Basic Wastewater Operator Practice Exam

How do you calibrate a chemical feed pump?

1. By measuring the pump output

2. Using the SWAG method

3. Jar test

4. With a microscope

The correct answer is: By measuring the pump output

Calibrating a chemical feed pump primarily involves measuring the pump output to ensure that it delivers the correct amount of chemical at the desired flow rate. This process typically entails running the pump for a specific period, collecting the output in an accurately measured container, and calculating the flow rate based on the volume collected. This process ensures that the pump is functioning within the required parameters and is providing the correct dosage of chemicals necessary for effective wastewater treatment. This method of calibration is crucial because accurate chemical dosing directly affects the efficiency of treatment processes and compliance with regulatory standards. A failure to calibrate correctly may lead to underdosing or overdosing of chemicals, which can result in ineffective treatment or environmental hazards. Other methods, such as using the SWAG method or conducting jar tests, serve particular purposes in water treatment but do not directly pertain to the calibration of pumps. The SWAG method is more qualitative and involves educated guesswork rather than precise measurement, while a jar test is used to determine flocculation and settling rates rather than pump calibration. Similarly, using a microscope is not relevant in the context of calibrating chemical feed pumps.