Occupational Licensing Overview
Treatment Exams
Water & Wastewater Operator Certification Test Pass Rates
Groundwater Exam C – only 37% of those taking this exam pass the first time.
Groundwater B Exam – only 26% of those taking this exam pass the first time.
Water & Wastewater Operator Certification Test Pass Rates
Distribution System Operator Exam C – only 38% of those taking this exam pass the first time.
Texas Groundwater Operator Exam C – only 31% of those taking this exam pass the first time.
The Treatment exams consist of multiple-choice questions covering topics of Source Water, Water Treatment Processes, Operation and Maintenance of Treatment Facilities, Laboratory Procedures, Safety, Regulations, and Administrative Duties. Below is a summary breakdown of each category:
Source Water
| Wells and Groundwater | Raw Water Storage |
| Surface Water and Reservoirs | Clear Well Storage |
Water Treatment Processes
| Coagulation | Corrosion Control |
| Flocculation | Iron and Manganese |
| Sedimentation | Fluoridation |
| Filtration | Water Softening |
| Disinfection | Best Available Technology |
| Demineralization |
Operation and Maintenance
| Chemical Feeders | Water Meters |
| Pumps and Motor | Pressure Gauges |
| Blowers and Compressors | Electrical Generators |
Laboratory Procedures
| Sampling | Color Analysis |
| General Laboratory Practices | Taste and Odor |
| Disinfectant Analysis | Dissolved Oxygen |
| Alkalinity Analysis | Algae Count |
| pH | Bacteriological Analysis |
| Specific Conductance | Safety |
| Hardness | Administrative Duties |
| Fluoride | Regulations |
Math Related Computations
In addition to all the above knowledge you must have, there are always a series of math related questions on each exam. There are typically fifteen math related questions and are usually worth two (2) points each compared to one (1) point for the general knowledge questions.
The math questions range from a variety of topics and include some simple addition type computations on the lower grade exams to complex algebraic and geometric computations. Below is a brief outline of what one can expect on an exam.
| Areas | Chemical Dosage |
| Volumes | Filtration |
| Pressure | Horsepower |
| Flow | Milliamps |
This list is not complete and there are various topics within each of the above but it does provide you an insight into some areas of waterworks mathematics.
Distribution Exams
The Distribution exams consist of multiple-choice questions covering topics of Disinfection, Distribution System Design, Hydraulics, Equipment Operation, Maintenance, Inspections, Drinking Water Regulations, Management, Safety, Water Mains, Piping, Water Quality, and Sources of Supply.
Similarly, to the Treatment Exams, there are a series of math related questions as well. In addition, there is some overlap between the information on both the Treatment and Distribution exams. Below is a summary breakdown of each category covered on the Distribution exams:
Disinfection
| Water Main, Well, Storage Reservoir Disinfection | Chloramination and Various Types of Disinfectants |
| Disinfection By-Products | Chlorine Curve Chemistry |
Distribution System Design and Hydraulics
| System Layout | System Maps |
| Storage Facilities | Flow Rates and Velocity |
| Cross Connection Control and Backflow Devices | Pressure and Head Loss |
| Service Connections | Water Hammer |
Drinking Water Regulations
| Disinfection By-Products (DBP) and Lead and Copper Rules | Compliance |
| Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) | Budgets |
| Monitoring and Sampling | Emergency Response |
| Total Coliform Rule (TCR) | Conservation Planning |
| Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) | Water Rates |
Equipment Operation, Maintenance, and Inspections
| Valves | SCADA |
| Meters | Pumps |
| Hydrants | Horsepower |
| Chemical Feed | Water Mains |
| Corrosion | Repair and Installation |
| Sensors | Wells |
Water Mains and Piping
| Excavation | Leak Detection |
| Installation | Repair |
| Joints and Fittings | Material Selection |
Water Quality and Sources of Supply
| Coliform Group | Flushing |
| Heterotrophic Bacteria | Disease |
| Organic and Inorganic Compounds | Groundwater |
| pH | Surface Water |
| Hardness | Sanitary Surveys |
| Turbidity |
Math-Related Computations
In addition to all the above knowledge you must have, there are always a series of math related questions on each exam. There are typically fifteen math related questions and are usually worth two (2) points each compared to one (1) point for the general knowledge questions.
The math questions range from a variety of topics and include some simple addition type computations on the lower grade exams to complex algebraic and geometric computations. Below is a brief outline of what one can expect on an exam.
| Areas | Chemical Dosage |
| Volumes | Filtration |
| Pressure | Horsepower |
| Flow | Milliamps |
This is not a complete list of all the topics covered on the Distribution Certification Exams but it is a good overview of the topics and areas that are covered. In addition, the mathematical computations you are expected to know are similar to the math questions found on the Treatment exams.
Implementation of the Operator Certification guidelines happens through state operator certification programs. Although specific requirements vary from state to state, the program’s goal is the treatment and distribution of safe drinking water.
Types of Water-Related Licenses
o Public Water System Operators
o Licensing Classes
- A – Water Operator
- B – Surface Water, Groundwater or Distribution
- C – Surface Water, Groundwater or Distribution
- D – Water Operator
o Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT)
o Customer Service Inspector (CSI)
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