AWWA Operational Efficiency and Maintenance 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) in water utility operations?
- To automate billing and customer service functions
- To track work orders, asset histories, and schedule preventive maintenance (Correct answer)
- To monitor real-time SCADA data from remote pump stations
- To generate regulatory compliance reports automatically
Correct answer: To track work orders, asset histories, and schedule preventive maintenance
A CMMS centralizes work order management, asset maintenance histories, and scheduled PM tasks, improving maintenance efficiency and record-keeping.
Question 2: During a routine pump curve test, the measured flow at shutoff head is higher than the design curve. What does this indicate?
- The pump is performing better than design specifications
- The pump impeller diameter may need to be trimmed or the design data is incorrect (Correct answer)
- The pump suction pressure is too low
- The discharge valve is partially closed
Correct answer: The pump impeller diameter may need to be trimmed or the design data is incorrect
Higher than expected head suggests the impeller may be oversized or the installed impeller differs from what the design curve assumed, requiring trimming or verification.
Question 3: Which water loss control activity is most effective for identifying and locating unreported leaks in a distribution system?
- Increasing system pressure to push out visible leaks
- Active leakage control using acoustic leak detection equipment (Correct answer)
- Reducing operating pressure across the entire system
- Installing additional storage tanks to buffer losses
Correct answer: Active leakage control using acoustic leak detection equipment
Active leakage control using acoustic correlators and listening equipment locates unreported leaks before they surface, reducing real water losses.
Question 4: A utility notices that booster pump runtime increases significantly each summer without a corresponding increase in customer demand. What is the most likely cause?
- Higher seasonal water rates
- Increased system leakage worsened by higher pressures during irrigation season (Correct answer)
- Reduced groundwater table affecting well pump performance
- Seasonal staffing reductions causing delayed maintenance
Correct answer: Increased system leakage worsened by higher pressures during irrigation season
Summer irrigation increases system pressures, which amplifies leak flow rates, requiring booster pumps to run longer to maintain storage levels.
Question 5: What does the AWWA M36 manual primarily address?
- Disinfection of water mains
- Water audits and loss control (Correct answer)
- Pump station design and operations
- Distribution system modeling
Correct answer: Water audits and loss control
AWWA M36 (Water Audits and Loss Control Programs) provides the framework and methodology for conducting standardized water audits and implementing loss control programs.
Question 6: In a condition assessment of a water main, what does an 'A' rating typically represent in a standard 5-level scale?
- Asset requires immediate replacement
- Asset is in excellent condition with no observable defects (Correct answer)
- Asset has moderate corrosion and should be monitored
- Asset is beyond its useful life
Correct answer: Asset is in excellent condition with no observable defects
In standard condition rating scales, an 'A' or '1' rating indicates excellent condition with no defects, requiring only routine maintenance.
Question 7: Which factor most directly determines the frequency of flushing required for a dead-end water main?
- The diameter of the main
- The age of the pipe material
- Water age and rate of chlorine residual decay in that segment (Correct answer)
- The number of service connections along the main
Correct answer: Water age and rate of chlorine residual decay in that segment
Dead-end mains have high water age and rapid chlorine decay, so flushing frequency must be based on how quickly residuals fall below acceptable levels.
AWWA Operational Efficiency and Maintenance 5
What is the primary purpose of a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) in water utility operations?