NC Water/Wastewater Operator study plan

Diagram the conventional surface-water treatment train from intake to finished-water storage and label every chemical feed point.

Compute chemical dose, feed rate, and pounds per day for coagulant, chlorine, and fluoride using the pounds formula with consistent units.

Calculate detention time, surface overflow rate, and filter loading rate for a worked treatment plant.

Distinguish primary and secondary drinking water standards and sort a list of contaminants into the correct category.

Interpret a set of jar-test results and select the coagulant dose and pH that best meets a stated turbidity goal.

Compute disinfection CT credit and adjust the chlorine dose to hold a target residual at a stated contact time.

Troubleshoot rising filter effluent turbidity by listing backwash, media, and coagulant causes and the corrective action for each.

Describe residuals handling options for backwash water and settled sludge and state the permit concern for each.

Sequence preliminary, primary, secondary, and tertiary wastewater treatment and state the removal objective of each unit.

Calculate solids retention time, food-to-microorganism ratio, and return-sludge rate for an activated sludge system.

Diagnose bulking, pin floc, and filamentous growth from mixed liquor and settleometer results and prescribe a control action.

Explain the aeration, alkalinity, and oxygen demand consequences of nitrification and the conditions needed for denitrification.

Size and troubleshoot secondary clarifiers using solids loading rate, hydraulic overflow rate, and return-sludge flow.

Calculate chlorine dose and dechlorination chemical demand for a stated effluent residual limit and flow.

Apply digestion and stabilization basics, including volatile solids reduction and biosolids handling safety.

Summarize how permit limits, effluent monitoring, and reporting requirements drive daily operational decisions.

Map a full distribution system from source through transmission, storage, and distribution and mark the pressure zones.

Convert between pressure and head, compute pipe velocity and flow in gallons per minute, and estimate head loss and storage volume for a stated demand.

Describe the function and field check for valves, hydrants, meters, and backflow prevention assemblies and identify cross-connection hazards in a service area.

Explain main flushing, disinfection of new mains, and coliform sample site selection and handling.

Compute sewer slope, flow velocity from Manning's equation, and invert elevations between consecutive manholes.

Diagnose infiltration and inflow, root intrusion, grease, and hydrogen sulfide corrosion and select an appropriate repair or cleaning method.

Describe lift station components, pump curve interpretation, and wet-well level control and identify a failing pump scenario.

Apply confined space, trenching and shoring, and traffic control rules to two written job scenarios.

Narrate the full plant-to-tap and home-to-plant water cycle and connect each treatment and collection step to its operator math.

Drill formula recall and unit conversions under a five-minute-per-problem limit.

Compare recordkeeping, sampling, and reporting duties across drinking water and wastewater operations.

Consolidate recurring mistakes from earlier weeks into a ranked list of the 15 most frequent errors.

Re-drill the two lowest-scoring domains from the week 7 exam using targeted problem sets.

Re-solve every question missed in weeks 2, 4, and 7 without notes until each is correct twice.

Reproduce the complete formula sheet from memory and check it against source notes.

Complete a final timed exam and pace each domain to the same per-question interval.