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CWEA Environmental Compliance Test
Practice Guide 2026
- Prohibited discharges from industrial users to POTWs, as stipulated in the Clean Water Act, are pollutants that:
create a fire or explosion hazard in the sewer or POTW.
- "MSDS" is an acronym for what? Material Safety Data Sheet
- Safety hazards associated with hydrogen toxic gasses sulfide in sewer systems include:
- Lead acetate paper is used to determine hydrogen sulfide. the presence of:
- The following type of flow measuring de- Venturi. vice can be installed in a pipe flowing full:
- What kind of container and preservative is required for samples to be analyzed for oil and grease?
Glass is the best option. Plastic containers are more susceptible to oils and greases sticking to the inside. If sample analysis is delayed, the sample must be preserved to a pH <2 with hydrochloric (HCl) or sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Samples must be kept cool after collection (d- 6°C) and packed with a suflcient amount of ice.
- A chain-of-custody form: is the ability to trace sample possession and handling from collection through analysis.
- The BOD determination is an empiri- The BOD test measures how much oxygen tiny cal test in which standardized laboratory water creatures need to break down the stutt procedures are used to: that pollutes the water, like dead plants or waste from factories. If the water has a lot of this pollution, these creatures will use up more oxygen to clean it up, which can make it harder
CWEA Environmental Compliance Test
Practice Guide 2026
for fish and other animals to live in the water. If the water is cleaner, they won't need as much oxygen.
- A confined space is one that: is large enough to enter and work in, has a restricted entry/exit, and is not meant for con- tinuous occupancy.
- Industrial plants producing wastes with a high suspended solids content include:
- Whenever an inspector or sampling technician is in a manhole, how many people should there be above to respond in the event of an emergency?
- A major pollutant of concern from a printed circuit board shop is:
breweries.
Two
copper.
- To find the proper protective gear to use check the MSDS for chemicals used. while inspecting an area where a haz- ardous chemical is used, you would:
- Why are gasoline and volatile solvents objectionable when present in a sewer?
They can produce an explosion hazard.
- When inspecting a plating shop, person- eye goggles or face shield, chemical resistant al protective equipment would include: gloves, and overalls.
- A solution with a pH of 5 has a concentra- 100 times higher tion of hydrogen ions that is how many times higher than a solution with a pH of 7?
- Low pH wastewater is neutralized by adding:
- A POTW must retain Industrial User records for a minimum of:
- The Federal Act that introduced the con- cept of cradle to grave manifesting for hazardous waste products is:
Sodium hydroxide NaOH
3 years
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
- Waste discharge regulations can be con- pH and temperature. centration- or mass-based except for:
- New Categorical Dischargers must sub- mit a Baseline Monitoring Report to the POTW control authority prior to the planned commencement of discharge by at least:
- In a normally distributed population of sampling data, what percent of the data points will fall within one standard devi- ation?
- In open channel flow measurement, the term "primary element" is used to de- note the:
90 days
68 - The empirical rule, also known as the 68-95-99.7 rule, is a statistical rule which states that for a normal distribution: Approximately 68% of the data falls within one standard deviation (σ) of the mean (μ). Approximately 95% of the data falls within two standard deviations of the mean. Approximately 99.7% of the data falls within three standard deviations of the mean.
measuring structure that contains the water.
- You want to measure the flow in an 8-inch diameter city sewer line. If you
Pipe length, invert elevation at both ends, water depth at downstream end, and pipe use the Manning formula, what addition- roughness coeflcient. al data will you need to gather to cal- culate the flow rate in the downstream manhole?
- Why are septum vials used for TTO sam- ples?
- The scouring velocity in a sewer is the speed of wastewater that will:
- Flatter sewer line grades may cause added sewer maintenance expense and odor nuisance. The problem is most like- ly cased by:
- A cyanide-bearing waste is to be treat- ed by a batch process using the alkaline chlorination method. The cyanide hold- ing tank contains 6,000 gallons with a cyanide concentration of 15 mg/L. Seven pounds of caustic soda and eight pounds of chlorine are required to oxidize one pound of cyanide to nitrogen gas. How many pounds of chlorine are needed?
To prevent sample contact with air
Prevent the deposition and buildup of solids.
A decrease in velocity allowing organic and inorganic solids to settle out
- What types of control devices are used to Floats stop and start pumps?
- What type of pump is used in lift station wet wells?
Submersible
- What is a common cause of oxygen defi- Bacterial action that replaces oxygen with oth- ciency in a sewer manhole? er gasses
- How many different areas of traffic zones Five are there when working in roadways?
- What does "transition area" mean in traf- Moves traflc out of its normal path fic control?
- Permit space emergency personnel must have the following training
- How does sewer system confined space entry differ from other permit and non-permit entries?
Enter and rescue procedures
There rarely exists any way to completely iso- late the space
- What is always required when working in Continuous air monitoring a confined space?
- Oxygen deficiency occurs when the oxy- gen level is less than by volume
- Hydrogen sulfide smells like (at high concentrations of hydrogen sul- fide, however, the sense of smell is dead- ened and no odor is detected).
