1

2
3
This booklet is intended to be used in conjunction with the
formula sheet given to students in certification class and
the day of the exam. It is not intended to be a stand alone
instructional book, but rather an attempt to allay the fears
operators have relative to the math presented on the
certification test.

Mathematical problem solving is essentially no different
than any other type of problem solving. Determining where
to start and following through with the necessary steps to
complete the task are similar to any type of problem
solving. A recommended and successful approach to
solving problems on the certification test is as follows:

a) Determine WHAT the problem is asking.
b) Determine if there is an applicable formula
needed to complete the problem.
c) Perform any necessary conversions to fulfill the
requirements of the formula.
d) Plug the necessary converted numbers into the
formula.
e) Make sure the answer is in the units necessary
to satisfy the question.

MATHEMATICAL RULES
1) Always solve the calculations in the numerator
before solving the calculations in the denominator.

numerator
denominator


4
EXAMPLE: If we see a problem similar to this one,

12 X 12 =
6
Do the calculation on the numerator first.

144 =
6

24
If this calculation isnt done correctly in that the
calculation in the numerator wasnt done first, one
could conceivably arrive at this solution, which would
be wrong.

12 X 12 =
6

2 x 2 =
1

4
2) Do any calculation in parenthesis first.
EXAMPLE: (24 X 3) 12 =
(10 5)

72 12 =
5

60 =
5

12
5
3) Multiplication calculations can be indicated in
several ways.
EXAMPLES:
a) 5 feet 5 feet = 25 ft
b) [5 feet] [5 feet] = 25 ft
c) (5 feet) (5 feet) = 25 ft
d) 5 feet X 5 feet = 25 ft

4) The order by which numbers are multiplied have
NO impact on the final answer.
EXAMPLES:
a) 5 X 10 X 20 X 30 = 30,000
b) (30) (20) (10) (5) = 30,000
c) 20 5 30 10 = 30,000

5) Division is the reverse operation of multiplication.

6) Division problems can be written in several ways.
EXAMPLES:
a) 2778 gallons = 4 MGD
694.5 gallons
b) 2778 gal/694.5 gal = 4 MGD
c) (2778 gal) (694.5 gal) = 4 MGD
d) 2778 gallons 694.5 gallons = 4 MGD

7) The order by which numbers are divided DOES have
an impact on the final answer. The correct order
must be maintained to derive the correct answer.
EXAMPLES: a) 41.7 lbs. 8.34 lbs = 5 gallons
b) 8.34 lbs 41.7 lbs = 0.2 gallons

To turn a percentage into its decimal equivalent, divide by
100. 11% as a decimal is .11. 5.25% as a decimal is.0525
6
BASIC GEOMETRIC SHAPES and DEFINITIONS































Rectangle a two-dimensional geometric
figure formed of four sides in which each
angle is a right angle.
Circle a two-dimensional geometric
figure formed of a curved line surrounding
a center point, every point of the line
being an equal distance from the center
point.
Cylinder a three dimensional geometric
form bounded by two equal parallel circles
to a fixed straight line forming a hollow tube
shape.
Radius a straight line extending from the
center of a circle to its edge.
Diameter a straight line running from one
side of a circle through the largest area of
that circle to the other side. The width or
thickness of something circular or
cylindrical.
7
CONVERSIONS

Before we compute the area or the volume of a geometric
form, we sometimes will have to convert units so they can
be correctly used in the formulas.

EXAMPLES:
Find the area in square feet of a form
12 inches by 12 inches.

Area = 12 inches X 12 inches
If we dont convert Area = 144 ft which is wrong!
The formula calls for Length in feet X Width in feet.

Now we would get Area = 12 inches X 12 inches
Area = 1 ft X 1 ft
Area = 1 ft

We use conversions every day. Four quarters is equivalent
to a dollar as is ten dimes or twenty nickels.

Thirty six inches of a 2 X 4 will accomplish the same task as
3 feet of a 2 X 4. In order to satisfy the units demanded in
the formulas, we have to convert in order to satisfy the
equation.

If we travel 26,400 feet, we have traveled 5 miles or 26,400
feet.

8

1 psi = 2.31 ft of head
1 ft of head = .433 psi
1 cu ft of water = 7.48 gallons
1 cu ft of water = 62.4 lbs.
1 gallon = 8.34 lbs.
1 gallon = 3,785 ml (millimeters)
1 Liter = 1,000 ml
1 mg/L = 8.34 lbs/MG
1 ppm = 1 mg/L
1 pound = 453.6 grams
1 pound = 7,000 grains
1 kilogram = 1,000 grams
1 cuft/sec = 448.8 gpm
1 MGD = 1.55 cuft/sec (ft/sec)
1 MGD = 694.5 gpm
1 horsepower = 33,000 ft. lbs. /min
1 horsepower = .746 kilowatt
1 mile = 5,280 feet

You will notice that every unit in the left hand column has a
numeric value of one and every unit in the right hand
column (except for 1 mg/L) does not.

If you know the quantity of the units in the left hand column
and are trying to determine the equivalent quantity of a unit
in the right hand column you would multiply.

9
Examples:
10 psi = ____?___ ft of head
10 psi X 2.31 ft of head = 23.1 ft of head
5 ft/sec = __?___ gpm
5 ft/sec X 448.8 = 2244 gpm

If you know the quantity of the unit in the right hand column
and are trying to determine the equivalent quantity of a unit
in the left hand column you would divide.
Examples:
115.5 ft of head = ___?__ psi
115.5 ft of head 2.31 ft of head = 50 psi
3141.6 gpm = ___?___ ft/sec
3141.6 gpm 448.8 gpm = 7 ft/sec

In order to satisfy the unit requirement in our area and
volume formulas, we have to convert the measurements to
feet. Many of us use pipes and structures that are less than
a foot or a foot and some extra area we denote as inches.

