New Mexico CID MS-3 Cesspools, Septic Tanks and Sewers Examination

Under NMAC 14.6.6, an MS-3 septic tanks and sewer contractor’s authorized sewer work ends at which point relative to the building?

• AAt the building drain inside the foundation wall
• BTwo feet outside the building wall
• CFive feet beyond the outside wall of the building
• DTen feet beyond the property line

How much experience does NMAC 14.6.6 require for the MS-3 septic tanks and sewer classification?

• AOne year
• BTwo years
• CFour years
• DNo experience if the PSI exam is passed

Under the 2005 NMAC 20.7.3 liquid-waste rules used on the MS-3 exam, discharging untreated liquid waste into a cesspool is:

• AAllowed if the pit is at least 10 ft deep
• BAllowed on lots of 0.75 acre or larger
• CAllowed only when the public sewer is more than 200 ft away
• DProhibited

Incidental electrical work authorized under the MS-3 classification is limited to plug-in control panels, controls, and control wiring not exceeding:

• A12 volts
• B24 volts
• C50 volts
• D120 volts

NMAC 20.7.3, the New Mexico liquid-waste rule listed for the MS-3 exam, applies to on-site liquid-waste systems that receive how much flow?

• A1,000 gallons per day or less
• B2,000 gallons per day or less
• C5,000 gallons per day or less
• DNo daily-flow limit if a CID permit is issued

An on-site liquid-waste system permitted under NMAC 20.7.3 (2005) must be located:

• AWholly on the same lot that is the source of the liquid waste
• BOn any adjoining lot owned by the same person
• CWithin 100 ft of the structure, even if across a property line
• DIn a public right-of-way if a county easement is pending

Under NMAC 20.7.3.401 (2005), a homeowner who is not a CID-licensed contractor may self-install which of the following after obtaining the department permit?

• AA seepage pit authorized by variance
• BAn advanced treatment unit with a mound
• CA permitted septic tank and a conventional trench or bed disposal field
• DA cluster system serving two adjoining houses

NMAC 20.7.3.201 (2005) requires a residential or commercial unit on an on-site liquid-waste system to connect to a public sewer:

• AWhenever a sewer main exists anywhere in the same county
• BIf required by the local authority having jurisdiction
• COnly if the on-site system has already failed
• DOnly after the septic tank is 20 years old

The official PSI bulletin for the New Mexico CID MS-3 examination (CIB 865) describes which examination format?

• A40 closed-book questions, 70 percent, 90 minutes
• B50 open-book CBT questions, 75 percent (38 points), 120 minutes, English
• C60 oral questions, 80 percent, 3 hours, Spanish only
• D100 take-home questions, 60 percent, no time limit

Where there is no established on-site liquid waste system, 20.7.3.301 NMAC prohibits installing a conventional treatment system on a lot smaller than:

• A0.25 acre
• B0.50 acre
• C0.75 acre
• D2.00 acres

Drainfield aggregate under NMAC 20.7.3.7 (2005) shall have a minimum size of 3/4 inch and a maximum size of:

• A1 inch
• B1 1/2 inches
• C2 1/2 inches
• D4 inches

Approved drainfield aggregate must provide no less than what void space under field conditions?

• A15 percent
• B25 percent
• C35 percent
• D50 percent

Which septic-tank construction is prohibited by NMAC 20.7.3.501 (2005)?

• APrecast reinforced concrete
• BFiberglass certified to IAPMO standards
• CPolyethylene
• DMetal, wooden, concrete-block, or homeowner-built tanks

A conventional septic tank may be constructed of which of the following materials under NMAC 20.7.3.501 (2005)?

• AOn-site concrete-block masonry
• BSteel drum or corrugated metal culvert
• CPrecast reinforced concrete, poured-in-place concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene
• DUntreated lumber cribbing with a plywood cover

NMAC 20.7.3.501 (2005) requires the manufacturer’s name, New Mexico registration number, year of construction, and tank capacity to be permanently displayed:

• AOn a paper tag inside the inlet baffle
• BOn the tank above the outlet pipe
• COnly in the permit file, not on the tank
• DOn the distribution box lid

Table 302.1 of NMAC 20.7.3 (2005) requires which minimum setbacks from a building or structure?

