American Water Works Water Treatment Plant Operator (WTPO) Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• What is the term for a public water system serving at least 15 service connections or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents?
• 1 cubic foot of water weighs approximately how many pounds?
• Which chemical formula represents hydrogen chloride?
• Which term describes the natural cycle of movement of water through the earth's systems?
• Manufacturers of pumps normally supply how many pump curves?
• What is the term for a chlorination system that feeds chlorine gas mixed with an auxiliary water supply and solution into sewage?
• What are the three fundamental states of matter?
• Which compound is commonly known as table salt?
• What is the purpose of screens in a well?
• Which chemical is used for measuring residual chlorine?
• Which term describes the process of water seeping into the ground and replenishing groundwater?
• Which of the following represents a common surface water source for municipal supply?
• What term refers to any source or treated water entering the pipe network that provides drinking water to the public?
• Which of the following is a valid method to determine backwash timing for a rapid sand filter?
• Which filtration method uses a granular media filter with periodic backwashing and is widely used in municipal water treatment?
• Sodium Fluosilicate is represented by which chemical formula?
• Which source is an important surface water source mentioned in the material?
• Dechlorination is performed primarily to reduce what effect when effluent is discharged into the environment?
• In a rapid sand filtration system, which component receives the filtrate after the water passes through the filter media?
• The depth of the sand layer is commonly measured in which unit?
• Which chemical is commonly used with lime softening?
• Which test is used to determine the proper dosage of coagulant?
• In rapid sand filtration, which component delivers unfiltered water to the filter basin?
• Which requirement regarding space around chlorinators is listed?
• The point where the demand for chlorine has been fully satisfied in terms of chlorine addition to the water.
• Which device measures flow by causing a pressure drop across a constriction in a pipe?
• Which treating process is described as lime - lime soda softening?
• One gallon of water weighs how many pounds?
• During backwashing, which signal indicates the wash is complete?
• Which term describes a natural underground layer that stores groundwater and transmits it to wells?
• Means of controlling erosion is by which practice?
• Auxiliary Source is described as water that is not drinking water. Which option best completes this statement?
• The measure of how acidic or basic a solution is; the scale ranges from below 0 to above 14; a pH above 7 is basic.
• Which chemical characteristic helps determine how a substance dissolved in water will interact with and affect its environment?
• What device is used to apply dry chlorine gas to sewage when water under pressure is not available?
• Minimum treatment for a public water supply shall be approved by which entity?
• The basic objective in this method is to demonstrate the presence or absence of bacteria that ferment the sugar lactose added to a nutrient liquid medium and produce gas within a specified period of 48 hours. Which method is described?
• Which of the following describes the role of chlorine in prechlorination?
• What term describes a material's capability to damage or destroy other substances on contact via a chemical reaction?
• What is the typical depth of the sand layer in a rapid sand filter?
• What device controls the rate of flow of a fluid?
• Water that is suitable for drinking is called
• Erosion in the drainage area results in silts deposits in the reservoir. Which term best describes this process?
• What action should be taken if a contaminant exceeds state standards?
• What is the common name for the compound with formula NaHCO3?
• What is the piece of equipment used to feed liquid chlorine solution, consisting of a solution tank and a positive displacement pump?
• Turbidity is a measure of which water quality characteristic?
• Which of the following is NOT one of the four basic processes for removing iron or manganese?
• Which objective best describes water treatment goals?
• Who may grant a variance from standard treatment technique requirements?
• Which term describes a chemical substance that neutralizes alkalis, dissolves some metals, and turns litmus red?
• Alkalinity of a water sample indicates its concentration of which species?
• Water that returns to streams, lakes, and oceans via precipitation, runoff, and surface water is described by which phrase?
• When deep wells are needed, they are usually constructed by which method?
• One cubic foot of water weighs how many pounds?
• The maximum rate at which water can be withdrawn from a watershed continuously over a long period of time is called what?
• A process that requires oxygen in its environment is described as which?
• The person in charge of operating a public water system shall be?
• What is the chemical formula for baking soda?
• Which is a valid backwash timing indicator for a rapid sand filter?
• Which process removes chlorine from effluent before discharge or irrigation?
• In a Venturi meter, which physical quantity is used to determine flow rate?
• Which method generates chlorine on-site at the point of use, often for specialized applications?
