STUDY GUIDE

LIME SOFTENING

SUBCLASS L

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

BUREAU OF INTEGRATED SCIENCE SERVICES
P. O. BOX 7921
MADISON, WI 53707

JANUARY 1994 EDITION

 PREFACE

This operator's study guide represents the results of an

ambitious program. Operators of wastewater and water supply
facilities, regulators, educators and local officials, jointly
prepared the objectives and exam questions for this subgrade.

The objectives in this study guide have been organized into

modules, and within each module they are grouped by major
concepts.

HOW TO USE THESE OBJECTIVES WITH REFERENCES

In preparation for the exams, you should:

1. Read all the objectives that apply to the grade level

desired and write down the answers to the objectives that
readily come to mind.

2. Use the references at the end of the study guide to look-up

answers you don't know. This one set of references covers
all of the objectives.

3. Write down the answers found in the references to those

objectives you could not answer from memory.

4. Review all answered objectives until you can answer each

from memory.

IT IS ADVISABLE THAT YOU ATTEND SOME FORM OF FORMAL TRAINING IN

THIS PROCESS BEFORE ATTEMPTING THE CERTIFICATION EXAM.

Choosing A Test Date

Before you choose a test date, consider the training

opportunities available in your area. A listing of training
opportunities and exam dates can be found in the annual DNR
"Certified Operator," or by contacting your DNR District operator
certification coordinator.

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 LIME SOFTENING
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MODULE A: PRINCIPLE, STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

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CONCEPT: PRINCIPLE OF LIME SOFTENING

1. Describe the lime softening process.

2. Define the term, "water hardness".

3. List the problems associated with hard water.

4. Identify two principle elements (cations) which cause hard
water.

5. Identify additional elements which contribute to water

hardness other than calcium and magnesium.

6. Explain how elements find their way into groundwater.

7. Differentiate between carbonate and non-carbonate hardness.

CONCEPT: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

8. Sketch a drawing of a typical lime softening facility;

identifying processes and points of chemical addition in the
appropriate order for each of the following:

A. Straight Lime
B. Split-lime
C. Lime-soda Ash Split
D. Lime-soda Ash
E. Solids Contract Unit

9. Differentiate between gravimetric and volumetric dry

feeders.

10. Describe the operation of a positive displacement pump.

11. On a sketch of a cross-section of a filter, label weirs,
troughs, surface wash, media, underdrains, gravel.

12. Given a sketch of a filter showing valves, indicate which

valve would be open or closed during filtering and
backwashing.
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MODULE B: OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

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CONCEPT: OPERATION

13. Define the following terms; raw eater, slaker, flocculation,

coagulation, colloid, sedimentation, sludge blanket,
clarifier, turbidity, recarbonation, finished water, sludge,
and stabilization index.

14. Cite advantages and disadvantages of using lime softening to

control water hardness.
15. Cite advantages and disadvantages of using lime softening
for iron and manganese removal.

16. Differentiate between the terms, "feeding" and "mixing" and

their relation to coagulation.
17. Differentiate between split lime treatment and excess lime
treatment.

18. Describe the solids contact process.

19. State whether each of the following will increase, decrease

or stay the same as a result of lime softening:

A. Calcium Concentration H. Bacteria Levels

B. Alkalinity Values I. Turbidity
C. Magnesium Concentrations J. Sulfate Values
D. Total Solids Values K. Sodium Values
E. Hardness L. Fluoride Levels
F. Iron Concentrations M. Chloride Values
G. Manganese Concentrations

20. State the purpose of each of the following chemicals:

A. Lime
B. Alum
C. Soda Ash
D. Polymers
E. Carbon Dioxide

21. Differentiate between quicklime and hydrated lime.

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22. Differentiate between a primary coagulant and a coagulant
aid.

23. Differentiate between anionic and cationic polymers.

24. Describe how polymer charge can affect coagulation.

25. Identify and describe situations where coagulant aids can

help improve coagulation and flocculation.

26. Describe how the following situations affect coagulation.

A. Temperature
B. pH
C. Concentration of Dissolved Solids
D. Concentration of Suspended Solids
E. Mixing Conditions
F. Concentration of Coagulant

27. Identify factors affecting particle settling.

28. Describe the materials that can be used for filter media.

29. Explain the advantage multi-media filters have over sand

filters.

30. Identify suitable rates in gpm/ft2 for filtering and

backwashing.

31. Describe the backwashing procedure.

32. Explain the benefits of expanding the bed during

backwashing.

33. Identify the critical factors which must be considered in

order to determine the duration of a backwash cycle.

CONCEPT: MAINTENANCE

34. Identify means to adjust chemical feed rates for the

following:

A. Gravimetric Feeder
B. Volumetric Feeder
C. Positive Displacement Pump

35. Describe the limiting factors which govern the rate of flow
in a filter.

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36. Identify means to prevent lime deposits on filter media.

37. Describe how to determine when to backwash a filter.

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MODULE C: MONITORING AND TROUBLESHOOTING

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CONCEPT: MONITORING

38. Identify the optimum pH for the precipitation of:

A. Calcium Hardness
B. Magnesium Hardness

39. Identify suitable ranges after treatment for each of the

following:

A. pH
B. Alkalinity
C. Hardness
D. Turbidity
NOTE: DNR and Williams Bay feel hardness should be
80-100 MG/L

40. Discuss various methods used to determine stability of

water, including the Langelier Index method. How might a
calcium carbonate solubility curve (ph vs. alkalinity) be
used to determine the corrosive or depositing properties of
a particular water?

