CWS Regulations, Safety & Professional Ethics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under NSF/ANSI Standard 60, what type of products are evaluated and certified?
- Point-of-use water treatment devices
- Drinking water treatment chemicals (Correct answer)
- Water distribution system pipes
- Ion exchange resins only
Correct answer: Drinking water treatment chemicals
NSF/ANSI Standard 60 covers drinking water treatment chemicals to ensure they do not introduce harmful contaminants into treated water.
Question 2: A customer claims a newly installed reverse osmosis system has made them ill. What is the CWS professional's immediate ethical and safety obligation?
- Defend the product and deny any connection
- Investigate the complaint promptly and take corrective action if necessary (Correct answer)
- Refer the customer to the manufacturer only
- Wait for additional complaints before acting
Correct answer: Investigate the complaint promptly and take corrective action if necessary
Professional ethics and public safety obligations require prompt investigation of health complaints and corrective action when warranted.
Question 3: In the context of water treatment, what does the acronym 'SDS' stand for and who must provide it?
- Standard Disinfection Schedule, provided by the EPA
- Safety Data Sheet, provided by the chemical manufacturer or importer (Correct answer)
- System Design Specification, provided by the installer
- Sodium Delivery System, provided by the supplier
Correct answer: Safety Data Sheet, provided by the chemical manufacturer or importer
Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, chemical manufacturers or importers must provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) detailing hazards, handling, and emergency procedures.
Question 4: Which EPA regulatory action requires public water systems to notify customers within 24 hours of a violation that poses an acute risk to public health?
- Annual Consumer Confidence Report
- Tier 1 Public Notice (Correct answer)
- Tier 3 Public Notice
- Boil Water Advisory
Correct answer: Tier 1 Public Notice
Tier 1 Public Notice is required within 24 hours for violations that pose an immediate and acute risk to public health under the Public Notification Rule.
Question 5: A water softener technician is asked to bypass a lead pipe segment during service. What regulation most directly governs the acceptable lead content in new plumbing materials used in this repair?
- Safe Drinking Water Act Section 1417 (lead-free requirements) (Correct answer)
- Clean Water Act Section 402
- OSHA Lead Standard 29 CFR 1910.1025
- NSF/ANSI 58 for RO systems
Correct answer: Safe Drinking Water Act Section 1417 (lead-free requirements)
SDWA Section 1417 prohibits the use of plumbing materials that are not lead-free (not more than 0.25% weighted average lead content) in systems providing water for human consumption.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a backflow prevention device in a water treatment installation?
- To increase water pressure at the point of use
- To prevent contaminated water from flowing back into the potable water supply (Correct answer)
- To reduce sediment buildup in the distribution line
- To regulate chlorine dosing in the main line
Correct answer: To prevent contaminated water from flowing back into the potable water supply
Backflow prevention devices protect the potable water supply from contamination caused by reverse flow of non-potable water or chemicals.
Question 7: Under WQA's code of ethics, how should a CWS professional handle customer information obtained during a service call?
- It can be shared freely with business partners for marketing
- It must be kept confidential and used only for the purpose it was provided (Correct answer)
- It must be submitted to WQA for quality assurance
- It can be sold to third parties if anonymized
Correct answer: It must be kept confidential and used only for the purpose it was provided
WQA's professional code of ethics requires that customer information be kept confidential and used only for its intended purpose.
CWS Regulations, Safety & Professional Ethics 3
Under NSF/ANSI Standard 60, what type of products are evaluated and certified?