WETS Irrigation Technician Practice Exam

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• How must a double check be installed?
• Which date marks when a licensed person must be on the job site at all times?
• To size a pump for a zone requiring 40 GPM at a total dynamic head of 40 ft, which approach is correct?
• What is the function of the relief valve on an RPZ backflow preventer?
• Static pressure at A is 75 psi and at B is 70 psi. Which pressure reading is lower?
• How does soil type affect irrigation scheduling?
• Which joining method is typically used with PVC mains?
• If a backflow device is leaking, what is the recommended course of action for a technician?
• What is the typical operating voltage for irrigation controllers and solenoids?
• How should irrigation wiring be protected in exposed or harsh environments?
• What is a weather-based ET controller and how does it operate?
• What is a typical symptom indicating uniform head misdirection or poor distribution in a zone?
• Back pressure is typically caused by which phenomenon?
• Emitter spacing is best described as what?
• Where should the isolation valve be installed in relation to the meter and backflow device?
• Purpose of a zone map in irrigation design?
• If a rain sensor stops irrigation when rainfall exceeds a threshold, what is the practical benefit?
• What is the primary use of a catch can test in drip irrigation?
• How does reducing the pipe diameter downstream of a tee affect zone pressure?
• What is a drip emitter and how do emitter flow rates vary by type?
• Which methods verify that a zone valve is energizing when commanded by the controller?
• Process of chemically melting PVC pipe and fittings together?
• The term commission refers to which agency?
• Which component’s performance is evaluated by a field test per local codes using a certified tester?
• What is precipitation rate, and how does it influence zone design?
• What helps prevent emitters from clogging in an irrigation system?
• Emitter flow rate is defined as the volume of water emitted per hour. Emitter spacing is the distance between emitters along a line. What is emitter flow rate best described as?
• In a catch-can test, distribution uniformity is determined by comparing which portion of readings to the zone average?
• The Texas agency abbreviated 'TCEQ' stands for what?
• Backflow preventers should be tested how often?
• In irrigation, which head type generally has a lower application rate with wider coverage and less uniformity?
• What is the role of a check valve in irrigation lines?
• What is ET-based weather-based irrigation control and its benefit?
• Name two common backflow preventers used in irrigation and the typical testing requirement.
• What is the function of a filter in an irrigation system?
• Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) is used for what purpose in pump operation?
• Which items must be used when irrigating with reclaimed water?
• Who can repair an irrigation system?
• How often must a licensed irrigation technician renew their license?
• Which statement best describes how weather-based controls optimize irrigation efficiency?
• When solvent welding PVC pipe and fittings together, how much twist is recommended?
• Which statement best defines a water budget for irrigation planning?
• Back siphonage in irrigation systems can be caused by which scenario?
• Which units correspond to emitter discharge rate and precipitation rate, respectively?
• Back siphonage can occur when which scenario occurs?
• What does TDH stand for in irrigation systems?
• What is water hammer and how can it be mitigated in irrigation piping?
• In an area that measures 3 feet wide by 120 feet long bordered by impervious structures, what device do I need to install?
• If the stem of a spray head will not extend fully, what is the most likely cause?
• What is the commonly recommended maximum water velocity in PVC irrigation pipe to minimize headloss?
• Where should signage be placed when irrigating with reclaimed water?
• Which backflow device primarily protects against back-siphonage?
• Backflow in a water distribution can be caused by which conditions?
• What happens when the controller outputs 24V to a zone wire?
• Which phenomenon is commonly associated with a sudden surge in pressure in a piping system due to rapid valve closure?
• How is Distribution Uniformity (DU) calculated in catch-can test?
• What happens when you install a valve backwards?
• Which action helps mitigate water hammer in irrigation piping?
• On an irrigation plan, 1 inch = 10 feet; what is the real distance for a plan measurement of 5.5 inches?
• When sizing a pump for a zone with a known flow and head requirement, which two performance factors must be verified beyond matching the curve?
• Which device provides a flexible connection between PVC piping and a sprinkler head to protect the sprinkler head?
• What is the role of a rain sensor in irrigation control?
• Where should drip irrigation tubing be buried relative to the root zone?
• How do you test zone flow and ensure correct valve operation?
• In irrigation hydraulics, how does pipe diameter affect friction loss at a given flow?
• In 24 VAC irrigation controller wiring, which color conductor is commonly used for the common (C) line?
• Which device is commonly installed with a new irrigation controller to monitor rainfall?
• Which statement correctly expresses air gap installation requirements?
• Water hammer and how can it be mitigated?
• What is the role of a control valve in an irrigation zone?
• When a controller is installed or replaced, what else must be installed?
• Using the scale of 1 inch = 10 feet, what real distance does 2.5 inches on the plan represent?
• In Class PVC Pipe, what does the '200' rating indicate?
• A catch-can test is used to measure which two aspects of sprinkler heads?
• Which backflow device includes test ports?
• Which sequence correctly outlines how to calculate run time for a zone to meet plant water needs?
• PVC stands for?