Examples:
What is the volume of an 8 inch pipe that is a mile
long?
Our formula for a cylinder is: .785 X D X D X L
If we dont convert from inches to feet we would
arrive at this answer:
.785 X 8 X 8 X 5280 = 265267.2 ft
If we convert 8 inches to feet by dividing 8 by 12 we
discover that 8 inches is .66 feet.
Now, .785 X .66 X .66 X 5280 = 1805.48 ft
Our answer comes out in cubic feet because we
are multiplying feet X feet X feet or cubic feet.

10
I cant recall ever needing to know how many cubic feet of
water was in something. So from our formula sheet we
discover that each cubic foot of water is equivalent to 7.48
gallons of water.
So if we take the 1805.48 ft and multiply it by 7.48 gallons
we know that the 8 inch pipe could hold 13504.99 or 13505
gallons.
1805.48 ft X 7.48 gallons = 13504.99 gallons

THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE LINE ON THE CONVERSION
FORMULA PORTION OF THE FORMULA SHEET THAT HAS
THE UNITS NEEDED FOR YOUR PROBLEM.

Determine:
1) 5 gallons = ___?___ ml.
2) 30 psi = ___?___ ft. of head
3) 41.7 lbs. = ___?___ gallons
4) 3628.8 grams = ___?___ lbs.
5) 15,840 feet = ___?___ miles
6) 35 ft of water = ___?___ gallons
7) 2244 gpm = ___?___ ft/sec of water
8) 8 MGD = ___?___ gpm
9) 312 gallons of water = ___?___ ft of water
10) 161.7 ft. of head = ___?___ psi
11) 5,000 gpm = ___?___ MGD
12) 7 ft of water = ___?___ gpm
13) 5000 gallons of water = ___?___ ft of water
14) 6 miles = ___?___ feet
15) 1 day = ___?___ minutes
Answers are in the back of this booklet.

11
AREA

Area is a two dimensional measurement usually notated
in inches, feet, yards, or miles.

If we needed to determine how many square feet of roofing
material you would need to cover your two outside
sedimentation basins, one way to calculate this could be as
listed below.

The two sedimentation basins each measure 15 feet wide
by 30 feet in length. We want a two foot overhang on all
four sides of each sedimentation basin. How many square
feet would we need to accomplish this task?


















OBJECT AREA ft VOLUME ft

Rectangle Length (ft) X Width (ft) Length (ft) X Width (ft) X Length (ft)

Circle .785 X Diameter (ft) X Diameter (ft)

Triangle (Base (ft) X Altitude (ft))

Cylinder .785 X D (ft) X D (ft) X Length (ft)

Sphere .5236 X D (ft) X D (ft) X D (ft)

Diameter = 2 X radius Circumference = 3.14 X D (ft)


Perimeter = Sum of the Sides


D is diameter L is Length

12
The basin is a rectangle so the formula we need is:

Length (ft) X Width (ft)

Our width would be 15 feet plus a 2 foot overhang on each
side for 19 feet.

Our length would be 30 feet plus a 2 foot overhang on each
side for 34 feet.

Area ft = 19 ft X 34 ft
Area ft = 646

When feet are multiplied by feet the answer will be in
square feet. (ft)

When we need the cross-sectional area of pipe it is usually
to determine velocity or flow past a stationary point in the
pipe. To determine the cross=sectional area of a pipe the
formula is:
.785 X Diameter (ft) X Diameter (ft)

We are not concerned with the length
of the pipe for this formula, only one place
on the pipe. Again, the formula calls for
diameter in feet.

What is the cross-sectional area of a 10 inch pipe?
Area (ft) = .785 X D X D
Area (ft) = .785 X (10" 12") X (10" 12")
Area (ft) = .785 X .833 X .833
Area (ft) = .544 ft

13
VOLUME

When calculating volume, the third dimension or
measurement is figured into the equation. Volume by
definition is a three dimensional space enclosed within or
occupied by an object.

These measurements are used by operators to determine
how much water could be contained in a particular space.
The formula to determine this calculation is:

Volume (ft) rectangular solid =

.785 X Diameter (ft) X Diameter (ft) X Length (ft)


What would the volume be in a standpipe that was 80 feet in
height and 35 feet in diameter?

Volume (ft) = .785 X 35 X 35 X 80
Volume (ft) = 76,930

How many gallons could this structure hold?

Each cubic foot of water is equivalent to 7.48 gallons.
So.. 76,930 ft X 7.48 gallons
So.. 575,436.4 gallons


14
A trench measuring 3 ft, 6 inches in width, by 22 feet in
length by 48 inches in depth could contain how many
gallons?

Gallons = L (ft) X W (ft) X D (ft) X 7.48 gallons
Gallons = 22 ft X 3.5 ft X 4 ft X 7.48 gallons
Gallons = 2303.84 gallons

16) The mayor wants to cover the smoking area so you are
not exposed to the elements because he cares about
your welfare. If the smoking are is marked off at 7 feet
by 9 feet, how many square feet of materials will you
need for the roof of the smoking area?

17) Your flocculation basin measures 25 feet by 30 feet and
it is 10 feet deep at the weir. How many gallons could
this basin theoretically hold?

18) Because you are so much more intelligent than the
distribution crew, you are responsible for disinfecting
your new storage facility. If the storage facility
measures 40 feet in height, and has a radius of 25 feet,
how many gallons could this structure hold?

TEMPERATURE CONVERSIONS



19) If the thermostat on your porch reads 68 F what would
be the equivalent temperature in Celsius?

F = (C X 1.8) + 32 C = (F 32)
1.8
15
20) The thermostat in your beer cooler reads 4.5 C. What
is the equivalent temperature in Fahrenheit?

FLOW & VELOCITY

Flow is a measurement of volume over time. In our
business we frequently use gallons per minute (gpm), cubic
feet per second (ft/sec) or million gallons a day (MGD).

