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Exam Review

Key Facts: SD Water/Wastewater Operator Exam

7 Types

Certification Categories

DANR

70%

Minimum Passing Score

DANR

$60

Exam Fee

DANR

2 Weeks

Application Deadline Before Exam

ARSD 74:21:02:40

500+

Population Threshold for WW Certification

DANR

Sample SD Water/Wastewater Operator Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the SD Water/Wastewater Operator exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 202+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which agency administers water and wastewater operator certification in South Dakota?
A.US Environmental Protection Agency
B.South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR)
C.South Dakota Department of Health
D.South Dakota Board of Water and Natural Resources
Explanation: The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), through its Drinking Water Program, administers operator certification for water and wastewater operators. The program is governed by ARSD 74:21:01-02 and SDCL 34A-3.
2What types of operator certifications are available in South Dakota?
A.Only water treatment and wastewater treatment
B.Water treatment, water distribution, wastewater treatment, wastewater collection, stabilization ponds, small water treatment, and very small water systems
C.Only Class A and Class B water operators
D.Only drinking water operators
Explanation: South Dakota offers seven types of operator certifications: water treatment, water distribution, wastewater treatment, wastewater collection, stabilization ponds, small water treatment systems, and very small water systems. Each type has multiple certification levels based on system complexity and operator experience.
3How much does a certification exam cost in South Dakota?
A.Free of charge
B.$30.00 per exam
C.$60.00 per exam
D.$150.00 per exam
Explanation: All operator certification exams in South Dakota cost $60.00 per exam. Exam applications must be received by DANR at least two weeks before the scheduled exam date, as required by the Operator Certification Rules (ARSD 74:21:02:40).
4Which water systems in South Dakota must have a certified operator?
A.Only systems serving more than 10,000 people
B.All community and non-transient non-community (NTNC) water systems regardless of size
C.Only surface water systems
D.Only privately owned water systems
Explanation: In South Dakota, ALL community and non-transient non-community (NTNC) water treatment and distribution systems, regardless of size, must have a certified operator. For wastewater, all systems serving more than 500 people must have a certified operator in direct responsible charge.
5What regulations govern water and wastewater operator certification in South Dakota?
A.Federal EPA regulations only
B.Administrative Rules of South Dakota 74:21:01-02 and SDCL 34A-3
C.County health department ordinances
D.Municipal building codes
Explanation: South Dakota operator certification is governed by the Administrative Rules of South Dakota (ARSD) 74:21:01 through 74:21:02 and the South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 34A-3. These establish certification levels, examination requirements, continuing education, and enforcement provisions.
6What role does the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems (SDARWS) play in operator certification?
A.It administers the certification exams
B.It provides training courses, events, and technical assistance to help operators prepare for certification and meet continuing education requirements
C.It issues operator licenses
D.It sets the certification regulations
Explanation: The South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems (SDARWS) provides training courses, technical assistance, and continuing education opportunities for water and wastewater operators. While DANR administers the certification program, SDARWS is a key training provider that helps operators prepare for exams and maintain their certifications.
7What wastewater systems in South Dakota require a certified operator in direct responsible charge?
A.All wastewater systems regardless of size
B.Only those in Sioux Falls and Rapid City
C.Wastewater treatment or collection systems serving more than 500 people
D.Only industrial wastewater systems
Explanation: In South Dakota, all wastewater treatment or wastewater collection systems that serve more than 500 people must have a certified operator in direct responsible charge. Smaller systems may still benefit from having certified operators but are not mandated to do so under state regulations.
8What training class in South Dakota best prepares operators for the Class I Wastewater Treatment exam?
A.Stabilization Pond class
B.Basic Wastewater Treatment Class (covers all types except ponds)
C.Water Distribution class
D.Small Water Systems class
Explanation: The Basic Wastewater Treatment Class deals with all types of wastewater treatment besides ponds and is the best preparation for the Class I Wastewater Treatment exam. The Stabilization Pond class deals strictly with ponds and is best for preparing for the Small Wastewater System exam.
9What is the primary purpose of chlorination in water treatment?
A.To adjust water pH
B.To disinfect water by inactivating pathogenic microorganisms
C.To remove dissolved minerals
D.To improve water taste
Explanation: Chlorination is used primarily to disinfect drinking water by inactivating pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and some protozoa. Chlorine provides both primary disinfection at the treatment plant and a residual disinfectant throughout the distribution system to protect against recontamination.
10What is the breakpoint in breakpoint chlorination?
A.The point where chlorine equipment fails
B.The point where all ammonia nitrogen is oxidized and free chlorine residual begins to increase proportionally
C.The maximum allowable chlorine dose
D.The point where turbidity reaches zero
Explanation: The breakpoint is the point during chlorination where enough chlorine has been added to oxidize all ammonia nitrogen (destroying chloramines). Beyond this point, additional chlorine produces a free chlorine residual that increases proportionally with dose. Breakpoint chlorination is used when a free chlorine residual is desired instead of combined chlorine.

About the SD Water/Wastewater Operator Exam

The South Dakota water/wastewater operator certification exam tests knowledge of ARSD 74:21 regulations and SDCL 34A-3, water treatment, wastewater treatment, distribution and collection systems, stabilization ponds, and laboratory testing. Seven certification types are available including small water systems and very small water systems.

Exam sponsor: SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

100 questions

Time Limit

2.5 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam / Certification Fees

$60 per exam

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

20%

State Laws & Regulations

ARSD 74:21 regulations, SDCL 34A-3, seven certification types, DANR requirements, and continuing education

25%

Water Treatment

Disinfection, coagulation, filtration, CT calculations, groundwater rule, and surface water treatment

25%

Wastewater Treatment

Activated sludge, stabilization ponds, sludge handling, NPDES compliance, and safety procedures

15%

Distribution & Collection

Cross-connection control, pump operations, I&I management, cold weather operations, and hydraulics

15%

Laboratory & Math

Water quality testing, sampling procedures, math calculations, record-keeping, and CCR requirements

Preparing for the SD Water/Wastewater Operator Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 2.5 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: $60 per exam Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 202 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

SD Water/Wastewater Operator: Suggested Study Strategy

1Review ARSD 74:21 regulations for certification types, examination requirements, and CE requirements
2Study stabilization pond operations — particularly relevant for South Dakota's rural communities
3Master cold weather operations including freeze prevention, ice damage, and seasonal lagoon management
4Practice math: chlorine dosage (lbs = MGD × mg/L × 8.34), detention time, and tank volumes
5Learn cross-connection control, backflow prevention, and distribution system maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of operator certifications does South Dakota offer?

SD offers seven types: water treatment, water distribution, wastewater treatment, wastewater collection, stabilization ponds, small water treatment systems, and very small water systems.

Which systems require certified operators in South Dakota?

All community and NTNC water systems regardless of size must have certified operators. Wastewater systems serving more than 500 people require certified operators in direct responsible charge.

How much does a South Dakota operator certification exam cost?

All exams cost $60. Applications must be received by DANR at least two weeks before the scheduled exam date per ARSD 74:21:02:40.

What are the continuing education requirements in South Dakota?

SD uses a sliding scale of contact hours based on the number and type of certificates held, implemented since the 2010 renewal cycle.

Who should I contact about SD operator certification exams?

Contact Tammie Hill at DANR at (605) 773-3577 or tammie.hill@state.sd.us. For training, contact SDARWS at (605) 556-7219.