2017

Need-to-Know Criteria
Wastewater Collection Operator Class I
A Need-to-Know Guide when preparing for the
ABC Wastewater Collection Operator Class I Certification Exam
Before You Dive In…
What is ABC’s Need-to-Know Criteria?
This ABC Wastewater Collection Operator Class I Need-to-Know Criteria was developed to assist operators in
understanding the content that will be covered in ABC’s 2017 Standardized Wastewater Collection Operator
Class I exam. During 2014-2016, a methodical and comprehensive international investigation was conducted
to determine the most significant job tasks performed by wastewater collection operators. The content
covered on the exam represents the job tasks identified through this research as essential operator
competencies, and is not limited to the practices of your system/facility. The following pages organize these job
tasks into Content Areas and identify the amount of the test devoted to each area.

Is this Need-to-Know Criteria relevant to MY exam?

ABC offers a variety of standardized and customized exam services. This document is reflective only of the 2017
edition of the ABC Standardized Wastewater Collection Operator Class I exam; older editions of the
standardized exam and various customized exams are also administered by various certification programs.
Please contact your certifying authority to determine whether they have implemented this exam for your
program.

Pre-Test Questions
Your exam may include up to 10 extra questions that have not been used on previous versions of the exam.
These are known as “pre-test” questions and allow ABC to gather valuable data about the new questions
before they are included in future tests. Pre-test questions are unidentified and scattered throughout the exam
so you will answer them with the same care in which you address scored questions. The pre-test questions are
not included in your final score.

Exam Preparation Resources

Visit www.abccert.org to access the formula/conversion table administered with this exam, a list of approved
references, information on purchasing study guides available from partner organizations, and more.

Copyright Notice
All ABC examination questions are the copyrighted property of ABC. It is forbidden under federal copyright law
to copy, reproduce, record, distribute, or display these examination questions by any means, in whole or in
part, without written permission from ABC. Doing so may subject violators to severe civil and criminal penalties.

Copyright 2017 by the Association of Boards of Certification. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy,
recording or any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the publisher.

ABC Wastewater Collection Operator Class I Need-to-Know Criteria 1

Wastewater Collection Operator Class I Need-to-Know Criteria

Exam Content

The Wastewater Collection Operator Class I exam will test you on essential job tasks. These job tasks have been
categorized into the Content Areas detailed in the following pages. The table below summarizes the areas that
are included on the exam, the number of test questions in each of these areas, and the complexity of the test
questions in each area.

Just as wastewater collection operator job duties vary in their complexity, so will the questions you are asked on
the exam. Some will be more simple and routine, whereas others will be more complex, or cognitively
demanding. The following three levels are used to describe the complexity of the questions you will encounter
on this exam:

Recall – tasks at this level typically require the simple recall or recognition of specific facts, concepts,
processes, or procedures, with little to no problem-solving involved. You may be asked to identify,
illustrate, recall, and/or recognize specific information.

Application – tasks at this level will involve some basic problem solving, calculations, or the interpretation
and application of data. You may be asked to calculate, categorize, classify, compare, differentiate,
explain, specify, translate, and/or apply knowledge.

Analysis – tasks at this level may involve higher level problem solving, evaluation, or the fitting together of
a variety of elements into a meaningful whole; they will usually require many steps in the thought process.
You may be asked to analyze, evaluate, formulate, generalize, judge, predict, and/or use inductive or
deductive reasoning to arrive at a solution.

*Your exam may contain up to 10 extra unscored pre-test questions

(see Before You Dive In for more details).

ABC Wastewater Collection Operator Class I Need-to-Know Criteria 2

 Equipment Operation, Evaluation, &
Maintenance
Job Tasks Included in this Content Area:

1. Adjust and calibrate gas meters, flow meters, and blower meters
2. Clean the collection system through the use of:
a. Hydraulic cleaning (e.g., balling, flushing, poly pigs)
b. Jet rodding
c. Blockage removal
3. Operate the following equipment:
a. Computers
b. Heavy equipment (e.g., vehicles requiring a CDL license)
4. Evaluate and maintain the operation of equipment by:
a. Reading charts
b. Reading gauges
c. Reading meters
5. Evaluate and maintain the operation of electrical equipment:
a. Variable frequency drives (VFD's)
b. Motor control centers
c. Low voltage equipment (e.g., flow meters, float switch, PID controls, pressure sensors)
6. Inspect system using the following approaches:
a. Dye testing
b. Physical inspection
c. Smoke test
7. Rehabilitate and repair collection system:
a. Lift station (e.g., wet wells, fittings and piping)
b. Manholes
c. Sewer lines
d. Taps (e.g., top hat, grouting, protruding laterals)
e. Infiltration, inflow, exfiltration
8. Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load
requirements and detect malfunctions of lift station
9. Inspect the operation of equipment to determine malfunction
10. Perform system inspections (e.g., air release valves, inlets, manholes, outfalls, overflows, regulators,
siphons, sluice gates)
11. Perform preventative maintenance including repair, replacement, and installation of the following
equipment:
a. Chemical feed systems
b. Motors
c. Pumps
d. Valves
e. Compressors
f. Engines
g. Gearboxes
h. Generators
i. Pneumatic and hydraulic systems
12. Operate the following equipment and/or tools:
a. Aeration tanks and blowers
b. Backflow prevention devices
c. Backhoes
d. Chain pull hoists and overhead cranes
e. Chemical feed systems
f. Chlorination systems
g. Dump trucks
h. Pumps (fixed and portable, all types)
i. Engines