• If a client does not want purple primer visible on PVC joints, what should you explain?
• If a valve is installed in the reverse orientation, what is the effect on water delivery?
• Approximately how many feet of head does 1 psi represent?
• Name a common tool used to measure flow in an irrigation zone.
• If an irrigation bid lacks a backflow device, what should the technician do?
• A pressure vacuum breaker must be installed how many inches above the highest downstream outlet?
• Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) is defined as the available suction head minus the required NPSH. Why is it critical for pump operation?
• Which statement is true about supervision when repairing an irrigation system?
• If water continues to flow from a zone after the controller has turned the valve off, what is a likely cause?
• What are common filter screen sizes used in irrigation, and what is their purpose?
• Which irrigation emitter type is typically most water-efficient for landscape beds and perimeters?
• Which formula is used to estimate friction loss in irrigation piping?
• What is ETc and how is it used for watering schedules?
• What is the standard operating voltage supplied to irrigation controllers?
• What is the purpose of a sprinkler head's pop-up height?
• In run-time calculations, which factor is included in addition to ETc and application rate?
• Separating areas with sun and shade on an irrigation system is called what?
• In a startup sequence after winterization, which step comes last?
• What is the function and placement of a vacuum breaker with respect to the highest outlet?
• What is used to connect PVC to the sprinkler head, to protect the sprinkler head?
• What is a water budget in irrigation planning?
• Which statement about ET-based irrigation control best describes its benefit?
• How many hours of training must a technician complete from a TCEQ-approved training provider before becoming licensed?
• How long must pressure exist for it to be called constant pressure?
• If a backflow device is missing on a bid, which action is described as the proper course?
• Which statement about connecting PE piping is true?
• What should you do with trenches and holes created during irrigation system installation?
• Why are filters used in irrigation systems?
• The technician works under the supervision of which role?
• What are two common pipe materials for irrigation mains and how are they joined?
• When boring under a hardscape, the sleeve for a 1 inch pipe must be at least which size?
• If the wrong size pipe is delivered on a project, what should the technician do?
• Which term describes the sudden pressure surge in a piping system commonly caused by rapid valve closure?
• What is the purpose of an inline anti-siphon valve or check valve in a drip irrigation system?
• How deep should the irrigation wiring be installed?
• Frequent watering results in which root system development?
• Differentiate between direct-acting and pilot-operated solenoid valves used in irrigation control.
• What is suction lift and why does it matter for pump selection?
• How does elevation affect pressure requirements in an irrigation system?
• Precipitation rate influences zone design primarily by which factors?
• Which action is a valid first check when diagnosing a zone energizes but delivers no water?
• When performing routine valve box maintenance, what should you check first?
• What other component must be installed with a double check assembly when installed below grade?
• A reduced pressure principle must be installed at what height above grade?
• What does distribution uniformity (DU) measure in a catch-can test?
• In a setup with two water sources, one potable and one non-potable, which backflow protection device is acceptable?
• What inputs does a weather-based ET controller use to adjust irrigation schedules?
• Which statement correctly defines a backflow preventer and when it is required?
• What is the difference between emitter discharge rate and precipitation rate?
• Which statement correctly describes backflow risk in irrigation systems?
• Which are common indicators that a sprinkler head is clogged?
• How often should backflow preventers be tested in commercial irrigation systems?
• Which component receives a 24 VAC signal from the controller to operate a zone valve?
• How do you compute the zone flow Q for a zone with six sprinklers each rated at 2 GPM?
• In a 24V irrigation system, what is the role of the common (C) wire and the zone wire?
• Training for licensure must come from what type of provider?
• What symptom indicates excessive pressure at a sprinkler head?
• What is the difference between static pressure and dynamic pressure?
• What is cycle and soak in irrigation scheduling and why is it used?
• Watering less frequently results in which root system development?
• In drip irrigation installation, which factor most influences the exact burial depth of tubing within the typical 6–12 inch range?
• Which statement best describes why a backflow preventer test cock is used?
• What is the primary purpose of a pressure regulator in an irrigation system?
• Sleeves should be at least how many sizes larger than irrigation piping?
• What is the purpose of a backflow preventer test cock?
• What is the function of a regulator in a drip irrigation system?
• In irrigation design, what does the term head refer to?
• Which color is used to indicate reclaimed water piping?
• The acronym TCEQ stands for which organization?
• Signs of head misalignment due to spacing issues?
• Which inputs are used in ET-based irrigation scheduling?
• Function of a check valve on a pump discharge and where installed?
• Effect of distribution uniformity on application efficiency?
• When using chlorine in potable or recycled water supplies, what is a key consideration?
• What is the standard method for testing a backflow preventer on a site?
• Which backflow device is most recommended for systems with fertilizer injectors?
• Describe one common method of winterizing an irrigation system.
• Which term describes pressure when water is at rest in the system?
• How far from the hardscape should an emission device be installed?
• If the pipe diameter is increased while the flow remains the same, what happens to friction loss?
• Irrigation efficiency and key components?
• After installing according to the plan, the system lacks pressure due to excessive pressure loss when turned on. What should you do?
