Waste Water D License Study Flashcards

Questions and Answers

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.

True

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.

False Signup and view all the answers

Examples of point-source discharges are:

Municipal, industrial, and agricultural wastewater treatment facilities. Signup and view all the answers

Protecting Texas water from contamination requires ________________ of wastewater.

<ol> <li>Collection and transportation to treatment, 2. Treatment that removes contaminants, 3. Processing and disposal.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Benefits of treating point-source and non-point source wastes are the prevention of ground and surface water pollution, and __________.

<ol> <li>Protection of human and animal health, 2. Prevention of oxygen depletion in surface water.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

The Texas Water Code establishes the following means of protecting state water: ________.

Water quality standards for streams; discharge limitations for point sources; and requiring disinfection of drinking water. Signup and view all the answers

The state sets water quality standards, called ________________, for rivers and lakes.

Stream standards Signup and view all the answers

To meet stream standards the state issues _________________ for waste discharge.

Permits Signup and view all the answers

A role of supervision and management is to set job assignments and secure permits and finances to do the job.

True Signup and view all the answers

Responsibilities of the license operator include protecting the public from waterborne disease.

False Signup and view all the answers

The Federal Water Control Act of 1972 (Clean Water Act) has a goal of eliminating pollution of the nation's water.

True Signup and view all the answers

Chapter 26 of the Texas Water Code is the law controlling water pollution.

True Signup and view all the answers

TCEQ functions include setting water quality standards, monitoring discharges, and enforcing the Clean Water Act.

True Signup and view all the answers

To become a licensed operator it is necessary to:

Pass a test administered by TCEQ. Signup and view all the answers

Personnel working at a domestic wastewater plant must be state licensed if they are:

Paid by the permit holder. Signup and view all the answers

Local governments have authority to inspect facilities and collect _____________.

User charges Signup and view all the answers

The local government may inspect and investigate water quality conditions within its jurisdiction to determine ___________________.

<ol> <li>Standards are met, 2. Discharges have permits, 3. Permits are followed, 4. All the above.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Cities with more than ________________ population must have a water pollution control program.

10000 Signup and view all the answers

Goals of TCEQ include maintaining water quality for public health, commercial use, and __________.

Wildlife preservation Signup and view all the answers

TCEQ may revoke a license if the operator ____________.

<ol> <li>Violates the permit, 2. Falsifies records, 3. Neglects their duty, 4. All the above.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

When an accidental discharge, bypass, or spill occurs, the discharger must notify TCEQ within _____________ hours.

24 Signup and view all the answers

An administrative penalty can be up to ________________ per day.

$10000 Signup and view all the answers

Penalty assessments are based upon physical effect, intentions, responsibility, and ________________.

Economic benefit accrued Signup and view all the answers

Penalties are levied for:

<ol> <li>Failure to submit reports, 2. Bypasses, 3. No discharge permit, 4. All the above.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

In each permit, TCEQ sets conditions including permit duration, strength of the discharge, monitoring requirements, point of discharge, and _________________ of the discharge.

Quality Signup and view all the answers

State laws require that self-reporting forms be completed and mailed each _________________ to TCEQ.

Month Signup and view all the answers

The authorized agent or ________________ must sign the report.

designated official Signup and view all the answers

Required records, such as flow and effluent quality must be kept at least ________________ years.

3 Signup and view all the answers

Because wastewater is mostly water, it weighs 8.34 lbs./gal.

True Signup and view all the answers

Labs report many characteristics of wastewater as milliliters per liter (ml/L).

True Signup and view all the answers

Wastewater characteristics are divided into three primary groups: bacteriological, physical, and chemical.

False Signup and view all the answers

Bacteria are seen with a telescope and are present in soil, water, air, decaying organic matter, and the intestinal tract of humans and animals.

False Signup and view all the answers

Some bacteria cause disease and are called pathogens.

True Signup and view all the answers

One way to classify bacteria is by oxygen use: aerobic, facultative, and anaerobic.

True Signup and view all the answers

Aerobic bacteria require dissolved, uncombined (free) nitrogen.

