Practice › CA T2 Math
California T2 water treatment exam math
In short
- Exam size: the State Water Board's T2 exam has 100 questions across all subjects. Math questions are mixed in; the Board doesn't publish how many.
- Math topics: 7 areas: unit conversions and pressure; area and volume; flow, velocity and detention; chemical feed and solutions; chlorination and CT; wells, pumps and power; and filtration and removal.
- Formulas: everything is solved with the Exam Conversion Sheet (revised 4/30/2026). T2 problems use 30 of its formulas, most often “Specific Capacity (GPM/Ft) = Well Yield (GPM) / Drawdown (Ft)”, “Area of Rectangle = Length x Width”, “Cylinder Volume (Gal) = .785 x D2 x Height or Length (Ft) x 7.48”.
- How to study: find each topic's formulas on the sheet, work the examples on the topic pages, practice one topic at a time until most answers come out right, then mix topics in timed sets.
Math topics on the T2 exam
- Unit conversions and pressureFlow, volume, pressure/head and concentration conversions; meters; SCADA signals.300 problems in the bank
- Area and volumePipe, tank, basin, trench and wall areas and volumes; force on a valve.74 problems in the bank
- Flow, velocity and detentionQ = A x V, fill rates, detention time, surface loading.125 problems in the bank
- Chemical feed and solutionsSolution strength, specific gravity, dilution, blending, feeders, jar tests, chemical cost.150 problems in the bank
- Chlorination and CTChlorine feed, demand and residual, hypochlorite, well and main disinfection, CT, chloramines.275 problems in the bank
- Wells, pumps and powerDrawdown, specific capacity, horsepower, efficiency, pumping cost.100 problems in the bank
- Filtration and removalFiltration and loading rates, filter production, backwash, UFRV, percent and log removal.100 problems in the bank
What the State Water Board lists for T2 math
- T1 - T4 Ability to convert common water units, (gallons per minute to MGD, etc…)
- T1 - T4 Ability to convert units of length, volume, flow and pressure
- T1 - T4 Ability to convert head pressure to water elevation
- T1 - T4 Ability to calculate well head pressure
- T1 - T4 Ability to read and interpret water meter readings
- T2 - T4 Ability to analyze a water sample for water hardness
- T1 - T4 Ability to calculate a chemical solution concentration
- T1 - T4 Knowledge of basic SCADA system components
- T1 - T4 Ability to determine water level in a storage tank, reservoir or well
- T1 - T4 Ability to calculate flow rates and water velocity
- T1 - T4 Ability to calculate the volume of water in a storage facility
- T1 - T4 Ability to calculate detention time
- T2 - T4 Ability to calculate a dilution factor
- T2 - T4 Ability to perform dilutions
- T1 - T4 Ability to calculate a dosage for a chemical feeder
- T1 - T4 Ability to calculate a chemical dosage
- T1 - T4 Ability to calculate chlorine demand and chlorine residual
- T2 - T4 Ability to calculate a CT value
- T1 - T4 Ability to calculate well drawdown
- T1 - T4 Ability to calculate well specific capacity
- T2 - T4 Ability to calculate daily filter production
- T2 - T4 Ability to calculate filter backwash rate
Quoted from the SWRCB Expected Range of Knowledge, Drinking Water Treatment Exam (Rev. 4/2020). These are the objectives our T2 problems practice; the document lists every objective for the grade.
Conversion sheet formulas for T2
Most used first. Each links to a worked example on the conversion sheet page.
