Professional Engineering Exam

Water Resources and Environmental Engineering

Study Guide

Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC)

National Center for Assessment (NCA)

May 2019
Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

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copyright in this report (including content and design) is owned by the National
Center for Assessment (NCA) - Riyadh – Saudi Arabia. EXCEPT with the expressed
written permission from NCA, you may not reproduce, use (in particular for
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communicate to the public or photocopy any part of this report .

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Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

Table of Contents Page

Copyright Notice 2
1. Aim 4
2. Exam Structure 4
3. Table of Specifications 8
4. Standards for Water Resources and Environmental Engineering
Paper 10
5. Samples of Questions 20
6. Solution of Samples of Questions 26

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Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

1. Aim:
The objective of this Instruction Manual is to provide guidelines for the NCA proposed
Professional Engineers Exam. These guidelines cover the eligibility conditions, the
grading and passing conditions, the structure of the exam and the distribution of exam
questions among various areas. In essence, this Instruction Manual represents a “bridge”
between the developed exam standards and the actual phrased questions. It is designed
to help item writers prepare questions for the Water Resources and Environmental
Engineering Discipline Exam as well as a study guide for examinees.

2. Exam Structure:
2.1 Exam Type
The exam is initially paper-based with questions being a combination of multiple- choice
questions (MCQ) and essays.

2.2 Exam Organization

The exam will be conducted in two sessions during one day. The duration of the first
session is 2.5 hours while the second section is 4 hours long. There is one-hour break
between the two sessions.

2.2.1. Session #1
The first session is the common part to be taken by all the examinees from all disciplines.
This part includes seven topics: (Ethics – Professionalism - Laws for Professional
Practice, Professional Laws and Regulation - Environment and Natural Resources -
Engineering Management - Engineering Economics - Health, Safety & Security (HSS)).
The total duration of this session is 2.5 hours and the total number of questions is 30 MCQ
and 2 essays.

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Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

2.2.2. Session #2
The second session is the Discipline Part. The following engineering disciplines are
considered:

Code Discipline

STE Structural Engineering

GTE Geotechnical Engineering

TRE Transportation Engineering

Water Resources and Environmental

WREE
Engineering

PE Power Engineering

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

HVAC
(HVAC) and Refrigeration Engineering

TFSE Thermal and Fluids Systems Engineering

CHE Chemical Engineering

FPE Fire Protection Engineering

ARCH Architecture

The total duration of this session is four hours and the total number of questions is 30
MCQs and four essays. The examinee must answer all the MCQs and two essays out of
four.

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Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

2.3 Eligibility for the Exam

The eligibility to register for the exam is according to the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE)
requirements.

2.4 Grades
Each part (common part and discipline part) carries a grade of 100. The MCQ carry a grade
of 60% while the essays carry a grade of 40%. Each MCQ has 4 choices for the answer.
There is no negative marking for wrong answers.

2.5 Passing Rules

 The eligible candidate must take in his/her first sitting the two exam parts
(common part and discipline part).

 In order to pass the exam, the candidate must obtain a grade of 60% or above in
each part of the exam.

 If the candidate fails both parts of the exam (by receiving in each part a grade less
than 60%), he/she can take the two parts of the exam but only when one full year
has passed.

 If the candidate fails only one part of the exam (common part or discipline part),
he/she must repeat only the part he/she failed, but he/she must pass this part
within one year.

 If a year passed and the candidate did not succeed in passing the part he/she
failed, then he/she has to take both parts of the exam

2.6 Exam Rules

 No printed or electronic material is allowed during the exam. All necessary
reference materials will be provided by NCA.

 Calculators approved by NCA are allowed.

 Comprehensive exam rules will be provided by the examination authority, NCA, in

a separate manual.

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Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

3. Table of Specifications for NCA Professional

Engineers Exam: Water Resources and
Environmental Engineering:
Multiple Choice
Questions (MCQs) Number of
Major Area Engineering
Essay Standard
% of Test Number of
Questions
Questions

1. Fluid Mechanics, and Open Channel

and Pipe Flow Hydraulics 10% 3 WREE-T1

2. Surface and Groundwater

Hydrology 10% 3 WREE-T2

3. Design of Hydraulic Structures 10% 3 WREE-T3

4. Water Resources Planning and
Management 6.7% 2 WREE-T4

5. Desalination Plants and Coastal

Works Design and Assessment 10% 3 WREE-T5

6. Water Treatment, Supply & Reuse 6.7% 2 WREE-T6

7. Sewerage Management, Treatment The engineer
and Reuse
6.7% 2 WREE-T7
will choose
two essay
8. Solid & Hazardous Waste questions
Management (Including Domestic 6.7% 2 out of four WREE-T8
and Industrial Wastes)
9. Air Quality Management 6.7% 2 WREE-T9
10. Environmental Planning, Monitoring
and Management 6.7% 2 WREE-T10

11. Environmental Risk and

Performance Management 6.7% 2 WREE-T11
Modeling
12. Feasibility Assessment and Project
Management 6.7% 2 WREE-T12

13. Environmental Laws, Codes and

Standards 3.3% 1 WREE-T13

14. Simulation and Modeling Programs 3.3% 1 WREE-T14

Total 100% 30 2 essays out

of 4

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Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

4. Standards for Water Resources and

Environmental Engineering:
The Engineering Standards for the Water Resources and Environmental Engineering
(WREE) Discipline are structured in 14 major topics that are below listed (WREE-T1 to
WREE-T14). Each major topic has certain indicators or sub-topics that are below defined.
Professional Engineers in the WREE Discipline are expected to possess and demonstrate
command of these major topics in the WREE practice.