• ABuilding sewer 0 ft, treatment unit 2 ft, disposal field 5 ft, seepage pit 5 ft
• BBuilding sewer 2 ft, treatment unit 5 ft, disposal field 8 ft, seepage pit 8 ft
• CBuilding sewer 5 ft, treatment unit 10 ft, disposal field 10 ft, seepage pit 12 ft
• DBuilding sewer 10 ft, treatment unit 10 ft, disposal field 25 ft, seepage pit 25 ft

Minimum concrete thicknesses for a concrete liquid-waste treatment unit under NMAC 20.7.3.501 (2005) are:

• AWalls 2 in., floors 2 in., covers 2 in.
• BWalls 2 1/2 in., floors 3 in., covers 3 in.
• CWalls 4 in., floors 6 in., covers 4 in.
• DWalls 6 in., floors 6 in., covers 6 in.

Concrete used in a liquid-waste treatment unit must meet which minimum 28-day strength and cement type under NMAC 20.7.3.501 (2005)?

• A2,500 psi with Type I cement only
• B3,000 psi with masonry cement
• C3,500 psi at 28 days, density 140 pcf, Portland Type II or V per ASTM C150
• D5,000 psi with high-early Type III only

Except for tanks approved with Type V concrete, the interior of a concrete treatment unit must be protected from corrosion by an approved bituminous coating or equivalent that extends:

• AOnly across the underside of the cover
• BTo at least 6 inches below the waterline
• COnly on the exterior sidewalls
• DFrom grade down to the inlet invert only

Septic-tank covers under NMAC 20.7.3.501 (2005) must support an earth load of not less than 300 pounds per square foot when maximum fill coverage does not exceed:

• A6 inches
• B12 inches
• C3 feet
• D6 feet

A water-pressure watertightness test of a treatment unit under NMAC 20.7.3.203 (2005) is passed when the unit is sealed, filled, allowed to stand 24 hours, refilled, and then:

• AEmptied immediately if no leaks are visible
• BHolds the water level for 60 minutes
• CLoses no more than 10 percent in 8 hours
• DShows a wet spot smaller than 2 inches

As an alternative to water-pressure testing, NMAC 20.7.3.203 (2005) accepts a vacuum test that holds which vacuum for 60 minutes?

• A1 inch of mercury
• B2 inches of mercury
• C5 inches of mercury
• D10 inches of water column

Before aggregate or drain lines are placed, smeared or compacted trench surfaces must be:

• AWetted and tamped with a plate compactor
• BCoated with bentonite grout
• CRaked to a depth of 1 inch and the loose material removed
• DLined with 6-mil polyethylene

After drain lines are covered with aggregate (when geotextile is not used), the aggregate must be covered with which material before earth backfill?

• A6-mil polyethylene sheeting lapped 12 inches
• BUntreated building paper, straw, or similar porous material
• CA 2-inch concrete mud cap
• DCompacted clay 6 inches thick

When geotextile fabric is used over drain lines, NMAC 20.7.3.701 (2005) requires how much aggregate cover over the pipe?

• A0 inches
• B2 inches
• C6 inches
• D12 inches

Perforations in conventional disposal-field pipe must be located not less than 30 degrees or more than 60 degrees from:

• AThe horizontal springline of the pipe
• BThe vertical on either side of the centerline of the bottom of the pipe
• CThe top of the pipe
• DThe nearest trench sidewall

Conventional disposal-field distribution lines shall have an inside diameter of no less than 4 inches and a minimum perforated area of:

• A1/2 square inch per linear foot
• B1 square inch per linear foot
• C1 1/2 square inches per linear foot
• D4 square inches per linear foot

The person doing work authorized by a liquid-waste permit must notify the department to schedule an inspection a minimum of how long before the inspection?

• A2 working hours
• B2 working days
• C10 working days
• D30 calendar days

In NMAC 20.7.3 Table 302.1 (2005), the minimum setbacks to property lines are:

• ABuilding sewer clear, treatment unit 5 ft, disposal field 5 ft, seepage pit 8 ft
• BBuilding sewer 5 ft, treatment unit 10 ft, disposal field 10 ft, seepage pit 12 ft
• CBuilding sewer 2 ft, treatment unit 5 ft, disposal field 8 ft, seepage pit 8 ft
• DAll components 10 ft from every property line

After receiving a completed application for a conventional treatment and disposal system, the department shall grant, conditionally grant, or deny the permit within:

• A5 working days
• B10 working days
• C20 working days
• D45 calendar days

For an application proposing advanced treatment or alternative disposal, NMAC 20.7.3.403 (2005) requires the department to act within:

• A5 working days
• B10 working days
• C20 working days
• D90 calendar days

The department may cancel a liquid-waste permit if installation or modification has not been completed within how long after issuance?