• When a zone energizes but delivers no water, what is the first recommended diagnostic step?
• In general, increasing pipe diameter while keeping the same flow rate primarily affects which hydraulic parameter?
• How can root intrusion affect irrigation lines and how can it be prevented?
• Which term describes joining PVC pipe using solvent?
• What does purple primer do in PVC joints and is it required?
• An atmospheric vacuum breaker must be installed how many inches above the highest water outlet?
• What is cycle-and-soak scheduling and why is it used?
• How should a valve be selected for a zone in terms of flow rating?
• What is a quick-coupler valve used for?
• If a pipe size is missing on the irrigation plan, what should the technician do?
• Catch-can test: what does the lowest quartile refer to?
• On what date does a licensed person need to be at the job site at all times?
• Shock wave created by a fast closing valve?
• To convert feet to PSI, what is the conversion factor?
• What are the basic steps to field-test a backflow preventer (RPZ or DCV)?
• In irrigation hydraulics, which statement best describes how friction loss responds to increasing flow in a given pipe?
• Where should a vacuum breaker be installed to prevent siphonage?
• Define zoning in irrigation design and its purpose.
• If an obstacle not shown on the irrigation plan is encountered, the technician can alter the design with approval from whom?
• How do weather sensors in modern controllers improve water efficiency?
• What is the recommended twist when solvent welding PVC joints?
• Which component must accompany a double check assembly when installed below grade?
• Which statement is accurate about air gaps for irrigation piping?
• Who may supervise the repair of an irrigation system performed by a licensed technician?
• A neighbor asks to do the job for the same price. What should the technician tell them?
• What is the minimum height above grade for a reduced pressure principle installation?
• How can you identify an undersized mainline?
• Why is it important to purge air from an irrigation system before startup?
• Filter screens commonly range in which mesh sizes?
• To convert PSI to feet of head, which factor is used?
• Under higher pressure which head type has longer throw and higher uniformity?
• What is the typical difference between spray heads and rotor heads in application pattern and precipitation rate?
• What is the minimum depth of pipe coverage?
• What is a catch-can test used for?
• Which statement best describes dynamic pressure and head in an irrigation system?
• What is the recommended sequence for system startup after winterization?
• Which unit is used to express precipitation rate in irrigation design?
• When blow-out with compressed air is not feasible, what is another common winterization method?
• What device is indicated for protecting the potable water supply on a chicken farm that injects chemicals into the water?
• Which component should be used to reduce excessive pressure to sprinkler heads?
• ETc is calculated as which formula?
• When is chlorine treatment appropriate in irrigation systems, and what must be considered?
• Slow-closing valves to mitigate water hammer; placement?
• What features characterize modern smart irrigation systems and how do they save water?
• How does soil texture influence irrigation scheduling and application rate?
• What is the standard winterization practice for an in-ground irrigation system in freezing climates?
• How does friction loss relate to flow rate, and which formula is commonly used for irrigation systems?
• Which statement describes the purpose of a pressure regulator in an irrigation system?
• Which device measures flow in an irrigation zone?
• What are common signs of underground irrigation leaks, and how can you locate them?
• For a 1 inch pipe, which sleeve size is minimum when boring under a hardscape?
• What is the purpose of a master valve in an irrigation system?
• How is Distribution Uniformity (DU) calculated from a catch-can test?
• Which device provides a protective connection between PVC piping and a sprinkler head?
• What is the purpose of a pressure vacuum breaker (PVB) in backflow prevention?
• What are the typical operating pressures for spray heads and rotor heads, and how should this influence design?
• Which term describes pressure when water is moving through the system?
• What does Distribution Uniformity (DU) measure in irrigation performance?
• In cycle-and-soak scheduling, why are breaks between cycles used?
• What is the function of a filter in an irrigation system and when should it be cleaned or replaced?
• Which backflow device is acceptable to use when a system is supplied by more than one water source, with one potable and the other non-potable?
• Which device is commonly used to prevent backflow into the potable water supply in irrigation systems?
• How do you verify an installed drip zone meets the intended application rate using a catch can test?
• Which device should be used to protect the potable water supply on a chicken ranch that injects chemicals into the water?
• What does misting or fogging at the sprinkler head indicate?
• What is a pump curve and why is it important in selecting an irrigation pump?
• Which soil type requires the most frequent watering?
• ETc stands for which irrigation term?
• In drip irrigation design, what is the purpose of a pressure regulator at emitters or mainline?
• How does a master valve differ from zone valves in terms of control?
• What is the term for separating irrigation zones based on sun and shade?
• Which term describes the method of joining PVC pipe using a chemical solvent?
• What is a water hammer arrestor and where should it be placed?
• Which statement correctly distinguishes dynamic pressure from static pressure in irrigation calculations?
• What is the function of soil moisture sensors or a low-water cut-off in irrigation?
• Which data inputs are used by weather sensors in modern controllers to adjust watering?
• Name two common backflow prevention devices used in irrigation systems and a key difference between them.
• What does precipitation rate indicate?