Texas Wastewater Class B Practice Exam

To estimate the daily discharge to the collection system, what number should the population be multiplied by per person?

1. 80 gallons

2. 100 gallons

3. 150 gallons

4. 200 gallons

The correct answer is: 100 gallons

The correct estimation for daily discharge to a collection system typically ranges from 100 to 150 gallons per person per day, depending on various factors such as water use habits, infrastructure efficiency, and the type of community. Estimating at 100 gallons per person serves as a reasonable starting point for many municipalities when calculating average wastewater flow, particularly in areas where water conservation measures or specific regulations influence usage patterns. Choosing a figure like 80 gallons might underrepresent current usage, especially in regions without stringent conservation practices. On the other hand, selecting higher estimates such as 150 or 200 gallons may lead to an overestimation, thus allocating more resources or capacity than needed for the actual flow, which could impact planning and cost efficiency. Thus, multiplying the population by 100 gallons is a widely accepted practice when determining expected wastewater contributions for general planning purposes.