• A90 days
• B6 months
• C1 year
• D3 years

When a septic tank is abandoned, NMAC 20.7.3.307 (2005) requires the installer to pump the unit, then:

• ALeave it empty and lock the lids
• BFill it with septage from another job
• COpen or rupture the bottom or collapse the unit so it cannot hold water, then fill it wit…
• DCrush only the inlet baffle and backfill over a sealed tank

Every abandoned building sewer, or part thereof, shall be plugged or capped within how many feet of the property line?

• A2 feet
• B5 feet
• C10 feet
• D25 feet

A building-sewer offset of 12 ft is made with two 45-degree fittings. Using the 1.414 travel constant from Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters, what is the center-to-center travel length?

• A12.0 ft
• B15.0 ft
• C17.0 ft
• D24.0 ft

When two or more drain lines are installed, the distribution-box outlet inverts shall be level and the inlet invert shall be at least:

• ALevel with the outlets
• B1 inch above the outlets
• C2 inches above the outlets
• D4 inches above the outlets

The watertight line from a septic tank to a distribution box shall be SDR 35 or better. In Table 302.1 (2005), the treatment-unit-to-disposal-field setback may be reduced from 10 ft to 5 ft when which pipe is used?

• APerforated corrugated PE drain tubing
• BSchedule 40 PVC/DWV pipe
• CVitrified clay bell-and-spigot
• DThin-wall sewer grade ABS

Access risers from a septic tank to finished grade shall be at least 24 inches in diameter for depths of 0 to 3 feet. For depths greater than 3 feet they shall be at least:

• A18 inches in diameter
• B20 inches in diameter
• C24 inches in diameter
• D30 inches in diameter

Wherever vehicular traffic is anticipated to cross a liquid-waste treatment unit, pump station, or pump chamber, NMAC 20.7.3.501 (2005) requires the unit to be:

• ACovered with an extra 6 inches of native backfill
• BDesigned by a professional engineer to withstand the anticipated traffic loading
• CBuilt of concrete block 8 inches thick
• DLimited to 500 gallons capacity

When liquid wastes contain excessive grease, garbage, flammable wastes, or sand, NMAC 20.7.3.305 (2005) requires an interceptor to be installed:

• AIn the disposal-field header
• BIn-line prior to the liquid-waste treatment unit, complying with the Uniform Plumbing Code
• COnly on the graywater branch
• DAfter the septic tank outlet filter

Per Table 201.2 of NMAC 20.7.3 (2005), the minimum septic-tank liquid capacity for a 3-bedroom single-family dwelling is:

• A750 gallons
• B1,000 gallons
• C1,200 gallons
• D1,500 gallons

The minimum septic-tank capacity for a 1-bedroom single-family dwelling in Table 201.2 (2005) is:

• A500 gallons
• B750 gallons
• C1,000 gallons
• D1,200 gallons

A 4-bedroom single-family dwelling requires a minimum septic-tank liquid capacity of:

• A1,000 gallons
• B1,200 gallons
• C1,500 gallons
• D2,000 gallons

NMAC 20.7.3.502 (2005) requires a conventional septic tank to have a minimum of how many compartments?

• AOne
• BTwo
• CThree
• DFour

The invert of the septic-tank inlet pipe shall be at a level not less than how much above the invert of the outlet pipe?

• A1/2 inch
• B1 inch
• C2 inches
• D4 inches

Every septic tank installed under NMAC 20.7.3.502 (2005) shall include which device on the outlet before final discharge?

• AA chlorinator tablet tee
• BA department-approved effluent filter with an access riser to grade
• CA backwater valve
• DA 2-inch cleanout only

The inlet compartment of a two-compartment septic tank shall be two-thirds of the total liquid capacity and not less than:

• A300 gallons, 2 ft wide, and 4 ft long
• B500 gallons, 3 ft wide, and 5 ft long
• C750 gallons, 4 ft wide, and 8 ft long
• D1,000 gallons regardless of tank size