SC Water/Wastewater Operator study plan

Sketch a conventional surface water treatment train and, for each unit process, state the contaminants it removes and the typical operating range for dose, detention time, or loading rate.

Differentiate coagulation from flocculation using mixing intensity, detention time, and the particles each stage is meant to affect.

Calculate coagulant, polymer, and oxidant doses in mg/L, then convert each to pounds per day for a stated flow.

Solve sedimentation basin overflow rate, weir loading, and detention time problems, including unit conversions between gpm, MGD, and cubic feet per second.

Explain how raw water turbidity, alkalinity, pH, temperature, and TOC shift coagulant demand and filter performance, and predict the direction of each effect.

Interpret jar test results to select the best coagulant dose and justify the choice in writing.

Determine when a filter should be backwashed using head loss and effluent turbidity triggers, and describe the risks of late or early backwash.

Match common raw water constituents (iron, manganese, hardness, nitrate, arsenic, disinfection byproduct precursors) to the treatment process that removes each.

Sequence preliminary, primary, secondary, disinfection, and solids handling processes and state the removal mechanism and typical removal efficiency of each.

Calculate mean cell residence time, food-to-microorganism ratio, and solids loading for an activated sludge system from aeration tank volume, MLSS, and waste sludge flow.

Compare suspended growth, attached growth, lagoon, and nutrient removal configurations by footprint, effluent quality, and operational difficulty.

Compute hydraulic detention time and recycle ratio for a secondary clarifier and explain how sludge blanket depth signals process trouble.

Diagnose bulking, foaming, pinpoint floc, and rising sludge from SVI, DO, and microscope observations, and state the corrective action for each.

Compute BOD and TSS loads in pounds per day and use them to check plant loading against design capacity.

Explain infiltration and inflow, sanitary sewer overflow causes, and the capacity and condition assessment tools used to control them.

Calculate flow, velocity, detention time, and slope for collection system pipes and lift station wet wells.

Calculate chlorine demand, applied dose, and residual for a stated flow, and convert among free chlorine, total chlorine, and combined chlorine measurements.

Explain the CT concept and use it to judge whether a given contactor time and residual meets a required inactivation level.

Describe how TTHM and HAA5 precursors form and list operational levers that reduce them without breaking disinfection targets.

Explain distribution system storage, pressure zones, valve and hydrant function, and cross-connection control including backflow prevention device types.

Compute pipe volume, flow velocity, storage tank capacity, and turnover time in consistent units.

Compare chlorine, chloramine, ozone, chlorine dioxide, and UV on effectiveness, residual persistence, and byproduct risk, and state when each is preferred.

Read a pump curve against a system head curve and identify the operating point, then predict the effect of wear, throttling, or a speed change.

Describe preventive maintenance tasks and intervals for pumps, motors, valves, and blowers, and explain what each task prevents.

Explain calibration and troubleshooting for the common instruments in a plant: turbidimeter, pH meter, residual chlorine analyzer, flow meter, and level sensor.

List confined space entry requirements, including permit, atmospheric testing order, ventilation, attendant duties, and rescue provisions, and identify common permit-space hazards in water and wastewater facilities.

Apply lockout/tagout and hazard communication principles to a pump or blower repair scenario and describe the steps in order.

Select the correct gas monitor readings and response actions for oxygen deficiency, hydrogen sulfide, and methane, and state the alarm setpoints.

Identify the reporting obligations and typical timeframes for a sanitary sewer overflow, a discharge limit exceedance, and a total coliform positive, and name the records that must be retained.

Solve mixed operator math problems involving dosage, loading, detention time, flow conversions, and geometric volume under timed conditions.

Take two full-length timed practice exams under test conditions and record the score by domain.

Rank your three weakest domains from the exam results and rework at least 20 missed or flagged items in those domains until each is explainable without notes.

Build a one-page formula sheet from memory and verify every conversion and constant against a reference.

Review your compiled correction notes from weeks 1 through 7 and confirm each error type now has a fixed procedure.