40 Questions
What should you do two months prior to taking the ABC certification exam?
Study every day for at least two months
Where can you find the need-to-know criteria for the ABC exam?
What is the minimum score required to pass the ABC certification exam?
70%
Why should you not make a choice based on the frequency of previous answers?
Because the next answer may be different
What should you do if you are not sure of the answer to a question?
Eliminate as many of the choices as possible
Why is it important to read every question carefully?
To avoid misleading information
What should you do if you don't know the answer to a question?
Try to eliminate as many of the choices as possible
Why is it important to pace yourself during the exam?
To ensure you complete the exam on time
What is the unit of measurement for electrical current?
Amps
What procedure is required to avoid the risk of accidental operation of related equipment while working on an electrical system?
Lockout/tagout procedures
What is the minimum permissible oxygen level required for a workspace?
19.5%
What type of valve is used to prevent water from flowing backwards through a pump?
Check valve
What type of level sensing technology does not come in contact with the flow during normal operation?
Ultrasonic
How does a variable frequency drive regulate pump flow?
By adjusting the pump's speed
What type of motor is commonly used in a wet well-only pumping station?
Squirrel cage motor
What is the term for the equipment worn to protect workers from hazards?
Personal protection equipment
What should you look for when inspecting a pump impeller?
Chips or broken tips
What type of flow monitoring device is most accurate for monitoring flow in an open channel that experiences surcharge conditions?
Parshall flume and a depth pressure sensor
What is the term for the bottom of the inside of a sewer pipe?
Invert
What is the purpose of using variable-frequency drives in pumping stations?
To match the discharge rate to the influent rate
What is the term for regular cleaning of areas in the sewer system that have frequent blockages?
Preventive maintenance
What is the classification of 1,000 ppm of hydrogen sulfide gas?
Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH)
What type of pumping station has separate chambers for the wastewater and the pumps?
Drywell pumping station
What type of structure is used to go under obstructions such as rivers and highways?
Inverted siphons
What can a CCTV camera reveal before removing roots or debris with a hydraulic cleaning nozzle?
Pipeline has corrosion or structural flaws
What is the primary goal of a Capacity, Management, Operations, and Maintenance (CMOM) program?
To improve the performance of the collection system
Which of the following is not a basic pipe material commercially available for gravity sewer construction?
Steel
What is the correct method for manhole renewal in structures that are unsound?
Cured-in-place liner
Where should materials be removed from if a public sewer main is experiencing a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO)?
Upstream manhole
What activity can be combined with predictive, scheduled, and corrective maintenance at a lift station?
Supervisory control and data acquisition
How are pumps typically categorized?
Kinetic energy pumps or negative-displacement pumps
What is the primary goal of removing roots or debris from a sewer main?
To prevent sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs)
What is another name for kinetic energy pumps?
Positive-displacement pumps
What is the term for short-lived transient pressure conditions in force mains and pressure pipes?
Water hammer
What type of current do electric motors in a sewer lift station typically use?
Alternating or direct
What is the minimum ventilation requirement in a dry well of a sewer lift station according to the Ten State Standards?
30 air changes per hour intermittently or six air changes per hour continuously
What does SCADA stand for?
Supervisory control and data acquisition
How is pump capacity typically expressed?
Gallons per minute (gpm) or million gallons per day (mgd)
What is the range of the optimum velocity in force mains?
3 and 5 ft/sec
What is the purpose of a lightning arrester?
To protect equipment from high surge voltages
Study Notes
Wastewater Collection Operator Certification Practice Exam
- To prepare for the exam, become familiar with the need-to-know criteria and study for at least two months prior to taking the exam.
Tips for Taking the Exam
- Allow plenty of time to drive to the exam site and don't forget your ID.
- Read every question carefully to determine exactly what is being asked, and eliminate choices that are not possible.
- Pace yourself, and don't spend too much time on one question.
- Remember, you don't need to score 100% on the exam to pass, and you can pass with a score of 70% or higher.
Electrical Concepts
- Electrical current is measured in amps.
- Lockout/tagout procedures are required to avoid the risk of accidental operation of related equipment while working on an electrical system.
Safety and Health
- The minimum permissible oxygen level required for a work space is 19.5%.
- Face shields, gloves, and steel-toed work shoes are known as personal protection equipment.
Pumping and Flow Control
- A variable frequency drive will regulate pump flow by adjusting the pump's speed.
- When monitoring flow in an open channel that experiences surcharge conditions, a Parshall flume and a depth pressure sensor will provide the most accurate measurements.
- Inverted siphons are used to go under obstructions such as rivers, highways, and utilities.
Valve and Pipe Systems
- The type of valve used to prevent water from flowing backwards through a pump is called a check valve.
- The bottom of the inside of a sewer pipe is called the invert.
- Regular cleaning of areas in the sewer system that have frequent blockages is called preventive maintenance.
Wastewater Treatment and Collection
- A large pumping station that has separate chambers for the wastewater and the pumps is called a drywell pumping station.
- One thousand parts per million (ppm) of hydrogen sulfide gas is classified as immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH).
- A capacity, management, operations, and maintenance (CMOM) program will improve the performance of the collection system.
Pipe Materials and Construction
- The type of pipe material commercially available for gravity sewer construction includes ductile iron, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride.
- Fiber-reinforced plastic pipe is used for manhole renewal in structures that are unsound.
Pump and Motor Operations
- Pumps are typically categorized as either kinetic energy pumps or positive-displacement pumps.
- Electric motors are designed for either alternating or direct current.
- Pump capacity is typically expressed in gallons per minute (gpm) or million gallons per day (mgd).
SCADA and Control Systems
- SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition.
- Short-lived transient pressure conditions in force mains and pressure pipes are known as water hammer.
Ventilation and Safety Requirements
- The "Ten State Standards" minimum ventilation requirement in a dry well of a sewer lift station is 30 air changes per hour intermittently or six air changes per hour continuously.
Miscellaneous
- A lightning arrester is a protective device for limiting the high surge voltages on equipment by releasing a surge current to the atmosphere.
Practice exam questions for Grades 1 & 2 wastewater collection operator certification, including tips and study advice for the ABC exam.
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