Velocity is the speed something travels over a certain
distance. Usually in our business we express it as feet per
second (fps). The state troopers usually notate it to me in
miles per hour (mph). As long as it is the speed something
travels over a particular distance it is velocity.

Area we have already discussed. In this case we can
determine both the speed and volume of water of water in
our systems by determining either the speed or flow
passed a fixed point. For this calculation we use the cross-
sectional, two dimensional measurement.







Examples:

Water is traveling at 2.8 fps in a 10 inch pipe. What is
the flow in gpm?


FLOW and VELOCITY
Q = FLOW, expressed in cubic feet per second (ft).
V = VELOCITY, expressed in feet per second (fps).
A = expressed in square feet (ft).

Q = A X V
V = Q A
A = Q V
16
Q (flow) = A X V
Q (flow) = (.785 X (10" 12") X (10" 12")) X 2.8 fps
Q (flow) = .785 X .833 X .833 X 2.8 fps
Q (flow) = 1.525 ft/sec but the question asks what
is the flow in gpm. So..
If 1 cubic foot per second is equivalent to 448.8
gpm, would we multiply or divide?
If we divide 448.8 gpm by 1.525 ft/sec = 294.3 gpm
294.3 gpm is less than 448.8 or 1 ft/sec so it is
wrong.
If we multiply 448.8 gpm X 1.525 ft/sec = 684.4
gpm. That makes sense. We have MORE than
1 ft/sec so our answer should be more than 448.8
gpm.

Water is flowing in an 18 inch pipe at a rate of 950 gpm.
What is the velocity of this water?

V = Q A
V = (950 gpm 448.8 gpm) (.785 X 1.5 X 1.5)
V = 2.1 ft/sec 1.77 ft
V = 1.186 or 1.19 fps

21) It takes 2 seconds for water to travel in a channel that
measures 2 feet wide by 4 feet long by 3 feet deep. What is
the velocity of this water?

22) Water leaves your plant through a 12 inch pipe at 1050
gpm. What is the velocity of this water?

23) Water leaves your filters at a velocity of 1.8 fps through
a 24 inch pipe. What is the flow in gpm?

17
24) Your flash mixing is accomplished by the source water
cascading into a basin four feet below a channel that
measures 3 feet wide by 4 foot deep by 10 feet long. The
water enters the basin at 0.8 fps. What is the flow in gpm?

25) What is the velocity of water entering the sedimentation
basin that measures 35 feet x 260 feet and has a flow of
20.5 cuft/sec?








DOSAGES, ETC.

Lbs. of chemical is obviously important so that we treat our
water with enough, but not too much, chemical to reach not
only the regulatory requirements but also our own targets
for clean, potable water.

EXAMPLE:

If we treat our water with 4.2 mg/L of liquid polymer, how
many lbs. of polymer would we need to treat our daily
pumping rate of 3.6 MGD?

lbs. of chemical = ppm X 8.34 X MG

Lbs. of chemical = ppm X 8.34 X MG Specific Gravity = wt. of a particular chemical
% purity equivalent wt. of water

ppm = lbs. of chemical X % purity Strength of Solution = wt. of chemical
8.34 X MG wt. of solution

Cl
2
Dosage = Demand + Residual
18
We dont need to worry about % purity because we are
using 100% polymer.

lbs of chemical = 4.2 ppm X 8.34 X 3.6 MG
lbs of chemical = 126.1

We dont always use 100 % purity chemicals, particularly
when we disinfect our water now because so many of us
are using calcium or sodium hypochlorite to accomplish
our disinfection. We must account for this reduced purity
to accurately determine the correct amount of chemical to
add to the water.

If we treat disinfect our 11 MGD flow of water with 3.5 ppm
of 11% sodium hypochlorite, how many lbs. would be
needed? How many lbs. of 70 % calcium hypochlorite
would be needed? How many lbs. of 100 % chlorine gas?

lbs. of chemical = ppm X 8.34 X MG
% purity

lbs. of chemical = 3.5 X 8.34 X 11 MG
.11

lbs. of chemical = 2929 of 11% sodium hypochlorite

lbs. of chemical = 3.5 X 8.34 X 11MG
.70

lbs. of chemical = 458.7 of 70% calcium hypochlorite
lbs. of chemical = 3.5 X 8.34 X 11MG
lbs. of chemical = 321.09 of 100% chlorine gas

19
If we knew the amount of lbs. we added but didnt know the
dosage we could determine it with this formula:

ppm = lbs. of chemical X % purity
8.34 X MG

The Bougenvilla Water Plant treats 6 MGD during their 24
hour a day operation. If a chlorine cylinder weighs 129 lbs.
at the beginning of an 8 hour shift and 104 lbs. and the end
of the shift, what is the dosage that operator added to the
water?

ppm = lbs. of chemical X % purity
8.34 X MG

ppm = (129 lbs. 104 lbs.) * its 100% chlorine
8.34 X 2 MG * 12 MGD/24 hrs means 4 MGD/8 hrs

ppm = 25 lbs of 100% chlorine
16.68

ppm = 1.49 or 1.5

DOSAGE, DEMAND, RESIDUAL

Dosage The amount of disinfectant added to the water. In
our business usually expressed in ppm, mg/L,
lbs., etc.
Demand the amount of disinfectant that has reacted with
substances present in the water.
Residual The amount of disinfectant that remains in the
water after it has reacted with whatever
substances are present.
20

An easy way to remember these terms was presented by
Ruth Lancaster, formerly of DCA and now with Louisville
Water Company. Most of us are familiar to some extent
with a checking account.

a) Start by depositing $1000.00
into your new checking account.



b) You write checks to your creditors that total $750.00.

c) Your checkbook balance would be $250.00.

You can determine your dosage, demand and residual in
much the same way.



