CERTIFIED POOL OPERATOR POOL AND

CERTIFIED POOL OPERATOR POOL AND

HOT TUB EXAM PRACTICE QUESTION

AND ANSWER

• Which type of filter requires the least amount of water to clean?

• A) High-rate sand filter • B) Diatomaceous Earth (DE) filter • C) Cartridge filter • D) Gravel filter • Correct Answer: C) Cartridge filter (Note: Cartridges are simply removed and hosed off, unlike sand or DE filters which require backwashing).

• What is the likely result if the alkalinity of the pool water is greater than

180 ppm?• A) The chlorine will immediately evaporate.• B) The pH will be locked and very difficult to adjust.• C) The water will become highly corrosive to metal.

• D) The pool will instantly turn green. Correct Answer: B) The pH will

be locked and very difficult to adjust.

• To be classified as a disinfectant, a chemical must kill or inactivate

99.99% of contaminants and:

• A) Leave a measurable residual in the water.• B) Be completely odorless and colorless.• C) Lower the overall pH of the water.

• D) Act as a water clarifier. Correct Answer: A) Leave a measurable

residual in the water.

• Which chlorine type tends to lower the pH level in water?

• A) Sodium hypochlorite (liquid bleach) • B) Calcium hypochlorite • C) Lithium hypochlorite • D) Chlorine gas Correct Answer: D) Chlorine gas (Note: Trichlor is also highly acidic and lowers pH, but elemental chlorine gas is the most acidic).

5. The vacuum gauge is installed:

• A) On the return line to the pool.• B) Directly on the skimmer basket.• C) On the suction side of the pump (before the impeller).

• D) After the water exits the filter. Correct Answer: C) On the suction

side of the pump (before the impeller).

6. Cloudy or murky green-tinted pool water is usually an indication of:

• A) High calcium hardness • B) Algae growth • C) Excess cyanuric acid

• D) Low total alkalinity Correct Answer: B) Algae growth

7. To reduce the possibility of suction entrapment an operator should:

• A) Install VGB-compliant drain covers.• B) Increase the main pump speed.• C) Remove the main drain covers entirely.

• D) Lower the pool's water level. Correct Answer: A) Install VGB-

compliant drain covers.

• At your swimming pool, failure to provide the appropriate standard of

care to the public can lead to a case of:

• A) Vandalism • B) Breach of contract

• C) Embezzlement

• D) Negligence Correct Answer: D) Negligence

• Which chemical could be added to lower the chlorine level of the water?

• A) Sodium bicarbonate • B) Calcium chloride • C) Sodium thiosulfate

• D) Cyanuric acid Correct Answer: C) Sodium thiosulfate

• If there is a diarrheal incident in your pool, according to the CDC, you

must raise the free chlorine level to 20 ppm and keep it there for:

• A) 30 minutes • B) 2 hours • C) 12.75 hours • D) 24 hours Correct Answer: C) 12.75 hours (Note: This achieves the required CT value of 15,300 to kill Cryptosporidium).

11. The presence of galvanic corrosion in the water is signaled by:

• A) Strong chlorine odors and eye irritation.• B) Rapid scale formation on pool tiles.• C) Deterioration of metal fixtures and equipment.

• D) Heavy foaming on the water surface. Correct Answer: C)

Deterioration of metal fixtures and equipment.

• What is the best practice to prevent algae growth?

• A) Keep the pool covered at all times.• B) Maintain proper free chlorine residual and water balance.• C) Add a strong algaecide every single day.

• D) Backwash the filter every hour. Correct Answer: B) Maintain proper

free chlorine residual and water balance.

• You operate a wading (kiddie) pool which has 7,500 gallons of water.

The health code requires your pool to operate on a 2-hour turnover rate.What would be the flow rate required to achieve this turnover rate?

• A) 31.25 GPM

• B) 62.5 GPM

• C) 125 GPM

• D) 625 GPM Correct Answer: B) 62.5 GPM (Calculation: 7,500 gallons / 120 minutes = 62.5)

• Where should the water sample be collected from for chemical testing?

• A) 18 inches below the surface, away from return fittings.• B) Right at the surface near the skimmer.• C) Directly in front of a return jet.

• D) From the surge pit only. Correct Answer: A) 18 inches below the

surface, away from return fittings.

15. Emergency Response Plans must include all of the following EXCEPT:

• A) Evacuation procedures • B) Emergency contact numbers • C) Chemical spill response protocols

• D) A marketing strategy for reopening Correct Answer: D) A marketing

strategy for reopening

• You are the operator of a 100,000 gallon outdoor pool. The water test

give you the following readings: total alkalinity is 75 ppm, pH is 7.6,

calcium hardness is 200 ppm, temperature is 76 degrees fahrenheit, and total dissolved solids is 1,100 ppm. What is the Saturation Index for this pool?

• A) +0.3

• B) -0.1

• C) -0.5