WREE-T1: Fluid Mechanics, and Open Channel and Pipe Flow Hydraulics
WREE-T1-1 Apply theories and principles of hydrodynamics and flow equations; for
example, mass, energy and momentum conservation principles, to solve
water-related problems.
WREE-T1-2 Determine the possible water surface profiles along channels under
different flow conditions; including steady, unsteady, uniform and non-
uniform conditions.
WREE-T1-3 Design open channel conduits given specific constraints; e.g. most
economic cross-section for rigid-boundary channels, and non-silting non-
scouring velocity for loose boundary channels …etc.
WREE-T1-4 Estimate scour depths and sediment transport rates in streams, and
propose erosion sediment control plans/measures.
WREE-T1-5 Model open channel and pipe flows using common simulation programs;
including steady/unsteady state and extended/continuous period
simulations.
WREE-T1-6 Design transmission pipelines and pipe networks; including selecting
appropriate pumps, design of pump stations, and pipe material selection
where necessary.
WREE-T1-7 Assess transient pressures in pipelines and design countermeasures to
reduce water hammer effects.
WREE-T1-8 Assess buoyancy and stability of floating and submerged solid bodies in
fluids and determining hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces on surfaces;
for example, on gates, tanks, elbows and bends.

WREE-T2: Surface and Groundwater Hydrology

WREE-T2-1 Recognize the available water resources in KSA, and apply water cycle
management principles and techniques.
WREE-T2-2 Analyze rainfall-runoff relationships and estimate runoff from watersheds
using appropriate methods.

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Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

WREE-T2-3 Estimate stormwater quality using appropriate methods and methods to

improve water quality to meet the guidelines.
WREE-T2-4 Apply different flood routing methods.
WREE-T2-5 Perform statistical analyses of hydrological data; including frequency
analyses of rainfall and flood data.
WREE-T2-6 Estimate water losses through evaporation and infiltration.
WREE-T2-7 Use hydrologic Instruments, Telemetry Systems and Remote Sensing.
WREE-T2-8 Apply water budget principles to estimate potential water availability.
WREE-T2-9 Identify the different groundwater aquifers along with their hydraulic
characteristics.
WREE-T2-10 Apply groundwater flow principles and assess groundwater quantity and
quality.
WREE-T2-11 Design sustainable groundwater withdrawal well systems in the different
types of aquifers.
WREE-T2-12 Design groundwater management strategies, including but not limited to
withdrawal, recharge, remediation methods … etc.
WREE-T2-13 Assess groundwater contaminant fate and transport and verify the
assessment using common available software.

WREE-T3: Design of Hydraulic Structures

WREE-T3-1 Design culverts under different flow control conditions.
WREE-T3-2 Apply the hydrotechnical design of bridges; including piers and abutments
to avoid scour around them.
WREE-T3-3 Design different types of weirs.
WREE-T3-4 Design, operate, and maintain different types of dams; including reservoir
design and optimization.
WREE-T3-5 Design erosion and sediment control structures; for example, stormwater
ponds, dykes, spurs, guide banks, aprons, gabion baskets/mats, riprap
…etc.
WREE-T3-6 Design outfall structures; including energy dissipaters.
WREE-T3-7 Design road drainage facilities; such as, storm water drainage pipe
networks, drop structures, curb inlets, gutters, storm water harvesting
ponds and dewatering systems.
WREE-T3-8 Design flood control structures; including floodwalls and flood boxes.
WREE-T3-9 Assess micro to large hydroelectric power generation potential; for
example, in-line pipe turbines.

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Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

WREE-T4: Water Resources Planning, Modeling and Management

WREE-T4-1 Assess the demands of the different sectors within urban and rural
communities.
WREE-T4-2 Estimate the potential water supply through the different resources
including surface water, groundwater, desalinized water and treated
wastewater, both during existing conditions and for short- and long-term
developments.
WREE-T4-3 Analyze water resources systems and optimize their use.
WREE-T4-4 Understand storm water drainage management principles and techniques.
WREE-T4-5 Assess flood risks and flood hazards, and apply flood mitigation strategies.
WREE-T4-6 Identify water allocations and water saving strategies.
WREE-T4-7 Assess water security and identify countermeasures for periods of water
deficit.
WREE-T4-8 Evaluate suitable water tariffs for sustainable consumption by the different
sectors.
WREE-T4-9 Estimate risk and uncertainty in water resources systems; including
evaluation of alternatives and their hydrologic and hydraulic modelling,
watershed modelling, and water resources economics.

WREE-T5: Desalination Plants and Coastal Works Design and Assessment

Indicators
WREE-T5-1 Design intake structures, outfalls and water delivery systems in
desalination plants along coastlines.
WREE-T5-2 Evaluate different desalination technologies.
WREE-T5-3 Design and assess different brine disposal methods.
WREE-T5-4 Design breakwaters for harbors considering seawater waves and
undercurrents.
WREE-T5-5 Assess erosion of shorelines and design suitable countermeasures.