How much you put into the water. DOSAGE
How much is used up. DEMAND
How much is left over. RESIDUAL


If Mt. Airy treats their water with 3.5 ppm of 3.5 ppm
gaseous chlorine and it is determined that - 1.1 ppm
at the furthest point in their distribution 2.4 ppm
system the residual is 1.1 ppm. What is the
demand?
If Mayberry has determined that the chlorine 1.8 ppm
demand in their system is 1.8 ppm and their +0.8ppm
residual is 0.8 ppm, what is Mayberrys 2.6 ppm
Yuri Genius
10-2-09
O.G. Whatasnozzle
One hundred and 00/100 dollars
$100.00
tequila
Yuri Genius
Cl
2
Dosage = Demand + Residual
21
dosage?
If Mt. Pilot treats their water with 2.9 ppm 2.9 ppm
(dosage) and the chlorine demand has been - 2.3 ppm
shown to be 2.3 ppm, what is the chlorine 0.6 ppm
residual?

SPECIFIC GRAVITY

Specific gravity is nothing more than the weight of a
substance in comparison to the weight of water. Water has
a specific gravity of 1.0 which means it weighs 8.34
lbs./gallon. Kerosene has a specific gravity of 0.8 which
means it weighs (0.8 X 8.34 lbs.) 6.67 lbs per gallon. A
particular polymer could have a specific gravity of 1.8. If it
does then the polymer would weigh (1.8 X 8.34 lbs.) 15.01
lbs./gal.

Again, since our dosage formulas are based on the weight
of water then the difference in weight of any substance that
doesnt weigh the same as water has to be accounted for
to obtain correct dosage numbers.

EXAMPLE:

You are adding Hydrofluosilicic Acid to the water that has a
specific gravity of 1.5. What would this acid weigh per
gallon?

SG = 8.34 lbs. X 1.5
SG = 12.5 lbs. /gal


22
STRENGTH of SOLUTION

Strength of solution compares the weight of a chemical you
add to water as compared to the weight of the water that
you put the chemical in plus the weight of the chemical.

Strength of Solution = weight of chemical
weight of solution

EXAMPLE:

You are adding 12 lbs. of lime to 100 gallons of
water. What is the strength of solution?

SOS = wt. of chemical
wt. of solution

SOS = 12 lbs. of lime
(100 X 8.34 lbs.) + 12 lbs. of lime

SOS = 12 lbs of lime
846 lbs of solution (834 lbs/water + 12 lbs/lime)

SOS = 0.014 or turned into a percentage by
multiplying it by 100.

SOS = 1.4 %


26) Tucumcari treats 14.2 MGD and operates 18 hours a
day. The five operators, three male and two female,
treat their water with 3.8 mg/L cationic polymer, 1.2
23
mg/L of lime, and 2.8 mg/L of chlorine. The Cl
2
demand
has been determined to be 1.9 mg/L. What is the
chlorine residual in Tucumcari?

27) Pasadena uses 227 lbs of Cl
2
to treat 8.5 MGD. The
residual in their system has been measured at 1.3 ppm.
What is the Cl
2
demand?










FILTRATION RATE BACKWASH RATE
SURFACE OVERFLOW RATE
DETENTION TIME
WEIR OVERFLOW RATE
SPECIFIC CAPACITY
FILTRATION RATE #2

Obviously, determining filtration, backwash, weir overflow
and other rates of flow are important when optimizing the
processes we use to treat water.
FILTRATION RATE, BACKWASH RATE

FILTRATION RATE = Flow (gpm) Surface Area (sqft)
BACKWASH RATE = Flow (gpm) Surface Area (sqft)
SURFACE OVERFLOW RATE = Flow (gpm) Area (sqft)
DETENTION TIME = Volume (gallons) Flow (gpm)
WEIR OVERFLOW RATE = Flow (gpm) Feet of weir
SPECIFIC CAPACITY = Well Yield (gpm
Drawdown (feet)

FILTRATION RATE: for every 1.6 in./min. of rise or fall = 1 gpm/ft
24
These two use the same formula to determine the rate of
flow through your filters. Both are based on flow in gpm
and area in square feet.

EXAMPLE:

The treatment facility has four filters, each one measuring
twenty five feet square. The flow rate at the plant is 7000
gpm. What is the filtration rate?

FR = Flow (gpm) Area (ft)
FR = 7000 gpm (25 X 25 X 4)
FR = 7000 gpm 2500 ft
FR = 2.8 gpm/ft

Another way to determine the filtration rate is to measure
the rise or fall of the water level in your filters.

For every 1.6 inches/minute of rise or fall = 1 gpm/ft

EXAMPLE:

During a recent filter run, Clayton observed that the water
level had dropped 6.4 inches every minute the filter was in
operation. What was the filtration rate?

Every 1.6 inches/minute = 1 gpm/ft
FR = 6.4 inches/minute 1.6 inches/ minute
FR = 4 gpm/ft

Detention time is the amount of time water remains in an
enclosure, such as a basin. To determine detention time
we would use this formula.
25
Detention Time = Volume/gallons Flow/gallons per minute

EXAMPLE:

A tank has a volume of 4.5 MG and the flow from the tank is
5.25 MGD. What is the detention time in hours?

DT = Volume (gals) Flow (gpm)
DT = 4,500,000 gallons (5.25 X 694.5 * gpm)
DT = 4,500,000 gallons 3646.13 gpm
DT = 1234.19 minutes
DT = 1234.19 minutes 60 minutes/hr
DT = 20.57 hours (actually 20.569833 rounded up)
* The conversion sheet tell us that 1 MGD = 694.5 gpm

A basin that measures 40 feet by 120 feet and has a
water depth of 12 feet is flowing at a rate of 720 gallons per
minute. What is the detention time of this basin in hours?

