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Public Water System Operator Class B Licensing Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
- What is the primary purpose of a water treatment plant?
a) To store water
b) To monitor water usage
c) To remove contaminants and make water safe to drink
d) To distribute water
Rationale: The main function of a water treatment plant is to remove
physical, chemical, and biological contaminants to ensure water meets safe drinking standards.
- Which of the following is a common disinfectant used in water
treatment? 1 / 4
a) Sulfur dioxide
b) Chlorine
c) Hydrogen sulfide
d) Fluoride
Rationale: Chlorine is widely used in water treatment due to its
effectiveness in killing bacteria and other pathogens.
3. The process of coagulation in water treatment is designed to:
a) Remove dissolved minerals
b) Aggregate small particles into larger particles for easier removal
c) Adjust pH levels
d) Kill microorganisms
Rationale: Coagulation causes small particles to clump together into larger
flocs that can be removed by sedimentation or filtration.
- What is the most commonly used coagulant in water treatment
plants?
a) Sodium hydroxide
b) Potassium permanganate
c) Aluminum sulfate (alum)
d) Calcium chloride
Rationale: Aluminum sulfate, commonly called alum, is effective in
aggregating suspended solids during the coagulation process. 2 / 4
- What is the purpose of sedimentation in water treatment?
a) To filter water
b) To disinfect water
c) To allow floc particles to settle out of the water
d) To soften water
Rationale: Sedimentation allows gravity to settle the larger flocs formed
during coagulation, reducing turbidity.
- Which type of filtration media is most commonly used in rapid sand
filters?
a) Charcoal
b) Gravel only
c) Sand
d) Clay
Rationale: Sand is the primary media in rapid sand filters and removes
suspended solids from water as it passes through.
- What is the primary goal of disinfection in water treatment?
a) Remove color and odor
b) Reduce hardness
c) Kill or inactivate pathogens
d) Remove metals
Rationale: Disinfection is intended to destroy microorganisms that can
cause waterborne diseases. 3 / 4
- Which of the following best describes turbidity?
a) The pH level of water
b) The hardness of water
c) The cloudiness or suspended particles in water
d) The taste of water
Rationale: Turbidity measures water clarity and indicates the presence of
suspended particles that may harbor microbes.
- How does pH affect water treatment processes?
a) It has no effect
b) It affects chemical reactions, coagulation efficiency, and
disinfection
c) It only affects taste
d) It only affects color
Rationale: pH influences chemical reactions in coagulation, precipitation,
and disinfection processes.
- Which of the following is a common method for controlling taste
and odor in water?
a) Fluoridation
b) Coagulation
c) Activated carbon adsorption
d) Sedimentation
- / 4
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