When faced with a licensing exam, don't struggle with test anxiety! Use the question below and others from our Exam Study Guide series to study and prepare for exam questions. Take a look at this sample water treatment licensing question along with an explanation of the correct answer.

Sample question:

What are the three major water-quality indicators that affect the efficiency of using copper sulfate as an algicide?

A) Alkalinity, suspended matter and water temperature
B) Color, smell and the age of the water
C) Temperature, oxygen level and bacteria count
D) Nothing affects the efficiency of copper sulfate as an algicide

Answer: Copper sulfate is most effective when alkalinity is less than 50 mg/L and the suspended matter is low to avoid adsorption of the copper that was intended to treat the algal bodies. Also, the temperature is important because algae does not respond well to copper sulfate treatment when the water temperature is 50 degrees F or below.

So, the correct answer is A.

Reference: Water Treatment Plant Operation. 6th Edition, Volume l, California State University, Sacramento. Page 61.

About the author
Drew Hoelscher is the program director of drinking water operations at the Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC) in Edwardsville, Illinois.