DT = Volume (gals) Flow (gpm)
DT = (40 X 120 X 12 X 7.48 gallons) 720 gpm
DT = 430848 gallons 720 gpm
DT = 598.4 minutes
DT = 598.4 minutes 60 minutes/hour
DT = 10 hours (actually 9.97333 hours)


WEIR OVERFLOW RATE

Weir overflow rate is a measurement of the volume of water
flowing over each unit length of weir per day/hour.

Weir Overflow Rate = Flow (gpm) Feet of weir
26
EXAMPLE:

A circular basin has a diameter of 65 feet and a flow of 2.2
MGD. What is the weir overflow rate?

WOR = Flow (gpm) Feet of weir
WOR = (2.2 X 694.5 gpm) (3.14 X 65 ft)*
WOR = 1527.9 gpm 204.1 feet
WOR = 7.486 or 7.5 gpm/ft of weir
* This is a circular structure so we need to determine
the circumference of the unit. 3.14 X Diameter (ft)

A weir has a length of 32 feet and a flow of 0.5 MGD. What
is the weir overflow rate?

WOR = Flow Feet of weir
WOR = (0.5 X 694.5 gpm) 32 ft
WOR = 347.25 gpm 32 ft
WOR = 10.85 gpm/ft of weir

SPECIFIC CAPACITY

A calculation used in groundwater applications to help
determine the yield of a particular well.


27


Specific Capacity = Well yield (gpm) Drawdown (feet)

EXAMPLE:

In this particular illustration above, if the well yield was 150
gpm, what would the specific capacity be?

SC = Well Yield (gpm) Drawdown (feet)
SC = 150 gpm 40 feet
SC = 3.75 gpm/ft

28) If your plant uses six filters, each measuring 30 feet by
20 feet, and you treat 12.2 MGD, what is the filtration rate?

29) You notated that your filter is dropping at a rate of 9.6
inches per minute. What is your filtration rate?

30) You are backwashing the filter in one of your 15 feet by
20 feet filters. The flow during your backwash is 470 gpm.
What is your backwash rate?

28
31) If the water during your backwash cycle rises at a rate
of 4.8 inches per minute, what is your backwash rate?

32) What is the surface overflow rate if the area measures
10 feet by 12 feet and the flow rate is 1.5ft/sec?

33) Determine the detention time of a basin that measures
12 feet deep, 20 feet wide and 35 feet long and has a flow of
3.1 MGD.

34) Calculate the detention time in hours for a clarifier that
has a diameter of 180 feet and a water depth of 12.75 feet,
if the flow rate is 4.7 MGD.

35) What is the weir overflow rate of a weir that is 19 feet in
diameter and a flow of 1.3 ft/sec?

36) If 3.5 MGD flows over 71 feet of weir, what is the weir
overflow rate?

37) If the pumping level of your well is 90 feet and the static
water level is 35 feet and the well delivers 1.2 MGD, what is
the specific capacity?

38) The Oshkosh Treatment Plant is adding 358 grams/min
of caustic soda to its water. If the plant is producing water
at 13 MGD, what is the caustic soda usage in lbs. per day?

39) Your system has a tank that is 60 feet in diameter and
40 feet tall. If there are 676,431 gallons of water in the
tank, what is the psi at the bottom of the tank?

29
40) A conventional treatment plant uses 190 ml/minute of
polymer as it produces 2500 gpm of water on average over
a 30 day period. How many gallons will be used over that
30 day period?

41) Approximately how many lbs. of iron will be removed in
a years time if the plant treats 6.8 MGD, the iron
concentration is 0.07 ppm and the removal rate is 91%?

42) What is the chlorine dosage in mg/L if the plant uses
519 lbs. /day and treats 29.2 MGD?

43) A channel that is 6 feet wide has water flowing through
it at a depth of 4 feet and a velocity of 1.9 fps. What is the
flow rate in gpm?

44) What is the specific gravity of a solution that weighs
14.2 lbs/gallon?

45) The Whatasnozzle Treatment Facility uses 800 lbs. of
chlorine a day. If the chlorine demand is 2.1mg/L and the
chlorine residual is 0.8 mg/L, how many million gallons a
day are being treated?




30
46) Determine the detention time in hours for the following
water treatment plant:3

6 filters, each measuring 35 feet by 18 feet and an
average depth of 9 feet and a flow of 15 MGD
1 sedimentation basin that measures 475 feet long,
60 feet wide, with a water depth of 11 feet
2 flocculation basins measuring 30 feet by 15 feet
that average 10 feet in water depth

47) If a pump discharges 15,750 gallons in 2 and hours,
how many gpm is this pump discharging?

48) What is the velocity of the water in a 10 inch pipe that
has a flow of 120 gpm?

49) A positive displacement pump is used to put a chemical
solution into the water supply. The pump speed can be
adjusted accurately between 10 and 50 strokes per minute.
At 25 strokes per minute the pump delivers 45 gallons per
minute. What does the pump deliver at 15 and 45 strokes
per minute?

50) A sedimentation basin is 300 feet by 75 feet with a
water depth of 14 feet. If the maximum flow in the
sedimentation basin is 1450 gpm, how long will it take to
drain the basin?

51) A chlorine cylinder weighs 149 lbs. at the beginning of
Ralphs eight hour shift and 117 lbs. at the end of his shift.
The plant operates 24 hours a day and treats 9.6MGD.
What was the chlorine dosage during Ralphs shift?

31
52) Raleigh treats 27.4 MGD and desires a dosage of 2.6
mg/L. How many lbs. of 11% sodium hypochlorite will be
needed to obtain the desired dosage?

53) You need to disinfect a new 18 inch waterline that is 1.5
miles long with 65% available calcium hypochlorite. Each
tablet weighs 0.5 lbs. How many tablets will be needed to
complete this task?

54) You are adding 50 lbs of orthophosphate to 400 gallons
of water. What is the strength of solution?

55) You have drawn lines on your day tank and divided it
into 50 equal volumes. If your tank is 48 inches in diameter
and 60 inches tall, theoretically how many gallons would be
contained between each set of marks?

