Exam For Site Evaluators

1.  Septic tanks shall have a minimum of how many compartments?
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four
5. None

2. For a proper septic tank, the first compartment is:
1. Bigger than the second
2. Smaller than the second
3. The same size as the second
4. There is only one compartment in a proper septic tank

3. Proper septic tanks:
1. Have an open bottom in the second compartment for leaching
2. Have an open bottom in the first compartment for leaching
3. Have an open bottom in both compartments for leaching
4. Must be have completely sealed bottoms

4. In a proper septic tank, the inlet pipe elevation is:
1. Higher than the outlet pipe
2. Lower than the outlet pipe
3. The same elevation as the outlet pipe
4. The elevation of the inlet and outlet pipes do not matter

5. Septic tanks shall have man holes or access ports over:
1. The first compartment only
2. The second compartment only
3. Both the first and second compartments
4. Manholes or access ports are not required for proper septic tanks

6. Septic tank should vent the gasses:
1. At street level
2. At roof level
3. There is no vent for a proper septic tank

7. Septage contains:
1. Sludge, or the heavy non-biodegradable solids in wastewater
2. Scum, or the fats, oils and grease in wastewater
3. Liquids
4. All of the above
5. None of the above

8. Septage is:
1. Dangerous to people as it contains pathogens
2. Not dangerous to people as all of the pathogens have been killed

9. Septage, after it is pumped from the septic tank shall be:
1. Brought to only approved treatment facilities
2. May be applied directly to agricultural fields
3. May be discharged to the nearest estero or river
4. May be discharged to the bay or ocean

10. The Plumbing Code of the Philippines requires that septic tanks shall be a minimum of 25 meters from a well because:
1. Waste from septic tank can leach and contaminate drinking water aquifers
2. Waste from septic tanks can corrode the water pipes
3. There is no set back requirement

11. When drawing a site plan for a sanitation inspection, the inspector shall include:
1. Nearest roadway
2. All buildings and structures
3. Any well on the property or within 25 meters of the property
4. Any pit toilets on the property
5. All of the above
12. For proper plumbing connections:
1. All sinks require a “P” trap
2. Only the kitchen sink requires a “P” trap
3. Lavatory sinks can use an “S” trap
4. Sinks do not require traps

13. For proper plumbing connections, sanitary toilets:
1. Require an extra “P” trap between the toilet and the waste pipe
2. Have a built in “P” trap so no extra fitting is required

14. One indication of proper septic tank venting is:
1. An uncapped vent pipe protruding from the roof
2. A capped vent pipe protruding from the roof
3. A vent pipe protruding from the septic tank lid

15. Grey water is wastewater from:
1. Toilets, kitchen sink, shower
2. Kitchen sink, lavatory sinks, toilets
3. Lavatory sinks, kitchen sink, shower
4. Lavatory sinks, shower, kitchen sink, toilet

16. Grey water is:
1. Harmless to people and may be discharged on the ground surface
2. May contain some pathogens and should be treated before discharge

17. Building sewers shall always:
1. Run at a downward slope of 2% from the home to the septic tank
2. Run at an upward slope of 2% from the home to the septic tank
3. Run level from the home to the septic tank

18. Improved pit toilets are allowed where:
1. Homes have no indoor plumbing
2. Homes have no connection to the Water District or a well
3. The pit toilet can be installed a minimum of 25 meters from any well
4. The bottom of the pit can be installed 1 meter above groundwater
5. All statements are true
6. All statements are false

19. Ventilated Pit Toilets (VIPs) allow air to flow:
1. In through the door, down the toilet and up the vent
2. In through the vent, up the toilet and out the door
3. In through the toilet, up the vent and out the door

20. Sanitary inspectors should:
1. Conduct themselves in a professional manner as representatives of the city
2. Always answers questions truthfully and as completely as possible
3. Always observe the customs of the home
4. Never accept any gift, food or drink
5. Always carry identification
6. All statements are true
7. All statements are false

Answers

1. (b) Septic tanks shall have a minimum of 2 compartments.
2. (a) The first compartment is sized at 2/3 the total volume of the septic tank.
3. (d) Proper septic tanks are fully sealed with the effluent directed to either on-site disposal systems, or a sewer that safely carries the effluent away from the home.
4. (a) The inlet pipe is higher than the outlet pipe to encourage positive flow through the tank.
5. (c) Access ports are required over each compartment of the septic tank to allow for proper desludging.
6. (b) Septic tanks should be vented at roof level so the sewer gasses enter the atmosphere where the odors will not be nuisances to residents or neighbors.
7. (d) Septage contains the sludge (heavy solids that settle to the bottom of the septic tank), the scum (fats oils and grease that rise to the surface), and the liquid.
8. (a) Septage is dangerous as it contains very high numbers of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
9. (a) Septage must be brought to approved facilities for treatment. It is illegal to discharge septage on the ground surface or water bodies without treating it first.
10. (a) 25 meters is considered a safe distance between a septic tank and well to prevent contaminants from the septic tank from entering the well.
11. (e) Site plans should identify all of the features listed to provide as complete a picture as possible.
12. (a) All sinks should be protected by a “P” trap to minimize the potential for sewer gas to enter the home.
13. (b) Sanitary toilets have built in “P” traps so no additional trap is required.
14. (a) Look for an un-capped vent pipe protruding from the roof as an indication of proper septic tank venting.
15. (c) Grey water is wastewater from sinks and showers, not toilets. Toilet wastewater is called “black water”.
16. (b) Grey water may contain pathogens and should be treated or reused on-site when possible. If allowed to pond near homes, it will turn black, smell bad, and contain pathogens that can make your family sick.
17. (a) Building sewers always run down gradient to keep sewage flowing. Note: If the slope is too steep, the water will run faster than the solids and create clogging. If the slope is too shallow, the sewage will not flow fast enough and also create clogging conditions. The plumbing code requires a 2% gradient (in a 4” sewer pipe), which is just right to keep the liquid and solids moving together.
18. (e) All statements are true. Use improved pit toilets to minimize odors and flies, and improve performance so they do not contaminate drinking water aquifers.
19. (a) VIPs use a positive venting system to naturally bring in fresh air through the door, down the toilet, and up the vent stack, where the odors enter the atmosphere so they do not impact residents or neighbors.
20. (f) All statements are true.

Thank you for taking the time to improve your knowledge about septic tanks and site inspections.