WREE-T6: Water Treatment, Supply and Reuse

WREE-T6-1 Apply the adopted water quality parameters and standards in KSA.
WREE-T6-2 Design different types of water treatment plants; including desalination
plants and their operation under zero-liquid-discharge (ZLD) operation.
WREE-T6-3 Design water supply networks under peak demands and fire protection
requirements.
WREE-T6-4 Design treatment systems for the reuse of collected storm water.

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Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

WREE-T6-5 Identify suitable flow meters for measuring water consumption in different
sectors; for example, residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
WREE-T6-6 Design water distribution networks including storage facilities.
WREE-T6-7 Estimate leakage in pipes and design countermeasures to reduce leakage.
WREE-T6-8 Recognize water network management techniques; such as, Supervisory
Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and Pressure Management
Zoning (PMZ), District Metering Zones and District Metering Areas
(DMZ/DMA).
WREE-T6-9 Recognize performance metrics in water distribution systems.

WREE-T7: Sewerage Management, Treatment and Reuse

WREE-T7-1 Design different types of municipal wastewater treatment plants.
WREE-T7-2 Design wastewater treatment facilities for various industrial facilities such
as refineries, petrochemical industry, car wash facilities, desalination
plants … etc.
WREE-T7-3 Recognize and apply recent wastewater treatment technologies.
WREE-T7-4 Design wastewater treatment systems for reuse of various types of
wastewaters; such as municipal and industrial wastewaters.
WREE-T7-5 Design sewerage collection system.
WREE-T7-6 Apply sewerage network management and control practices; for example,
SCADA system.
WREE-T7-7 Apply sludge management/reuse practices.
WREE-T7-8 Recognize Treated Sewerage Effluent (TSE) criteria and applications.

WREE-T8: Solid and Hazardous Waste Management (Including Domestic

and Industrial Wastes)
WREE-T8-1 Apply solid waste treatment technologies; for example, waste-to-energy
plants, material recovery plants (MRFs) and landfills.
WREE-T8-2 Recognize the importance of applying the 3Rs of waste management; i.e.
Reuse, Recover and Recycle.
WREE-T8-3 Apply cradle-to-grave principles of waste management.
WREE-T8-4 Apply safe hazardous waste management handling, storage and treatment
principles for the different sectors; including industrial, medical and
chemical wastes.
WREE-T8-5 Recognize Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management
(SAICM).

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Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

WREE-T9: Air Quality Management

WREE-T9-1 Define air pollution and air quality indices.
WREE-T9-2 Identify air quality emission sources.
WREE-T9-3 Design air quality monitoring and treatment systems.
WREE-T9-4 Model indoor and outdoor air quality using recent software.
WREE-T9-5 Predict and assess severity of dust storms.
WREE-T9-6 Control odour and apply treatment technologies.

WREE-T10: Environmental Planning, Monitoring and Management

WREE-T10-1 Identify environmental aspects, impacts and hazards.
WREE-T10-2 Evaluate and assess environmental and ecological footprints.
WREE-T10-3 Prepare environmental monitoring and management plans.
WREE-T10-4 Perform environmental audits.
WREE-T10-5 Perform environmental site assessments (ESAs).
WREE-T10-6 Identify eco-tourism concepts.
WREE-T10-7 Assess renewable resources and design implementation plans for
resource management.
WREE-T10-8 Design energy conservation models/methods.

WREE-T11: Environmental Risk and Performance Management Modeling

WREE-T11-1 Recognize the state of the environmental and ecological models.
WREE-T11-2 Identify and quantify environmental risks and liabilities.
WREE-T11-3 Identify environmental sustainability indices.
WREE-T11-4 Perform health, social, safety and environmental impact assessments
(EIAs).
WREE-T11-5 Perform health, social, safety and environmental life-cycle assessment
(LCAs).
WREE-T11-6 Design environmental management systems (EMS).
WREE-T11-7 Recognize the importance of carbon management.
WREE-T11-8 Assess the carbon foot print and management/reduction strategies for
various operations; including municipal (landfills, water and wastewater
treatment facilities, desalination plants …etc.) and industrial (refineries,
refinery wastewater treatment facility, oil & gas sector, petrochemical
industry … etc.) sectors.

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Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

WREE-T12: Feasibility Assessment and Project Management

WREE-T12-1 Identify the different constraints in a project.
WREE-T12-2 Assess the technical feasibility of different designs or alternatives.
WREE-T12-3 Assess the operational feasibility/constructability of different designs or
alternatives.
WREE-T12-4 Assess the legal feasibility of different designs or alternatives.
WREE-T12-5 Assess the scheduling feasibility of different designs or alternatives.
WREE-T12-6 Perform project management strategies and suggest the best possible
management options.
WREE-T12-7 Identify the risks associated in a project.
WREE-T12-8 Perform cost-benefit analysis to compare design alternatives.

WREE-T13: Environmental Laws, Codes and Standards

WREE-T13-1 Recognize the importance of water and wastewater infrastructure codes,
acts, specifications, requirements and limitations; especially the Saudi
ones and other similar regional or international corresponding documents
where Saudi documents may not be available.
WREE-T13-2 Be familiar with the Regional Protocols and Conventions; for example,
Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment
(ROPME).
WREE-T13-3 Recognize and apply Saudi Environmental Laws and Standards; for
example, the relevant water, sanitation and fire protection requirements
chapters of the Saudi Building Code.
WREE-T13-4 Recognize and apply Saudi Water, Wastewater and Energy Legislation,
Standards and Programs.

