-minute contact
time Is affected by temperature changes Where are
trihelomethanes (THM) usually found? - ANSWER//In
the farthest point from entery into the distribution
system Calcium carbonate saturation is what? -
ANSWER//A pre cursor for trihelomethanes Free Cl2