- Specific Capacity (GPM/Ft) = Well Yield (GPM) / Drawdown (Ft)100 problems
- Area of Rectangle = Length x Width75 problems
- Cylinder Volume (Gal) = .785 x D2 x Height or Length (Ft) x 7.4875 problems
- Gas (lbs) = MG x mg/L x 8.3475 problems
- Area of Circle = .785 X D274 problems
- HTH Solid (lbs) = MG x mg/L x 8.34 / (Strength (%)/100)50 problems
- Dosage (mg/L) = Demand (mg/L) + Residual (mg/L)50 problems
- mg/L = lbs / (MG x 8.34)50 problems
- Rectangular Basin (Gal) = Length (Ft) x Width (Ft) x Height (Ft) x 7.4825 problems
- Liquid (Gal) = MG x mg/L x 8.34 / (Strength (%)/100 x Chemical Weight (lbs/gal))25 problems
- (Q) Flow (Ft3/Sec) = (A) Area (Ft2) x (V) Velocity (Ft/Sec)25 problems
- V (Ft/Sec) = Q (Ft3/Sec) / A (Ft2)25 problems
- GPM = Volume (Gal) / Time (Min)25 problems
- C1 x V1 = C2 x V225 problems
- Process Units = (Live Signal (mA) - 4 mA) x Process Range / 16 mA25 problems
- (lbs) Chemical = SG x 8.34 x Solution (Gal) x Solution (%/100)25 problems
- Specific Gravity (SG) = Chemical Weight (Lbs/Gal) / 8.3425 problems
- Chemical in Solution (%) = Dry Chemical (Lbs) x 100 / Solution Total Weight (lbs)25 problems
- GPD = MGD x mg/L x 8.34 / ((% purity/100) x Chemical Wt. (lbs/gal))25 problems
- GPD = (Feed, ml/min. x 1,440 min/day) / (1,000 ml/L x 3.785 L/gal)25 problems
- DT (Min) = Volume (Gal) / Flow (GPM)25 problems
- DT (hrs) = Ft3 x 7.48 x 24 / Gal/Day25 problems
- C x T = Chlorine Residual (mg/L) x Time (min)25 problems
- Time (min) = C x T / Chlorine Residual (mg/L)25 problems
- Inactivation Ratio = Actual C x T / Table 25 problems
- C x T Calculated = T10 Value, min x Chlorine Residual (mg/L)25 problems
- Daily Filter Production (GPD) = Filter Area (Ft2) x (GPM/Ft2) x 144025 problems
- Backwash Volume (Gal) = Filter Area (Ft2) x Backwash Rate (GPM/Ft2) x Time (min)25 problems
- Backwash Rate (GPM/Ft2) = Flow Rate (GPM) / Filter Area (Ft2)25 problems
- Rate of Rise (Inches/min) = Backwash Rate (GPM/Ft2) x 12 (in/Ft) / 7.48 (gal/Ft3)25 problems
Free printable T2 worksheet
10 problems across the T2 topics, with room to work and an answer key on the last page. No sign-up; print it or save it as a PDF.
Open the T2 worksheetT2 exam math questions
How many questions are on the California T2 exam?
100, across all of the exam's subjects, according to the State Water Board's Expected Range of Knowledge for the treatment exam. Math questions are mixed in with the rest, and the Board does not publish how many there are. Check the State Water Board's operator certification page for current exam rules.
What math is on the T2 exam?
7 areas: unit conversions and pressure; area and volume; flow, velocity and detention; chemical feed and solutions; chlorination and CT; wells, pumps and power; and filtration and removal. The Expected Range of Knowledge lists objectives such as the “ability to convert common water units, (gallons per minute to MGD, etc…)” and the “ability to calculate filter backwash rate”.
Which formulas do I need for the T2 exam?
The ones on the State Water Board's Exam Conversion Sheet (revised 4/30/2026). The T2 problems here use 30 of its formulas; the most common are “Specific Capacity (GPM/Ft) = Well Yield (GPM) / Drawdown (Ft)”, “Area of Rectangle = Length x Width”, “Cylinder Volume (Gal) = .785 x D2 x Height or Length (Ft) x 7.48”. The conversion sheet page shows each formula with a worked example.
Is there a free T2 practice test?
Yes. The worked examples on each topic page and the printable 10-problem worksheet with answer key are free without an account. A free account adds practice from all 1,124 T2 problems with worked solutions, and timed sets. It covers the math only, not the whole exam.
Formulas and constants: CA Exam Conversion Sheet (revised 4/30/2026). Exam rules and the full range of knowledge: State Water Board operator certification.
WaterExamMath is independent practice software. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the California State Water Resources Control Board. It covers the math portion of the drinking water operator exams only, not the whole exam, and passing is not guaranteed. Practice problems by WaterExamMath.