Rotten eggs
- The lack of an unpleasant odor in a man- Some dangerous gases have no odor hole, lift station, or other structures does not always mean that dangerous gases are not present because
- The following type of flow measuring de- Venturi meter. vice can be installed in a pipe flowing full:
- An ultrafiltration system removes suspended solids from wastewater.
- A major pollutant of concern (POC) from a printed circuit board shop is:
- Emulsified oil is commonly removed from wastewater by:
copper
dissolved air flotation.
- Which one of the following items is a ma- High dissolved organic matter jor characteristic of the wastes produced by a cannery?
- While inspecting a chrome reduction tank in a pretreatment facility, you notice that the ORP reading is out of its proper range. The first thing you should check to determine the cause of the problem is:
- Metal plating industries use ion ex- change for:
- A recoverable chemical from textile mill waste is:
- Non-storm water discharges to storm drains that are generally not permitted under municipal NPDES storm water dis- charge permits include:
- Industries discharging storm water un- der a General Storm Water Permit are required to sample:
the range of pH values.
byproduct recovery.
caustic soda
automobile detailing.
storm water from outside industrial activities.
- The objectives of the General Pretreat- ment Regulations are to:
- What is the purpose of an industrial waste pretreatment program?
- What damages could be caused to a POTW agency's collection system by in- dustrial wastes?
- Which areas of endeavor are covered by pollution prevention?
Improve opportunities to reclaim and recycle sludge, reduce the health and environmental risks from pollution, and prevent the :interfer- ence with use or disposal of sludge, operation of POTW and introduction of pollutants which pass through treatment works
The protection of agency personnel, capital facilities, the community, and the environment and to provide pollution prevention guidance to industry.
Clogging the sewers, corrosion of sewers, and explosions from flammable wastes
Good operating practices, material substitu- tion, process modification, and product refor- mation
- What does a pretreatment facility inspec- Industrial manufacturing facilities, pretreat- tor inspect?
- What are the roles of pretreatment in- spectors when involved with criminal prosecution of pretreatment violations?
ment facilities, and raw and spent material storage facilities
Conduct investigations for evidence, develop sources of information regarding violations, ensure collection of reliable samples, and pre- sent evidence in a convincing manner
- Who must pretreatment inspectors have Industrial representatives, members of the the ability to deal with tactfully and effec- public, other regulatory oflcials, politicians, tively? and their employers
- What activities relating to computers should pretreatment inspectors be able to perform?
Do word processing, use local area networks, use online bulletin boards, use software data- base systems, and wire interconnections to equipment
- What do industrial wastewater discharge Wastewater collection system. permits do? Grant permission to an in- dustrial user to discharge its wastewater into the
- What positive benefit can commu- nities provide industrial companies with regard to industrial wastewater?
Adequate treatment services are available
- What is the most forceful compliance Revoking permission to discharge to a sewer procedure available to a POTW?
- What is the best method to de- termine what industrial dischargers are placing in the collection system?
- What does a spill containment pro- gram require?
- What is the purpose of a computer modem?
- What group acts as a counterbal- ancing force to the environmental move- ment?
- 18 What is the mode of conduct that works best with reporters?
Laboratory chemical analyses
Tanks located within a berm that will prevent leaks from reaching a sewer
Allows connection to other computers
industrial lobbying group
Courtesy, cooperation and candor
- What serious problems encountered in the proper operation of a POTW agency can originate from industrial wastewater discharges?
- What factors should be considered when purchasing a personal computer?
- What is the purpose of database management systems?
Fires and explosions in collection systems, Se- rious structural corrosion problems in sewers, and Toxic upsets of biological processes
Expandability, Relative costs, and Service
To organize data, To record data, and To selec- tively print data
- EPA recognizes what two types of dis- Direct and indirect chargers in its efforts to control the flow of pollutants into water?
- Which pollutant is a conventional pol- Oil and grease lutant?
- What are receiving water standards based on?
- The Clean Water Act provides that POTWs may grant removal credit to indi- rect dischargers based on what? Degree of removal
- What two types of categorical stan- dards are used in the EPA pretreatment program?
- When may civil remedies in the form of an injunction be appropriate?
Tolerance of stream to pollutants
Actually achieved at the POTW.
Concentration-based and production-based standards
To prevent threatened discharge of pollutants to POTW
What procedure is required of a POTW for compliance with public notifi- cation requirements? Publish in largest daily newspaper in municipality a list of IUs
- How could some companies look fa- vorably on fines?
- What does a local pretreatment pro- gram need to have the legal authority, procedures, funding and personnel to do?
- What types of pollutants or condi- tions are regulated by the General Pre- treatment Regulations? Those that
- What categories of pollutants are regulated by the Specific Prohibitions in the Prohibited Discharge Standards? Those which
22 IUs must notify the POTW of what types of slug loadings?
- EPA has promulgated both concen- tration- and mass- based pretreatment
In significant noncompliance with pretreat- ment requirements.
