Which of the following is a duty of a collection systems operator?

• A. Design new sewer lines
• B. Operate wastewater treatment plants
• C. Clean and inspect wastewater collection systems.
• D. Monitor groundwater contamination

Answer: (C)

Maintaining the sewer network and checking its condition is what a collection systems operator focuses on. The job centers on keeping wastewater flowing by cleaning pipes, removing obstructions, and inspecting lines for damage or intrusion that could cause blockages or overflows. Regular cleaning methods like jetting and rodding clear grease, sediment, and roots, while inspections (often including camera surveys and manhole checks) identify cracks, dia­meter changes, or misalignments before problems arise. This preventive work directly protects public health and the environment by preventing sewer backups and spills.

Designing new sewer lines is an engineering task, not a typical operator duty. Operating wastewater treatment plants is the job of a treatment plant operator, not the collection system crew. Monitoring groundwater contamination falls to environmental or civil specialists who track environmental impacts beyond the sewer network. So cleaning and inspecting wastewater collection systems best matches the responsibilities of a collection systems operator.