UMC Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management 2

Question 1

Under the Clean Water Act, what is the primary regulatory mechanism utilities use to discharge treated wastewater into surface waters?

Accepted Answer

National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit

Answer

The NPDES permit program under the Clean Water Act controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into navigable waters.

Question 2

A utility discovers that a chemical spill has contaminated groundwater near a wellfield. Which federal law most directly governs the cleanup liability and response actions?

Accepted Answer

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

Answer

CERCLA (Superfund) governs cleanup of hazardous substance releases and assigns liability for remediation costs.

Question 3

What does a 'consent order' from a state environmental agency typically require a utility to do?

Accepted Answer

Comply with a legally binding corrective action plan under regulatory oversight

Answer

A consent order is an enforceable legal agreement between a utility and a regulatory agency outlining specific corrective actions and deadlines.

Question 4

Which risk assessment method assigns numerical probabilities to failure events and calculates expected consequences?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA)

Answer

Quantitative Risk Assessment uses numerical probabilities and consequence values to calculate risk scores for prioritizing mitigation efforts.

Question 5

Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule, what action is required when a utility's 90th percentile lead level exceeds the action level?

Accepted Answer

Notify the state and begin a public education program while optimizing corrosion control

Answer

When the action level is exceeded, utilities must notify the state, initiate or optimize corrosion control treatment, and conduct public education outreach.

(UMC) Utility Management Certification Practice Test

(UMC) Utility Management Certification Practice Test

UMC Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management 2