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OSSF Regulation and Wastewater Treatment
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OSSF Regulation and Wastewater Treatment
OSSF Regulation and Wastewater Treatment
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1
Question
How does water move through the hydrologic cycle?
Page 3
Answer
Water enters the atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration. It condenses when it contacts cooler air, falls as precipitation, and replenishes underground water through percolation and surface water through runoff.
2
Question
Which type of water collects beneath Earth’s surface in aquifers?
Page 3
Answer
Groundwater collects beneath Earth’s surface in porous, permeable, water-bearing geologic formations called aquifers.
3
Question
Which locations are classified as surface-water containment areas?
Page 3
Answer
Surface water is found above ground in lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, and reservoirs.
4
Question
How are water-table aquifers recharged?
Page 3
Answer
Water-table aquifers are recharged by local percolation of water.
5
Question
What are rock-filled or lined pits at least four feet deep called?
Page 3
Answer
They are called seepage pits when constructed at the end of a septic-tank absorption-field system.
6
Question
What are pits receiving direct raw-wastewater discharge called?
Page 3
Answer
They are called cesspools when constructed in permeable soil with open-jointed material extending along the sides to the bottom.
7
Question
How are waterborne diseases transmitted through contaminated water?
Page 3
Answer
Pathogens pass from human or animal feces into the water supply. A person contracts disease by drinking contaminated water.
8
Question
What are the three primary environmental contamination routes from OSSF systems?
Page 3
Answer
The routes are neighborhood pollution, groundwater contamination, and surface-water pollution.
9
Question
What problems can standing wastewater create in a neighborhood?
Page 3
Answer
Standing wastewater can spread disease through direct or indirect contact and through vectors. It creates unsightly and unpleasant conditions, odors, neighbor conflicts, declining property values, and failed real-estate transactions.
10
Question
Why is acceptable-quality water vital to Texas?
Page 4
Answer
Acceptable-quality water sustains human life, the natural environment, and the economic life of Texas.
11
Question
Which purposes can groundwater obtained from a well serve?
Page 4
Answer
Well water can serve drinking-water, industrial, and agricultural purposes.
12
Question
How does a water-table aquifer differ from an artesian aquifer?
Page 4
Answer
A water-table aquifer is unconfined and directly contacts soil or the immediate belt. An artesian aquifer is confined by a layer of impervious material.
13
Question
What does the static water level indicate in a well?
Page 4
Answer
The static water level is the level at which water stands in a well.
14
Question
What are the two categories of surface-water pollutant sources?
Page 4
Answer
The categories are point-source pollution and nonpoint-source pollution.
15
Question
How does point-source pollution differ from nonpoint-source pollution?
Page 4
Answer
Point-source pollution comes from specific locations through discharge structures and can be monitored, controlled, and inspected. Nonpoint-source pollution comes from intermittent, dispersed flows with little or no control.
16
Question
How long must OSSF installers wait before renewing registration?
Page 6
Answer
Installers must renew their registration every three years.
17
Question
Who qualifies as a professional designer of an OSSF system?
Page 6
Answer
A professional designer is either a Professional Engineer or a Registered Sanitarian with experience designing OSSF systems.
18
Question
Since when have on-site sewage facilities been regulated statewide?
Page 6
Answer
On-site sewage facilities have been regulated statewide since 1989.
19
Question
Which state agency is responsible for regulating OSSF systems?
Page 6
Answer
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is responsible for regulating OSSF systems.
20
Question
What is an official OSSF inspector called?
Page 6
Answer
An official OSSF inspector is called a designated representative.
21
Question
What is an authorized agent in OSSF regulation?
Page 6
Answer
An authorized agent is a local government with authority to regulate septic systems.
22
Question
What must a person do to construct OSSF systems legally as a business?
Page 6
Answer
The person must be an installer and must be licensed by TCEQ.
23
Question
What are the three penalty categories for violating OSSF regulations?
Page 6
Answer
The categories are criminal, civil, and administrative penalties.
24
Question
What are the major steps in the OSSF permitting process?
Page 7
Answer
The process includes site and soil evaluation, system selection, design or planning, permit application, application review, authorization to construct, construction, inspection, and notice of approval or license to operate.
25
Question
When may professional design be required for an OSSF system?
Page 7
Answer
Professional design may be required for small lots, nonstandard or complex systems, certain leased residential developments, systems in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, structures not exempt under the Texas Engineering Practice Act, systems requiring variances, or systems covered by local rules.
26
Question
Which treatment component may an Installer I install?
Page 7
Answer
An Installer I may install a septic tank as an OSSF treatment component.
27
Question
Which disposal components may an Installer I install?
Page 7
Answer
The components include absorptive drainfields, unlined ET systems, pumped drainfields, leaching chambers, and gravelless pipe systems.
28
Question
What are important examples of work-clothing personal protective equipment?
Page 8
Answer
Examples include clothing, hard hats, gloves, goggles, ear plugs, foot and leg protection, respiratory protection, and disposable masks.
29
Question
Which hazards should skin protection guard against?
Page 8
Answer
Skin protection guards against mechanical and physical injuries, biological agents, chemicals, and temperature extremes.
30
Question
How should traffic flow be managed through a work area?
Page 8
Answer
Traffic should be pre-warned, signed properly, regulated for speed, and guided properly.