TCEQ Class C Water License Exam Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

What state agency is responsible for enforcing the Safe Drinking Water Act in Texas?

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

What minerals can cause water hardness?

Calcium and magnesium

A public water system must at all times provide what?

Adequate quantity of water, pressure, and disinfection

What is a source of groundwater?

<p>Aquifer</p> Signup and view all the answers

Fecal coliform organisms sometimes found in water supplies indicate what?

<p>Harmful bacteria may be present</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a disease that may be spread by inadequately disinfected water?

<p>Dysentery</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common chemical used in the disinfection of a small water supply?

<p>Calcium hypochlorite</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a physical connection between a potable water supply and a house well called?

<p>A cross connection</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the amount of chlorine in mg/L that reacts with iron, organics, or bacteria called?

<p>Demand</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a physical characteristic of chlorine gas?

<p>Pungent penetrating odor</p> Signup and view all the answers

What would be considered a part of a hypochlorinator system?

<p>Solution feed pump</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is required according to state requirements for all public water supply wells?

<p>A raised concrete sealing block, screened vents, and a flow measuring device</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the drawdown of a water well determined?

<p>Difference in static and pumping levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the pH of water indicate?

<p>If it's acidic or basic</p> Signup and view all the answers

On what scale is the pH of water expressed?

<p>0-14</p> Signup and view all the answers

What pH level is considered neutral?

<p>7.0</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a required step in collecting a routine distribution sample for bacteriological testing?

<p>Use of an approved, sterile sample container</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can sand filtration remove from surface water?

<p>Turbidity</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is activated carbon primarily used for in a surface water plant?

<p>Taste and odor control</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which chemicals are commonly used as coagulants in surface water treatment?

<p>Alum</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are ground storage tanks required to provide?

<p>Screened vents, approved locking roof hatch, overflow pipe with hinged flap device, and annual inspection</p> Signup and view all the answers

How should an elevated storage tank be protected against corrosion?

<p>Painting, cathodic protection, water stabilization, and using galvanized and lead-based primed components</p> Signup and view all the answers

What residual pressure should a public water supply system maintain?

<p>20 psi and a minimum of normal operating pressure of 35 psi</p> Signup and view all the answers

Before a new or repaired water line is placed into service, it must be properly disinfected by providing a chlorine dosage of _________ mg/L and proper detention time.

<p>50</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are water-bearing formations beneath the earth's surface used for public water supplies called?

<p>Aquifers</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an air line on a well?

<p>Determine water levels in the well</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of the mesh size in a well screen?

<p>Properly sized openings should reduce the amount of sand pumped</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factors most affect the process of coagulation when treating surface water?

<p>pH, alkalinity, temperature, and chemical dosage</p> Signup and view all the answers

When should a rapid sand filter be backwashed?

<p>When the loss of head gauge indicates between 6 and 10 feet</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an acceptable disinfection residual at the far reaches of the distribution system?

<p>0.5 mg/L chloramine for surface water supply</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate total volume in gallons of a circular tank that is 30 feet in diameter and 15 feet deep?

<p>79,300</p> Signup and view all the answers

If you are using a chlorinator to provide a dosage of 4.0 mg/L and the daily water usage is 750,000 gallons, what should the gas chlorinator feed rate be set at in pounds per day?

<p>25</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much does one gallon of water weigh?

<p>8.34 lbs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

One foot of water inside a storage vessel will raise a pressure gauge at the bottom of the vessel by how much?

<p>0.433 lbs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A raw water intake structure may not be constructed within how many feet of a boat ramp, dock, or marina?

<p>1,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the common types of pumps for use in water wells?

<p>Vertical turbine and submersible</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the natural exchange of water between the earth and air called?

<p>The hydraulic cycle</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a health hazard contamination event occurs in a public water system, how quickly must the operator contact the state regulatory authority?

<p>24 hours</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does potable water mean?

<p>Maintained at adequate pressure, pathogen free, and contains a chlorine residual</p> Signup and view all the answers

Excessive nitrates in drinking water can cause a condition in infants under the age of 6 months known as what?

<p>Blue baby</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the process in surface water treatment that causes fine particles to join together?

<p>Coagulation</p> Signup and view all the answers

The test commonly used to determine the chemical dosage for surface water plants is the _______ test.

<p>Jar</p> Signup and view all the answers

Suspended solids are the solids portion that can cause what?

<p>Mudballs and filter plugging</p> Signup and view all the answers

What organism is used as an indicator in bacteriological analysis?