ABC Wastewater Collection Operator Class I Need-to-Know Criteria 3

 j. Flushing unit (dumping water into the system)
k. Front-end loaders
l. Hydrant operations
m. Metal detectors and pipe locators
n. Pneumatic tools
o. Power tools (e.g., drills, grinders, saws)
p. Precision measuring instruments
q. Rodding equipment
r. Manhole guide rollers
s. Samplers
t. Tapping equipment
u. Testing equipment
v. Fans (e.g., forced air, air extraction)
w. Easement hydro-jetter machine (portable)

ABC Wastewater Collection Operator Class I Need-to-Know Criteria 4

 Collection System Operation, Maintenance,
& Restoration
Job Tasks Included in this Content Area:

1. Clean and maintain tanks (e.g., wetwells, chemical, holding)

2. Collect and document data from charts, gauges and other instrumentation
3. Excavate wastewater mains and lines
4. Use high pressure hydraulics to clean wastewater mains and lines
5. Inspect structures (e.g., manholes, vaults, wet wells for damage, cave-ins, and debris)
6. Interpret blueprints, GIS, and sketches of system showing location and configuration of collection system
components
7. Lubricate engines and pumps
8. Maintain all equipment (e.g., pumps, motors, chlorinators, chemical feeds) in accordance with OEM
specifications
9. Maintain an inventory of chemicals and materials
10. Monitor panel board and adjust controls to regulate flow rates
11. Operate pumping equipment during emergency bypass operations
12. Operate odor control devices and systems
13. Perform maintenance and inspection through the use of:
a. Hydraulic cleaning
b. Rodding
c. Closed circuit television (CCTV) camera inspection and locating

ABC Wastewater Collection Operator Class I Need-to-Know Criteria 5

 Lift Station Operation & Maintenance
Job Tasks Included in this Content Area:

1. Ensure that the following electrical devices are functioning properly:

a. Fuses
b. Motors
c. Relays
d. Starters
2. Ensure that the following electronic devices are functioning properly:
a. Alarms
b. Controllers
c. Gas detection
d. Level detection system
e. Telemetry (e.g., RTU’s, SCADA, PLC’s)
3. Ensure that the following devices are functioning properly:
a. Piping
b. Pressure relief valves (e.g., compressors, hot water heaters)
c. Chemical addition
d. Pumps
e. Wetwells (e.g., screens and level controls)
f. Air relief/vacuum valves (force mains)
g. Seals
h. Air exchangers/exhaust fans
i. HVAC systems
4. Adjust equipment and increase or decrease pumping capacity for proper flow
5. Perform calculations to ensure proper operations
6. Calibrate and adjust variable frequency drive (VFD) systems
7. Monitor panel board and adjust controls to:
a. Loss of head pressure
b. Wetwell elevation
8. Operate the following equipment and/or tools:
a. Bar screens
b. Wetwells
c. Variable frequency drives (VFD’s)
d. Electric motors

ABC Wastewater Collection Operator Class I Need-to-Know Criteria 6

 Collection System Monitoring, Evaluation, &
Adjustment
Job Tasks Included in this Content Area:

1. Perform adjustments on the following components of the collection system:

a. Aeration for hydrogen sulfide control
b. Chemical addition for hydrogen sulfide control
c. Flow monitoring
d. Force mains
e. Gravity sewers
f. Lift stations
g. Manholes/cleanouts
h. Measuring and control systems
2. Calibrate and adjust the following systems:
a. Atmosphere testers
b. Level and flow meters
c. Telemetry equipment
3. Check equalization basins and CSO structures
4. Ensure accurate sampling of waste collection system according to standard methods
5. Identify physical and/or abnormal characteristics of wastewater
6. Inspect the installation of piping
7. Operate electric motors, pumps, and valves to regulate flow
8. Repair and replace:
a. Sewer lines
b. Combined sewer lines
9. Review automated information and control system data and revise settings as required
10. Utilize wastewater analysis devices for chemical detection in collection systems (e.g., nitrate, hydrogen
sulfide, pH, phosphorous)
11. Operate flow sensors

