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Questions and Answers
Water resources in Texas includes lakes, rivers, bays, estuaries, wetlands, ground water, and storm.
Water resources in Texas includes lakes, rivers, bays, estuaries, wetlands, ground water, and storm.
False
Water pollutants include organic and inorganic material, heat, and radiation.
Water pollutants include organic and inorganic material, heat, and radiation.
True
In Texas, clean water is needed to provide for human consumption and recreation.
In Texas, clean water is needed to provide for human consumption and recreation.
False
Two sources of water contamination are discharges and non-point source discharges.
Two sources of water contamination are discharges and non-point source discharges.
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Examples of point-source discharges are:
Examples of point-source discharges are:
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Protecting Texas water from contamination requires ________________ of wastewater.
Protecting Texas water from contamination requires ________________ of wastewater.
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Benefits of treating point-source and non-point source wastes are the prevention of ground and surface water pollution, and __________.
Benefits of treating point-source and non-point source wastes are the prevention of ground and surface water pollution, and __________.
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The Texas Water Code establishes the following means of protecting state water: ________.
The Texas Water Code establishes the following means of protecting state water: ________.
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The state sets water quality standards, called ________________, for rivers and lakes.
The state sets water quality standards, called ________________, for rivers and lakes.
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To meet stream standards the state issues _________________ for waste discharge.
To meet stream standards the state issues _________________ for waste discharge.
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A role of supervision and management is to set job assignments and secure permits and finances to do the job.
A role of supervision and management is to set job assignments and secure permits and finances to do the job.
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Responsibilities of the license operator include protecting the public from waterborne disease.
Responsibilities of the license operator include protecting the public from waterborne disease.
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The Federal Water Control Act of 1972 (Clean Water Act) has a goal of eliminating pollution of the nation's water.
The Federal Water Control Act of 1972 (Clean Water Act) has a goal of eliminating pollution of the nation's water.
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Chapter 26 of the Texas Water Code is the law controlling water pollution.
Chapter 26 of the Texas Water Code is the law controlling water pollution.
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TCEQ functions include setting water quality standards, monitoring discharges, and enforcing the Clean Water Act.
TCEQ functions include setting water quality standards, monitoring discharges, and enforcing the Clean Water Act.
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To become a licensed operator it is necessary to:
To become a licensed operator it is necessary to:
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Personnel working at a domestic wastewater plant must be state licensed if they are:
Personnel working at a domestic wastewater plant must be state licensed if they are:
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Local governments have authority to inspect facilities and collect _____________.
Local governments have authority to inspect facilities and collect _____________.
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The local government may inspect and investigate water quality conditions within its jurisdiction to determine ___________________.
The local government may inspect and investigate water quality conditions within its jurisdiction to determine ___________________.
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Cities with more than ________________ population must have a water pollution control program.
Cities with more than ________________ population must have a water pollution control program.
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Goals of TCEQ include maintaining water quality for public health, commercial use, and __________.
Goals of TCEQ include maintaining water quality for public health, commercial use, and __________.
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TCEQ may revoke a license if the operator ____________.
TCEQ may revoke a license if the operator ____________.
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When an accidental discharge, bypass, or spill occurs, the discharger must notify TCEQ within _____________ hours.
When an accidental discharge, bypass, or spill occurs, the discharger must notify TCEQ within _____________ hours.
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An administrative penalty can be up to ________________ per day.
An administrative penalty can be up to ________________ per day.
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Penalty assessments are based upon physical effect, intentions, responsibility, and ________________.
Penalty assessments are based upon physical effect, intentions, responsibility, and ________________.
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Penalties are levied for:
Penalties are levied for:
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In each permit, TCEQ sets conditions including permit duration, strength of the discharge, monitoring requirements, point of discharge, and _________________ of the discharge.
In each permit, TCEQ sets conditions including permit duration, strength of the discharge, monitoring requirements, point of discharge, and _________________ of the discharge.
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State laws require that self-reporting forms be completed and mailed each _________________ to TCEQ.
State laws require that self-reporting forms be completed and mailed each _________________ to TCEQ.
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The authorized agent or ________________ must sign the report.
The authorized agent or ________________ must sign the report.
