Welcome back to TPO magazine's Exam Study Guide Series, which offers a pair of water/wastewater study questions with in-depth explanations of the answers. Last time, we covered a set of wastewater and drinking water treatment questions on the topics of Smoke Testing and Friction Loss. This time you can test your knowledge about fixed film nitrification and finished water quality parameters.

Wastewater Treatment Sample Question

In fixed film processes, what must be reduced before nitrification can occur?

A. Organic loading rate
B. Hydraulic loading rate
C. AOB and NOB bacteria 
D. Endogenous respiration

Water Treatment Sample Question

Using the table below, what finished water quality parameter(s) should the operator try to improve?

A. Fluoride is too low and nitrate is too high
B. Manganese, calcium and magnesium are above the SMCL
C. Iron is above the SMCL 
D. Chloride is extremely high

To see the answers to both the above questions, click this link.

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About the authors: Rick Lallish is the Water Pollution Control program director at the Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC) of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. He provides training for entry-level operators in the wastewater field and operators throughout the state looking to further their education. Lallish was also named the 2017 Illinois Operator of the Year and 2018 president of the Illinois Association of Water Pollution Control Operators.

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