<p>Coliform</p> Signup and view all the answers

Chlorine dosage is what plus desired residual?

<p>Demand</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a storage vessel that is uniform in diameter and more than 20 feet but less than 80 feet tall called?

<p>Stand pipe</p> Signup and view all the answers

Potable water must be stored at an elevation at least 80.85 feet above the highest known connection to provide the minimum operating pressure of _____ psi.

<p>35</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do we call a water tank that uses compressed air over water to provide pressure?

<p>Hydro pneumatic tank</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the lead and copper rule, pipes and fittings may not contain more than __________ lead.

<p>8.0%</p> Signup and view all the answers

What color does the sample turn when DPD is added to water containing chlorine?

<p>Red</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most commonly used valve for isolating a water leak?

<p>Gate valve</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can happen in the distribution system if a valve or hydrant is opened or closed too fast?

<p>Water hammer</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most commonly used pump in the distribution system?

<p>Centrifugal</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many gallons per minute is 21 MGD water when treating in a surface water plant?

<p>14,583</p> Signup and view all the answers

A class D certified operator can operate a public water system with up to _________ connections.

<p>250</p> Signup and view all the answers

All state of Texas operator licenses after issue are valid for _________ years.

<p>3</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a testing point for bacteriological samples tests positive, what should the operator do?

<p>Collect another sample at the site that tested positive plus one within 5 customers upstream and one within 5 customers downstream and re-submit</p> Signup and view all the answers

Any excavation greater than _________ feet in depth requires the use of OSHA approved shoring equipment.

<p>5</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should an operator do if they discover chlorine on a 150 lb cylinder inside a room?

<p>Call for assistance and wait, put on self-contained breathing apparatus and attach a lifeline, once assistance arrives - enter the room and shut off the valve on the cylinder and wait for exhaust fan to evacuate the chlorine from the room</p> Signup and view all the answers

Waterlines should be installed no closer than ___________ feet to any sewer lines or other possible contaminant lines.

<p>9</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a pressure gauge at the base of an elevated storage tank reads 72 psi, how far above is the gauge relative to the water surface?

<p>166 feet</p> Signup and view all the answers

The total volume in gallons of a storage tank that is 978 cubic feet is how many gallons?

<p>7,315</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of chlorine is typically found in calcium hypochlorite (HTH)?

<p>65%-75%</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should a certified operator do if they find signs of tampering at a water facility?

<p>Immediately notify TCEQ Regional office and they will notify law enforcement and investigate to determine if there is a danger or threat to public health and safety, pull the electrical disconnect on the pumps and close valves isolating the tank until it can be analyzed</p> Signup and view all the answers

When calculating area, the standard numerical value for pi is _______.

<p>3.1416</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum flushing requirement for public water systems to ensure chlorine residual and water quality?

<p>Once every month</p> Signup and view all the answers

In small systems, what must liquid bleach conform to in order to be approved for disinfection?

<p>National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) standard 60</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of adding enough chlorine to a water supply to react with reducing compounds and leave some free chlorine called?

<p>Break point chlorination</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary reasons for mainline failures in the distribution system?

<p>Internal and external corrosion, improper backfill and lack of proper bedding</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are check values on the discharge side of a pump used for?

<p>Prevent water from flowing back through the pump when the pump is off</p> Signup and view all the answers

__________ and __________ acids are by-products of drinking water.

<p>Trihalomethanes, Haloacetic</p> Signup and view all the answers

There are ______ major underground water aquifers in Texas.

<p>7</p> Signup and view all the answers

Most common type of filter in a surface plant is _________ and is designed to flow at ________.

<p>Rapid sand, 2 gpm/ft²</p> Signup and view all the answers

Proper backwashing of a sand filter is accomplished when the filter media expands by _________ %.

<p>30-50</p> Signup and view all the answers

After disinfection and flushing of super chlorinated new lines, how many bacteriological samples are required for every __________ feet of line?

<p>One sample every 1,000 feet of line</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the TCEQ preferred method for cross-connection control?

<p>Physical air gap</p> Signup and view all the answers

What microorganism in water is resistant to chlorine?

<p>Cryptosporidium</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are common types of water meters?

<p>Magnetic</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can trigger a boil-water notice?

<p>Water outages</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum safe withdrawal rate of chlorine for a 150-pound cylinder?

<p>40 lbs in 24 hours</p> Signup and view all the answers

When diluting a strong acid, always add _______ to ________ rather than the reverse.

