OSSF Designated Representative (DR) Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Which disposal option is suitable for clay soil?
• When can construction for an OSSF system begin?
• What is the minimum capacity required for a septic tank serving a new five-bedroom home with 3800 sqft?
• How much absorptive area does a leaching chamber system require compared to a standard system in new construction?
• What is required to ensure proper functioning of a septic tank system?
• What is the expected volume of wastewater in gallons per day from an older (pre-1990) three-bedroom mobile home?
• What is an acceptable leakage rate for a septic tank according to guidelines?
• Which soil class is ideal for OSSF systems in Texas?
• What are the three categories under which penalties for violating OSSF regulations can be imposed?
• What is the primary purpose of filing an affidavit with county real property records for a surface application system?
• Which material is acceptable for the line from the building to the treatment tank?
• True or False: Two single-compartment septic tanks in series are allowed.
• What characteristic defines a designated representative in OSSF contexts?
• How many cubic yards of gravel are needed to fill a ditch 3 feet deep, 10 feet wide, and 12 feet long with 18 inches of gravel?
• What term describes the ability of water to migrate through a soil profile under specific conditions?
• What specifications should a house sewer include?
• What is an essential component of soil evaluation that cannot be replaced?
• What is the standard depth range for drainfields in East and Central Texas?
• Soil associations are units that encompass broad areas with similar patterns of what?
• Which OSSF disposal systems are typically required to have maintenance contracts?
• What material can a septic tank be constructed from?
• What is an example of a secondary treatment process?
• How many acres does a property measuring 256 feet on each side represent?
• Parasites commonly found in untreated sewage include which of the following?
• Which characteristic is important for poured-in-place concrete septic tanks?
• What can domestic wastewater potentially cause due to its microorganisms?
• Which of the following is a water-saving habit homeowners should adopt?
• What component is required for an effluent pump installation?
• Which drainage material is appropriate for a standard drainfield installation?
• How many cubic yards of gravel must be purchased for a trench that requires 430 cubic feet?
• When is an intermittent sand filter with a disinfection system chosen over a septic tank system?
• Grease interceptors are necessary for what type of wastewater lines?
• The value Q is
• Aerobic treatment units primarily utilize which of the following for wastewater treatment?
• Which statement is true of a standard intermittent sand filter?
• A pumped effluent drainfield is best suited for which condition?
• What is the capacity in gallons of a septic tank that is 6 feet in diameter and 8 feet deep, with the overflow line located halfway up?
• The depth of soil classified as suitable with respect to texture shall be at least ____ inches below the bottom of the proposed excavation for a standard drainfield.
• How deep should soil evaluation pits be excavated?
• What is the minimum setback requirement from a public water well for an aerobic plant?
• Which OSSF licenses require previous experience?
• What is a key factor in soil air balance for effective effluent decomposition?
• Which of the following is important for protecting a work site?
• What is the minimum calculated water usage rate for planning an OSSF for a new home?
• What is the most important consideration when selecting an OSSF disposal option?
• What type of testing is commonly performed during maintenance visits for OSSF?
• What is the overall process that describes how water moves through soil?
• For those serviced by a private well, what is the minimum lot size required?
• What is the first step of the OSSF permitting process?
• In an unlined ET system, wastewater is disposed of primarily through which method?
• What is the area of a lot that measures 60 feet by 280 feet?
• Which type of diseases can be attributed to improper management of OSSF?
• If a soil with no gravel will not form a ribbon in the texture-by-feel method, it is classified as ______ or ______, class ____.
• Which is not a consequence of high nitrate levels in drinking water?
• True or False: Septic tanks may be made of 1.5 inch-thick steel.
• What is one recommended water-saving plumbing device?
• What is a key factor in the sustainability of OSSF systems?
• What are two unsuitable types of soil structure?
• What type of soil can be used to backfill a gravelless pipe drainfield?
• What is the minimum frequency of site visits for maintenance contracts on a single-family residence OSSF?
• From which part of a surface application system are samples for testing typically collected?
• Overall site suitability factors include ________, ________, ___________, and ____________.
• What is the main purpose of the geotextile fabric used over gravel in drainfields?
• Can one single-compartment septic tank that is properly sized be allowed?
• What is a likely cause of a "rotten egg" odor from an aerobic treatment plant?
• How many spray heads are needed for an older four-bedroom home without water-saving devices in Beaumont, Texas?
• Protozoa may cause which of the following diseases?
