1|Page
New Mexico Water Operator Certification Actual
Exam, Study Guide And Practice Exam Newest
2025/2026 Complete Questions And Correct Detailed
Answers (Verified Answers) |Already Graded
A+||Brand New Version!!
The best addition for water that is highly colored due to organic
matter would be
A. The addition of lime
B. Lime addition with increase in the coagulant
C. A small increase in a nonionic polymer
D. The addition of an acid to lower pH before coagulation -
ANSWER-D. The addition of an acid to lower pH before
coagulation
If the activation process of silica is not carefully controlled what
could happen in the coagulation flocculation process? -
ANSWER-Floc formation could be inhibited
What device collects the settled water as it leaves the
sedimentation basin? - ANSWER-Effluent launder
,2|Page
In solids contact basins with fairly constant water quality
parameters, how often should the solids concentration be
determined? - ANSWER-At least twice per day
The definition of decant is? - ANSWER-To draw off the liquid
from a vessel of any size without stirring up bottom sediment
How often should sedimentation basins with mechanical sludge
removal equipment be drained and inspected? - ANSWER-Once
a year
What is the most important reason to reduce turbidity? -
ANSWER-To remove pathogens
If enteric disease-causing protozoans have been found in the
effluent of a water plant which is the most probable solution? -
ANSWER-Use a multibarrier approach; coagulation,
flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration
What is the major cause of short circuiting in a sedimentation
basin? - ANSWER-Poor inlet baffling
,3|Page
Conventional sedimentation has what type of removal of
Cryptosporidium oocysts? - ANSWER-less than 0.5 log
In solids contact basins, weir loading normally should not
exceed? - ANSWER-10 gpm/ft of weir length
Dissolved air flotation is particularly good for removing? -
ANSWER-Algae
What determines whether or not colloidal sized particles in
suspension repel each other, stay in suspension, or agglomerate
and eventually settle? - ANSWER-Magnitude of the charges
If the sludge in a sedimentation basin becomes too thick, what
could happen? - ANSWER-Solids can become resuspended or
taste and odors can develop
In basins using tube and plate settlers, what parameter must be
much better than conventional treatment basins? - ANSWER-
Floc must have good settling characteristics
What type of sedimentation basins have the flow of water
admitted at an angle? - ANSWER-Spiral flow basins
, 4|Page
At what minimum angle must self cleaning tube settlers be
placed? - ANSWER-50°
If nematodes are interfering with the disinfectant, what is the
most probable solution? - ANSWER-Optimize the settling
process
At what angle should the parallel inclined plates be installed
when using the shallow depth sedimentation method? -
ANSWER-45°
Why do solids contact basins have much shorter detention times
than conventional treatment basins? - ANSWER-Because of the
recycled materials from the sludge blanket, the chemical
reactions occur more quickly and completely in the mixing area
The pulsating energy in a pulsator clarifier helps to? -
ANSWER-Maintain a uniform sludge blanket layer
Pulsator clarifiers are used to treat water that is? - ANSWER-
High in color and low in turbidity
New Mexico Water Operator Certification Actual
Exam, Study Guide And Practice Exam Newest
2025/2026 Complete Questions And Correct Detailed
Answers (Verified Answers) |Already Graded
A+||Brand New Version!!
The best addition for water that is highly colored due to organic
matter would be
A. The addition of lime
B. Lime addition with increase in the coagulant
C. A small increase in a nonionic polymer
D. The addition of an acid to lower pH before coagulation -
ANSWER-D. The addition of an acid to lower pH before
coagulation
If the activation process of silica is not carefully controlled what
could happen in the coagulation flocculation process? -
ANSWER-Floc formation could be inhibited
What device collects the settled water as it leaves the
sedimentation basin? - ANSWER-Effluent launder
,2|Page
In solids contact basins with fairly constant water quality
parameters, how often should the solids concentration be
determined? - ANSWER-At least twice per day
The definition of decant is? - ANSWER-To draw off the liquid
from a vessel of any size without stirring up bottom sediment
How often should sedimentation basins with mechanical sludge
removal equipment be drained and inspected? - ANSWER-Once
a year
What is the most important reason to reduce turbidity? -
ANSWER-To remove pathogens
If enteric disease-causing protozoans have been found in the
effluent of a water plant which is the most probable solution? -
ANSWER-Use a multibarrier approach; coagulation,
flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration
What is the major cause of short circuiting in a sedimentation
basin? - ANSWER-Poor inlet baffling
,3|Page
Conventional sedimentation has what type of removal of
Cryptosporidium oocysts? - ANSWER-less than 0.5 log
In solids contact basins, weir loading normally should not
exceed? - ANSWER-10 gpm/ft of weir length
Dissolved air flotation is particularly good for removing? -
ANSWER-Algae
What determines whether or not colloidal sized particles in
suspension repel each other, stay in suspension, or agglomerate
and eventually settle? - ANSWER-Magnitude of the charges
If the sludge in a sedimentation basin becomes too thick, what
could happen? - ANSWER-Solids can become resuspended or
taste and odors can develop
In basins using tube and plate settlers, what parameter must be
much better than conventional treatment basins? - ANSWER-
Floc must have good settling characteristics
What type of sedimentation basins have the flow of water
admitted at an angle? - ANSWER-Spiral flow basins
, 4|Page
At what minimum angle must self cleaning tube settlers be
placed? - ANSWER-50°
If nematodes are interfering with the disinfectant, what is the
most probable solution? - ANSWER-Optimize the settling
process
At what angle should the parallel inclined plates be installed
when using the shallow depth sedimentation method? -
ANSWER-45°
Why do solids contact basins have much shorter detention times
than conventional treatment basins? - ANSWER-Because of the
recycled materials from the sludge blanket, the chemical
reactions occur more quickly and completely in the mixing area
The pulsating energy in a pulsator clarifier helps to? -
ANSWER-Maintain a uniform sludge blanket layer
Pulsator clarifiers are used to treat water that is? - ANSWER-
High in color and low in turbidity
