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Level 3 · Advanced sample questions

Laboratory Practice Questions for Level 3 · Advanced

5 free sample questions on laboratory for the Level 3 · Advanced wastewater treatment operator exam. Try each one, then open the answer to check your work.

  1. Question 1

    The lab accepts BOD bottles with at least 2.0 mg/L DO depletion and at least 1.0 mg/L final DO. Four bottles from one sample have these initial/final DO readings: Bottle 1: 8.4/6.8; Bottle 2: 8.2/4.0; Bottle 3: 8.1/0.6; and Bottle 4: 8.0/3.0 mg/L. Which bottle results should be averaged?

    1. Bottles 1 and 2
    2. Bottles 2 and 4
    3. Bottles 2 and 3
    4. Bottles 3 and 4
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. Bottles 2 and 4

  2. Question 2

    A pH meter passes calibration at pH 4 and 7, but gives a stable high reading on two fresh pH 10 check buffers. Its temperature reading and compensation check pass. A second meter reads both buffers correctly. What should be evaluated before using the first meter for high-pH samples?

    1. First meter's temperature compensation
    2. Condition of its pH 7 calibration
    3. Electrode response above pH 7
    4. Stability of the electrode junction
    Show the answer

    Answer: C. Electrode response above pH 7

  3. Question 3

    An ammonia sample's matrix spike has low recovery. The calibration check, laboratory control sample, and a matrix spike on a different wastewater sample all pass. Which cause is most likely?

    1. The ammonia standard was made too weak
    2. The analyzer calibration has drifted
    3. The reagent lot has failed for all samples
    4. Interference from this sample's matrix
    Show the answer

    Answer: D. Interference from this sample's matrix

  4. Question 4

    A laboratory SOP treats each group of four membrane-filtration samples as a separate batch and states that a failed closing blank invalidates that batch. The blank before Samples 1-4 is clean, but their closing blank has growth. Samples 5-8 use a new sterile setup and have clean opening and closing blanks. A valid repeat can be completed within holding time. Which samples require repeat analysis?

    1. Both sample batches
    2. Samples 1-4 because their sterility check failed
    3. Sample 4 because it was tested before the failed blank
    4. Samples 5-8 because they followed the failed blank
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. Samples 1-4 because their sterility check failed

  5. Question 5

    A luminescent DO meter passes its zero check but fails an air-saturation check after being moved to a higher-elevation plant. Temperature is correct. The meter's pressure entry is 101.3 kPa, while a calibrated barometer at the plant reads 84.0 kPa. What should be corrected before repeating the check?

    1. Adjust the zero point with fresh zero-oxygen solution
    2. Change the salinity correction for the basin sample
    3. Enter the plant's barometric pressure
    4. Recalibrate the DO sensor
    Show the answer

    Answer: C. Enter the plant's barometric pressure

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