Ontario Operator-in-Training (OIT) Practice Exam

What is the function of a vacuum sewer system?

1. To pressurize and distribute water

2. To draw and transport wastewater using suction

3. To filter clean water from wastewater

4. To regulate the flow of surface water

The correct answer is: To draw and transport wastewater using suction

A vacuum sewer system operates by using suction to draw and transport wastewater from various sources to a central collection point or treatment facility. It functions by creating a vacuum in a network of pipes, which allows the wastewater to flow through the system without relying on gravity alone. This method is especially advantageous in areas with challenging topography or where traditional gravity sewer systems would be ineffective. The system works by having a series of vacuum stations that are strategically placed to maintain the flow of wastewater. Because it utilizes a pressure difference, a vacuum sewer can transport waste from lower elevations to higher ones, an aspect that is particularly beneficial for locations where conventional sewer infrastructure is difficult or costly to implement. Other options do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of a vacuum sewer system. For instance, while pressurizing and distributing water is relevant to various water supply systems, it does not pertain to the function of a vacuum sewer. Similarly, filtering clean water from wastewater is a function associated with treatment plants, not with the transport of wastewater itself. Regulating the flow of surface water usually involves stormwater management systems, which operate independently from the wastewater removal processes of a vacuum sewer.