• Crenothrix is best described as which of the following?
• Into which hazard groups are accidents commonly categorized?
• A transformer is used to
• In aeration technology, which category is described as including trays, patented types, combinations, and cascade sprays?
• Which stage is headworks where prechlorination is often added?
• Which chemical is listed as a coagulation aid?
• Which phenomenon is a recognized cause of mud accumulation in a rapid sand filter?
• What is the chemical formula for calcium oxide?
• Chlorinators should be installed in which room?
• The area where harmful substances such as chemicals are present in a water body is called which zone?
• What term describes subterranean, porous, water-holding rocks that provide wells with steady flow of water?
• Which facility condition is recommended for chlorinator rooms?
• Ground water supplies usually require what level of treatment compared to surface water supplies?
• The measurement 5 pCi/L for combined radium represents which of the following?
• A compound that produces hydroxide ions in solution is what type of substance?
• Negative head pressure in a filtration system typically indicates?
• Which term refers to blue-green algae?
• In the context of chlorination byproducts, which term describes chlorine reacting with ammonia to form a byproduct?
• Which of the following describes the 3 ways of applying fluoride?
• What temperature condition should the chlorinator room maintain?
• What is turnover in a reservoir?
• Which term describes underground formations capable of storing and transmitting groundwater?
• When a contaminant's level exceeds state standards, which action is required for public health protection?
• What term best describes solids in water that can be removed by filtration and drying?
• For a city of 15,000 people, the water supplier must take distribution point samples at a frequency of how many?
• What term defines the degree of purity of water by measuring substances in the water besides water molecules?
• Which of the following correctly lists the forms of applying fluoride?
• What is the legal threshold limit on the amount of a substance that is allowed in a public water system?
• Which device is commonly used to prevent backflow and cross-connection in a potable water system?
• Which chemical is very corrosive and should be stored in glass, plastic, or rubber lined containers?
• Which type of bacteria occurs naturally in the intestines and indicates the presence of fecal contamination in water?
• Which are important sources of surface water supplies?
• Groundwater will usually contain more which of the following?
• Cyanophyceae are commonly referred to as which group of algae?
• A 20' x 15' filter, water level dropped 12 inches in 3 minutes; what is the rate of filtration in gallons per minute per square foot?
• What consequence can occur if rapid sand filters are not properly washed during backwash?
• A filter is always equipped with some sort of which system?
• What is the desired fluoride concentration in fluoridated water supplies in NYS?
• What term describes subterranean, porous, water-holding rocks that provide millions of wells with steady flows of water?
• Which of the following is one of the four basic processes for removing iron or manganese?
• What is the base unit of electric current in the SI system?
• A water line or pipe connected to a distribution supply for conveying water to a system is called what?
• A weir is used to measure which characteristic of open-channel flow?
• Which of the following statements about prechlorination is true?
• In the context of groundwater, what is the description of a shallow well?
• What type of well draws water from an unconfined aquifer by gravity?
• NH3 is a small, very toxic molecule produced by nitrogen fixation or protein metabolism. What is its common name?
• Depositing ferric hydroxide on the inside of pipes will result in which condition?
• What occurs when a water-bearing stratum reaches the surface of the ground?
• What is the natural source of water formed when water from an aquifer percolates up to the ground surface?
• Two major types of water hardness?
• When a water supply can't use a specified treatment technique, a what can be granted?
• Two major types of water hardness?
• What is the unit of electrical resistance?
• The study of living things is called
• What describes turnover in a reservoir?
• Parshall Flumes are used to measure what?
• What does MCL stand for in drinking water regulations?
• Deficient amount of oxygen is referred to as what?
• Which component lines and protects a well from collapse and contamination?
• Which cycle includes processes such as nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification?
• Control of erosion can reduce the amount of what material the treatment plant must remove?
• Backwash frequency is typically determined by which factor?
• The term used for water that has a high concentration of particulate iron due to corrosion products is:
• Which term describes the amount of chlorine consumed by water that does not appear as residual?
• Which item is identified as a type of aerator in the material?
• What are the two most common types of shallow wells?
• Which three devices are most commonly used for measuring flowing water?
• Spirilla are best described as which morphological form?
• Aquifers are defined as what?
• Which practice helps reduce sediment load that the treatment plant must remove?