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Required records, such as flow and effluent quality must be kept at least ________________ years.
Required records, such as flow and effluent quality must be kept at least ________________ years.
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Because wastewater is mostly water, it weighs 8.34 lbs./gal.
Because wastewater is mostly water, it weighs 8.34 lbs./gal.
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Labs report many characteristics of wastewater as milliliters per liter (ml/L).
Labs report many characteristics of wastewater as milliliters per liter (ml/L).
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Wastewater characteristics are divided into three primary groups: bacteriological, physical, and chemical.
Wastewater characteristics are divided into three primary groups: bacteriological, physical, and chemical.
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Bacteria are seen with a telescope and are present in soil, water, air, decaying organic matter, and the intestinal tract of humans and animals.
Bacteria are seen with a telescope and are present in soil, water, air, decaying organic matter, and the intestinal tract of humans and animals.
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Some bacteria cause disease and are called pathogens.
Some bacteria cause disease and are called pathogens.
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One way to classify bacteria is by oxygen use: aerobic, facultative, and anaerobic.
One way to classify bacteria is by oxygen use: aerobic, facultative, and anaerobic.
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Aerobic bacteria require dissolved, uncombined (free) nitrogen.
Aerobic bacteria require dissolved, uncombined (free) nitrogen.
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Anaerobic bacteria cannot live when chemically combined oxygen is present.
Anaerobic bacteria cannot live when chemically combined oxygen is present.
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Facultative bacteria live with free oxygen or chemically combined oxygen.
Facultative bacteria live with free oxygen or chemically combined oxygen.
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Fresh domestic wastewater contains dissolved oxygen.
Fresh domestic wastewater contains dissolved oxygen.
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Septic wastewater is dark, has agreeable odor, and contains dissolved oxygen.
Septic wastewater is dark, has agreeable odor, and contains dissolved oxygen.
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Septic wastewater contains fragrant gases produced by bacteria.
Septic wastewater contains fragrant gases produced by bacteria.
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Some chemical characteristics of wastewater include solid, grease, DO, pH, and gases.
Some chemical characteristics of wastewater include solid, grease, DO, pH, and gases.
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Solids include total, suspended, dissolved, settable, inorganic, organic, and soft and hard solids.
Solids include total, suspended, dissolved, settable, inorganic, organic, and soft and hard solids.
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Suspended solids can be filtered out and dissolved solids pass through a filter.
Suspended solids can be filtered out and dissolved solids pass through a filter.
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Settleable solids are dissolved solids of sufficient weight to settle when left standing for a time.
Settleable solids are dissolved solids of sufficient weight to settle when left standing for a time.
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Inorganic material, suspended or dissolved, is sand, grit, and minerals.
Inorganic material, suspended or dissolved, is sand, grit, and minerals.
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Two other classifications of solids are inorganic (ash) and organic (volatile).
Two other classifications of solids are inorganic (ash) and organic (volatile).
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The ash (fixed solids) left after burning consists of inorganic solids.
The ash (fixed solids) left after burning consists of inorganic solids.
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Organic solids are volatile, combustible solids found by burning the residue from the total solid test or the filter from the TSS test.
Organic solids are volatile, combustible solids found by burning the residue from the total solid test or the filter from the TSS test.
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Examples of organic materials are sugar, butter, leather, paper, and iron.
Examples of organic materials are sugar, butter, leather, paper, and iron.
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The three primary organics are _______________, proteins, and grease.
The three primary organics are _______________, proteins, and grease.
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_____________________ in raw wastewater comes from the water supply.
_____________________ in raw wastewater comes from the water supply.
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When dissolved oxygen is present, it indicates the wastewater is:
When dissolved oxygen is present, it indicates the wastewater is:
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As the water temperature rises, the DO saturation level will:
As the water temperature rises, the DO saturation level will:
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The dissolved oxygen test must be performed as soon as a sample is taken because oxygen levels can ______________ change.
The dissolved oxygen test must be performed as soon as a sample is taken because oxygen levels can ______________ change.
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The ________________ test measures the oxygen depleting effect of the wastewater upon the receiving stream.
The ________________ test measures the oxygen depleting effect of the wastewater upon the receiving stream.
