Maine Site Evaluator Licensing Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the minimum distance a conventional septic tank must be
from a drinking water well in Maine?
A. 50 feet
B. 75 feet
C. 100 feet
D. 150 feet
Rationale: Maine regulations require a minimum of 100 feet between a
septic tank and a potable water well to prevent contamination.
2. Which soil horizon is most important for percolation in a conventional
septic system?
A. O horizon
B. A horizon
, C. B horizon
D. C horizon
Rationale: The B horizon provides the primary soil layer for effluent
treatment and percolation in onsite systems.
3. What is the primary function of a soil evaluation in site assessment?
A. Determine soil color
B. Assess soil suitability for wastewater absorption
C. Identify soil nutrient content
D. Measure soil moisture for irrigation
Rationale: Site evaluators assess soils to determine if they can adequately
absorb and treat wastewater.
4. Which of the following is considered a limiting layer in soil evaluation?
A. Sandy loam
B. Fragipan
C. Gravel
D. Topsoil
Rationale: Fragipans restrict water movement and root penetration,
making them a limiting layer for septic system placement.
5. Minimum vertical separation from the bottom of a leach field to the
seasonal high water table in Maine is:
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
, C. 18 inches
D. 24 inches
Rationale: Maine rules require at least 24 inches of vertical separation to
the seasonal high water table to prevent contamination and system
failure.
6. Which method is commonly used to determine the seasonal high
water table?
A. Auger sampling
B. Observation of soil mottling
C. GPS mapping
D. pH testing
Rationale: Mottling patterns indicate periods of saturation and are a
standard method to identify seasonal high water tables.
7. What is the minimum setback for a septic system from a property line
in Maine?
A. 5 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 20 feet
D. 50 feet
Rationale: A minimum 20-foot setback is required to protect neighboring
properties and allow maintenance access.
, 8. When evaluating a site for a sand filter system, which factor is most
critical?
A. Soil color
B. Soil texture and permeability
C. Surface slope only
D. Presence of topsoil
Rationale: Sand filters rely on specific soil texture and permeability to
properly treat effluent before dispersal.
9. The main purpose of a septic tank is to:
A. Filter solids out of rainwater
B. Separate solids from liquids and begin treatment
C. Irrigate the lawn
D. Increase soil permeability
Rationale: Septic tanks separate solids from liquid wastewater and initiate
anaerobic treatment before effluent reaches the soil absorption area.
10. What is the typical hydraulic loading rate for a conventional
septic system in sandy soil?
A. 0.5 gpd/sf
B. 0.75 gpd/sf
C. 1.0 gpd/sf
D. 1.5 gpd/sf
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the minimum distance a conventional septic tank must be
from a drinking water well in Maine?
A. 50 feet
B. 75 feet
C. 100 feet
D. 150 feet
Rationale: Maine regulations require a minimum of 100 feet between a
septic tank and a potable water well to prevent contamination.
2. Which soil horizon is most important for percolation in a conventional
septic system?
A. O horizon
B. A horizon
, C. B horizon
D. C horizon
Rationale: The B horizon provides the primary soil layer for effluent
treatment and percolation in onsite systems.
3. What is the primary function of a soil evaluation in site assessment?
A. Determine soil color
B. Assess soil suitability for wastewater absorption
C. Identify soil nutrient content
D. Measure soil moisture for irrigation
Rationale: Site evaluators assess soils to determine if they can adequately
absorb and treat wastewater.
4. Which of the following is considered a limiting layer in soil evaluation?
A. Sandy loam
B. Fragipan
C. Gravel
D. Topsoil
Rationale: Fragipans restrict water movement and root penetration,
making them a limiting layer for septic system placement.
5. Minimum vertical separation from the bottom of a leach field to the
seasonal high water table in Maine is:
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
, C. 18 inches
D. 24 inches
Rationale: Maine rules require at least 24 inches of vertical separation to
the seasonal high water table to prevent contamination and system
failure.
6. Which method is commonly used to determine the seasonal high
water table?
A. Auger sampling
B. Observation of soil mottling
C. GPS mapping
D. pH testing
Rationale: Mottling patterns indicate periods of saturation and are a
standard method to identify seasonal high water tables.
7. What is the minimum setback for a septic system from a property line
in Maine?
A. 5 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 20 feet
D. 50 feet
Rationale: A minimum 20-foot setback is required to protect neighboring
properties and allow maintenance access.
, 8. When evaluating a site for a sand filter system, which factor is most
critical?
A. Soil color
B. Soil texture and permeability
C. Surface slope only
D. Presence of topsoil
Rationale: Sand filters rely on specific soil texture and permeability to
properly treat effluent before dispersal.
9. The main purpose of a septic tank is to:
A. Filter solids out of rainwater
B. Separate solids from liquids and begin treatment
C. Irrigate the lawn
D. Increase soil permeability
Rationale: Septic tanks separate solids from liquid wastewater and initiate
anaerobic treatment before effluent reaches the soil absorption area.
10. What is the typical hydraulic loading rate for a conventional
septic system in sandy soil?
A. 0.5 gpd/sf
B. 0.75 gpd/sf
C. 1.0 gpd/sf
D. 1.5 gpd/sf
