Practice Test Geeks(CEA) Certified Environmental Auditor Practice Test
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Water Quality & Waste Management Flashcards

7 cards from real CEA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Water Quality & Waste Management flashcards as text

  1. Under the Clean Water Act Section 402, which permit program governs point source discharges of pollutants into navigable waters?

    Answer: NPDES

    The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) under CWA Section 402 regulates point source discharges to navigable waters.

  2. A facility discharges wastewater with a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 250 mg/L. What is the primary environmental concern of high BOD in receiving waters?

    Answer: Depletion of dissolved oxygen harming aquatic life

    High BOD causes microbial decomposition that consumes dissolved oxygen, creating hypoxic conditions that kill fish and other aquatic organisms.

  3. Which RCRA solid waste classification requires the most stringent management standards, including permitted treatment, storage, and disposal facilities?

    Answer: Hazardous waste

    RCRA Subtitle C hazardous waste requires the most stringent controls, including generator standards, manifest tracking, and permitted TSDFs.

  4. An environmental auditor reviewing a municipal solid waste landfill should verify the presence of which federally required component under 40 CFR Part 258?

    Answer: Composite liner with leachate collection and detection system

    40 CFR Part 258 (Subtitle D) requires municipal solid waste landfills to have a composite liner system and leachate collection and removal system.

  5. Which parameter is used to characterize the acidity or alkalinity of wastewater and must be maintained within a specific range for effective biological treatment?

    Answer: pH

    pH must typically be maintained between 6.5–8.5 for effective biological wastewater treatment, as extreme values inhibit microbial activity.

  6. A hazardous waste generator produces 950 kg of hazardous waste per month. Under RCRA, which generator category applies?

    Answer: Small Quantity Generator (SQG)

    Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) generate between 100 kg and 1,000 kg of hazardous waste per month under RCRA regulations.

  7. During a water quality audit, an auditor finds elevated nitrate concentrations (18 mg/L as N) in a public water supply. What is the primary health concern associated with this finding?

    Answer: Methemoglobinemia in infants

    Nitrate above the MCL of 10 mg/L as N can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) in infants by reducing the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity.