HIC Sewage & Waste Disposal Systems 3

Question 1

An inspector observes sewage surfacing in a yard above a drain field after heavy rainfall. The MOST likely cause is:

Accepted Answer

Hydraulic overloading of saturated soil

Answer

Heavy rainfall saturates the soil in the drain field, preventing effluent absorption, which causes hydraulic overloading and sewage surfacing.

Question 2

What is the purpose of a 'dosing' or 'pump' chamber in an advanced septic system?

Accepted Answer

To deliver measured doses of effluent to the drain field at timed intervals

Answer

A dosing chamber uses a pump to deliver timed, measured doses of effluent to the drain field, promoting more uniform distribution and resting periods for soil recovery.

Question 3

BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) is a measure of:

Accepted Answer

The oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in wastewater

Answer

BOD measures the amount of oxygen microorganisms need to break down organic material in wastewater; higher BOD indicates greater organic pollution.

Question 4

A health inspector finds a cesspool at a food service establishment. The correct action is to:

Accepted Answer

Require immediate connection to an approved sewer or septic system

Answer

Cesspools are prohibited for food service establishments in most jurisdictions and must be replaced with an approved sewage disposal system due to serious public health risks.

Question 5

What is the required minimum slope for building sewer pipes to ensure proper flow by gravity?

Accepted Answer

1/4 inch per foot (approximately 2%)

Answer

Building sewers typically require a minimum slope of 1/4 inch per foot (about 2%) to maintain a self-cleaning velocity of approximately 2 feet per second.

(HIC) Health Inspector Certification Practice Test

(HIC) Health Inspector Certification Practice Test

HIC Sewage & Waste Disposal Systems 3