<p>Acid/Base</p> Signup and view all the answers

Normal oxygen content in the atmosphere is _______%.

<p>20.9</p> Signup and view all the answers

Any atmosphere that is less than ________% oxygen should not be entered without an approved self-contained breathing apparatus.

<p>19.5</p> Signup and view all the answers

What compounds are formed when chlorine gas is added to water?

<p>Hydrochloric and hypochlorous acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important federal law that impacts the water utility industry?

<p>The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974</p> Signup and view all the answers

Can you give an example of a non-community water system?

<p>RV Park, hotel/motel, service station</p> Signup and view all the answers

What must community water systems provide customers with annually?

<p>Consumer confidence report</p> Signup and view all the answers

When designing systems, engineers use a rule of thumb of _______ gallons per person per day when accurate data isn't available.

<p>130</p> Signup and view all the answers

TCEQ requires community water systems to have a minimum production capacity of _______ per connection at peak demand.

<p>0.6 gpm</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important treatment in water management?

<p>Disinfection</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does potable water mean?

<p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does TCEQ require notification from the operator for?

<p>Change in water source, water quality, or health hazards</p> Signup and view all the answers

What reports are public water systems in Texas required to compile and maintain?

<p>Pumps and chemical usage, date of dead-end flushing and storage tanks cleared, microbial tests and chemical tests</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the physical characteristics of water?

<p>Color</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are common gases found in water that can sometimes be detected by their distinct smells?

<p>Hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and methane</p> Signup and view all the answers

Groundwater is generally well filtered and free of turbidity, color, and organic materials. However, it may be high in what?

<p>Minerals, gases, or corrosives</p> Signup and view all the answers

Livestock and septic tanks must be no closer than ________ to a public well.

<p>50 feet</p> Signup and view all the answers

Underground fuel tanks and septic drainage fields must be at least _______ feet from a public well.

<p>150 feet</p> Signup and view all the answers

Feedlots, sewage treatment plants, and landfills must be at least ______ feet from a public well.

<p>500</p> Signup and view all the answers

Trenches for laying 6 inch and larger pipe must be at least 18 inches or ______ inches wider than the pipe diameter.

