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Unit conversions and pressure: California T1 water treatment operator math

Flow, volume, pressure/head and concentration conversions; meters; SCADA signals.

Below are 3 worked examples. Each answer is computed with the formulas and constants on the CA Exam Conversion Sheet (revised 4/30/2026), and the solution names the line it uses.

Example 1. A well pump runs continuously at 575 GPM. What is this flow in MGD?

  1. A) 0.0345 MGD
  2. B) 0.828 MGD
  3. C) 0.399 MGD
  4. D) 0.0138 MGD
Show the answer and worked solution

Answer: B) 0.828 MGD

1. 1 MGD = 694.4 GPM [Sheet p.1, Units and Conversion Factors, row 29: "1 MGD = 694.4 GPM"]. 2. MGD = 575 GPM ÷ 694.4 GPM/MGD = 0.8281 MGD. 3. Answer: 0.828 MGD (rounded to 3 significant figures).

Source: CA Exam Conversion Sheet (Revised 4/30/2026), p.1, Units and Conversion Factors, row 29: "1 MGD = 694.4 GPM"

Example 2. A transmission main carries 1.3 MGD. What is this flow in cubic feet per second (CFS)?

  1. A) 9.72 CFS
  2. B) 15.0 CFS
  3. C) 2.02 CFS
  4. D) 121 CFS
Show the answer and worked solution

Answer: C) 2.02 CFS

1. 1 MGD = 1.55 CFS [Sheet p.1, Units and Conversion Factors, row 28: "1 MGD = 1.55 CFS"]. 2. CFS = 1.3 MGD × 1.55 = 2.015 CFS. 3. Answer: 2.02 CFS (rounded to 3 significant figures). 4. If you used 694.4 GPM per MGD (Units row 29) and 448.8 GPM per CFS (row 7) instead of 1.55 CFS per MGD (row 28), you get 2.01 CFS. The sheet prints both factors, so either answer is right; pick the option closest to yours.

Source: CA Exam Conversion Sheet (Revised 4/30/2026), p.1, Units and Conversion Factors, row 28: "1 MGD = 1.55 CFS"

Example 3. An industrial customer's meter, which registers in CCF, read 58258 and, 30 days later, 61030. What was the average use in gallons per day?

  1. A) 2,880 GPD
  2. B) 69,100 GPD
  3. C) 62,200,000 GPD
  4. D) 9,240 GPD
Show the answer and worked solution

Answer: B) 69,100 GPD

1. Use = 61030 − 58258 = 2772 CCF. 2. 1 CCF = 748 Gal [Sheet p.1, Units and Conversion Factors, row 6: "1 CCF = 748 Gal"]: 2772 × 748 = 2,073,456 gal. 3. GPD = 2,073,456 gal ÷ 30 days = 69,115 GPD. 4. Answer: 69,100 GPD (rounded to 3 significant figures).

Source: CA Exam Conversion Sheet (Revised 4/30/2026), p.1, Units and Conversion Factors, row 6: "1 CCF = 748 Gal"

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