Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
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1. What is the primary purpose of coagulation in water treatment?
A. Remove dissolved minerals
B. Reduce hardness
C. Destabilize colloidal particles
D. Improve taste and odor
Coagulation neutralizes particle charges so they can clump
together during flocculation.
2. Alum performs best within what pH range?
A. 3–4
B. 5–6
C. 6–7
D. 9–10
Alum forms optimal floc within a near-neutral pH.
3. A jar test is used to determine:
A. Chlorine dose
B. Filtration rate
C. Coagulant dose
D. Alkalinity
Jar testing identifies the most effective coagulant dosage.
,4. The filter effluent turbidity should ideally be:
A. <5.0 NTU
B. <2.0 NTU
C. <0.3 NTU
D. <1.0 NTU
Low turbidity ensures effective disinfection and overall treatment
quality.
5. Breakpoint chlorination occurs when:
A. Chlorine first reacts with organics
B. Chlorine demand increases
C. All ammonia is oxidized and free chlorine begins to
accumulate
D. Turbidity drops
Breakpoint indicates conversion from combined to free chlorine
residual.
6. What is the typical detention time for flocculation?
A. 1–2 minutes
B. 5–10 minutes
C. 30–45 minutes
D. 20–40 minutes
Flocculation requires gentle mixing for proper floc formation.
7. What is the main purpose of sedimentation?
A. Virus removal
B. Taste improvement
C. Settle out floc particles
D. Odor control
, Settling removes heavier particles formed during
coagulation/flocculation.
8. Filter backwashing is performed to:
A. Increase chlorine contact time
B. Remove accumulated solids from filter media
C. Reduce alkalinity
D. Adjust pH
Backwashing cleans clogged media to restore performance.
9. What is the minimum chlorine residual required in a distribution
system?
A. 0.0 mg/L
B. 0.1 mg/L
C. 0.2 mg/L
D. 1.0 mg/L
Regulations require detectable and safe residuals throughout the
system.
10. Chloramines are formed when chlorine reacts with:
A. Organics
B. Hardness
C. Ammonia
D. Alkalinity
Ammonia plus chlorine forms chloramines for secondary
disinfection.
11. The chlorine CT concept refers to:
A. Calcium hardness
B. Concentration × Time