NE Water/Wastewater Operator study plan

Diagram a conventional surface-water treatment train - coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection - and state the purpose and typical operating target of each unit process.

Calculate detention time, basin volume, and flow rate for each treatment unit using consistent units and correct unit conversions.

Classify at least 10 regulated contaminants as microbial, inorganic, organic, radiological, disinfectant, or disinfection byproduct, and distinguish primary from secondary standards.

Explain how coagulant dose (alum and ferric salts), pH, alkalinity, and mixing intensity interact to determine coagulation and flocculation performance.

Describe jar-test procedure steps and interpret a jar-test result to select an adjusted coagulant dose.

Compute CT (disinfectant residual concentration multiplied by contact time) and determine the log inactivation credit achieved for Giardia and viruses at stated conditions.

Calculate filter loading rate, backwash rate, and percent bed expansion, and state whether each result falls inside a typical acceptable range.

Interpret turbidity, free chlorine residual, and pH readings against typical finished-water targets, and prescribe a corrective action for each out-of-range value.

Trace finished water from the clearwell into storage and identify the entry points, storage turnover concerns, and residual-maintenance issues that begin in distribution.

Explain the purpose and operating limits of granular activated carbon, ion exchange, and membrane processes as advanced treatment options.

Sequence preliminary, primary, secondary, and tertiary wastewater treatment and state the removal target each stage is designed to achieve.

Compute BOD and suspended solids loading, food-to-microorganism ratio, mean cell residence time (sludge age), and return and waste sludge flow rates for an activated sludge system.

Match process-control responses to bulking sludge, rising sludge, low dissolved oxygen, and pinpoint floc, and justify each response.

Differentiate the conditions required for nitrification from those required for denitrification, and describe how to maintain each in an operating plant.

Compare disinfection and solids handling options - chlorination, UV, thickening, digestion, dewatering - and state the operating limits of each.

Calculate secondary clarifier solids loading rate and hydraulic overflow rate, and interpret a sludge volume index value to judge settleability.

Interpret a set of effluent limits and identify which unit process in the train controls each listed parameter.

Identify gravity mains, manholes, lift stations, force mains, and inverted siphons by function, and list the characteristic failure mode of each.

Differentiate sanitary, storm, and combined collection systems and state the infiltration and inflow implications of each.

Compute wet-well volume, pump cycle time, and pump flow for a lift station given inflow and drawdown data.

Sketch a distribution system layout and label transmission mains, storage tanks, booster pumps, valves, blow-offs, and hydrants with the function of each.

Compute head loss with the Hazen-Williams relationship and explain how pipe diameter, length, and C-factor change the result.

Explain cross-connection control, list backflow prevention device types, and state the inspection and testing requirements for each.

Describe main repair and disinfection procedures, including chlorination concentration, contact time, flushing, and bacteriological sampling before return to service.

Outline the notification, isolation, flushing, and sampling sequence for a main break affecting customers.

Compute pipe slope, flow, and velocity with Manning's equation for both full and part-full pipe conditions.

Apply minimum self-cleaning velocity and maximum scour velocity checks to a given sewer segment and state whether the segment passes.

Describe smoke testing, dye testing, air testing, and closed-circuit television inspection, and state what each method detects and what it cannot detect.

Outline confined space entry requirements, including atmospheric testing order, ventilation, attendant duties, and rescue readiness.

Diagnose root intrusion, grease blockage, offset joints, sags, and broken pipe from inspection evidence, and select an appropriate repair method for each.

Re-solve every item missed in weeks 1 through 6 and restate each as a corrected rule, formula, or procedure.

Build a single-page formula sheet covering detention time, loading rates, CT, food-to-microorganism ratio, mean cell residence time, sludge volume index, Hazen-Williams, and Manning.

Practice explaining monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting, and operator-in-charge responsibilities in your own words.

Complete two timed 50-question practice exams spanning all four domains and compare scores to identify the two weakest areas.

Drill the 20 highest-miss concepts from weeks 1 through 7 to 100% accuracy on flashcard recall.

Complete one full-length timed mock exam under exam-day conditions with no notes and no interruptions.

Review safety, emergency response, and unit-conversion traps one final time, writing out each conversion factor from memory.

Confirm exam-day logistics - identification, calculator policy, arrival time, and a per-question pacing target.