Free General Fundamentals Examination - Well Drilling and Pump Installation Contractors Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the General Fundamentals Examination - Well Drilling and Pump Installation Contractors practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1An Iowa company assigns an uncertified employee to drill while its certified well driller remains at another job. What does the certification rule require?

   1. A. The certified driller must be on site and in direct charge
   2. B. The certified driller must visit only before drilling begins
   3. C. The certified driller must review the log within 30 days
   4. D. The certified driller must be available only by telephone

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Iowa Code §455B.190A(2)(b) states, "A certified well contractor shall be present at the well site and in direct charge of the services whenever well services are provided." The off-site assignment does not comply.

   Reference: Iowa Code 455 B — Iowa Code §455B.190A(2)(b)

2. 2Before drilling at a site where the required construction permit is missing, whom must the Iowa certified well contractor notify?

   1. A. The department or the county
   2. B. The state geologist or the county recorder
   3. C. The department of labor or the township clerk
   4. D. The water utility or the county engineer

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Rule 82.2(1)(b)(1) requires notice to "The department or the county, if a well does not have the required construction permits."

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — 567 IAC 82.2(1)(b)(1)

3. 3A certified Iowa well contractor changes mailing address. By when must the contractor report it to the department?

   1. A. Within 90 days
   2. B. Within 180 days
   3. C. Within 30 days
   4. D. Within 365 days

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Rule 82.2(3) states, "Certified well contractors shall report address changes to the department within 30 days after the change." The alternatives are other genuine Iowa well-program time periods: the abandonment deadline, later-reexamination waiting period, and one-year application period.

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — 567 IAC 82.2(3)

4. 4Who may perform well services on Iowa property without holding well-contractor certification?

   1. A. A tenant with the owner's written permission
   2. B. A person performing the work on their own property
   3. C. A registered general contractor employed by the owner
   4. D. A drilling-equipment owner supervised remotely

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Rule 82.2(1)(a) provides that well services require a certified contractor on site, "except that a person may perform well services on their own property without being certified."

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — 567 IAC 82.2(1)(a)

5. 5A proposed Iowa well will serve a use requiring a water-use allocation, but the owner has not applied. What notice must the driller give before performing well drilling services?

   1. A. Notify only the county board of supervisors
   2. B. Notify the department
   3. C. Notify the Iowa Geological Survey
   4. D. Notify the local water utility

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Rule 82.2(1)(b)(2) requires notification to "The department, if the use of the water requires a water use allocation and the owner has not applied for or been issued a water use allocation."

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — 567 IAC 82.2(1)(b)(2)

6. 6How must drilling water be treated to meet the Iowa rule's stated chlorine residual?

   1. A. To an equivalent residual of 10 ppm
   2. B. To an equivalent residual of 25 ppm
   3. C. To an equivalent residual of 50 ppm
   4. D. To an equivalent residual of 100 ppm

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Rule 49.9(1) requires the listed hypochlorite doses "or other additives to produce an equivalent concentration of chlorine residual (50 ppm)."

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — 567 IAC 49.9(1)

7. 7Under Iowa law, which activity falls within the defined category of well services?

   1. A. Installing a building's interior plumbing fixtures
   2. B. Constructing a new well
   3. C. Connecting municipal water after the service valve
   4. D. Repairing a household water heater

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Iowa Code §455B.190A(1)(h) says, "“Well services” means new well construction, well reconstruction, installation of pitless equipment, pump services, or well plugging." New well construction is therefore covered.

   Reference: Iowa Code 455 B — Iowa Code §455B.190A(1)(h)

8. 8Before constructing a new Iowa private water well, what must the landowner or agent obtain?

   1. A. A well construction permit
   2. B. A two-year water operator certificate
   3. C. A groundwater laboratory accreditation
   4. D. A public-water operation permit

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Rule 49.3(3)(a) states that a landowner or agent "shall not construct a new private well without first obtaining a well construction permit from the department or a county authorized to issue permits."

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — 567 IAC 49.3(3)(a)

9. 9When does Iowa require the contractor to disinfect a well and water system?

   1. A. Only after new construction
   2. B. After construction and whenever any well services are performed
   3. C. Only after a bacterial test fails
   4. D. Only before a well is permanently abandoned

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Rule 49.24 states, "Wells and water systems shall be disinfected by the contractor following construction completion and whenever any well services are performed."

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — 567 IAC 49.24

10. 10Which portion of piping is excluded from Iowa's statutory definition of a water system for well-contractor certification?

    1. A. Drop pipe in the well
    2. B. Wiring from the pump to the panel
    3. C. Piping from the well to the pressure tank
    4. D. Outside piping to other buildings

    Answer: D

    Explanation: Iowa Code §455B.190A(1)(e) provides, "“Water systems” does not include any outside piping to other buildings, and does not include the piping that carries the water in the remainder of the distribution system."

    Reference: Iowa Code 455 B — Iowa Code §455B.190A(1)(e)