WREE-T14: Simulation and Modeling Programs

WREE-T14-1 Identify and demonstrate the use of the different simulation and modeling
software/programs used in surface water flow (both open channel and pipe
flows), groundwater flow, and hydraulic structures design.
WREE-T14-2 Identify and use the different simulation and modeling software/programs
used in water, stormwater, and wastewater treatment.
WREE-T14-3 Identify and use the different simulation and modeling software/programs
used in air quality, and solid and hazardous waste management.

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 Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

5. Sample of Questions
Expected
Question Statement Key Supplied
Q. No. Major Area Code Time
(Answer’s Choices) Answer
(min.)
Reference
Estimate the time required to discharge runoff
from a watershed that generates stormwater
runoff volume of approximately 31,000 m3.
Assume that the runoff will be discharged
through a rectangular channel that is 1.20 m
Fluid wide, 0.60 m deep and has a longitudinal slope
Mechanics, of 0.2% and its Manning’s roughness
and Open coefficient (n) is 0.022. If the channel flow is
1 WREE-T1-1 (C) 2.0 - 3.0 None
Channel and uniform at a depth of 0.45 m, then the time
Pipe Flow (hours) is nearest to:
Hydraulics
A) 10
B) 16
C) 19
D) 23

A small village has a population of 6000

inhabitants. The daily water demand of the
residents is estimated to be 150 l/c/d. A pump
station is located near a river, such that the
static head for all the pumps is 100 m. The
pumps are to deliver river water to the village,
and the available pumps from the closest
dealer are 10-horsepower each with an Pump
efficiency ()of 70%. Assuming the head horsepower
losses are 15% of the static head, the closest =𝑝=
𝛾𝑄ℎ
𝑝

Fluid required number of pumps; given that they

750∗𝜎
Where:
Mechanics, will be connected in parallel in the pump specific
and Open station and that their operating time is only 6 weight of
2 WREE-T1-6 hours/day, would be: (C) 5.0 - 6.0 water
Channel and
(N/m3)
Pipe Flow Q=
A) 3
Hydraulics B) 5 discharge
C) 9 (m3/s)
hp = pump
D) 12
head (m)

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 Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

Expected
Question Statement Key Supplied
Q. No. Major Area Code Time
(Answer’s Choices) Answer
(min.)
Reference
Three groundwater wells; A, B, and C, are
located such that the spacing between any two
of them is 500 m. The following data are given
for the wells:

Well Water Pressure

Well Ground
Base El. Head at the
Label El. (m)
(m) Well Base (m)
A 150 50 32
Surface and B 120 38 45
3 Groundwater WREE-T2-10 C 175 50 27 (A) 4.0 - 5.0 None
Hydrology
The hydraulic gradient (i) for the flow potential
between wells A and B is:

A) 0.002
B) 0.010
C) 0.012
D) 0.020

An 18-inches circular culvert discharges 24

cfs onto a grassy embankment that has no
defined channel. The minimum apron length, See the
attached
La, (ft) and minimum d50 (inches) of the
design
Design of required riprap at the culvert outlet to prevent
charts at
4 Hydraulic WREE-T3-5 erosion are closest to: (B) 3.0 – 4.0
the end of
Structures
the
A) 13 ft, 8 inches
Solutions
B) 20 ft, 9.6 inches
C) 22 ft, 12 inches Section
D) 25 ft, 15 inches

The six-month seasonal precipitation on a

small watershed is 70 cm, the runoff is 20 cm,
and the change in groundwater storage is 15
cm. What is the average monthly
evapotranspiration rate (cm/month),
Surface and assuming no initial abstraction?
5 Groundwater WREE-T2-8 (A) 2.0 – 3.0 None
Hydrology A) 5.83
B) 20.24
C) 35.56
D) 65.23

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 Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

Expected
Question Statement Key Supplied
Q. No. Major Area Code Time
(Answer’s Choices) Answer
(min.)
Reference
What is the average monthly NRW (non-
revenue water) in the case of a water company
having an offtake agreement with a
distribution company to supply into the
system inlet reservoirs a daily quantity of
2,000,000 m3/day? This water is supplied
50% from underground aquifers using RO with
an average reject rate of 65%. The distribution
Water supply network has average commercial
Treatment, losses of 500,000 m3/day and physical losses
6 WREE-T6-9 of 700,000 m3/day. The monthly quantity of (A) 3.0 – 4.0 None
Supply and
Reuse bills issued and collected by registered
customers is equivalent to 45 million
m3/month. So, the average monthly NRW is:

A) 25 %
B) 50 %
C) 75 %
D) 100 %

An extended aeration tank, which is operated

as continuous mixed reactor with length 50
meters, 20 meters wide and a hydraulic level
of 4 meters deep, requires a sludge age of 10
days to achieve a MLSS of 2,500 mg/l. What is
Sewerage total volume of sludge (in m3) withdrawn per
Management,
7 WREE-T7-7 day, if the average daily feed is 1,000 m3/day? (B) 3.0 – 4.0 None
Treatment
and Reuse A) 200
B) 400
C) 8,000
D) 1,000

Does the impact of higher ambient air

temperature on the air quality increase or
decrease the Yale Environmental Pollution
Index?

