Texas Wastewater Class B Practice Exam 2025 - Free Wastewater Class B Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct answer is that most pumping stations and electrical equipment in wastewater treatment commonly operate on alternating current (A.C.). A.C. is preferred for several reasons, primarily due to its efficiency and versatility in large-scale operations like wastewater treatment facilities.

One major advantage of A.C. is its ability to easily be transformed to different voltages using transformers, which allows for efficient long-distance transmission. This is crucial in wastewater treatment, where pumps and other electrical equipment may be spread out over a large area. Additionally, A.C. motors typically have a simpler design and lower maintenance costs compared to their direct current (D.C.) counterparts, making them more suitable for the heavy-duty applications found in wastewater facilities.

In contrast, direct current is less commonly used for large equipment in these settings, as it requires more complex circuitry and is less efficient for the types of powers and distances involved. While both A.C. and D.C. can be utilized in specific contexts or smaller applications, A.C. remains the standard for the bulk of electrical equipment in wastewater treatment due to its advantages in power management. Solar power, while gaining traction in some areas of energy use, is not the primary source powering most of these systems now.