ABC Wastewater Collection Operator Class I Need-to-Know Criteria 7

 Security, Safety, & Administrative Procedures
Job Tasks Included in this Content Area:

1. Analyze/estimate cost (e.g., equipment, material, power, fuel, staffing)

2. Analyze regulatory and/or compliance requirements
3. Assign work crews to work areas
4. Assist in the handling, delivery, and storage of chemicals
5. Authorize equipment repairs
6. Compile technical and statistical data and prepare comprehensive written reports
7. Comply with all health and safety procedures and protocols
8. Conduct safety inspections
9. Configure traffic plans and set up signs for traffic control
10. Coordinate wastewater program activities with other divisions and outside agencies, contractors, and
developers
11. Determine work schedules for closed circuit television (CCTV) crews
12. Determine location of underground utilities (e.g., combined sewers, cross connections, force mains,
inlets, laterals, manholes, outfalls, sanitary sewers, laterals)
13. Develop operating and capital budgets
14. Develop preventive maintenance procedures
15. Develop safety procedures
16. Develop training programs (e.g., start-up and testing, standard operating procedures, and technical
documentation for operations)
17. Comply with safety standards and safety programs
18. Ensure compliance of discharge limits are in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal
regulations
19. Establish wastewater policies, procedures, and guidelines
20. Assess training needs to upgrade operational skills
21. Implement a QA/QC program to ensure that products and services received meet contractual
requirements
22. Inspect and analyze system logs records, gauges, meters, and other testing and measuring devices
23. Investigate various customer issues (e.g., sewer backup and/or odor complaints)
24. Maintain knowledge of regulatory permit requirements
25. Maintain effective working relationships with city officials, employees, public, and outside agencies
26. Manage employee certification programs
27. Maintain records and file reports (e.g., internal or regulatory requirements)
28. Maintain knowledge of current regulatory requirements
29. Monitor status of customer work orders and assure customer responsiveness
30. Monitor work and job site condition to ensure protection of workers, public pedestrian and vehicular
traffic
31. Perform the following administrative activities:
a. Safety/security evaluation and compliance
b. Budget development
c. Capital improvement plan development
d. Operation and maintenance plan development
e. Employee supervision and performance evaluations
f. Planning and organization of work activities
g. Record keeping and evaluation of data
h. Responses to public complaints
i. Report writing (e.g., federal, internal, state)
32. Perform the following safety procedures:
a. Calibration of atmospheric testing devices
b. Chemical spill responses
c. Confined space entry
d. Electrical grounding, hazards and arc flash

ABC Wastewater Collection Operator Class I Need-to-Know Criteria 8

 e. Fires (e.g., prevention, fire extinguishers)
f. First aid
g. Hazardous materials
h. Infectious diseases/blood borne pathogen protection
i. Lifting
j. Lockout/tagout
k. Personal protection equipment (e.g., respiratory protection, safety glasses, gloves, hardhats, fall
protection)
l. Shoring, trenching, and excavation
m. Traffic control/work zone safety
33. Plan for the execution of the following emergency plans:
a. Sewer overflow
b. Disasters
c. Manhole hazards
d. System failure
e. Inter-agency assistance
34. Perform facility safety audits
35. Prepare bid specifications
36. Purchase replacement equipment
37. Review/update employment policies and procedures
38. Review employee reports regarding customer back up in home
39. Train new operators
40. Review easement and right-of-way issues/problems

ABC Wastewater Collection Operator Class I Need-to-Know Criteria 9

 Supporting Knowledge

The chart below outlines several types of knowledge that support the performance of the job tasks on which
you may be tested. These types of knowledge are rated at one of three levels to represent the extent of
knowledge needed to perform the job tasks assigned to each Content Area:

Basic – A fundamental or lower level of knowledge is required. Operators performing tasks requiring
this level of knowledge will be able to do so with some training; this level of knowledge may also be
acquired and developed through job experience. Such tasks may be routine, utilizing established
procedures, and have a low level of complexity. Not having this level of knowledge will have minimal
impact or significance on the performance of the tasks listed in the Content Area, or on public safety
and welfare.

Intermediate – A level of knowledge beyond the basic level is required. Operators performing tasks
requiring this level of knowledge will be able to do so with training beyond that of the basic level. The
operator will not only be able to apply required fundamental concepts, but will be able to
understand and discuss the application and implications of changes to processes, policies, and
procedures within the Content Area. Not having this level of knowledge will have a significant impact
on the performance of the job and on public safety and welfare.

Advanced – A very high level of knowledge/job expertise is required and the operator will be
functioning at an expert level. The operator can apply all fundamental, as well as highly developed
or complex concepts, and will be able to design, review, and evaluate processes, policies, and
procedures within the Content Area. Not having this level of knowledge will have a serious impact on
the performance of the job and will be very harmful to public safety and welfare.