41. Discuss laboratory tests used for process control in a lime

softening facility.

42. State how often the tests listed above should be run.

43. Describe a jar test and list applications for use.

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44. Define the following terms:

A. End Point
B. Phenolphthalein
C. P-Alkalinity
D. M-Alkalinity
E. Acidic
F. Basic
G. NTU

45. State how many buffers should be used when calibrating a Ph

meter.

46. Given approximate pH values, identify suitable buffers for

use in calibrating a pH meter.

47. Identify the titrant in each of the following tests:

A. Hardness
B. Alkalinity

48. Cite advantages and disadvantages of liquid and powder

indicators used in the EDTA hardness test.

49. Describe the color changes at the endpoints or P- and M-

alkalinity tests.

50. Identify the pH values for the P-alkalinity and M-alkalinity

endpoints.

CONCEPT: TROUBLESHOOTING

51. Given the following problems, pinpoint a cause and

corrective action:

A. Floc Going Over Weirs

B. Corrosive Water
C. High Turbidity
D. Air Binding
E. Media Loss
F. Media Cracks

52. List suitable means of sludge disposal.

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MODULE D: SAFETY AND CALCULATIONS

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CONCEPT: SAFETY

53. Identify and describe protective measures used to store,

transport and deliver alum and ferric chloride.

CONCEPT: CALCULATIONS

54. Given necessary data calculate:

A. Rate of Flow Through a Filter

B. Filter Backwash Rate
C. Percent of Total Water Used For Backwashing

55. Given the necessary data formulas, calculate:

A. Lime Dosage To Remove Carbonate Hardness

B. Soda Ash Dosage To Remove Non-Carbonate Hardness
C. Polymer Dosage in lbs/mg/L

56. Given pounds of lime used, gallons of water treated, raw and
finished water hardness; calculate parts per million
hardness removed per pound of lime.

57. Given the formula and laboratory data, calculate the

hardness in ppm.

58. Given the formula and laboratory data, calculate the

alkalinity in ppm.

59. Given P- and M-alkalinity values, use a table of alkalinity

relationships to determine bicarbonate, carbonate and
caustic alkalinity concentrations.

60. Given total and P-alkalinity data for either settled water
or tap water determine what corrective action, if any,
should be taken.

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 RESOURCES

1. SMALL WATER SYSTEM OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE. 1st Edition

(1990). Kenneth D. Kerri. California State University,
6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6025. Phone (916) 278-
6142.

2. STANDARD METHODS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF WATER AND

WASTEWATER. 17th Edition (1989), 18th Edition (1992). Joint
Publication of: American Public Health Association; American
Water Works Association; and, Water Environment Federation
(Old WPCF). Publication Office: American Public Health
Association, 1015 Fifteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20005.

3. WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATION. 2nd Edition (1989).

Volumes 1 and 2. Kenneth D. Kerri. California State
University, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6025.
Phone (916) 278-6142.

4. WISCONSIN ADMINISTRATIVE CODE NR 809 (OLD 109) SAFE DRINKING

WATER. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Attn: Ken
Cramer, P.O. Box 7921, Madison WI 53707.

5. WISCONSIN ADMINISTRATIVE CODE NR 811 REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

OPERATION AND DESIGN OF COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS. Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources, Attn: Ken Cramer, P.O. Box
7921, Madison, WI 53707.

THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM:

AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION

MEMBER SERVICE DEPARTMENT
6666 W. QUINCY AVENUE
DENVER, CO 80235
(303)794-7711

1-800-92-ORDER (FOR CHARGE CARD CUSTOMERS OR AWWA MEMBERS

ONLY)

6. BASIC MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES FOR SMALL WATER SYSTEMS. AWWA

No. 20222 (1982).

7. BEFORE THE WELL RUNS DRY - VOLUMES I AND II. VOLUME I, AWWA
No. 20224 (1984). VOLUME II, AWWA No. 20225 (1984).

8. DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS: CURRENT PERSPECTIVES. AWWA No.

20032 (1989).

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9. MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT. James K. Jordan. AWWA No. 20252
(1990).

10. NEW DIMENSIONS IN SAFE DRINKING WATER-SECOND EDITION. AWWA

No. 20235 (1988).

11. PLAIN TALK ABOUT DRINKING WATER. James M. Symons. AWWA

No. 70076 (1991).

12. PUBLIC INFORMATION - HOW TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC

INFORMATION/PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM. AWWA No. 20242
(1989).

13. SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT SERIES:

SURFACE WATER TREATMENT RULE. AWWA No. 70055 (1990)

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION. AWWA No. 70056 (1990)
TOTAL COLIFORM RULE. AWWA No. 70057 (1990)
VOC'S AND UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS. AWWA No. 70058 (1990)
LEAD AND COPPER. AWWA No. 70073) (1991)
PHASE II: VOC'S,IOC'S, AND SOC'S. AWWA No. 70074 (1991)

14. SLUDGE: HANDLING AND DISPOSAL. AWWA No. 20034 (1989)

15. TREATMENT TECHNIQUES FOR CONTROLLING TRIHALOMETHANE IN

DRINKING WATER. AWWA, No. 20221 (1982).

16. WATER CONSERVATION. William O. Maddaus. AWWA No. 20238

(1987)

17. WATER QUALITY AND TREATMENT-FOURTH EDITION. AWWA No. 10053

(1990).

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