Basic Water Operations 200 Latest Correctly Answered
Questions for Water Operator License Exam Prep/ Water
Operator Exam Practice Qs and As (Latest!)
Identify the parameters of concern for source water improvements. - 1. solids/
turbidity-measure of matter in water
2.temperature-affect on water density
3.color, taste, and odor-microorganisms produces metabolites like
Methylisoborneol (MIB) and Geosmin.
Watershed->NOM->TOC that include humic and fulvic acid
4.nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients- cause microorganism to grow and they
come from septic systems, wastewater plants discharge, farm runoff...
5.organic carbon- 2 groups: NOC and SOC/VOC
natural organic carbon (NOM): include fulvic and humic acid that come from rock
formation.
1|Page
,synthetic organic carbon and volatile organic carbon (SOC/VOC): come from
industrial and chemical waste
6.microbial pathogens- contaminates such as GIARDIA and CRYPTOSPORIDIUM.
present in rivers and streams are caused by septic systems, wastewater plants
discharge, farm runoff...
a + fecal coliform test mens the contaminates are present
7.metals-can be toxic and bio-accumulative., regulated by the SWDA that sets the
Max. Contaminant Level (MCL).
8.oil and grease-prevent oxygen from dissolving in water
9.dissolved oxygen- lack of oxygen in water, hydrogen sulfide and sulfur are
present & causes iron and manganese to be released causing taste and odor
problems
Describe source water improvement methods - reservoirs- have slow movement
which allows solids to settle
aeration- saturate water with oxygen.
oxidizes iron and manganese, remove dissolved gases, cools hot water...
reservoir destratification- remove temperature layers.
2|Page
,TRUE OR FALSE: copper sulfate effectively controls all types of algae at low doses -
False, dose depends on water temperature
Solids and turbidity come from urban runoff, streambank erosion, agricultural
runoff, and ______.
a. point sources
b. stack emissions
c. treatment sludge
d. algae - Algae
Sources of nitrogen and phosphorus are septic systems, landfill leachate, urban
and agricultural runoff, animal feed lots, and _______.
a. the air
b. wind
c. sunlight
d. all listed - The air
Some metals are removed by ______ and ______.
a. screening, filtration
b. coagulation, adsorption
c. coagulation, screening
d. aeration, adsorption - Coagulation and absorption
Reservoirs provide a quiet zone of _______ for sedimentation
3|Page
, a. no movement
b. wave action
c. wind currents
d. slow movement - slow movement
Aeration oxidizes iron and manganese forming ______ removed by
sedimentationa. insoluble precipitates
b. soluble precipitates
c. coagulated solids
d. insoluble coagulants - insoluble precipitates
Disadvantages of spray aerators are moisture from drift, water loss to
evaporation, down time in freezing weather, and ______.
a. wood rot
b. loud noise
c. biological growth
d. strong odor - Biological growth
Cascade aerators are waterfall devices that create turbulence for oxygen transfer,
odor and gas removal, and some disinfection by ________.
a. wind
b. sunlight
c. agitation
d. aeration - Sunlight
4|Page
Questions for Water Operator License Exam Prep/ Water
Operator Exam Practice Qs and As (Latest!)
Identify the parameters of concern for source water improvements. - 1. solids/
turbidity-measure of matter in water
2.temperature-affect on water density
3.color, taste, and odor-microorganisms produces metabolites like
Methylisoborneol (MIB) and Geosmin.
Watershed->NOM->TOC that include humic and fulvic acid
4.nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients- cause microorganism to grow and they
come from septic systems, wastewater plants discharge, farm runoff...
5.organic carbon- 2 groups: NOC and SOC/VOC
natural organic carbon (NOM): include fulvic and humic acid that come from rock
formation.
1|Page
,synthetic organic carbon and volatile organic carbon (SOC/VOC): come from
industrial and chemical waste
6.microbial pathogens- contaminates such as GIARDIA and CRYPTOSPORIDIUM.
present in rivers and streams are caused by septic systems, wastewater plants
discharge, farm runoff...
a + fecal coliform test mens the contaminates are present
7.metals-can be toxic and bio-accumulative., regulated by the SWDA that sets the
Max. Contaminant Level (MCL).
8.oil and grease-prevent oxygen from dissolving in water
9.dissolved oxygen- lack of oxygen in water, hydrogen sulfide and sulfur are
present & causes iron and manganese to be released causing taste and odor
problems
Describe source water improvement methods - reservoirs- have slow movement
which allows solids to settle
aeration- saturate water with oxygen.
oxidizes iron and manganese, remove dissolved gases, cools hot water...
reservoir destratification- remove temperature layers.
2|Page
,TRUE OR FALSE: copper sulfate effectively controls all types of algae at low doses -
False, dose depends on water temperature
Solids and turbidity come from urban runoff, streambank erosion, agricultural
runoff, and ______.
a. point sources
b. stack emissions
c. treatment sludge
d. algae - Algae
Sources of nitrogen and phosphorus are septic systems, landfill leachate, urban
and agricultural runoff, animal feed lots, and _______.
a. the air
b. wind
c. sunlight
d. all listed - The air
Some metals are removed by ______ and ______.
a. screening, filtration
b. coagulation, adsorption
c. coagulation, screening
d. aeration, adsorption - Coagulation and absorption
Reservoirs provide a quiet zone of _______ for sedimentation
3|Page
, a. no movement
b. wave action
c. wind currents
d. slow movement - slow movement
Aeration oxidizes iron and manganese forming ______ removed by
sedimentationa. insoluble precipitates
b. soluble precipitates
c. coagulated solids
d. insoluble coagulants - insoluble precipitates
Disadvantages of spray aerators are moisture from drift, water loss to
evaporation, down time in freezing weather, and ______.
a. wood rot
b. loud noise
c. biological growth
d. strong odor - Biological growth
Cascade aerators are waterfall devices that create turbulence for oxygen transfer,
odor and gas removal, and some disinfection by ________.
a. wind
b. sunlight
c. agitation
d. aeration - Sunlight
4|Page
