C55 – Water Conditioning Contractor

A water conditioning contractor installs water conditioning equipment with the use of only such pipe and fittings as are necessary to connect the water conditioning equipment to the water supply system and to by-pass all those parts of the water supply system within the premises from which conditioned water is to be excluded.

Authority cited: Sections 7008 and 7059, Reference: Sections 7058 and 7059 (Business and Professions Code)

The Water Conditioning (C-55) examination is divided into four major sections. These sections are:

1. Job Planning/Estimating (21%)

• Problem identification
• Corrective action
• Equipment selection
• Installation planning

2. Installation (46%)

• Pumps and monitoring equipment
• Piping
• Valves
• Equipment check, calibration, and sanitizing
• Training and documentation

3. Service and Maintenance (20%)

• Water softening problems and servicing
• Reverse osmosis
• Ozone
• Contamination

4. Safety (13%)

• Safety hazards
• Tool safety and protective wear

*Percentages are approximate*

The following questions are typical of the types of items that are on the examination. The correct answer is highlighted.

1. Which of the following components should a contractor use to attach the drain line from a reverse osmosis unit to the drain system?

1. p-trap
2. Saddle valve
3. Angle stop
4. Air gap

2. When installing hard copper piping underground, what types of piping should a contractor use?

1. L and M
2. K and M
3. K and L
4. M and DWV

3. What is the function of a cation exchange unit?

1. Remove calcium and magnesium
2. Oxidize iron from the water
3. Reduce dissolved solids
4. Increase pH

*All questions are written and reviewed by licensed contractors who are actively working in the field*

Cal/OSHA Construction Safety Orders.

California Code of Regulations, Title 8,

Industrial Relations, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 4.

Barclays Law Publishers,

P.O. Box 95767,

Chicago, IL 60694.

(800) 888-3600

FAX: (415) 732-8875.

OR

Building News, Inc.

1612 S. Clementine Street,

Anaheim, CA 92802

(800) 873-6397

FAX: (714) 535-8078.

INTERNET: ccr.oal.ca.gov/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll or www.bni-books.com

Uniform Plumbing Code.

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).

20001 Walnut Drive South

Walnut, CA 91789.

(909) 595-8449

Publication orders: (800) 85-IAPMO

FAX: (909) 594-3690.

INTERNET: www.iapmo.org

California Contractors License Law and Reference Book.

Department of General Services,

Procurement Publications,

P.O. Box 1015,

North Highlands, CA 95660.

(916) 928-4630

FAX: (916) 928-0304.

INTERNET: www.pd.dgs.ca.gov

Place mouse on Material Mgmt & Repair (do not click on it) and go to menus on the right and click on Publications Distribution Center. Then click on the price list and/or order form.

Basic Electricity for Installers.

Water Quality Association,

Publications Dept.,

4151 Naperville Road,

Lisle, IL 60532-1088.

(630) 505-0160, Ext. 508

FAX: (630) 505-9637.

INTERNET: www.wqa.org

Guidelines for Disinfection and Sanitation of Water Treatment Equipment.

Water Quality Association,

Publications Dept.,

4151 Naperville Road,

Lisle, IL 60532-1088.

(630) 505-0160, Ext. 508

FAX: (630) 505-9637.

INTERNET: www.wqa.org

Installer’s Home Study Course.

Water Quality Association,

Publications Dept.,

4151 Naperville Road,

Lisle, IL 60532-1088.

(630) 505-0160, Ext. 508

FAX: (630) 505-9637.

INTERNET: www.wqa.org

Ozone for Point-of-Use, Point-of-Entry, and Small Water System Water Treatment Applications.

Water Quality Association,

Publications Dept.,

4151 Naperville Road,

Lisle, IL 60532-1088.

(630) 505-0160, Ext. 508

FAX: (630) 505-9637.

INTERNET: www.wqa.org

Reverse Osmosis for Point-of-Use Application.

Water Quality Association,

Publications Dept.,

4151 Naperville Road,

Lisle, IL 60532-1088.

(630) 505-0160, Ext. 508

FAX: (630) 505-9637.

INTERNET: www.wqa.org

Water Filtration for Point-of-Use Application.

Water Quality Association,

Publications Dept.,

4151 Naperville Road,

Lisle, IL 60532-1088.

(630) 505-0160, Ext. 508

FAX: (630) 505-9637.

INTERNET: www.wqa.org

Water Processing – Residential, Commercial, Light-Industrial.

Water Quality Association,

Publications Dept.,

4151 Naperville Road,

Lisle, IL 60532-1088.

(630) 505-0160, Ext. 508

FAX: (630) 505-9637.

INTERNET: www.wqa.org

Water Treatment Fundamentals.

Water Quality Association,

Publications Dept.,

4151 Naperville Road,

Lisle, IL 60532-1088.

(630) 505-0160, Ext. 508

FAX: (630) 505-9637.

INTERNET: www.wqa.org

*Publisher information is current as of 09/02*