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The BOD test indicates wastewater:
The BOD test indicates wastewater:
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The BOD test measures oxygen consumed as organics are oxidized by biological and chemical action during incubation for _________________ days at _________________ Celsius.
The BOD test measures oxygen consumed as organics are oxidized by biological and chemical action during incubation for _________________ days at _________________ Celsius.
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Each person contributes about _________________ Ibs of BOD daily.
Each person contributes about _________________ Ibs of BOD daily.
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The pH scale ranges from ________________ to ____________________ with 7 being neutral.
The pH scale ranges from ________________ to ____________________ with 7 being neutral.
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___________________ water has a pH below 7.0 while ___________________ water has a pH above 7.0.
___________________ water has a pH below 7.0 while ___________________ water has a pH above 7.0.
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Dangerous gases produced during the breakdown of organics in wastewater are hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and ___________________.
Dangerous gases produced during the breakdown of organics in wastewater are hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and ___________________.
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The __________________ decomposition of organic matter produces methane which is colorless.
The __________________ decomposition of organic matter produces methane which is colorless.
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Hydrogen sulfide has a ___________________ odor, is combustible in air, and is very toxic.
Hydrogen sulfide has a ___________________ odor, is combustible in air, and is very toxic.
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_____________________ is odorless, colorless, heavier than air, and not combustible.
_____________________ is odorless, colorless, heavier than air, and not combustible.
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Grid sampling results depend on _________________ .
Grid sampling results depend on _________________ .
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Select a point where ______________________ is thorough and the wastewater quality is uniform.
Select a point where ______________________ is thorough and the wastewater quality is uniform.
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A ______________________ sample is collected at any point, at any time.
A ______________________ sample is collected at any point, at any time.
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When a sample of a plant unit influential is collected at any time and a sample if the effluent is collected corresponding to the units detention time, the sample is a:
When a sample of a plant unit influential is collected at any time and a sample if the effluent is collected corresponding to the units detention time, the sample is a:
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Domestic waste is uniform in content.
Domestic waste is uniform in content.
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Some waste cannot be treated in a domestic wastewater treatment plant because the waste would harm the biological process or contaminate the waste sludge.
Some waste cannot be treated in a domestic wastewater treatment plant because the waste would harm the biological process or contaminate the waste sludge.
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Sources of wastewater include domestic, I & I, food processing, agricultural operations, and industrial operations.
Sources of wastewater include domestic, I & I, food processing, agricultural operations, and industrial operations.
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By weight, domestic wastewater is about 99.9% water and 1% solids.
By weight, domestic wastewater is about 99.9% water and 1% solids.
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Flows from domestic sources average about 100 gallons/day per person.
Flows from domestic sources average about 100 gallons/day per person.
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I & I floods the collection system, creating flow 5-10 times higher than the daily average.
I & I floods the collection system, creating flow 5-10 times higher than the daily average.
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I & I results in bypassing, plant washout, poor treatment, and permit violations.
I & I results in bypassing, plant washout, poor treatment, and permit violations.
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I & I is easy and inexpensive to correct.
I & I is easy and inexpensive to correct.
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Food processing discharges large amounts of ________________ material into the wastewater system.
Food processing discharges large amounts of ________________ material into the wastewater system.
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Pesticides and herbicides used by the agricultural industry can be ________________________ to the treatment plant biological system.
Pesticides and herbicides used by the agricultural industry can be ________________________ to the treatment plant biological system.
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Some industries that may contribute a shock load to the treatment plant are refineries, paper mills, and ______________________.
Some industries that may contribute a shock load to the treatment plant are refineries, paper mills, and ______________________.
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EPA requires some industries to pretreat waste before discharge to a ________________________.
EPA requires some industries to pretreat waste before discharge to a ________________________.
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The most important problem prevented by monitoring or restricting industrial waste is ___________________.
The most important problem prevented by monitoring or restricting industrial waste is ___________________.
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Federal regulations require cities to have an industrial waste control program when ____________.
Federal regulations require cities to have an industrial waste control program when ____________.
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________________ results in the rapid die-off of treatment organisms.