A) Higher temperature increases the Yale

Environmental Pollution Index
Air Quality because of higher rate of evaporation
8 WREE-T9-1 (D) 3.0 – 4.0 None
Management of any hazardous volatile components
in the air.
B) Higher temperature decreases the
Yale Environmental Pollution Index
because of the higher rate of
evaporation of any hazardous volatile
components in the air.

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 Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

Expected
Question Statement Key Supplied
Q. No. Major Area Code Time
(Answer’s Choices) Answer
(min.)
Reference

C) There is no change to the Yale

Environmental Pollution Index
because the calculation factors in
variance in ambient air temperature.
D) Not possible to answer because it
would depend on the type of air quality
contaminants and knowledge of
meteorological data such as humidity,
and windrose data.

What is the best description from the list

below that describe the BPEO / BATNEEC
principles for Flue Gas Desulphurisation
System (FGD)?
Air Quality
9 WREE-T9-3 (D) 3.0 – 4.0 None
Management A) Fluidized Incineration / wet air oxidation.
B) Radiation technology.
C) Limestone forced oxidation.
D) Physical chemical scrubber separation.

What are the main risks in designing a co-

compost facility to treat domestic and sewage
wastes?

A) Domestic waste generally has a low

percentage (less than 30 % of organic
biodegradable wastes).
Environment B) There is a need to have an initial good
al Risk and performance from a materials recycling
10 Performance WREE-T11-2 facility to separate the domestic wastes (C) 3.0 – 4.0 None
Management (organic from non-organic wastes).
Modeling C) There is need to have a good pretreatment
and monitoring of all wastes prior to co-
composting.
D) The risk will not be meeting the Ministry of
Agriculture, Water and Environmental
standards for reuse of composting for
agricultural land use.

A 1200-mm diameter concrete end sewer

discharges the storm runoff from a small
town into a narrow wadi edging the town. The
Design of sewer is designed to convey the 100-year
Essay
Hydraulic WREE-T3-6 storm discharge estimated at 6 m3/s while - 30 min None
#1
Structures flowing 1/2 full. Discuss the suitability of the
sewer material and any necessary
requirements to ensure its durability if the
material cannot be changed. Also, describe

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 Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

Expected
Question Statement Key Supplied
Q. No. Major Area Code Time
(Answer’s Choices) Answer
(min.)
Reference
the different suitable energy dissipator
alternatives for the sewer outflow; in view of
the exit Froude number, to minimize the wadi
erosion.

Part (1)
A waste stabilization pond will be used in a
municipal wastewater treatment system.
(a) Explain the function of bacteria and algae
in the stabilization ponds application.
(b) Explain why algae would be a problem if it
were present in the discharge from the pond.
(c) Define mechanisms that could be utilized to
control algae and that would prove helpful in
the development and use of this
wastewater treatment system.
(d) Explain what is meant by facultative pond.
Sewerage
Essay Management,
WREE-T7-1 Part (2) - 30 min None
#2 Treatment
A secondary clarifier accepts effluent from a
and Reuse
bioreactor at a flow rate of 8300 m3/d and
total suspended solids of 1600 mg/L. The
solids flux for the suspension is 2.6 kg/m2.h,
and the particle settling velocity is 1.27 m/h.
Determine the following: -
1. The solids loading rate
2. The required surface area based on solids
flux
3. The required surface area based on particle
settling velocity
4. The particle design surface area
5. The design overflow rate.

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Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

6. Solutions of Sample Questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Question # 1
WREE-T1: Fluid Mechanics, and Open Channel and Pipe Flow Hydraulics
WREE-T1-1 Apply theories and principles of hydrodynamics and flow equations; for
example, mass, energy and momentum conservation principles, to solve
water-related problems.

Estimate the time required to discharge runoff from a watershed that generates
stormwater runoff volume of approximately 31,000 m3. Assume that the runoff will be
discharged through a rectangular channel that is 1.20 m wide, 0.60 m deep and has a
longitudinal slope of 0.2% and its Manning’s roughness coefficient (n) is 0.022. If the
channel flow is uniform at a depth of 0.45 m, then the time (hours) is nearest to:
A) 10
B) 16
C) 19
D) 23

Solution WREE-T1-1:
Applying Manning’s equation:
A = b.y = 1.2 x 0.45 = 0.54 m2; P = b+2y = 1.2 + 2x0.45 = 2.1 m; R = A/P = 0.257 m
Q = 1/n [AR2/3 S1/2]
Q = 0.444 m3/s
Time = volume / Q = 31,000/0.444 s = 19.4 hr ~ 19 h

Answer WREE T1-1: (C)

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Professional Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Exam

Question # 2
WREE-T1: Fluid Mechanics, and Open Channel and Pipe Flow Hydraulics
WREE-T1-6 Design transmission pipelines and pipe networks; including selecting
appropriate pumps and design of pump stations, where necessary.

