Ontario Operator-in-Training (OIT) Practice Exam

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Study for the Ontario Operator-in-Training (OIT) Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions for preparation, with hints and explanations for each. Get ready for your exam!

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What is meant by "combined sewers"?

only sewage is collected
stormwater and sewage are collected in the same sewers
only stormwater is collected
separate lines for sewage and stormwater

The correct answer is: stormwater and sewage are collected in the same sewers

The term "combined sewers" refers to systems designed to collect both stormwater runoff and sewage in the same pipeline. This design was commonly used in older urban areas where it was more cost-effective to build a single system rather than separate ones. When rain occurs, the combined sewer receives both the excess rainwater and household wastewater. One significant aspect of combined sewers is that during heavy rainstorms, the volume can exceed the system's capacity, leading to potential overflows. These overflows can result in untreated sewage being discharged into nearby water bodies, which poses environmental and public health risks. In contrast, other options refer to alternative systems. Systems that only collect sewage or only stormwater would be classified as separate sewer systems, while having distinct lines for both sewage and stormwater means that the two types of waste do not mix, which is not characteristic of a combined sewer system.