<p>12</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

TCEQ Class C Water License Exam Study Notes

  • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) enforces the Safe Drinking Water Act in Texas.
  • Water hardness is primarily caused by calcium and magnesium minerals.
  • Public water systems must ensure adequate water quantity, pressure, and disinfection at all times.
  • Groundwater sources include aquifers.
  • Fecal coliform presence in water indicates possible contamination and harmful bacteria.
  • Dysentery can spread due to inadequately disinfected water.
  • Calcium hypochlorite is a common disinfectant used for small water supplies.
  • A cross connection is a physical link between potable water and a well.
  • Chlorine demand is the amount of chlorine consumed by reactions in water.
  • Chlorine gas is characterized by a greenish-yellow color, pungent odor, and is corrosive.
  • A solution feed pump is a component of a hypochlorinator system.
  • Public supply wells must have features such as a raised concrete seal, screened vents, and a flow measuring device.
  • Water well drawdown is calculated by the difference between static and pumping water levels.
  • pH indicates the acidity or basicity of water, on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7.0 being neutral.
  • Routine distribution bacteriological sampling requires the use of sterile sample containers.
  • Sand filtration effectively removes turbidity from surface water.
  • Activated carbon purification in surface water treatment focuses on controlling taste and odor.
  • Common coagulants in surface water treatment include alum and ferric chloride.
  • Ground storage tanks need specific features like screened vents and proper maintenance protocols.
  • Elevated tanks require corrosion protection measures such as painting and cathodic protection.
  • Public water systems should maintain a minimum residual pressure of 20 psi, with normal operating pressure at 35 psi.
  • New or repaired water lines must receive a chlorine dosage of 50 mg/L for disinfection before service.
  • Aquifers are underground water-bearing formations for public water supplies.
  • The purpose of an air line on a well is to measure water levels.
  • Properly sized well screen mesh reduces the amount of sand pumped.
  • Coagulation efficiency is influenced by pH, alkalinity, temperature, and chemical dosage during surface water treatment.
  • Rapid sand filters need backwashing when the loss of head gauge reading is between 6 and 10 feet.
  • Acceptable chlorine residuals at distribution system extremes include 0.2 mg/L free chlorine and specific residuals for chloramines.
  • A circular tank with a diameter of 30 feet and depth of 15 feet holds approximately 79,300 gallons.
  • A gas chlorinator output for 750,000 gallons at 4.0 mg/L should be set at 25 pounds per day.
  • One gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds, and 1 foot of water adds 0.433 psi of pressure in a vessel.
  • Raw water intakes must be 1,000 feet from boat ramps or docks.
  • Common pumps for water wells include vertical turbine and submersible types.
  • The hydraulic cycle describes the natural flow of water exchange between the Earth and atmosphere.
  • Operators must report health hazard events in a public water system to state authorities within 24 hours.
  • Potable water is defined as safe for human consumption, free from pathogens, and with chlorine residual.
  • Excessive nitrates in drinking water can lead to "blue baby" syndrome in infants under 6 months.
  • Coagulation in surface water treatment forms larger particles from fine solids for removal in clarifiers.
  • Jar tests help determine the correct chemical dosage for surface water treatment.
  • Suspended solids in water can lead to mudballs and filter clogs.
  • Coliform bacteria serve as an indicator organism for bacteriological analysis in water systems.
  • Chlorine dosage consists of demand plus the desired residual.
  • Stand pipes are storage vessels over 20 feet but less than 80 feet tall, with constant diameter.
  • Elevated storage tanks require a minimum elevation of 80.85 feet to provide a 35 psi pressure.
  • Hydro pneumatic tanks use compressed air to exert pressure on water.
  • Under the lead and copper rule, piping and fittings must not exceed 8.0% lead.
  • DPD test utilizes an indicator that turns red in the presence of chlorine.
  • The gate valve is the most common valve used to isolate water leaks.
  • Water hammer can occur from rapid valve or hydrant operation in distribution systems.
  • Centrifugal pumps are typically employed in distribution systems.
  • 21 million gallons per day (MGD) corresponds to approximately 14,583 gallons per minute (GPM).
  • A Class D certified operator can manage a public water system serving up to 250 connections.
  • Texas operator licenses are valid for three years after issuance.
  • Operators must retest positive results for bacteriological samples by collecting additional samples.
  • Any excavation over 5 feet deep requires OSHA-approved safety measures.
  • In response to chlorine leaks, immediate assistance should be sought, with safety gear used for intervention.
  • Waterlines must be a minimum of 9 feet away from sewer lines.
  • A pressure gauge reading 72 psi indicates the water surface is 166 feet above the gauge.
  • A storage tank volume of 978 cubic feet equals approximately 7,315 gallons.
  • Calcium hypochlorite typically contains 65%-75% chlorine.
  • Operators must notify TCEQ of any significant changes in public water systems.
  • Monthly records are required for microbial and chemical tests in public water systems.
  • Physical water characteristics include taste, odor, color, turbidity, and temperature.
  • Common gases in water, like hydrogen sulfide, can smell like rotten eggs.
  • Groundwater, though filtered, may contain high levels of minerals and gases.
  • Livestock and septic tanks must be at least 50 feet from public wells.
  • Underground fuel tanks must be at least 150 feet away from public wells.
  • Feedlots, sewage treatment plants, and landfills are required to be 500 feet from public wells.
  • Trenches for large pipes must be a minimum of 18 inches wide or 12 inches wider than the pipe.
  • The TCEQ preferred method for cross-connection control is an air gap.
  • Cryptosporidium is a chlorine-resistant microorganism found in water.
  • Common water meters exclude the inverted Parshall flume.
  • Boil-water notices can result from low distribution pressure or unacceptable bacteriological samples.
  • Maximum safe chlorine withdrawal from a 150-pound cylinder is 40 lbs in 24 hours.
  • Always add acid to water, not vice versa, when diluting acids.
  • Normal atmospheric oxygen levels are 20.9%; levels below 19.5% are hazardous without breathing apparatus.
  • Chlorine addition forms hydrochloric and hypochlorous acid in water.
  • The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 is a critical federal law for the water utility industry.
  • Non-community water systems examples include RV parks and motels.
  • Community water systems must provide annual consumer confidence reports.
  • Engineers estimate 130 gallons per person per day for system design in absence of specific data.
  • TCEQ mandates community water systems have at least 0.6 gpm production capacity per connection during peak demand.
  • The primary water treatment focus is disinfection.
  • Potable water must be pathogen-free, safe for consumption, and have chlorine residual.
  • Notification to TCEQ is required for changes in water sources or quality impacting the public system.

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Prepare for the TCEQ Class C Water License exam with these flashcards covering essential topics. Learn about the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water hardness minerals, and public water system requirements. Great for those seeking to enhance their knowledge in water management and safety.

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