• The simplest circuit is called what?
• Which type of well is typically shallow and varies in diameter from a few feet to many feet?
• Substances that have distinctly different colors in acidic and basic media are called what?
• A technique used to control corrosion by making the metal surface the cathode of an electrochemical cell is called?
• When a water supply cannot use a specified treatment technique, what may be granted?
• Friction head is generally assumed to be what percent of the static head?
• Manganese MCL refers to the maximum contaminant level for which element?
• Which chemical is used as the reagent to measure residual chlorine in water samples?
• Which natural process moves water from the atmosphere to the Earth’s surface?
• Which parameter measures the cloudiness of water due to suspended solids?
• Which term is the correctly spelled name for the process of cleaning a rapid sand filter by reversing flow?
• How many devices are used for measuring flow according to the material?
• Which of the following is a disinfectant form used in water treatment that is a gas at room temperature?
• Cloudiness of water is described by which term?
• The unit for measuring electrical potential difference is?
• What is the term for the chlorine left after breakpoint chlorination?
• What term refers to underground layers that can yield groundwater to wells?
• In water chemistry, acidity is best described as what?
• The unit used to measure electrical energy consumption is?
• What is the chemical symbol for sodium?
• Which item is NOT a factor affecting chlorination?
• Which are important sources of surface water supplies?
• 8.34 is the weight of which quantity?
• Which statement best describes a typical bacteria cell?
• What is the scientific study of how living organisms are classified into subgroups based on distinctive characteristics of form, metabolism or reproduction?
• The field that studies living things is called
• Groundwater will usually contain more of which?
• Which term describes chlorine in water that is chemically bound to ammonia or organic amines?
• Which chlorination byproduct can cause a persistent odor in sewage when chlorine reacts with ammonia?
• Which of the following meters is used to measure the velocity of fluid flow?
• If rapid sand filters are not washed adequately, dirt on sand grains can cement the grains together, forming what?
• Which term describes the transfer of nitrogen from the atmosphere to soil, to living organisms, and back to the atmosphere?
• Percolates refers to which process in groundwater?
• Which backflow prevention device uses two check valves separated by a chamber to prevent backflow?
• NaCl is commonly known as what compound?
• What are solids in suspension separated by filtering a sample, drying and weighing residue?
• What term describes the difference between chlorine added and residual chlorine after the contact period?
• In pump performance curves, what relationship is typically shown?
• Which filtration method uses porous membranes with defined pore sizes to remove microorganisms primarily by physical screening?
• Which of the following is a method by which mud can accumulate in a filter?
• Lead and mercury are examples of which category of contaminants?
• In water treatment, aluminum sulfate is primarily used to accomplish what?
• What is the term for the head loss that results from resistance to flow in a pipe?
• The main objective to be achieved in water treatment is
• When MCLs are exceeded for inorganic chemicals, what is required?
• What are the two general categories of pumps?
• MCL stands for which term in water quality standards?
• Prechlorination is performed at which point in the treatment process?
• What is the primary purpose of performing microscopic examination on a water sample?
• Which of the following is NOT considered an important factor in the self-purification of a stream?
• The main objective to be achieved in water treatment is?
• Which device is not typically used to prevent cross-connection in a water system?
• A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances is called what?
• What is the primary purpose of coagulation in water treatment?
• In a headloss test, a 30 ft by 10 ft filter loses 6 inches of head in 4 minutes. What is the rate of filtration in gallons per minute per square foot?
• In water treatment, lime is commonly supplied as which compound?
• Which device creates a physical air gap to prevent backflow and cross-connections in a drinking water system?
• CuSO4 is commonly known as which compound?
• Which device is listed as being used to measure flow alongside velocity meters and mass flow meters?
• A solution with a pH of 8 is considered which?
• Limestone added to water primarily increases which properties?
• Which coagulant is described as more alkaline and suitable when alkalinity is favorable for coagulation?
• In lactose fermentation testing, the specified period within which gas is produced is
• Which chemical formula represents ferric chloride?
• Calcium Hydroxide has the formula Ca(OH)2. Which statement is correct?
• What is the process of destroying pathogens?
• Protection for deep wells against the entrance of contaminated water is provided by which method?
• Which device measures the mass flow rate of a fluid?