Cost of fine could be less expensive than im- plementing pollution control.
Deny permission to discharge pollutants from industrial users (IUs) to the POTW, Identify and locate lUs attected by EPA regulations, Perform inspection and monitoring activities to ensure compliance with standards, and Re- quire compliance by IUs with pretreatment standards
Contaminate sludge, Interfere with treatment, and Pass through treatment system.
Are corrosive, Are a fire or explosion hazard, and Result in toxic gases.
Corrosive pollutants, Fire or explosion hazards, Oxygen demanding pollutants, Solid or vis- cous pollutants, and Thermal pollutants
Pulp, paper and paperboard manufacturing
- What happens when a clarifier's ca- pacity to hold solids or oil is exceeded?
- What will be collected in a clarifier if the passages connecting the stages are near the bottom?
- How can slugs of concentrated wastes be prevented from overloading the final treatment system?
- Why should container labels be checked within each spill containment area?
- Why are floor drains NOT allowed in chemical storage areas?
- Why are compliance meeting fol- low-up letters important?
Oil and other floatables
Spill containment
Verify that incompatible chemicals are not stored together.
Due to risk of spills
To outline what was agreed upon during the meeting
- What factors influence the frequency Analysis of self-monitoring reports, Nature of of on-site inspections?
- What circumstances may require an investigation of sewer lines?
- What are the options available to an inspector if a request for entry to per- form an inspection is denied?
discharge, and POTW agency's personnel re- sources
Emergency response to explosive conditions, Foaming in a sewer line, Scaling or corrosion in a sewer line, and Stoppages that cause flow onto streets
Call supervisor for direction, Exercise authority to enter facility without permission, Issue a citation for denial of access, and Leave and immediately collect samples for analysis
- What are the levels of inspection nec- Effluent treatment equipment, General tour, essary for a complete inspection? In-plant wastewater control equipment, and Outfall
- What procedures should be followed Follow chain of custody procedures, Preserve when collecting industrial effluent sam- ples?
- Final industrial effluent meters can provide continuous monitoring of what water quality indicators?
samples properly, and Use proper sampling techniques
Conductivity, LEL, ORP, and pH
- Why are holding ponds installed? Allow for batch treatment, Dampen hydraulic surges, Hold water for ott-peak discharges, Lower peak flows, and Provide for evaporation
- Cooling tower bleeds that flow to the Acids, Algicides, and Chromate sewer should be checked for overdoses of what chemicals?
- What are possible types of enforce- ment actions?
- What are possible sources of com- plaints?
- Failure to report an injury should be considered
Administrative orders, Cease discharge or- ders, Fines, Verbal warnings, and Written no- tices of violations
Company informants, In-sewer surveillance monitoring, Neighborhood reports of odors, and Referral from another agency
Grounds for disciplinary action.
- What Should you do if you encounter Remove yourself from the area and warn oth- an unsafe condition or situation? ers.
- What factors influence traffic control strategies?
- What are the most commonly en- countered atmospheric hazards associ- ated with work in confined spaces?
Congestion, Local regulations, Time of day, and Traflc speed
Flammable/explosive gases, Oxygen deficien- cy/enrichment, and Toxic gases
- What are possible sources of flamma- Accidental discharges, Leaking underground ble or explosive gases, mists and vapors in sewers?
- When an inspector enters a con-
storage tanks, and Spills
Eye protection, Foot protection, Full-body, fined space, what protective clothing and parachute-type harness, Gloves, and Hard hat equipment are needed?
- What items are on a confined space entry form?
- What chemical hazards can be en- countered while performing industrial waste pretreatment inspection work?
- What are the major categories of hazardous materials encountered dur- ing sampling work?
- Before a manhole cover is removed, what must the atmosphere within the manhole be tested for?
- What important information is found on a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?
Explosive vapors less than 10% of LEL, Protec- tive equipment and rescue devices, and Space ventilation
Carcinogens, Explosive gases, and Toxics
Corrosive materials, Poisonous or toxic gases, and Solvents and flammable materials
Explosive gases, Hydrogen sulfide gas, and Oxygen deficiency/enrichment
- What are composite samples collect- ed to measure?
First aid measures, Hazardous ingredients, Personal protection, and Spill, leak, and dis- posal procedures
Average amount of pollutants
- What factor influences the decision to Economics use disposable or reusable containers?
- When is industrial self-monitoring valuable?
When industry has sincere wish to comply
- When are grab samples useful? For enforcing discharge standards
- Why are some samples identified with only a number when submitted to the laboratory for analysis?
To ensure unbiased analyses by the techni- cians
- What is the main goal of sample stor- To maintain integrity of sample until analysis age procedures?
- What is meant by chain of custody? A record of every person who has access to a sample
- What is the function of the QA pro- gram?
To assure the quality of the measurement data
- Why are samples collected? Check compliance with local standards, Deter- mine strength to accurately assess discharge/ use fees, Search for prohibited wastes, Ver- ify industry monitoring points, and Verify self-monitoring data