A small village has a population of 6000 inhabitants. The daily water demand of the
residents is estimated to be 150 l/c/d. A pump station is located near a river, such that
the static head for all the pumps is 100 m. The pumps are to deliver river water to the
village, and the available pumps from the closest dealer are 10-horsepower each with an
efficiency (of 70%. Assuming the head losses are 15% of the static head, the closest
required number of pumps; given that they will be connected in parallel in the pump
station and that their operating time is only 6 hours/day, would be:
A) 3
B) 5
C) 9
D) 12

Solution WREE-T1-6:
Q = 900 m3/d
This volume should be delivered within 6 hours; so, the discharge pumped would be:
Q = 900/6 = 150 m3/h or 0.0417 m3/s
Qpump = 0.0417 / n; where n is the number of pumps
Applying the provided power formula and assuming the pumps are identical:
hp = hstatic + hlosses = 100 x 1.15 = 115 m

𝛾𝑄ℎ𝑝
𝑝=
750 ∗ 𝜎

10 = 9810 x (0.0417/n) x 115 / (750 x 0.7)

n = 8.9 pumps or ~ 9 pumps

Answer WREE T1-6: (C)

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Question # 3
WREE-T2: Surface and Groundwater Hydrology
WREE-T2-10 Apply groundwater flow principles and assess groundwater quantity and
quality.

Three groundwater wells; A, B, and C, are located such that the spacing between any two
of them is 500 m. The following data are given for the wells:

Water Pressure
Ground El. Well Base El.
Well Label Head at the
(m) (m)
Well Base (m)
A 150 50 32
B 120 38 45
C 175 50 27

The hydraulic gradient (i) for the flow potential between wells A and B is:
A) 0.002
B) 0.010
C) 0.012
D) 0.020

Solution WREE-T1-6:
By adding the provided water pressure head at the well base to the base elevation of wells
A and B, the total energy elevation would be:
For well A: 82 m
For well B: 83 m
The flow potential would be from Well B to Well A, since Well B has higher energy level
and the hydraulic gradient (i) would be:
i = (83-82)/500 = 0.002

Answer WREE T2-10: (A)

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Question # 4
WREE-T3: Design of Hydraulic Structures
WREE-T3-5 Design erosion and sediment control structures; for example, stormwater
ponds, dykes, spurs, guide banks, aprons, gabion baskets/mats, riprap
…etc.

An 18-inches circular culvert discharges 24 cfs onto a grassy embankment that has no
defined channel. The minimum apron length, La, (ft) and minimum d50 (inches) of the
required riprap at the culvert outlet to prevent erosion are closest to:
A) 13 ft, 8 inches
B) 20 ft, 9.6 inches
C) 22 ft, 12 inches
D) 25 ft, 15 inches

Solution WREE-T3-5:
Since the outflow discharges as overland flow onto grassy embankment with no defined
channel, there will be no downstream control and the culvert would be inlet-controlled.
Using the chart for TW < 0.5 d (page 39), the d50 is estimated at 0.8 ft or 9.6 inches and
the La is approximately 18 ft. The closest answer to these values is (b).

Answer WREE T3-5: (B)

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Question # 5
WREE-T2: Surface and Groundwater Hydrology
WREE-T2-8 Apply water budget principles to estimate potential water availability.

The six-month seasonal precipitation on a small watershed is 70 cm, the runoff is 20 cm,
and the change in groundwater storage is 15 cm. What is the average monthly
evapotranspiration rate (cm/month), assuming no initial abstraction?
A) 5.83
B) 20.24
C) 35.56
D) 65.23

Solution WREE-T2-8:
Applying the water budget equation assuming no initial abstraction:

ΔS = P – R – ET; where ΔS is the change in groundwater storage, P is the precipitation, R

is the runoff and ET is the evapotranspiration.

15 = 70 – 20 – ET

Therefore, ET = 35 cm/6 months or 5.83 cm/month on average.

Comment: This answer assumes no variability in the above parameters within the six-
month season.

Answer WREE T2-8: (A)

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Question # 6
WREE-T6: Water Treatment, Supply and Reuse
WREE-T6-9 Recognize performance metrics in water distribution systems.

What is the average monthly NRW (non-revenue water) in the case of a water company
having an offtake agreement with a distribution company to supply into the system inlet
reservoirs a daily quantity of 2,000,000 m3/day? This water is supplied 50% from
underground aquifers using RO with an average reject rate of 65%. The distribution supply
network has average commercial losses of 500,000 m3/day and physical losses of
700,000 m3/day. The monthly quantity of bills issued and collected by registered
customers is equivalent to 45 million m3/month. So, the average monthly NRW is:
A) 25 %
B) 50 %
C) 75 %
D) 100 %

Solution WREE-T6-9:
In the case of the water company having an offtake from a distribution company to supply
water, the efficiency of the water treatment plants is not of concern.

The revenue water over one month (30 days) is 2 million m3/day x 30 days/month = 60
million m3/month. The answer is (a), because the NRW is calculated based upon the
difference from 100% in billing quantities against the total system input volume; i.e. 1 -
45/60 = 1 – 0.75 = 0.25 or 25%

Answer WREE T6-9: (A)

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Question # 7
WREE-T7: Sewerage Management, Treatment and Reuse
WREE-T7-7 Apply sludge management/reuse practices.

An extended aeration tank, which is operated as continuous mixed reactor with length 50
meters, 20 meters wide and a hydraulic level of 4 meters deep, requires a sludge age of
10 days to achieve a MLSS of 2,500 mg/l. What is total volume of sludge (in m3) withdrawn
per day, if the average daily feed is 1,000 m3/day?
A) 200
B) 400
C) 8,000
D) 1,000

Solution WREE-T7-7:
The answer is b; it is calculated simply as 1/10th of the volume of the aeration volume.

Answer WREE T7-7: (B)

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Question # 8
WREE-T9: Air Quality Management
WREE-T9-1 Define air pollution and air quality indices.