• Which substances in water can cause yellow to black discoloration when present?
• Dry chlorine gas application to sewage is appropriate under which condition?
• Which backflow prevention device maintains a reduced pressure between the supply and the protected system to prevent backflow?
• Spherical bacteria are known as which term?
• Which chemical symbol represents chlorine gas?
• The energy of motion is called?
• What is the primary purpose of backwashing a rapid sand filter?
• Which description defines a chemical element?
• In water quality regulation, what does MCL stand for?
• In fluid mechanics, velocity is defined as the rate of change of which quantity?
• Mud accumulation in a filter is typically associated with a reduction in filtration rate due to increased resistance.
• Which term best defines a material formed by two or more substances that are uniformly distributed at the molecular level?
• Iron, Oxygen and Hydrogen are examples of which kind of substance?
• What is the result of excessive fluoride exposure?
• Which formula corresponds to Sodium Fluosilicate?
• Which statement about prechlorination is true?
• Water bearing soil formations are called what?
• What is the chemical formula for ferric chloride?
• The regulatory limits for combined radium activity (226/228) in drinking water are known as
• Which set of factors is listed as most important for the self-purification of a stream?
• The use of a liquid flowing under pressure to transmit power from one location to another is called what?
• Hydrology is the science concerned with which of the following?
• A well in which water rises due to internal aquifer pressure is called what?
• What is the most used coagulant in water treatment, which can be supplied as a solid or liquid and sometimes contains sodium silicate?
• Which chemical is commonly used to boost pH when aiding coagulation?
• In a hypochlorination system, what is the purpose of the solution tank?
• How many features are listed for chlorinators?
• Iron, Oxygen, and Hydrogen are examples of which chemical category?
• What is the term for the point where water quality gradually returns to its natural state after waste discharge ceases?
• Which chlorination method is described as having little value in sewage works practice?
• Which devices are recognized methods to prevent cross-connection between potable and non-potable water?
• Water drawn from an unconfined aquifer is called what?
• Which parameter is determined by calcium carbonate saturation according to the governing code?
• What term describes something that causes impurity?
• Which statement best describes a variance in water treatment regulations?
• What criteria should be used to select the chlorination point?
• What units express the rate of filtration for a rapid sand filter?
• No water supplier can undertake new construction without what from the state?
• What chemical is commonly used as a coagulant in water treatment to remove fine solids and colloids and is highly corrosive?
• Which combination of items is required to obtain a water treatment plant operator certificate?
• Which natural mineral in water increases alkalinity and buffering capacity?
• Which of the following is a commonly cited cause of motor failure in pumping systems?
• What turbidity regulation is cited?
• Turbidity in water is affected by erosion control. Which statement best describes this relationship?
• A gravity well is used to draw water from which type of aquifer?
• Water that is safe to drink is called
• Which chemical is NOT typically used as a coagulation aid in the material?
• Which statement best describes the goal of water treatment in this material?
• Trihalomethanes (THMs) are categorized as which type of contaminant?
• What is the absolute minimum contact time for adequate chlorination?
• Rings and Saddles are types of packing used in towers. Which option lists them as a correct choice?
• What is the name given to spiral-shaped bacteria?
• Which term describes water that is not drinking water, including lakes or rivers, well water, and rainwater, etc.?
• Which statement best describes a factor in selecting the chlorination point?
• Turbidity is the water quality parameter that measures what property?
• Which chemical is used as a flocculant to remove fine solids and colloids?
• Which indicator organism is commonly used to signal fecal contamination in water testing?
• What is the study of water and its effects on and in the earth and in the atmosphere called?
• Head loss is a measure of what property in a piping system?
• What type of aquifer is open to the atmosphere and not restricted by a confining layer?
• In a water distribution system, red water is an indication of what problem?
• What turbidity limit is specified by primary regulation?
• What term describes a chemical used to kill insects?
• The deterioration of a metal due to a chemical reaction in the environment is called what?
• According to the state sanitary code, hardness shall be determined by calcium carbonate saturation or another method acceptable to the commissioner. Which water quality parameter does this describe?
• When the sand in a rapid sand filter becomes dirty, what is the process used to clean it?
• When an MCL is exceeded for inorganic chemicals, what is required?
• What term best describes a substance that cannot be broken down by ordinary chemical means?