Free Washington Well Operator Written Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Washington Well Operator Written Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Before constructing a water well that requires a Washington water-right permit, what must the operator have at the well site?

   1. A.A copy of the water-right permitCorrect answer: A
   2. B.The county tax assessment
   3. C.A pump installer affidavit
   4. D.A recorded access easement

   Explanation: The rule states, "The licensed operator must have a copy of the water right permit or certificate on site at all times." Therefore option A is required.

   Reference: Wac 173 160 — WAC 173-160-121(2)

2. 2During construction, how must a driller treat confining layers between aquifers?

   1. A.Remove them to increase yield
   2. B.Perforate them at five-foot intervals
   3. C.Preserve them so the well does not interconnect aquifersCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Replace them with filter-pack material

   Explanation: The rule says, "Water wells may not interconnect aquifers." Preserving the confining layers as in option C complies with that prohibition.

   Reference: Wac 173 160 — WAC 173-160-181(1)-(3)

3. 3Which well must be decommissioned under Washington's minimum standards?

   1. A.A properly maintained well in seasonal use
   2. B.An abandoned well that is no longer intended for useCorrect answer: B
   3. C.A tagged well awaiting a pump
   4. D.A new well before its water-quality result arrives

   Explanation: The rule says, "Any well which is unusable, abandoned, or whose use has been permanently discontinued" shall be decommissioned. Option B is an abandoned well.

   Reference: Wac 173 160 — WAC 173-160-381 introductory paragraph

4. 4In what type of formation may a liner generally be installed?

   1. A.Unconsolidated sand formation
   2. B.Unconsolidated gravel formation
   3. C.Consolidated rock formationCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Low-conductivity confining formation

   Explanation: The rule states, "Liners may be used only in consolidated formations." Therefore option C is the permitted formation; all alternatives are real subsurface formation classes.

   Reference: Wac 173 160 — WAC 173-160-191(12)

5. 5Which sedimentary rock is composed mainly of cemented gravel and sand?

   1. A.ConglomerateCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Shale
   3. C.Slate
   4. D.Basalt

   Explanation: Ecology's conglomerate row begins, "Cemented gravel, sand, and" sometimes silt. Therefore option A is correct.

   Reference: Consolidated Rock Table — Consolidated Rocks table, Conglomerate row

6. 6A public water-supply well is ready for its required pumping test. What minimum continuous duration applies?

   1. A.1 hour
   2. B.2 hours
   3. C.4 hoursCorrect answer: C
   4. D.8 hours

   Explanation: The rule says, "The test pump for public water supply wells shall be operated continuously for a minimum of four hours." Option C is correct.

   Reference: Wac 173 160 — WAC 173-160-321(1)

7. 7On which official filing must the operator report required well-yield test results?

   1. A.Notice of intent
   2. B.Water well reportCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Variance request
   4. D.Operator license-renewal application

   Explanation: The rule states, "Test data shall be reported to the department on the water well report by the operator." Therefore option B is the required filing; the alternatives are other real program documents.

   Reference: Wac 173 160 — WAC 173-160-321(3)

8. 8How many sections are normally contained in a Public Land Survey System township?

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

   Explanation: The DNR guide states, "Each township is broken down into 36 sections." Therefore option C is correct.

   Reference: Wa Dnr Plss — Land Legal Descriptions, townships and sections

9. 9Which activity meets the rule's definition of artificial groundwater recharge?

   1. A.Injecting water through a well to add it to an aquiferCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Pumping groundwater from a production well
   3. C.Measuring the static level in an observation well
   4. D.Sealing an abandoned well with bentonite

   Explanation: The rule defines artificial recharge as "the addition of water to an aquifer by activities of man, such as irrigation or induced infiltration from streams, or injection through wells, trenches, pits, and ponds." Injecting water to add it to an aquifer therefore matches option A.

   Reference: Wac 173 160 — WAC 173-160-111, definition of artificial recharge

10. 10Before constructing a well intended as a public water-supply source, what site action is required?

    1. A.Obtain Department of Health site approvalCorrect answer: A
    2. B.Complete the well before notifying any agency
    3. C.Obtain only a pump installer permit
    4. D.Record a mineral-right deed

    Explanation: The rule states, "Before construction begins, final site approval must be obtained from the department of health or the local health jurisdiction." Option A identifies that required action.

    Reference: Wac 173 160 — WAC 173-160-171(3)(c)(i)