SMALL WATER SYSTEM OPERATOR CERTIFICATION EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
1) Name of agency responsible for safety codes at privately owned water systems? --
Answer ✔✔ OSHA
2) What WI agency regulates the water metering of customers? -- Answer ✔✔ WI
Public Service Commission (PCS)
3) Three main methods used to disinfect water. -- Answer ✔✔ Chemical (usually
chlorine), UV light, Ozone disinfection
4) What is the name for the chlorine available in a water system after the demand? --
Answer ✔✔ Free Chlorine Residual
5) What is the biggest drawback of using UV or ozone disinfection? -- Answer ✔✔ Lack
of residual disinfectant
6) Name the two processes used for softening water -- Answer ✔✔ Lime softening &
Ion exchange
, 7) Name two methods used for treating lead and copper releases in a distribution
system. -- Answer ✔✔ pH/alkalinity adjustment, addition of phosphates and/or
silicates
8) Factors (other than corrosive water) that can influence lead and/or copper release in
distribution systems. -- Answer ✔✔ Physical, chemical & biological characteristics of
the water and the metal surface
9) What type of pipe scale is best for reducing lead and copper release? -- Answer ✔✔
Well-adhering insoluble scales
10) When must DBP samples be collected? -- Answer ✔✔ When a PWS uses chemical
disinfectants
11) DBP testing monitors primarily for these two parameters? -- Answer ✔✔
trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and five haloacetic acids (HAA5)
12) Routine DBP monitoring frequency for NNWS serving >10000 ppl? -- Answer ✔✔
annual
13) Routine DBP monitoring frequency for NNWS serving >500 ppl? -- Answer ✔✔ may
be eligible for tri-annual
14) 6 main components of a water system -- Answer ✔✔ Source, treatment,
pump/pump facilities, controls, distribution system, finished water storage
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
1) Name of agency responsible for safety codes at privately owned water systems? --
Answer ✔✔ OSHA
2) What WI agency regulates the water metering of customers? -- Answer ✔✔ WI
Public Service Commission (PCS)
3) Three main methods used to disinfect water. -- Answer ✔✔ Chemical (usually
chlorine), UV light, Ozone disinfection
4) What is the name for the chlorine available in a water system after the demand? --
Answer ✔✔ Free Chlorine Residual
5) What is the biggest drawback of using UV or ozone disinfection? -- Answer ✔✔ Lack
of residual disinfectant
6) Name the two processes used for softening water -- Answer ✔✔ Lime softening &
Ion exchange
, 7) Name two methods used for treating lead and copper releases in a distribution
system. -- Answer ✔✔ pH/alkalinity adjustment, addition of phosphates and/or
silicates
8) Factors (other than corrosive water) that can influence lead and/or copper release in
distribution systems. -- Answer ✔✔ Physical, chemical & biological characteristics of
the water and the metal surface
9) What type of pipe scale is best for reducing lead and copper release? -- Answer ✔✔
Well-adhering insoluble scales
10) When must DBP samples be collected? -- Answer ✔✔ When a PWS uses chemical
disinfectants
11) DBP testing monitors primarily for these two parameters? -- Answer ✔✔
trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and five haloacetic acids (HAA5)
12) Routine DBP monitoring frequency for NNWS serving >10000 ppl? -- Answer ✔✔
annual
13) Routine DBP monitoring frequency for NNWS serving >500 ppl? -- Answer ✔✔ may
be eligible for tri-annual
14) 6 main components of a water system -- Answer ✔✔ Source, treatment,
pump/pump facilities, controls, distribution system, finished water storage
