CERTIFIED POOL OPERATOR TEST
REVIEW 2023 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED AND ALREADY
PASSED
12 Reasons why the health inspector will close your pool - CORRECT ANS 1.
pump filter not working for more than an hour
2. main drain is not visible
3. chemical readings out of range
4. no pool operator (15 minute grace period)
5. no lifeguard or cpr certs present
6. water is below the skimmer line
7. danger to the public
8. chlorinator is not working
9. health inspector is not allowed in
10. bathrooms + drains not working
11. flow rate is too low
12. no phone (landline)
Measuring records as the CPO - CORRECT ANS Operator must test the water
for Cl and pH every hour, and Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness and Cyanuric Acid
once per week. Records must be maintained on site and available for at least 2
years at the pool and 3 years total.
5 Factors of Water Balance - CORRECT ANS pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hard-
ness, Temperature, and total dissolved liquids
Corrosive water - CORRECT ANS pH is too low, dissolves everything it contacts
scaling water - CORRECT ANS pH it too high, mineral deposits on walls or pipes
Regulated pH range - CORRECT ANS 7.2-7.8
pH reading is tested with Phenol Red
To lower pH, - CORRECT ANS add muriatic acid
To raise the pH, - CORRECT ANS add sodium carbonate (Soda Ash)
2. sodium bisulfate
3. carbon dioxide
Total Alkalinity - CORRECT ANS represents the amount of carbonates, bicar-
bonates, and hydroxides in a solution - you want this to be high, because the pH re-
sists changes in fluctuating
pH Bounce - CORRECT ANS low alkalinity
Regulated Total Alkalinity range - CORRECT ANS 60-180 ppm ideal goal is
100ppm
To lower Total Alkalinity, - CORRECT ANS add muriatic acid
To raise Total Alkalinity, - CORRECT ANS add Baking Soda
Calcium Hardness - CORRECT ANS amount of calcium and magnesium in the
water (mineral content in water)
Regulated calcium hardness range - CORRECT ANS 150-400ppm
To raise Calcium Hardness, - CORRECT ANS add calcium chloride
Total Dissolved Liquids (TDS) - CORRECT ANS sum of all organic and inorganic
materials dissolved in the water- cannot be eliminated with a chemical----- <1500
ppm allowed in water
Temperature - CORRECT ANS Max temps = 88 for swimming pool
96 for therapy pool
104 for hot tub
REVIEW 2023 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED AND ALREADY
PASSED
12 Reasons why the health inspector will close your pool - CORRECT ANS 1.
pump filter not working for more than an hour
2. main drain is not visible
3. chemical readings out of range
4. no pool operator (15 minute grace period)
5. no lifeguard or cpr certs present
6. water is below the skimmer line
7. danger to the public
8. chlorinator is not working
9. health inspector is not allowed in
10. bathrooms + drains not working
11. flow rate is too low
12. no phone (landline)
Measuring records as the CPO - CORRECT ANS Operator must test the water
for Cl and pH every hour, and Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness and Cyanuric Acid
once per week. Records must be maintained on site and available for at least 2
years at the pool and 3 years total.
5 Factors of Water Balance - CORRECT ANS pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hard-
ness, Temperature, and total dissolved liquids
Corrosive water - CORRECT ANS pH is too low, dissolves everything it contacts
scaling water - CORRECT ANS pH it too high, mineral deposits on walls or pipes
Regulated pH range - CORRECT ANS 7.2-7.8
pH reading is tested with Phenol Red
To lower pH, - CORRECT ANS add muriatic acid
To raise the pH, - CORRECT ANS add sodium carbonate (Soda Ash)
2. sodium bisulfate
3. carbon dioxide
Total Alkalinity - CORRECT ANS represents the amount of carbonates, bicar-
bonates, and hydroxides in a solution - you want this to be high, because the pH re-
sists changes in fluctuating
pH Bounce - CORRECT ANS low alkalinity
Regulated Total Alkalinity range - CORRECT ANS 60-180 ppm ideal goal is
100ppm
To lower Total Alkalinity, - CORRECT ANS add muriatic acid
To raise Total Alkalinity, - CORRECT ANS add Baking Soda
Calcium Hardness - CORRECT ANS amount of calcium and magnesium in the
water (mineral content in water)
Regulated calcium hardness range - CORRECT ANS 150-400ppm
To raise Calcium Hardness, - CORRECT ANS add calcium chloride
Total Dissolved Liquids (TDS) - CORRECT ANS sum of all organic and inorganic
materials dissolved in the water- cannot be eliminated with a chemical----- <1500
ppm allowed in water
Temperature - CORRECT ANS Max temps = 88 for swimming pool
96 for therapy pool
104 for hot tub
