AWWA Safety Regulations and Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which OSHA standard requires water utility employers to develop a written Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?
- 29 CFR 1910.38 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.119
- 29 CFR 1910.1000
- 29 CFR 1910.95
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.38
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 requires employers with more than 10 employees to maintain a written Emergency Action Plan covering evacuation and emergency procedures.
Question 2: Under the EPA's Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), what is the minimum required Giardia log inactivation credit for surface water systems?
- 0.5 log
- 1.0 log
- 2.0 log
- 3.0 log (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 3.0 log
The SWTR requires surface water systems to achieve at least 3-log (99.9%) inactivation/removal of Giardia lamblia cysts.
Question 3: When chlorine gas is detected leaking at a water treatment facility, what is the FIRST action workers should take?
- Attempt to stop the leak using available tools
- Evacuate the area immediately and alert emergency response (Correct answer)
- Increase ventilation to dilute the gas
- Contact the supplier for guidance
Correct answer: Evacuate the area immediately and alert emergency response
Chlorine gas is acutely toxic; immediate evacuation and alerting of emergency responders is the first priority to prevent serious injury.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a Tier 1 public notification under the Safe Drinking Water Act?
- To inform customers of a rate increase
- To alert consumers to an acute health risk requiring immediate action (Correct answer)
- To report annual water quality results
- To notify regulators of planned infrastructure upgrades
Correct answer: To alert consumers to an acute health risk requiring immediate action
Tier 1 notifications are required within 24 hours when a water quality violation poses an acute risk to public health, such as a microbial contamination event.
Question 5: Which federal regulation requires water utilities to develop a Water Security Emergency Response Plan?
- Clean Water Act Section 402
- America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018 (Correct answer)
- Safe Drinking Water Act Section 1415
- National Environmental Policy Act
Correct answer: America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018
The America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018 requires community water systems serving 3,300+ people to conduct risk assessments and develop Emergency Response Plans.
Question 6: According to OSHA, how often must confined space rescue teams practice their rescue procedures?
- Once every 5 years
- At least once every 12 months (Correct answer)
- Only when a new employee joins the team
- Every quarter during scheduled drills
Correct answer: At least once every 12 months
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 requires that rescue teams practice permit space rescues at least once every 12 months to maintain proficiency.
Question 7: A water utility receives a boil-water advisory from the state health department. Under the SDWA, what type of notification must the utility issue to customers?
- Tier 3 – Annual Consumer Confidence Report
- Tier 2 – Non-acute violation notice within 30 days
- Tier 1 – Immediate public notification within 24 hours (Correct answer)
- No formal notification is required if the state handles it
Correct answer: Tier 1 – Immediate public notification within 24 hours
A boil-water advisory indicates an acute microbial risk, triggering a Tier 1 public notification requirement within 24 hours under SDWA regulations.
AWWA Safety Regulations and Compliance 3
Which OSHA standard requires water utility employers to develop a written Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?