Water Treatment Operator Class I study plan

Explain in writing the four coagulation mechanisms (charge neutralization, sweep-floc, adsorption-bridging, enmeshment) and the raw-water conditions that favor each.

Perform a jar test interpretation: from given raw and settled turbidity, alkalinity, pH, and dose data, select the optimum coagulant dose and justify it.

Calculate coagulant feed rate in lb/day and mg/L for liquid alum, ferric chloride, and polymer, including specific gravity and percent-strength corrections.

Sketch a labeled flocculation basin and sedimentation zone, naming flow regime, detention time, velocity gradient, and surface overflow rate for each.

Solve 10 settling-velocity and overflow-rate problems and document each step.

Compare rapid gravity, slow sand, pressure, and membrane filtration on removal mechanisms, loading rates, and backwash method.

Compute filtration rate (gpm/ft2), backwash rate, unit filter run volume, and percent bed expansion for a given bed.

Interpret a filter run curve (head loss and effluent turbidity versus time) and diagnose breakthrough, air binding, mudballing, and media loss.

Assemble a 12-item filter inspection and backwash observation checklist covering media condition, underdrains, troughs, and valve sequencing.

Explain the requirements and intent of the filter-to-waste and combined filter effluent turbidity limits.

Compute CT, log inactivation, and required disinfectant residual for free chlorine and chloramine at given pH, temperature, and contact time.

Calculate chlorine dose, demand, and residual from given plant data, including hypochlorite strength and decay.

Summarize TTHM and HAA5 monitoring, locational running annual average compliance, and the operational levers that lower DBP formation.

Draft a one-page disinfection strategy table comparing free chlorine, chloramine, ozone, and UV on inactivation credit, DBP risk, and operational constraints.

Explain the rationale for Giardia and virus inactivation targets and where each is applied in the treatment train.

Compile the safety requirements for chlorine, fluoride, and coagulant storage and feed systems, including ventilation, containment, PPE, and emergency response.

Write a job hazard analysis for a chlorine cylinder or ton-container changeover, listing hazards, controls, and verification steps.

Build a recordkeeping matrix naming each required record (bacteriological, turbidity, chemical dose, CT, backwash, customer complaints), frequency, and retention period.

Map public notification tiers to example violations and state who must be notified and in what timeframe.

Identify confined-space, lockout/tagout, and hazard-communication requirements that apply to a typical treatment plant task.

Calculate total dynamic head, brake horsepower, wire-to-water efficiency, and energy cost per 1,000 gallons for a given pump.

Read a pump curve against a system curve, identify the operating point, and explain how valve throttling and impeller trim shift it.

Diagnose cavitation and NPSH margin problems from symptom descriptions and state corrective actions.

Design a storage tank turnover and distribution residual maintenance plan that keeps disinfectant residual within target at the furthest sampling point.

Explain cross-connection control, backflow prevention device selection, and main-break response steps that protect water quality.

Write out the step sequence for turbidity, pH, alkalinity, free/total chlorine, and jar test procedures from memory, including calibration checks.

Apply QA/QC concepts: blanks, duplicates, matrix spikes, control charts, and out-of-control rules, to a sample data set.

Construct and interpret a control chart from 20 process measurements and identify trends and shifts.

Diagnose a process upset (rising settled turbidity, falling alkalinity, chlorine decay) from a multi-parameter trend table and prescribe corrective actions.

Calculate process control targets such as coagulant dose changes and filter run adjustments from lab results.

Convert fluently among mg/L, lb/day, lb/MG, gpm, MGD, psi, feet of head, and degrees of hardness without reference notes.

Solve 25 mixed calculation problems (dose, flow, detention time, loading rate, CT, chemical use) under a timed 60-minute limit.

Compare groundwater and surface water sources on turbidity, alkalinity, hardness, TDS, temperature stability, and treatment implications.

Explain watershed protection measures, source water monitoring, and how source quality changes drive treatment adjustments.

Build a one-page formula and unit conversion sheet from memory, then verify it against reference material.

Complete two full-length practice exams under timed conditions and log every missed item by domain.

Re-drill the two weakest domains identified by the error log until each reaches 85% or better on a targeted retest.

Recite key regulatory limits and safety rules from memory, including turbidity limits, DBP limits, and recordkeeping retention.

Explain aloud the full treatment train from source to tap, connecting each unit process to the operating parameters you control.