False Signup and view all the answers

Anaerobic bacteria cannot live when chemically combined oxygen is present.

True Signup and view all the answers

Facultative bacteria live with free oxygen or chemically combined oxygen.

True Signup and view all the answers

Fresh domestic wastewater contains dissolved oxygen.

True Signup and view all the answers

Septic wastewater is dark, has agreeable odor, and contains dissolved oxygen.

False Signup and view all the answers

Septic wastewater contains fragrant gases produced by bacteria.

False Signup and view all the answers

Some chemical characteristics of wastewater include solid, grease, DO, pH, and gases.

True Signup and view all the answers

Solids include total, suspended, dissolved, settable, inorganic, organic, and soft and hard solids.

False Signup and view all the answers

Suspended solids can be filtered out and dissolved solids pass through a filter.

True Signup and view all the answers

Settleable solids are dissolved solids of sufficient weight to settle when left standing for a time.

True Signup and view all the answers

Inorganic material, suspended or dissolved, is sand, grit, and minerals.

True Signup and view all the answers

Two other classifications of solids are inorganic (ash) and organic (volatile).

True Signup and view all the answers

The ash (fixed solids) left after burning consists of inorganic solids.

True Signup and view all the answers

Organic solids are volatile, combustible solids found by burning the residue from the total solid test or the filter from the TSS test.

True Signup and view all the answers

Examples of organic materials are sugar, butter, leather, paper, and iron.

False Signup and view all the answers

The three primary organics are _______________, proteins, and grease.

Carbohydrates Signup and view all the answers

_____________________ in raw wastewater comes from the water supply.

Dissolved oxygen Signup and view all the answers

When dissolved oxygen is present, it indicates the wastewater is:

Fresh Signup and view all the answers

As the water temperature rises, the DO saturation level will:

Decrease (inverse effect) Signup and view all the answers

The dissolved oxygen test must be performed as soon as a sample is taken because oxygen levels can ______________ change.

Quickly Signup and view all the answers

The ________________ test measures the oxygen depleting effect of the wastewater upon the receiving stream.

BOD Signup and view all the answers

The BOD test indicates wastewater:

Strength Signup and view all the answers

The BOD test measures oxygen consumed as organics are oxidized by biological and chemical action during incubation for _ days at _ Celsius.

5/20 Signup and view all the answers

Each person contributes about _________________ Ibs of BOD daily.

0.17 Signup and view all the answers

The pH scale ranges from to ____ with 7 being neutral.

0/14 Signup and view all the answers

_ water has a pH below 7.0 while _ water has a pH above 7.0.

Acidic / basic Signup and view all the answers

Dangerous gases produced during the breakdown of organics in wastewater are hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and ___________________.

Methane Signup and view all the answers

The __________________ decomposition of organic matter produces methane which is colorless.

Anaerobic Signup and view all the answers

Hydrogen sulfide has a ___________________ odor, is combustible in air, and is very toxic.

Rotten egg Signup and view all the answers

_____________________ is odorless, colorless, heavier than air, and not combustible.

Carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

Grid sampling results depend on _________________ .

<ol> <li>Ensuring the sample represents the waste stream, 2. Using proper sampling technique, 3. Preserving the sample until analyzed, 4. All listed.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Select a point where ______________________ is thorough and the wastewater quality is uniform.

Mixing Signup and view all the answers

A ______________________ sample is collected at any point, at any time.

Grab Signup and view all the answers

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:

Timed grab Signup and view all the answers

Domestic waste is uniform in content.

False Signup and view all the answers

Some waste cannot be treated in a domestic wastewater treatment plant because the waste would harm the biological process or contaminate the waste sludge.

True Signup and view all the answers

Sources of wastewater include domestic, I & I, food processing, agricultural operations, and industrial operations.

True Signup and view all the answers

By weight, domestic wastewater is about 99.9% water and 1% solids.

False Signup and view all the answers

Flows from domestic sources average about 100 gallons/day per person.

True Signup and view all the answers

I & I floods the collection system, creating flow 5-10 times higher than the daily average.

