Free Kansas Water Well Contractor’s Licensure Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Kansas Water Well Contractor’s Licensure Exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A Kansas contractor is classifying groundwater for a nonpublic well. Which dissolved-solids and chloride limits define fresh groundwater?

   1. A. No more than 500 mg/L total dissolved solids and 250 mg/L chloride
   2. B. No more than 1,000 mg/L total dissolved solids and 500 mg/L chloride
   3. C. No more than 1,500 mg/L total dissolved solids and 750 mg/L chloride
   4. D. No more than 2,000 mg/L total dissolved solids and 1,000 mg/L chloride

   Answer: B

   Explanation: K.A.R. 28-30-2(n) defines fresh groundwater using "not more than 1,000 milligrams of total dissolved solids per liter and 500 milligrams of chloride per liter." Therefore option B gives both controlling limits.

   Reference: STATE OF KANSAS — K.A.R. 28-30-2(n)

2. 2Four Kansas wells in one local source feed a common distribution system but have separate pumps. What arrangement can qualify them as a battery of wells?

   1. A. Within a 100-foot-radius circle and no more than 400 gpm total
   2. B. Within a 300-foot-radius circle and no more than 800 gpm total
   3. C. Within a 500-foot-radius circle and no more than 1,000 gpm total
   4. D. Within a quarter-mile-radius circle and no limit on total rate

   Answer: B

   Explanation: K.A.R. 5-1-1(n) includes "not more than four wells in the same local source of supply within a 300-foot-radius circle" with pumps totaling no more than 800 gpm and a common distribution system. Option B states the controlling distance and rate.

   Reference: Kansas Water Appropriation Rules Dec (2021) — K.A.R. 5-1-1(n)

3. 3Which aquifer setting is generally more susceptible to contamination from the land surface?

   1. A. A confined aquifer sealed from surface contaminants
   2. B. A deep aquiclude
   3. C. A near-surface unconfined aquifer
   4. D. An aquifer isolated above and below by impermeable rock

   Answer: C

   Explanation: KGS describes near-surface unconfined aquifers as "more susceptible to contamination." Option C follows that comparison with confined aquifers.

   Reference: Kgs Pic 23 — Section 1, Aquifers, page 2

4. 4In the Public Land Survey System used for Kansas well locations, what is the normal dimension of a township?

   1. A. Four miles on a side
   2. B. Five miles on a side
   3. C. Six miles on a side
   4. D. Ten miles on a side

   Answer: C

   Explanation: KGS says townships are "generally 6 miles on a side." Therefore a normal PLSS township is six miles by six miles.

   Reference: KGS Pub. Inf. Circ. 20--Part 1 of 4 — Part 1, Introduction, page 1

5. 5Which formations does Kansas include in the Dakota aquifer system?

   1. A. Ogallala, Niobrara, Carlile, and Greenhorn
   2. B. Dakota, Kiowa, Cheyenne, and the hydraulically connected Morrison
   3. C. Alluvium, terrace deposits, dune sand, and loess
   4. D. Lansing, Kansas City, Marmaton, and Cherokee

   Answer: B

   Explanation: K.A.R. 5-1-1(u) says the system "shall include the Dakota formation, the Kiowa formation, the Cheyenne sandstone, and, where hydraulically connected, the Morrison formation." Option B reproduces that formation set.

   Reference: Kansas Water Appropriation Rules Dec (2021) — K.A.R. 5-1-1(u)

6. 6A Kansas system provides piped water for human consumption. What service-connection count makes it a public water supply system under K.S.A. 65-162a?

   1. A. At least 5 service connections
   2. B. At least 10 service connections
   3. C. At least 15 service connections
   4. D. At least 25 service connections

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The statutory definition applies if the system "has at least ten (10) service connections" or meets the separate population-and-days test. Option B is the connection threshold.

   Reference: Creator: wkhtmltopdf 0.12.6 — K.S.A. 65-162a(b), pages 1-2

7. 7For an above-grade surface completion in Kansas, how high must the casing extend above the surrounding ground?

   1. A. At least 3 inches
   2. B. At least 12 inches
   3. C. At least 36 inches
   4. D. At least 240 inches

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The definition applies when "the casing being used is at least 12 inches above the surrounding ground surface." Option B is the required height; the other dimensions are quantities used for different Kansas well-construction or plugging requirements.

   Reference: STATE OF KANSAS — K.A.R. 28-30-2(b)

8. 8A permitted Kansas point of diversion is described as completed substantially as shown on the application map. How close must the actual location be to the mapped location?

   1. A. Within 300 feet
   2. B. Within 1,000 feet
   3. C. Within 1,320 feet
   4. D. Within 2,640 feet

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The defined phrase means "within 300 feet of the location as shown on the aerial photograph, topographic map, or plat accompanying the application." Option A applies; the other distances are used elsewhere in Kansas water-appropriation definitions or application rules.

   Reference: Kansas Water Appropriation Rules Dec (2021) — K.A.R. 5-1-1(q)

9. 9After completing a new well, what action does KGS advise before relying on the water for its intended use?

   1. A. Assume clear water is suitable
   2. B. Test the water for quality and suitability
   3. C. Use yield alone to establish potability
   4. D. Wait one year before sampling

   Answer: B

   Explanation: KGS advises having new-well water "tested to determine its quality and suitability for use." Option B is the recommended action.

   Reference: Kgs Pic 23 — Section 1, Ground-water Quality and Contamination, page 2

10. 10How many sections does a normal PLSS township contain?

    1. A. 16
    2. B. 25
    3. C. 36
    4. D. 64

    Answer: C

    Explanation: The KGS circular states that townships "contain 36 sections." Option C is the standard section count.

    Reference: KGS Pub. Inf. Circ. 20--Part 1 of 4 — Part 1, Introduction, page 1