56) Your plant treated 91,276,981 during the month of
September, 2009. The amount of water billed for at City
Hall was 79,950,354 gallons. What is the percent of your
unaccounted for water or water loss?

57) If you are adding 757 ml of caustic to your flow of
6944.5 gpm daily, how many gallons of caustic would be
used after 30 days if the plant operated 24 hrs/day?

58) Your high service pump uses 41.03 kilowatts. How
many horsepower pump are you using?

59) If your standpipe is 95 feet tall and 35 feet in diameter,
what would a pressure gauge read if the gauge was 5 feet
above grade?

32
60) Convert 3.7 ft/sec to MGD.

61) Padonka treats 1.2 MGD with 8.5% sodium hypochlorite
that has a specific gravity of 1.4 to obtain a dosage of 2.8
mg/L. How many gallons of sodium hypochlorite will be
Podunka need each week?

62) A hypochlorinator feeds 45 ml/min of a solution
composed of 30 lbs of HTH (65% available) in 120 gallons of
water. The specific gravity of the solution is 1.2 and the
plant operates 12 hours a day. How many lbs of solution
are fed each day?

63) A hypochlorinator feeds 30 ml/min of a solution
composed of 20 lbs of HTH (70% available) in 200 gallons of
water. We fed 10.5 gallons, which is what percent of the
solution and how many lbs of chlorine?

PROBLEM SOLUTIONS

1) 5 gallons = ? ml
5 gallons = (5 gallons X 3785 ml)
5 gallons = 18,925 ml

2) 30 psi = ? ft of head
30 psi = (30 psi X 2.31 ft of head)

30 psi = 69.3 ft of head



1 gallon = 3,785 ml
1 psi = 2.31 ft of head
33
3) 41.7 lbs. = ? gallons
41.7 lbs. = (41.7 8.34 lbs/gal)


41.7 lbs. = 5 gallons

4) 3628.8 grams = ? lbs
3628.8 grams = (3628.8 grams 453.6 grams)


3628.8 grams = 8 lbs.

5) 15,840 ft = ? miles
15,840 = 15,840 ft 5,280 ft)


15,840 ft = 3 miles

6) 35 ft of water = ? gallons
35 ft of water = (35 X 7.48 gallons)


35 ft of water = 261.8 gallons

7) 2244 gpm = ? ft/sec of water
2244 gpm = (2244 gpm 448.8 gpm)


2244 gpm = 5 ft/sec




1 gallon = 8.34 lbs.
1 pound = 453.6 grams
1 mile = 5,280 feet
1 cuft of water = 7.48 gallons
1 ft/sec = 448.8 gpm
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8) 8 MGD = ? gpm
8 MGD = ( 8 X 694.5 gpm)


8 MGD = 5556 gpm

9) 312 gallons of water = ? ft of water
312 gallons of water = (312 7.48 gallons)


312 gallons of water = 41.7 ft of water

10) 161.7 ft of head = ? psi
161.7 ft of head = (161.7 ft/head X.433 psi)


161.7 ft of head = 70 psi

11) 5,000 gpm = ? MGD
5,000 gpm = (5,000 694.5 gpm)


5,000 gpm = 7.2 MGD

12) 7 ft of water = ? gpm
7 ft of water = (7 X 448.8 gpm)


7 ft of water = 3141.6 gpm




1 MGD = 694.5 gpm
1 cuft of water = 7.48 gallons
1 ft of head = .433 psi
1 MGD = 694.5 gpm
1 cu ft = 448.8 gpm
35
13) 5000 gallons = ? ft
5000 gallons = 5000 gal 7.48 gallons


5000 gallons = 668.45 ft

14) 6 miles = ? feet
6 miles = (6 X 5,280 ft)


6 miles = 31,680 ft

15) 1 day = ? minutes
1 day = (24 hr/day) X (60 min/hr)
1 day = 1440 minutes

16) 7 feet X 9 feet =
63 ft

17) Basin measures 25 X 30 X 10
Volume of a rectangle = Length X Width X Height
Volume of a rectangle = 25 X 30 X 10
Volume of a rectangle = 7500 ft
Convert ft to gallons
Volume of a rectangle = 7500 ft X 7.48 gallons
Volume of rectangle/gals = 56,100 gallons







1 mile = 5,280 ft
7.48 gallons = 1 ft of water
36
18) Storage facility = 40 feet high X 25 foot radius
Volume of a cylinder = .785 X D X D X H
Volume of a cylinder = .785 X (2 x 25) X 2 x 25) X 40
Volume = .785 X 50 X 50 X 40
Volume = 78,500 ft
Converted to gallons = 78,500 ft X 7.48 gallons
Volume in gallons = 587,180

19) 68F = ? C
C = (F 32)
1.8
C = (68 -32)
1.8
C = 20

20) 4.5C = ? F
F = (C X 1.8) + 32
F = (4.5 X 1.8) + 32
F = 8.1 + 32
F = 40.1

21) Velocity (fps) = ?
Velocity (fps) = 4 feet in 2 seconds
Velocity (fps) = 2.0 fps

22) Velocity = Q A
Velocity = (1050 gpm 448.8 gpm) (.785X 1X 1)
Velocity = 2.3 ft/sec .785 ft
Velocity = 2.93 fps


37
23) Flow (gpm) = ?
Flow = A X V
Flow = (.785 X (24 12) X (24 12)) X 1.8
Flow = (.785 X 2 X 2) X 1.8 fps
Flow = 3.14 ft X 1.8 fps
Flow = 5.65 ft/sec
Flow = converted to gpm 5.65 ft/sec X 448.8 gpm
Flow (gpm) = 2535.7

