The importance and need for properly trained and certified wastewater collection system operators is increasingly being recognized. This recognition is reflected in the many voluntary and mandatory certification requirements for wastewater collection system professionals. These certification programs require that operators pass written examinations that typically cover a wide-range of management and operations and maintenance topics.

The purpose of this study book is to help wastewater collection system operators expand knowledge in their chosen field and assist them in preparing for certification examinations. Experience has shown that practice with sample examination questions is extremely beneficial in preparing for these tests.

The questions presented here cover the following broad categories: background knowledge, support systems, operation and maintenance, supervision and management, safety procedures, design and construction, electrical pumps and motors, and mathematics. Developing strong mathematical skills will significantly help an operator pass certification examinations, resulting in more efficient and effective operators. To instruct in this area, detailed solution sets are provided for mathematical problems. All numerical problems are presented in both U.S. customary and International System (SI/metric) units. A comprehensive glossary and reference list are also provided.

The questions presented here were compiled, reviewed, field tested, and edited over the last four decades by the author, James J. Courchaine. They are based on information included in standard reference texts, including those published by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and on sample questions supplied by certification agencies from the United States and Canada.