• Is a two-compartment septic tank allowed according to the guidelines?
• Should the outlet tee extend to the bottom of the tank?
• What is the purpose of the Notice of Approval (NOA) issued by the permitting agency?
• What is required for a septic tank with 15 inches of cover?
• How wide is a trench that measures 30 inches wide, expressed in feet?
• What problems can arise from malfunctioning septic tank systems?
• A mound or soil substitution drainfield is often utilized when?
• What is the primary purpose of the inlet baffle or T in a septic tank?
• What factors influence the survival of bacteria in soil?
• What are the soil requirements for leaching chambers or gravelless pipe systems after a septic tank?
• If a soil forms a ribbon greater than 2 inches, and neither smooth or gritty consistency predominates, the soil is _______, class _____.
• In West Texas, what is a suitable OSSF system for 16 inches of Class Ia soil over fractured rock?
• How high should an inlet line be above the liquid level?
• What is the minimum distance required between standard drainfield excavations?
• What is needed to determine the minimum size of an aerobic treatment unit for a specific home?
• In hydraulic conductivity, what are the two types of conditions described?
• Which type of sewage treatment plant is known to produce the highest quality effluent?
• Some malfunctioning OSSF can be made to function properly with minimal cost by implementing ______________.
• What is the impact of using a garbage disposal on sewage disposal systems?
• What is a common requirement for handling domestic wastewater in OSSF practices?
• Waterborne diseases spread by pathogenic bacteria include which of the following?
• What is required for OSSF surface application?
• Who is legally allowed to install a septic tank with a low-pressure dosing drain field at a rental house?
• Viruses are responsible for which types of diseases?
• What are the minimum distances for a watertight sewage treatment tank from a water well and a property line, respectively?
• Which of the following describes domestic wastewater as it leaves a home?
• How many total steps are there in the permitting process for OSSF?
• What is the minimum thickness required for a sand, sandy loam, clay loam, or pea gravel pad under prefabricated tanks?
• What is the calculated working liquid capacity for the septic tank?
• Which soil textural classes are always unsuitable for standard absorptive OSSF?
• Why might surface application be preferred over other OSSF disposal options?
• How does nitrogen or nitrate removal occur in soil?
• What is the typical diameter range for a standard perforated drainline?
• What is one method to help protect a work site when installing an OSSF?
• Who must prepare planning materials for an OSSF that utilizes secondary treatment?
• How does soil texture affect water retention capabilities?
• Which component will NOT be found in typical soil?
• What is the primary treatment device that provides the least effective treatment of domestic wastewater?
• Which organization adopted and revised the current OSSF rules in 1997?
• Which step in the permitting process involves the professional designer submitting planning materials?
• A common reason for wastewater system failure is __________.
• Which factor is a key indicator for estimating water usage in a single-family dwelling?
• Which type of piping is not acceptable for the line from the building to the treatment tank?
• Drip irrigation systems are particularly sensitive to which type of contaminant?
• What is the purpose of a county soil survey?
• Why is checking the pressure on lines important during OSSF system maintenance?
• Which horizon is used for determining the depth of soil evaluation pits if it is shallower?
• In addition to waterborne diseases, what other potential contamination do septic system failures represent?
• Which factors must be known before laying out a new OSSF?
• What type of devices should the standard inlet and outlet in a septic tank be?
• Physical removal of bacteria by straining occurs when the bacteria are:
• How many cubic yards of ASTMC-33 sand media are required for an intermittent sand filter for a four-bedroom home?
• What information is necessary to size a spray area for an OSSF spray irrigation system?
• Is a single-compartment septic tank permitted if it is properly sized?
• What soil color pattern indicates a background of gray or bluish color?
• If effluent is to be pumped, what must be provided?
• The ideal soil environment for organic effluent decomposition requires a good balance of what two factors?
• What is a common issue with septic tanks not vented through building plumbing?
• A standard drainfield excavation should be level within which measurement?
• What is the maximum duration for which a new OSSF license is issued?
• What is the volume of a drainfield that is 50 feet by 90 feet and covered with sand loam averaging 15 inches?
• Which tool is used to graphically delineate soil textural classes?
• Is a treatment plant with a capacity of 1500 gallons per day sufficient for handling wastewater from a washateria with BOD of 280 mg/L?
• Which of the following is part of the equipment or procedures used to protect a work site?
• What is the percent slope of a lot that is 250 feet deep and drops 20 feet in elevation?
