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Preventing pollution questions for the CSCS MAP test

4 free questions on Preventing pollution, from section E. Environment. Every question is original and explains why each option is right or wrong.

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Question 1

Medium ·Link to this question (question 1)

You are setting up a diesel tank on site.

Where does GPP6 say oil should not be stored?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Anywhere at all near the site welfare cabins
  2. B. More than 10 metres from a drain
  3. C. On a concrete base
  4. D. Within 10 metres of a watercourse, ditch or drainage channel
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. The GPP6 distance rules are about water: watercourses, drains, springs, wells and boreholes.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. That is where it should be stored, not where it shouldn't.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. A hard, bunded base is good practice.
  • D. Right: Right. GPP6 says don't store oil within 10 metres of a watercourse, ditch or drainage channel.

Explanation

Store oil at least 10 metres from watercourses, ditches and drains, and 50 metres from springs, wells and boreholes.

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Question 2

Medium ·Link to this question (question 2)

You see a drain marked with a blue cover on your site.

What does GPP6 say about drains like this?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Only clean rainwater should enter it
  2. B. It is a foul sewer, so anything can go in it
  3. C. It is for washing out concrete
  4. D. It is for pumping out silty water from excavations
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. GPP6 says blue (or the yellow fish symbol) marks surface water drains, which go straight to a watercourse and should only carry clean rainwater.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. GPP6 says red marks foul sewer connections.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Concrete washwater must be collected in an impervious container.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Silty water must be treated first.

Explanation

Mark surface water drains blue (or with a yellow fish) and foul drains red. Only clean rainwater goes into surface water drains.

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Question 3

Medium ·Link to this question (question 3)

Water from washing out a concrete mixer needs dealing with.

What does GPP6 say?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Tip it into the nearest surface water drain
  2. B. Use it in the wheel wash
  3. C. Let it soak into the ground
  4. D. Collect it in an impervious container
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Concrete washwater is highly alkaline and harms watercourses.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. GPP6 says concrete-contaminated water isn't suitable for wheel washing or dust suppression.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. It can pollute ground and water.
  • D. Right: Right. GPP6 says washwater from equipment in contact with concrete must be collected in an impervious container and treated for reuse if possible.

Explanation

Collect concrete washwater in an impervious container. Never let it reach drains or watercourses.

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Question 4

Medium ·Link to this question (question 4)

Water pumped out of an excavation is brown with silt.

What does GPP6 say?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. It must be treated before any discharge
  2. B. Pump it into the nearest stream
  3. C. Pump it into a surface water drain
  4. D. Silt is natural, so it is fine anywhere
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. GPP6 says silty water must not be pumped or allowed to flow into the water environment without treatment.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Silt smothers river life.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Surface water drains go to watercourses.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Silt is a common pollutant from sites.

Explanation

Treat silty water, for example by settlement, before any approved discharge. Only clean water can go to surface water drains.

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