True Signup and view all the answers

I & I results in bypassing, plant washout, poor treatment, and permit violations.

True Signup and view all the answers

I & I is easy and inexpensive to correct.

False Signup and view all the answers

Food processing discharges large amounts of ________________ material into the wastewater system.

Organic Signup and view all the answers

Pesticides and herbicides used by the agricultural industry can be ________________________ to the treatment plant biological system.

True Signup and view all the answers

Some industries that may contribute a shock load to the treatment plant are refineries, paper mills, and ______________________.

Metal platers Signup and view all the answers

EPA requires some industries to pretreat waste before discharge to a ________________________.

POTW (Publicly Owned Treatment Works) Signup and view all the answers

The most important problem prevented by monitoring or restricting industrial waste is ___________________.

Worker exposure Signup and view all the answers

Federal regulations require cities to have an industrial waste control program when ____________.

Flow exceeds 5 mgd and industrial waste is regulated by federal standards. Signup and view all the answers

________________ results in the rapid die-off of treatment organisms.

Acute toxicity Signup and view all the answers

While the TCEQ does not have specific pretreatment standards, _______________ provides specific pretreatment standards.

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Signup and view all the answers

Restricted discharges include those that ________________________.

<ol> <li>Create a fire or explosion hazard, 2. Create toxic conditions, 3. Cause shock loads, 4. All the above.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Some pretreatment processes include ________________.

<ol> <li>Spill control, 2. Metal removal, 3. pH control, 4. All the above.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

The purpose of the collection system is to collect and transport waste to the point of treatment.

True Signup and view all the answers

The most important benefit of a collection system is comfort and convenience.

False Signup and view all the answers

Parts of a collection system include wastewater lines, wastewater crossings, inverted siphons, clean outs, manholes, and lift stations.

True Signup and view all the answers

If gasoline or solvent odors are detected in a manhole, the operator should bolt and gasket the cover.

False Signup and view all the answers

Safety rules for manholes include checking for gases and sufficient oxygen, wearing a lifeline, and having two workers assisting at the surface.

True Signup and view all the answers

Clay and PVC are the most common pipe materials.

True Signup and view all the answers

Pipe materials used in collection system construction include polyvinyl chloride, clay, concrete, and iron.

True Signup and view all the answers

Grade (or slope) and flow velocity are important to wastewater pipe installation.

True Signup and view all the answers

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.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

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.

Waste Water D License Study Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Water resources in Texas includes lakes, rivers, bays, estuaries, wetlands, ground water, and storm.

Water pollutants include organic and inorganic material, heat, and radiation.

In Texas, clean water is needed to provide for human consumption and recreation.

Two sources of water contamination are discharges and non-point source discharges.

Examples of point-source discharges are:

Protecting Texas water from contamination requires ________________ of wastewater.

Benefits of treating point-source and non-point source wastes are the prevention of ground and surface water pollution, and __________.

The Texas Water Code establishes the following means of protecting state water: ________.

The state sets water quality standards, called ________________, for rivers and lakes.

To meet stream standards the state issues _________________ for waste discharge.

A role of supervision and management is to set job assignments and secure permits and finances to do the job.

Responsibilities of the license operator include protecting the public from waterborne disease.

The Federal Water Control Act of 1972 (Clean Water Act) has a goal of eliminating pollution of the nation's water.

Chapter 26 of the Texas Water Code is the law controlling water pollution.

TCEQ functions include setting water quality standards, monitoring discharges, and enforcing the Clean Water Act.

To become a licensed operator it is necessary to:

Personnel working at a domestic wastewater plant must be state licensed if they are:

Local governments have authority to inspect facilities and collect _____________.

The local government may inspect and investigate water quality conditions within its jurisdiction to determine ___________________.

Cities with more than ________________ population must have a water pollution control program.

Goals of TCEQ include maintaining water quality for public health, commercial use, and __________.

TCEQ may revoke a license if the operator ____________.

When an accidental discharge, bypass, or spill occurs, the discharger must notify TCEQ within _____________ hours.

An administrative penalty can be up to ________________ per day.