• Which inorganic chemical negatively impacts human health?
• Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a standard drainfield?
• What is one of the prerequisites to pre-qualify for an OSSF exam?
• What is the maximum organic loading capacity of a treatment plant handling BOD of 280 mg/L?
• What can affect the performance of surface application systems?
• Which of the following tests is used to evaluate an aerobic treatment plant for excessive solids?
• True or False: Septic tanks can be made of reinforced fiberglass.
• What term is used to describe microorganisms that cause disease?
• Which of the following statements about porous media in a standard drainfield is true?
• Is it required for the tank to be level?
• What hazard do OSSF installers face that is less common among other construction workers?
• Which organism is often blamed for causing amoebic dysentery?
• Microorganisms commonly found in wastewater include which of the following?
• For a new three-bedroom home with a 2200 sq ft area, what length of dosing pipe is required for an LPD system?
• Which systems typically require a pump tank?
• Sites with greater than what percentage slope are considered unsuitable for development?
• Soil suitability factors include: _________, ________, and _________.
• Are tees allowed for inlet and outlet devices?
• What structural condition is associated with soil that cannot be easily broken up?
• To verify the suitability of a proprietary aerobic treatment unit for surface application disposal, it must be listed by which organization?
• What should the minimum height of the inlet line be above the liquid level in a septic tank?
• Which process allows groundwater to recharge through interconnected soil pores?
• What is the minimum size of the port that must be provided in the top of the tank?
• What is the recommended depth of gravel for installing an LPD system according to general practice?
• Among the following, which is a recommended plumbing device to conserve water?
• What are the two types of Class II soils?
• What is required to renew an OSSF license?
• Who is responsible for reviewing permit applications and conducting OSSF inspections?
• Which of the following is NOT considered a water-saving habit?
• What device is recommended to avoid increasing suspended solids and organic matter in sewage systems?
• What type of bacteria is an indicator of sewage contamination?
• What is the surface area of an evapotranspiration system that is 40 feet wide and 65 feet long?
• What is the minimum fall requirement for a house sewer?
• What role do fecal coliform bacteria serve in water quality assessment?
• Which statement is true regarding the design of septic tanks?
• What do OSSF regulations typically require regarding monitoring and oversight?
• What is an essential part of the installation of an LPD system?
• What commonly causes blockage in home plumbing systems?
• A solid that can be filtered out of wastewater is referred to as a:
• What mechanism must a drip irrigation system include?
• What is the loading rate of a system with Q= 550GPD and BOD= 350 mg/L?
• How is the septic tank typically installed to manage waste?
• Any soil profile with an indication of high-water table within _____ inches below the proposed drainfield shall be considered _____________ for a standard drainfield.
• What is the consequence if the application and planning materials are not reviewed by the permitting authority?
• What is the minimum lot size required for subdivisions serviced by public water?
• Which role is prohibited from working as an Installer or Designer within the jurisdiction of the permitting authority?
• What is a significant risk of herbicides and pesticides in nearby water systems?
• The ___________ and ____________ of each soil horizon should be measured from ________ to _________ and recorded in the soil evaluation report.
• What qualification must a maintenance provider have for a surface application OSSF using an aerobic plant?
• Is a leakage of 1.6 gallons/hour from the tank or joints permissible?
• What are the major soil horizons?
• What characteristic of water-saving habits includes not using the toilet for trash disposal?
• Who is the official inspector of a new OSSF referred to as?
• What is the volume of a 5-foot-diameter pump tank that is 5 feet tall with the inlet 1 foot below the rim?
• What is essential to ensure before installing an OSSF drainage system?
• What does the abbreviation BOD stand for in wastewater tests?
• What is the approximate gallon capacity of a septic tank with a working volume of 31 cubic feet?
• What is the minimum liquid depth required in a septic tank?
• What is the maximum length for a standard perforated drainline in a multiple-line system?
• What is the primary role of a Site Evaluator?
• In a properly designed septic tank, where are most settable solids and scum removed?
• Which treatment processes are considered secondary in nature?
• What is the maximum allowable slope for single-family dwellings in pumped effluent drainfields?
• What is the most commonly used primary treatment component for on-site systems in Texas?
• Which type of septic tank arrangement is permitted under the guidelines?
• Which of the following are components of soil?
• How should the tank be positioned to meet building regulations?
• How much organic loading in lbs/day would a washateria with an average BOD of 406 mg/L generate?