Does the impact of higher ambient air temperature on the air quality increase or decrease
the Yale Environmental Pollution Index?

A) Higher temperature increases the Yale Environmental Pollution Index because of

higher rate of evaporation of any hazardous volatile components in the air
B) Higher temperature decreases the Yale Environmental Pollution Index because of the
higher rate of evaporation of any hazardous volatile components in the air
C) There is no change to the Yale Environmental Pollution Index because the calculation
factors in variance in ambient air temperature
D) Not possible to answer because it would depend on the type of air quality
contaminants and knowledge of meteorological data such as humidity, and windrose
data

Solution WREE-T9-1:
The answer to this question requires an understanding of both air quality impacts on
temperature and background information on the Yale Environmental Pollution Index. The
answer is that although air pollution increases generally with high temperatures because
of increase in ground level ozone that will cause further oxidation of nitrogen dioxide, that
it is not possible to state specifically regard to the Yale Environmental Pollution Index
because an overall understanding of the exact type of pollutants and meteorological
conditions.
In Saudi Arabia because of the vast differences in regions and localities there are areas
for example of industrial cities near the coast where the Yale Environmental Pollution
Index would be affected by the presence of the humidity changes from the coastline as
well as wind characteristics. This would be different for example in calculating the Yale
Environmental Pollution Index for industrial areas located inland.
The correct answer is therefore d.

Answer WREE T9-1: (D)

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Question # 9
WREE-T9: Air Quality Management
WREE-T9-3 Design air quality monitoring and treatment systems.

What is the best description from the list below that describe the BPEO / BATNEEC
principles for Flue Gas Desulphurisation System (FGD)?

A) Fluidized Incineration / wet air oxidation

B) Radiation technology
C) Limestone forced oxidation
D) Physical chemical scrubber separation

Solution WREE-T9-3:
This question also requires knowing what the definition of BPEO is and BATNEEC – these
are defined respectively as best practical environmental option and best available
technique not entailing excessive cost respectively.
FGD systems work with a variety of reagents, such as limestone, magnesium-enriched
lime, and waste soda ash or limestone-based systems using organic acid enhancement
As traditional best practice, the FGD either work as wet scrubbing systems in which the
flue gas normally passes first through a fly ash removal device, either an electrostatic
precipitator or a baghouse, and then into the SO 2-absorber; or through a dry injection or
spray drying operations, where the SO2 is first reacted with the lime, and then the flue
gas passes through a particulate control device.
The concept of BPEO/ BATNEEC comes into consideration is the knowing that scrubbing
is the most tried and robust solution , although there are certain mitigation measures
associated with ensuring the durability of the treatment technology and using techniques,
such as reheating the gases to above their dew point, or using materials of construction
and designs that allow equipment to withstand the corrosive conditions . Technology such
as fluidized incineration or wet air oxidation is not prone to corrosivity issues from the
gases as the gases are incinerated; however, this technology is not proven and is
expensive and does not represent BPEO/BATNEEC. The other answers b and c are not
proven – hence the correct answer is d.

Answer WREE T9-3: (D)

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Question # 10
WREE-T11: Environmental Risk and Performance Management Modeling
WREE-T11-2 Identify and quantify environmental risks and liabilities.

What are the main risks in designing a co-compost facility to treat domestic and sewage
wastes?

A) Domestic waste generally has a low percentage (less than 30 % of organic

biodegradable wastes)
B) There is a need to have an initial good performance from a materials recycling facility
to separate the domestic wastes (organic from non-organic wastes)
C) There is need to have a good pretreatment and monitoring of all wastes prior to co-
composting
D) The risk will not be meeting the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Environmental
standards for reuse of composting for agricultural land use

Solution WREE-T11-2:
This question requires an understanding of what are risks in designing environmental
technology. The technology must be designed to meet the standards and in this case for
a composting plant in Saudi Arabia, it would be to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and
Environmental Standards if the compost is to be used for irrigation. If, however the plant
is intended to generate fertilizer components, such as perlite, for industrial use then it
would be according to the industrial / commercial requirements. However, considering
the standard is not a risk – it is a treatment objective.
The risk is the need to have appropriate pre-treatment to ensure the domestic waste
being sent to treatment contains only the organic fraction (typically it would be around 55
%). If it is lower than this or the feed contains items such as metals which cannot be
composted, then the risk would be that the inlet requirements to the plant would not meet
the requirements of a minimum organic contents for biodegradation or conversion
through the methagonic digestion process to provide compost or compost elements. For
the sewage waste it would be to ensure there is no heavy metals and the dryness and
odour does not present a risk to the design of the compost plant.
Hence, the correct answer is c.

Answer WREE T11-2: (C)

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Essay Questions
Essay Question # 1
WREE-T3: Design of Hydraulic Structures
WREE-T11-2 Design outfall structures; including energy dissipaters.