Equipment
Collection System Lift Station Collection System Security, Safety,
Operation,
Operation, Operation & Monitoring, & Administrative
Supporting Knowledge Type Evaluation, &
Maintenance, & Maintenance Evaluation, & Procedures
Maintenance
Restoration (20%)* (18%)* Adjustment (18%)* (16%)*
(28%)*
Aerobic and Anaerobic principles (e.g., wetwells,
Basic Basic Basic
diffusers, surge basins, available oxygen)

Backflow cross-connection and prevention Intermediate Intermediate

Biology (e.g., bloodborne pathogens, hydrogen sulfide

Basic Intermediate
formation, odors, wastewater characteristics)

Biological laboratory testing (e.g., BOD, COD, DO, pH,

Basic
sampling, identification, oil, grease)

Chemistry (e.g., chemical addition, odor and corrsion

Basic
control)
Hydraulic principles (e.g., pump operation, pressures,
Basic Basic Basic Basic
pipe capacity, velocity, storage time, surcharging)
Laboratory techniques (e.g., grab and composite
Basic
sampling, sample preservation)
Mechanical principles (e.g., lift station pumps, engines,
Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
air exchangers, continuous rodders)

Blueprint reading (e.g., service connections, as built

Basic Basic Basic Basic
plans, process and instrumentation diagrams)
Building codes (e.g., easements/right-of-ways and
sewer use ordinances, pipe specifications and Intermediate Intermediate Basic
inspections)
Chemical properties (e.g., chlorine, hydrogen sulfide,
Intermediate Intermediate
methane, carbon monoxide, oxygen)

ABC Wastewater Collection Operator Class I Need-to-Know Criteria 10

 Equipment
Collection System Lift Station Collection System Security, Safety,
Operation,
Operation, Operation & Monitoring, & Administrative
Supporting Knowledge Type Evaluation, &
Maintenance, & Maintenance Evaluation, & Procedures
Maintenance
Restoration (20%)* (18%)* Adjustment (18%)* (16%)*
(28%)*

Chemical metering (e.g., gas, liquids, solids) Basic Basic Basic

Comminuters, grinders, bar screens Basic Basic Basic

Computer operations (SCADA systems, telemetry, flow
metering, computerized maintenance management Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
systems)
Contaminants (e.g., volatile organics, high
Basic Basic Basic Basic
temperatures, viscous materials)
Contract negotiation (e.g., vendors, pre-treatment
Basic
negotiations, union contracts)
Corrosion control process (e.g., cathodic protection,
Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
hydrogen sulfide, manhole and pipe rehabilitation)
Disinfection concepts (e.g., chlorination, hydrogen
Intermediate
peroxide addition, personal hygiene)

Electrical principles (e.g. troubleshooting breakers,

Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
relays, circuits)

Employment laws Basic

Flow measuring devices (e.g., parshal flumes, mag

Basic Basic Basic
meter, flow meters, venturis)
Lubricants and fluids Basic Basic Basic Basic
Maintenance practices (e.g., preventative, reactive,
Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate
predictive)
Safety Data Sheets Intermediate
Normal characteristics of wastewater (e.g., color, odor,
concentration, aerobic, anaerobic, wastestream, per Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate
capita contributions)
Normal chemical ranges Basic Basic
Pneumatic principles (e.g., troublesooting actuators,
Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate
compressors, sprayers)
Pipe fittings and joining methods (e.g., pipeline
Basic Basic
construction principles)
Piping material type and size (e.g., PVC, CMP, RCP) Basic Basic
Principles of asset management (e.g., preventive,
Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
reactive, predictive maintenance)
Principles of finance (e.g., bonds, rate structures) Basic
Principles of supervision Basic

Process control instrumentation (e.g., PLCs, SCADA,

Basic Basic Basic Basic
continuous online monitoring)
Public administration practices (e.g., open meeting
laws, record keeping, budgeting, notifications, Basic
reporting requirements)
Risk management (e.g., natural, man-made, overflow
Basic
response plans)

Sanitary survey processes (e.g., I & I, collection system

Basic
operation)

Start-up and shut-down procedures (e.g., lift stations) Basic Intermediate

Wastewater collection design parameters (e.g., slope,

Intermediate Intermediate
distances between manholes, pipe specifications)

Pipeline cleaning (e.g., mechanical, hydraulic) Intermediate Intermediate Basic Intermediate

Sanitary sewer overflows (e.g., SSO, CSO) Basic Basic Basic Basic Intermediate
*Percent of exam associated with the Content Area

ABC Wastewater Collection Operator Class I Need-to-Know Criteria 11

 Association of Boards of Certification
2805 SW Snyder Blvd., Suite 535
Ankeny, IA 50023
Phone: (515) 232-3623
www.abccert.org [email protected]
www.ProfessionalOperator.org [email protected]