Penalty assessments are based upon physical effect, intentions, responsibility, and ________________.

Penalties are levied for:

In each permit, TCEQ sets conditions including permit duration, strength of the discharge, monitoring requirements, point of discharge, and _________________ of the discharge.

State laws require that self-reporting forms be completed and mailed each _________________ to TCEQ.

The authorized agent or ________________ must sign the report.

Required records, such as flow and effluent quality must be kept at least ________________ years.

Because wastewater is mostly water, it weighs 8.34 lbs./gal.

Labs report many characteristics of wastewater as milliliters per liter (ml/L).

Wastewater characteristics are divided into three primary groups: bacteriological, physical, and chemical.

Bacteria are seen with a telescope and are present in soil, water, air, decaying organic matter, and the intestinal tract of humans and animals.

Some bacteria cause disease and are called pathogens.

One way to classify bacteria is by oxygen use: aerobic, facultative, and anaerobic.

Aerobic bacteria require dissolved, uncombined (free) nitrogen.

Anaerobic bacteria cannot live when chemically combined oxygen is present.

Facultative bacteria live with free oxygen or chemically combined oxygen.

Fresh domestic wastewater contains dissolved oxygen.

Septic wastewater is dark, has agreeable odor, and contains dissolved oxygen.

Septic wastewater contains fragrant gases produced by bacteria.

Some chemical characteristics of wastewater include solid, grease, DO, pH, and gases.

Solids include total, suspended, dissolved, settable, inorganic, organic, and soft and hard solids.

Suspended solids can be filtered out and dissolved solids pass through a filter.

Settleable solids are dissolved solids of sufficient weight to settle when left standing for a time.

Inorganic material, suspended or dissolved, is sand, grit, and minerals.

Two other classifications of solids are inorganic (ash) and organic (volatile).

The ash (fixed solids) left after burning consists of inorganic solids.

Organic solids are volatile, combustible solids found by burning the residue from the total solid test or the filter from the TSS test.

Examples of organic materials are sugar, butter, leather, paper, and iron.

The three primary organics are _______________, proteins, and grease.

_____________________ in raw wastewater comes from the water supply.

When dissolved oxygen is present, it indicates the wastewater is:

As the water temperature rises, the DO saturation level will:

The dissolved oxygen test must be performed as soon as a sample is taken because oxygen levels can ______________ change.

The ________________ test measures the oxygen depleting effect of the wastewater upon the receiving stream.

The BOD test indicates wastewater:

The BOD test measures oxygen consumed as organics are oxidized by biological and chemical action during incubation for _________________ days at _________________ Celsius.

Each person contributes about _________________ Ibs of BOD daily.

The pH scale ranges from ________________ to ____________________ with 7 being neutral.

___________________ water has a pH below 7.0 while ___________________ water has a pH above 7.0.

Dangerous gases produced during the breakdown of organics in wastewater are hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and ___________________.

The __________________ decomposition of organic matter produces methane which is colorless.

Hydrogen sulfide has a ___________________ odor, is combustible in air, and is very toxic.

_____________________ is odorless, colorless, heavier than air, and not combustible.

Grid sampling results depend on _________________ .

Select a point where ______________________ is thorough and the wastewater quality is uniform.

A ______________________ sample is collected at any point, at any time.

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:

Domestic waste is uniform in content.

Some waste cannot be treated in a domestic wastewater treatment plant because the waste would harm the biological process or contaminate the waste sludge.

Sources of wastewater include domestic, I & I, food processing, agricultural operations, and industrial operations.

By weight, domestic wastewater is about 99.9% water and 1% solids.

Flows from domestic sources average about 100 gallons/day per person.

I & I floods the collection system, creating flow 5-10 times higher than the daily average.

I & I results in bypassing, plant washout, poor treatment, and permit violations.

I & I is easy and inexpensive to correct.

The BOD test measures oxygen consumed as organics are oxidized by biological and chemical action during incubation for _ days at _ Celsius.

The pH scale ranges from to ____ with 7 being neutral.

_ water has a pH below 7.0 while _ water has a pH above 7.0.