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
What is the primary purpose of a groundwater monitoring program at a solid waste landfill under RCRA Subtitle D?
Answer: To detect leachate migration and protect drinking water sources
Groundwater monitoring at landfills detects leachate releases that could contaminate underlying aquifers used as drinking water sources.
Which technology is considered Best Available Technology Economically Achievable (BAT) for removing heavy metals from industrial wastewater?
Answer: Chemical precipitation followed by clarification
Chemical precipitation (raising pH to form insoluble metal hydroxides) followed by clarification/filtration is the established BAT for heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater.
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, which contaminant category is regulated by Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) set at zero?
Answer: Known or probable human carcinogens
MCLGs are set at zero for known or probable human carcinogens because no safe exposure threshold is assumed for carcinogens under SDWA.
A facility manages used oil that is mixed with listed hazardous waste solvents. How should this mixture be classified?
Answer: Hazardous waste subject to full RCRA Subtitle C requirements
When used oil is mixed with listed hazardous waste, the mixture is classified as hazardous waste and must be managed under full RCRA Subtitle C requirements.
Which CWA provision specifically prohibits the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States without a permit?
Answer: Section 404
CWA Section 404, administered by the Army Corps of Engineers, regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands.
An auditor reviews a facility's stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). Which industrial activity would require coverage under the NPDES Multi-Sector General Permit?
Answer: Manufacturing plant with outdoor material storage
Manufacturing facilities with outdoor industrial activities, including material storage, must obtain NPDES stormwater permit coverage under the Multi-Sector General Permit.
What is the regulatory significance of the 'derived-from rule' under RCRA hazardous waste regulations?
Answer: Waste generated from treating listed hazardous waste remains listed hazardous waste
The derived-from rule states that residuals generated from treating, storing, or disposing of listed hazardous waste retain the listed hazardous waste designation.