1.  If a customer complains about the drinking water characteristics, the operator should record the
              complaint and:  

A. Investigate immediately B. Investigate only if more complaints are received C. Inform the customer that the water should be boiled D. Inform the customer that the water is safe

2.  What term is used when a water utility divides its total operating expenses into the total revenue?

A. Debt ratio B. Operating ratio C. Credit ratio D. Coverage ratio

3.  How often should operation data, such as flow rate, amount of water treated, dosage of chemical, and reservoir levels be recorded?

A. Twice a day B. Daily C. Weekly D. Monthly

4.  Which of the following is the most important reason to keep daily records of operational data?

A. Maintain records for customer billing B. Document the need for an increased budget C. Provide insurance data D. Document the safe drinking water has been delivered to customers

5.  Under the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act, it is the duty of the water purveyor to deliver potable water of proper quantity only as far as the:

A. Entry point of the distribution system B. Customers curb box and service connection C. Consumers tap inside the home D. Furthest water main blow-off or sampling point

6.  According to the Safe Drinking Water Act, the basic definition of a public water supply system is any water system that supplies water for human consumption that serves:

A. 25 homes or more for over 120 days a year B. The public in any capacity, no matter how small C. 25 or more persons for at least 30 days a year D. 15 service connections or over 25 persons for over 60 days a year

7.  What agent is responsible for reporting lab results to the regulatory agency?

A. Water system owner B. Board of Health chairperson C. Lab technician D. Sample collector

8.  According to the USEPA drinking water regulations, the owner or operator of a public water system which fails to comply with applicable monitoring requirements must give notice to the public within:

A. 45 days of the violation by posting a notice at the town hall B. 1 year of the violation by including a letter with the water bill C. 3 months of the violation in a daily newspaper in the area served by the system D. 1 week of the violation in a letter hand delivered to customers

9.  What federal law is designed to protect the safety and health of operators?

A. OSHA B. FMLA C. FLSA D. ADEA

10.  What federal law regulates public water supplies?

A. Safe Drinking Water Act B. Clean Water Act C. Taft-Hartley Act D. Standard Methods

11.   What causes water to move through pores in soil and rocks?

A. Temperature B. Viscosity C. Barometric pressure D. Gravity

12.  What is a commonly used indicator of possible health problems found in plants, soil, water and the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals?

A. Viruses B. Coliform bacteria C. Intestinal parasites D. Pathogenic organisms

13.  What are disease producing bacteria called? 

A. Parasites B. New strain C. Sour type D. Pathogenic

14.  What are the two main causes of hardness in water?

A. Gold and silver B. Calcium and magnesium C. Phosphate and nitrate D. Oxygen and methane

15.  Which source of water has the greatest natural protection from bacterial contamination?

A. Shallow well B. Deep well in gravel C. Surface water D. Spring

16.  What device measures the flow rate of gases?

A. Parshall flume B. Rotameter C. Float D. Weir

17.  How often should preventive maintenance for equipment be performed?

A. Once every week B. After a breakdown C. According to manufacturer recommendations D. When time permits

18.  Dynamic head is best described as the:

A. Velocity of water in a main at full pumping pressure B. Total energy that a pump must develop for pumping to take place C. Total pressure in feet of head, measured at the pump discharge during periods of rest in the system D. Pumping end of any device used to force water in to a pressure system

19.  Which of the following terms refers to excessive internal pressure, which may be several times the normal operating pressure and can seriously damage hydropneumatic tanks, valves, and the piping network?

A. Air charge B. Flow rate pressure C. Water hammer D. Hydraulic charge

20.  Which of the following should an operator investigate first when well pump and control problems occur?

A. Depth of supply B. Piping C. Electricity D. Water leaks

21.  Most pumps must be primed before startup in order to:

A. Calculate flow rate B. Prevent reverse flow C. Start the flow of water D. Prevent hammer

22.  What is the purpose of a check valve?

A. Regulate the rate of flow through the discharge pipe B. Act as automatic shutoff valve when the pump stops C. Permit air to escape from the pipe D. Prevent clogging of the suction line

23.  What is the primary purpose of a preventive maintenance program?

A. Increase the use of backup equipment B. Correct equipment breakdowns C. Eliminate inventory of spare parts D. Avoid future equipment problems

24.  A mixture of air and gas is considered hazardous when the mixture exceeds what percentage of the low explosive limit (LEL)?

A. 0% B. 3% C. 7% D. 10%

25.  Which of the following duties should not be performed by a small system operator?

A. Disinfect water mains B. Observe pump motors to detect unusual noises, vibrations or excessive heat C. Repair and overhaul chlorinators D. Wire pump, compressors and electrical components of the water system

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