24) Flow = ?
Flow = A X V
Flow = (3 X 10) X 0.8 fps
Flow = 30 X 0.8 fps
Flow = 24 ft/sec X 448.8 gpm (remember 1 ft/sec = 448.8 gpm)
Flow = 10,771.2 gpm

25) Velocity = ?
Velocity = Q A
Velocity = 20.5 ft/sec (35 X 260)
Velocity = 20.5 ft/sec 9100 ft
Velocity = .002 fps

26) Residual = ?
Residual = Dosage Demand
Residual = 2.8 mg/L Dosage 1.9 mg/L Demand
Residual = 0.9 mg/L







38
27) Demand = ?
Demand = Dosage Residual
Demand = 227 lbs - 1.3 ppm
8.34 X 8.5
Demand = 227 lbs - 1.3
70.9
Demand = 3.2 ppm 1.3 ppm
Demand = 1.9 ppm

28) Filtration Rate = ?
Filtration Rate = Flow (gpm) Surface Area (sq ft)
Filtration Rate = (12.2 X 694.5 gpm) (30 X 20 X 6)
Filtration Rate = 8473 gpm 3600 ft
Filtration Rate = 2.35 gpm/ft

29) Filtration Rate = ?
Filtration Rate = for every 1.6 in/min = 1 gpm/ft
Filtration Rate = 9.6 in/min 1.6 in/min
Filtration Rate = 6 gpm/ft

30) Backwash Rate = ?
Backwash Rate = Flow (gpm) Surface Area (sqft)
Backwash Rate = 470 gpm (15 X 20)
Backwash Rate = 470 gpm 300 ft
Backwash Rate = 1.6 gpm/ft

31) Backwash Rate = ?
Backwash Rate = for every 1.6 in/min = 1 gpm/ft
Backwash Rate = 4.8 in/min 1.6 in/min
Backwash Rate = 3 gpm/ft



39
32) Surface Overflow Rate = ?
Surface Overflow Rate = Flow (gpm) Area (ft)
Surface Overflow Rate = (1.5 ft/sec X 448.8 gpm)
(10 X 12)
Surface Overflow Rate = 673.2 gpm 120 ft
Surface Overflow Rate = 5.61 gpm/ft

33) Detention Time = ?
Detention Time = Volume (gallons) Flow (gpm)
Detention Time = (12 X 20 X 35 X 7.48 gallons)
(3.1 MGD X 694.5 gpm)
Detention Time = 62832 gallons 2152.95 gpm
Detention Time = 29.12 minutes or .485 hours

34) Detention Time = ?
Detention Time = Volume (gals) Flow (gpm)
Detention Time = (.785 X 180 X 180 X 12.75 X 7.48 gal)
(4.7 MGD X 694.5)
Detention Time = 2425640.5 gallons 3264.15 gpm
Detention Time = 743.12 minutes or 12.38 hours

35) Weir Overflow Rate = ?
Weir Overflow Rate = Flow (gpm) Feet of Weir
Weir Overflow Rate = (1.3 ft/sec X 448.8 gpm)
(3.14 X 19)
Weir Overflow Rate = 583.44 gpm 59.66
Weir Overflow Rate = 9.8 gal/ft of weir

36) Weir Overflow Rate = ?
Weir Overflow Rate = Flow (gpm) Feet of Weir
Weir Overflow Rate = (3.5 X 694.5 gpm) 71
Weir Overflow Rate = 2430.75 gpm 71
Weir Overflow Rate = 34.2 gal/ft of weir
40
37) Specific Capacity = Well Yield (gpm)
Drawdown
Specific Capacity = (1.2 MGD X 694.5 gpm)
(90 35)
Specific Capacity = 833.4 gpm
55
Specific Capacity = 15.15

38) Looking for pounds/day of caustic
453.6 grams = 1 pound
Adding 358 grams per minute
1440 minutes in a day, so 358 grams X 1440=
515520 grams per day
515520 grams 453.6 grams = lbs.
lbs. = 1136.5

39) psi = ?
psi = 2.31 ft of head is equivalent to .433 psi
psi = 40 feet X .433 psi
psi = 17.32

40) Gallons = ?
Gallons = 190 ml/min X 1440 min/ day X 30 days
Gallons = 8,208,000 ml used in 30 days
1 gallon = 3,785 ml
Gallons = 8,208,000 ml 3,785 ml
Gallons /30 days = 2168.6
41) lbs. = ?
lbs. = ppm X 8.34 X MG
lbs. = 0.07 ppm X 8.34 X 6.8 MG X 365 days
lbs. = 1448.99 or 1449 lbs. of 100% removal
lbs. at 91 % removal = .91 X 1449 lbs = 1318.6 lbs.

41
42) dosage (ppm) = lbs. of chemical (8.34 X MG)
dosage (ppm) = 519 lbs. (8.34 X 29.2 MG)
dosage (ppm) = 519 lbs. 243.53
dosage (ppm) = 2.13

43) Flow (gpm) = ?
Flow = A X V
Flow = (6 X 4) X 1.9 fps
Flow = 24 ft X 1.9 fps
Flow = 45.6 ft/sec
Flow (gpm) = 45.6 ft/sec X 448.8 gpm
Flow (gpm) = 20465.28

44) Specific Gravity = ?
Specific Gravity = weight of chemical 8.34 lbs.
Specific Gravity = 14.2 lbs. 8.34 lbs.
Specific Gravity = 1.7

45) First, find the chlorine dosage
Dosage = Demand + Residual
Dosage = 2.1 mg/L + 0.8 mg/L
Dosage = 2.9 mg/L
Then use the lbs. formula but solve for the
unknown quantity.
lbs. = ppm (mg/L) X 8.34 X MG
MGD = lbs. per day
dosage X 8.34
MGD = 800 lbs. per day
2.9 mg/L X 8.34
MGD = 33.076 rounded to 33 MGD



