MO Water/Wastewater Operator study plan

Sketch the full drinking water treatment train from source to finished water, labeling each unit process and its purpose

Define the primary drinking water contaminant categories (microbial, inorganic, organic, radiological, disinfection byproducts) and list one example of each

Explain the difference between primary and secondary drinking water standards and give two examples of each

Calculate a simple chemical dose in mg/L given feed rate, flow, and solution strength

Describe coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection in sequence and state what each removes

Explain the purpose of jar testing and how you would interpret its results to adjust coagulant dose

Compare conventional, direct, and membrane filtration and state one operating condition favoring each

Compute CT (disinfectant concentration times contact time) for a simple chlorine disinfection scenario and compare it to a required value

Identify the regulated disinfection byproducts and describe two operational strategies to reduce their formation

Explain the purpose of the Lead and Copper Rule and describe how corrosion control treatment is selected

List the required monitoring frequency categories for a small community system and match each to a contaminant group

Describe the steps of a sanitary survey and name three common deficiencies an inspector would cite

Diagram a distribution system layout showing source, storage, booster pumping, valves, and dead-end flushing points

Explain how a storage tank's high-water level, operating range, and fire flow reserve are determined

Describe the causes of and remedies for nitrification and disinfection residual loss in distribution systems

Perform a chlorine residual decay check and decide whether flushing, tank turnover adjustment, or booster chlorination is warranted

Explain the purpose of cross-connection control and describe backflow prevention devices and where each is required

Describe the steps of a main break repair from isolation through disinfection and bacteriological clearance

List the major unit processes of a conventional activated sludge wastewater plant in flow order

Define BOD, TSS, and ammonia and state what each indicates about plant performance

Explain the activated sludge process including aeration, mixed liquor, return sludge, and wasting, and define F/M ratio and SRT

Describe how to diagnose and correct filamentous bulking, foaming, and poor settling in a secondary clarifier

Explain nitrification and denitrification and describe the operating conditions that favor each

Describe disinfection and dewatering of solids and the difference between primary and secondary sludge

Describe gravity sewer, force main, and lift station design considerations and when each is used

Explain the purpose of infiltration/inflow analysis and describe how flow monitoring identifies problem areas

Describe the steps of a lift station inspection and list three common pump and control failures

Explain the purpose of sewer rehabilitation methods such as lining, grouting, and replacement and match each to a defect type

Complete a timed 100-question cumulative practice set covering all four domains and review every missed item to its source concept

Re-derive from memory the key formulas for dose, detention time, CT, F/M, SRT, and loading rates

Summarize each domain on one index card with the five highest-yield facts

Identify your three weakest subtopics and write a targeted review action for each