________________ results in the rapid die-off of treatment organisms.
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While the TCEQ does not have specific pretreatment standards, _______________ provides specific pretreatment standards.
While the TCEQ does not have specific pretreatment standards, _______________ provides specific pretreatment standards.
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Restricted discharges include those that ________________________.
Restricted discharges include those that ________________________.
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Some pretreatment processes include ________________.
Some pretreatment processes include ________________.
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The purpose of the collection system is to collect and transport waste to the point of treatment.
The purpose of the collection system is to collect and transport waste to the point of treatment.
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The most important benefit of a collection system is comfort and convenience.
The most important benefit of a collection system is comfort and convenience.
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Parts of a collection system include wastewater lines, wastewater crossings, inverted siphons, clean outs, manholes, and lift stations.
Parts of a collection system include wastewater lines, wastewater crossings, inverted siphons, clean outs, manholes, and lift stations.
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If gasoline or solvent odors are detected in a manhole, the operator should bolt and gasket the cover.
If gasoline or solvent odors are detected in a manhole, the operator should bolt and gasket the cover.
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Safety rules for manholes include checking for gases and sufficient oxygen, wearing a lifeline, and having two workers assisting at the surface.
Safety rules for manholes include checking for gases and sufficient oxygen, wearing a lifeline, and having two workers assisting at the surface.
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Clay and PVC are the most common pipe materials.
Clay and PVC are the most common pipe materials.
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Pipe materials used in collection system construction include polyvinyl chloride, clay, concrete, and iron.
Pipe materials used in collection system construction include polyvinyl chloride, clay, concrete, and iron.
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Grade (or slope) and flow velocity are important to wastewater pipe installation.
Grade (or slope) and flow velocity are important to wastewater pipe installation.
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Study Notes
Water Resources in Texas
- Water resources encompass lakes, rivers, bays, estuaries, wetlands, groundwater, and stormwater.
- Clean water is vital for human consumption, recreation, aquatic habitats, groundwater recharge, and industry.
Water Pollution
- Water pollutants consist of organic/inorganic materials, heat, and radiation.
- Sources of water contamination include discharges (e.g., wastewater treatment facilities) and non-point source discharges.
Water Treatment Standards and Regulations
- The Texas Water Code mandates water quality standards for streams, discharge limitations for point sources, and requirements for disinfecting drinking water.
- TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) oversees water quality standards, discharge monitoring, and enforcement of the Clean Water Act.
Licensing and Responsibilities
- A licensed operator must pass a TCEQ-administered test, maintain their license, and uphold public safety and environmental protection.
- Local governments have the authority to inspect facilities, enforce pollution control laws, set discharge rules, and collect user charges.
Discharge Control
- Cities over a population of 10,000 must implement a water pollution control program to manage discharges.
- TCEQ enforces penalties for violations, including failure to submit reports and bypassing discharge regulations.
Wastewater Characteristics
- Domestic wastewater consists mostly of water (99.9%) and a small percentage of solids (0.1%).
- Wastewater properties include dissolved oxygen (DO), pH levels, and presence of dangerous gases like hydrogen sulfide and methane.
Sampling and Analysis
- Proper sampling is crucial for accurate wastewater analysis; continuous monitoring and preserving samples are essential to represent the waste stream.
- Grab samples and timed grab samples are used for wastewater testing.
Industrial Waste Management
- Industries are subject to federal pretreatment standards, especially when discharging to Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs).
- Monitoring of industrial waste prevents issues such as toxicity and shock loading that can degrade the treatment process.
Collection Systems
- Collection systems are essential for transporting wastewater to treatment facilities, ensuring efficient waste management.
- Materials commonly used in construction of collection systems include PVC, clay, concrete, and iron, with proper grade and flow velocity being pivotal for effective operation.
Safety Precautions
- Safety protocols for manhole entry require checking for gases, wearing life support gear, and having assistance on the surface.
- The detection of hazardous odors in manholes necessitates immediate reporting to supervisors and emergency personnel.
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Description
Prepare for your Waste Water D license with these flashcards focused on water resources and pollutants in Texas. This study aid covers essential definitions and concepts necessary for the exam. Test your knowledge and ensure a strong understanding of clean water needs and regulations.