42
46) Yeah, I know, you hate me. A lot of numbers!
6 filters X 35 X 18 X 9 X 7.48 gallons = 254469.6
1 basin 475 X 60 X 11 X 7.48 gal = 2344980 gal
2 floc basins X 30 X 15 X 10 X 7.48 gal = 67320
Total volume = 2666769.6 gallons
Flow 15 MGD converted to gpm = 15 X 694.5 gpm
Flow 10417.5 gpm
Detention Time = Volume (gals) Flow (gpm)
DT = 2,666,769.6 gallons 10,417.5 gpm
DT = 255.98 or 256 minutes
DT = 60 minutes/ hr so convert to hrs.
DT = 256 minutes 60 minutes
DT = 4.3 hours

47) gpm = ?
gpm = 15750 gpm 2.5 hours (minutes)
gpm = 15750 gpm 150 minutes
gpm = 105

48) Velocity = ?
V = Q A
V = (120 gpm 448.8 gpm) (.785 X .833 X 8.33)
V = .27 ft/sec .544 ft
V = .50 (actually .496) fps

49) At 25 strokes per minute delivers 45 gpm
15 strokes per minute = ? gpm
45 strokes per minute = ? gpm
15 spm 25 spm = 0.6 (spm-strokes per minute)
45 gpm X 0.6 = 27 gpm So 15 spm = 27 gpm
45 spm 25 spm = 1.8
45 gpm X 1.8 = 81 gpm So 45 spm = 81 gpm

43
50) How long = ?
How long = volume (gals) flow (gpm)
How long = (300 X 75 X 14 X 7.48 gallons) 1450 gpm
How long = 2356200 gallons 1450 gpm
How long = 1624.96 or 1625 minutes
How long (hrs) = 1625 minutes 60 minutes
How long (hrs) = 27 hours

51) Dosage = ?
Dosage (ppm) = lbs. of chemical
8.34 X MG
Dosage (ppm) = 32 lbs of Chlorine
8.34 X 3.2 MG

Dosage (ppm) = 1.2
52) lbs.= ?
lbs = ppm X 8.34 X MG
% purity
lbs.= 2.6 ppm X 8.34 X 27.4 MG
.11
lbs.= 5401.3

53) lbs. = ?
lbs. = ppm X 8.34 X MG
% purity
lbs. = 50 ppm X 8.34 X (.785 X 1.5 X 1.5 X 7920 X 7.48 gal)
.65
lbs. = 50 ppm X 8.34 X .10 MG (104,635.5 1,000,000)
.65
lbs. = 64.15
lbs. = 64.15 .5 lbs.
tablets = 128.3 or 129 tablets

44
54) Strength of Solution = Weight of chemical
Weight of solution

Strength of Solution = 50 lbs.
(8.34 X 400) + 50 lbs.
Strength of Solution = 50 lbs.
3386 lbs.
Strength of Solution = 0.0147
Turned into a percentage (multiplied by 100)
Strength of Solution = 1.47%


55) A couple different ways to do this one.
The easiest way to me is:
Tank- 48 (4) X 60 (5)
Volume (gallons) = .785 X D X D X L X 7.48 gal
Volume = .785 X 4 X 4 X 5 X 7.48 gallons
Volume = 469.7 or 470 gallons
Volume = 470 gallons 50 equal volumes
Volume per mark = 9.4 gallons


56) You treated 91,276,981 gallons
You billed - 79,950,354 gallons
Difference 11,326,627 gallons
Percentage = 11,326,627 91,276,981
Gives you 0.12 then X 100 to turn into %
Water loss % = 12





45
57) Again, a couple of ways to do this one
If 757 ml is added each day, then:
30 days X 757 ml = 22,710 ml used in 30 days
3,785 ml = 1 gallon so..
22,710 ml of caustic 3,785 ml = 6 gallons

58) Pump uses 41.03 kilowatts
1 horsepower = .746 kilowatts
41.03 kilowatts .746 kilowatts ( 1 HP)
HP = 55

59) 1 ft of head = .433 psi.
Standpipe is 95 feet tall but the gauge is 5 feet
above grade.
95 feet 5 feet = 90 feet
90 feet X .433 psi
38.97 psi

60) 1 ft/sec = 448.8 gpm
3.7 ft/sec X 448.8 gpm = 1660.56 gpm
Now there are two (at least) ways to go
1 MGD = 694.5 gpm
1660.56 gpm 694.5 gpm = 2.39 or 2.4 MGD
Or
1660.56 gpm X 1440 minutes =
1,000,000
Either way, the answer is:
2.39 or 2.4 MGD




46
61) We are treating 1.2 MGD with 8.5% available
sodium hypochlorite to obtain a dosage of 2.8
mg/L. So we are starting out looking for
POUNDS!

Lbs = ppm X 8.34 X MG
% purity
Lbs = 2.8 ppm X 8.34 X 1.2 MG
.085
Lbs = 28
.085
Lbs = 329.4 lbs of 8.5% bleach
Each gallon of bleach weighs 1.4 times more
than water or 11.7 (11.676) lbs/gallon.
Gallons = 329.4 lbs of bleach
11.7 lbs/gallon
Gallons = 28.2 (28.15) gallons

62) Looking for POUNDS.
We werent given any ppm figure so maybe this
is a conversion problem.
45ml/minute for 12 hours = 45 ml X 60 min/hr
X 12 hours = 32,400 ml
32,400 ml 3785ml/gal = 8.56 or 8.6 gallons of
solution.
8.6 gallons X 8.34 lbs/gallon = 71.7 lbs
71.7 lbs X 1.2 specific gravity = 86.0 lbs






47
63) 10.5 = .0525 X 100 to turn it into a percentage
= 5.25 % of the solution fed
If we fed 5.25% of the solution, we fed 5.25% of
the chlorine so..
5.25% X 28.6 total lbs of chlorine (20 lbs 70%)=
.0525 X 28.6 = 1.5 lbs of chlorine



48