A 1200-mm diameter concrete end sewer discharges the storm runoff from a small town
into a narrow wadi edging the town. The sewer is designed to convey the 100-year storm
discharge estimated at 6 m3/s while flowing 1/2 full. Discuss the suitability of the sewer
material and any necessary requirements to ensure its durability if the material can not
be changed. Also, describe the different suitable energy dissipator alternatives for the
sewer outflow; in view of the exit Froude number, to minimize the wadi erosion.
Write an essay that answers the above requirements.
Answer to Essay Question number 1
Preliminary calculations:
Diameter, d = 1.2 m
Area of flow, A = ½ (π d2/4) = ½ (3.14 x 1.22/4) = 0.565 m2
Average flow velocity, v = Q / A = 6/0.565 = 10.61 m/s
Hydraulic radius, R = A/P; where P = π d/2 = 1.88 m, hence R = 0.3 m

Froude no. =
𝑣
= 6.19
√𝑔𝑅

Based on the provided information of discharge, sewer diameter and flow depth, the
estimated average flow velocity would be 10.61 m/s. This is relatively a high velocity that
may result in erosion of concrete over the long term. It is ideal if the sewer material is
replaced by a PVC pipe, for example. However, if only concrete pipes are available then
additives; such as fly ash, or reduced water/cement ratio of the concrete will be required
to increase the erosive resistance of the concrete.
At such high velocity, Froude number of the outfall would be approximately 6.19. This
indicates that the outflow is super-critical. To minimize the erosive power of the outflow
on the receiving wadi bed, different measures may be taken depending on the site
conditions and the available limits of disturbances. One of the measures could be to install
a manhole or a catch basin manhole on the downstream side of the sewer line; such that
another end-sewer at a milder slope would covey the flow to a stilling basin with baffle
blocks and possibly end sill to reduce the flow velocity and convert the flow state to sub-
critical conditions.
Another means to dissipate the energy of the outflow is to design one of the known USBR
basins at the end of the sewer. At such high value of Froude number, the USBR Impact
Basin with baffle wall may be an appropriate choice.

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It may also be possible to design a rock chute with appropriate riprap or gabion baskets
configuration that would reduce the erosive power of the outflow and result in its safe
discharge to the wadi.
The above alternatives should be investigated based on cost and availability, as well as
the urgency and time of construction before a decision is made.

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Essay Question # 2
WREE-T7: Sewerage Management, Treatment and Reuse
WREE-T7-1 Design different types of municipal wastewater treatment plants.

Part (1)
A waste stabilization pond will be used in a municipal wastewater treatment system.
A) Explain the function of bacteria and algae in the stabilization ponds application.
B) Explain why algae would be a problem if it were present in the discharge from the
pond.
C) Define mechanisms that could be utilized to control algae and that would prove helpful
in the development and use of this wastewater treatment system.
D) Explain what is meant by facultative pond.
Solution
(a) A waste stabilization ponds operation is dependent on the reaction of bacteria and
algae. Organic matter is metabolized by bacteria to produce the principle products of
carbon dioxide, water and a small amount of ammonia nitrogen. Algae convert
sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. They utilize the end products of cell
synthesis and other nutrients to synthesize new cells and produce oxygen. The most
important role of the algae is in the production of oxygen in the pond for use by aerobic
bacteria. In the absence of sunlight, the algae will consume oxygen in the same
manner as bacteria. Algae removal is important in producing a high-quality effluent
from the pond.
(b) The discharge of algae increases suspended solids in the discharge and may present
a problem in meeting water quality criteria. The algae exert, an oxygen demand when
they settle to the bottom of the stream and undergo respiration.
(c) The following methods have been suggested for control of algae: (1) multiple ponds in
series, (2) drawing off of effluent from below the surface by use of a good baffling
arrangement to avoid algae concentrations, (3) sand filter or rock filter for algae
removal, (4) alum addition and flocculation, (5) micro-screening, and (6) chlorination
to kill algae. Chlorination may increase BOD loading due to dead algae cells releasing
stored organic material.
(d) Facultative ponds have two zones of treatment: an aerobic surface layer in which
oxygen is used by aerobic bacteria for waste stabilization and an anaerobic bottom
zone in which sludge decomposition occurs. No artificially induced aeration is used.
Part (2)
A secondary clarifier accepts effluent from a bioreactor at a flow rate of 8300 m3/d and
total suspended solids of 1600 mg/L. The solids flux for the suspension is 2.6 kg/m2.h,
and the particle settling velocity is 1.27 m/h. Determine the following: -
1. The solids loading rate

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2. The required surface area based on solids flux

3. The required surface area based on particle settling velocity
4. The particle design surface area
5. The design overflow rate
Solution
1. The solids loading rate is
= (1600 mg/L) (8300 m3/d) (10-6 kg/mg) (1000 L/m3)
= 13 280 kg/d
2. As = surface area teased on solids flux, m2
Q = flow rate =8300 m3/d
X = influent TSS = 1600 mg/L
G = solids flux = 2.6 kg/m2.h
m3 𝑚𝑔 𝑘𝑔
(8300 ) (1600 ) (10−6 )(1000 𝐿/𝑚3)
As =
Q X d 𝐿 𝑚𝑔
= kg 24ℎ
G (2.6 .d) ( )
m2 𝑑

= 213 m2
3. As = surface area teased on settling velocity, m2
m3
(8300 )
= d
m 24h = 272 m2
(1.27 )( )
h d

4. The design surface area is the greater of the areas based on solids flux and settling
velocity. The Settling velocity area of 272 m2 is greater than the solids flux area of 213
m2. Then the design area is 272 m2.
m3
(8300 )
5. The design overflow rate q = AS =
Q d
ℎ
( 272 m2)(24 )
𝑑

= 1.27 m3/m2.h

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Design Charts

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