ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math

February 2017

2015 Revised Basic Math

Answer Key

Explanation of diagonal movement and an example:

5X = 20

Question #1 regarding Example #1: Is the X in the numerator? YES

Question #2 regarding Example #1: Is the X alone on one side of the equation? NO
How do we use diagonal movement to place X alone on one side of the equation?

Answer:

 Divide both sides by “5” to get X alone and treat both sides of the equation equally.
Notice that the 5 was moved from the top of the left side to the bottom of the right side of the
equation – a diagonal move.

5X = 20
5 5

FINAL ANSWER: 20 ÷ 5 = 4

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Practice Problem: Steps to solving problems using unit cancellation

Practice Problem: How many minutes are there in a day?

Problem Set Up

List all known and unknown data.

Unknown: ? min Known: 60 mins 24 hrs

day hr 1

Step 1: List unknown data including units in vertical format followed by an equal sign.

? min =
day

Step 2: Find data (known or a conversion) that has the same numerator unit as the unknown numerator.
Place it to the right of the equal sign. Add a multiplication sign. Positions your numerator unit
? min = 60 min X
day 1 hr

Steps 3 and 4: To cancel unwanted denominator unit, find data (known or a conversion) that has the
same numerator unit. Place it to the right of data used in Step 2. Place a multiplication sign between each
piece of data. Continue to place data (known or a conversion) into equation to systematically cancel all
unwanted units until only the unknown denominator units remain.

? min = 60 min X 24 hrs

day 1 hr 1 day Cancel unwanted units that
match

Step 5: Multiply the values of all numerators and place this value in the numerator of the answer. Multiply
the values of all denominators and place this value in the denominator of the answer. Divide to calculate
the final answer.

? min = 60 min X 24 hrs = 1440 min These are the correct units in both
day 1 hr 1 day 1 day numerator and denominator

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February 2017

Pressure/Height Conversions

Practice Problem calculating psi: The water level at the top of a fully filled water standpipe is 150 feet
above the elevation of a water tap. The tank contains 50,000 gallons of water. What is the approximate
pressure at the tap?

? psi = 1 psi x 150 ft = 150 psi = 64.9 psi

2.31 ft 2.31

Note: Remember pressure is not affected by volume, only height.

Practice Problem calculating height in ft: An elevated tank records a pressure of 25 psi, what is the
height of water in the tank?

To calculate height in ft from psi:

? ft = 2.31 ft x 25 psi = 58 ft
1 psi

Temperature Conversions

Practice Problem Solving for °C: Convert 60ºF into °C

°C = ºF-32 60-32 = 28 = 15.5°C

1.8 1.8

Practice Problem Solving for °F: Convert 20ºF into °C

°F = (ºC X 1.8) +32

ºF = 20 X 1.8 = 36 + 32 = 68 ºF

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

Unaccounted Water Calculation

Practice Problem: In one month a water system produced 5,500,000 gallons of water. Of the total water, 4,500,000
gallons were billed, 250,000 were used for fire protection and 200,000 gallons were used for flushing. What is the
total unaccounted for water loss percentage for this month?

Step 1: Add total gallons accounted for (billed, fire protection and flushing)

Gallons Accounted for =4,500,000 (billed) + 250,000 (fire protection) + 200,000 (flushing) = 4,950,000
Step 2: Subtract “accounted for” from total produced to find “Unaccounted for”

5,500,000 – 4,950,000 (Step 1 Accounted for) = 550,000 (Unaccounted for)

Step 3: Divide “Unaccounted for” by total produced and multiply by 100 to equal the % unaccounted for

550,000 (Step 2 Unaccounted For) = 0.1 X 100 = 10 % Unaccounted for

5,500,000 (Total Produced)

Area of a Rectangle

Practice Problem: The sedimentation basin for the filtration plant is 25 ft. x 15 ft. What is the area in
square feet?

Area = (L) X (W) = 25 ft. X 15 ft. = 375 ft2

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

Area of a Rectangle – Converting inches to feet

Practice Problem: The filter unit at the plant is 15 ft. 6 inches long, and 15ft. 6 inches wide. What
is the area of the filter?

Step 1: Convert inches to feet

The first step in solving this problem is to change the inch units to feet units. The tank is 15 feet. 6
inches long, by 15 feet 6 inches wide.

? ft = 1 ft x 6 inches = 6 = 0.5 ft
12 inches 12

Step 2: Add 0.5 ft to the length and the width and insert into equation and multiply L X W.

Area = (L) X (W) = 15.5 ft X 15.5 ft = 240.25 ft2

Area of a Circle

Practice Problem: The day tank for the coagulant is 4 feet in diameter, what is the area in square feet?

Area = (0.785)(Diameter)2 = (0.785)(4 ft)(4 ft) = 12.56 ft2

Area of a Circle – Converting inches to feet

Practice Problem: The chemical feed tank is 20 inches in diameter, what is the area of the
chemical feed tank?

Step 1: Convert inches to feet

? ft = 1 ft x 20 inches = 1.67 ft
12 inches

Step 2: Insert diameter (in ft) into area formula and do the math.

Area = (0.785)(D)2 = (0.785)(1.67 ft)(1.67 ft) = 2.19 ft2

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February 2017

Volume of a Rectangle in ft3

The formula for volume of a rectangle is length X width X height or depth, or (L)(W)(H or D)

Note: For this equation, the terms “height” and “depth” are interchangeable.

Practice Problem: What is the volume of a clearwell that is 40 feet long, by 40 feet wide, by 12 feet
deep?

V = (L)(W)(D) = (40 ft)(40 ft)(12 ft) = 19,200 ft3

Volume of a Circular Tank in ft3

Example Problem: What is the volume in cubic feet of a tank that is 22 feet in diameter, and filled to 8
feet deep?

V= 0.785(Dia)2(H)

V= 0.785(22 ft)(22 ft)(8 ft)

V= 3039.5 ft3 or 3040 ft3

Volume of a Circular Tank in ft3 – Converting inches to feet

Practice Problem: What is the volume of a day tank that is filled to 3 feet, and is 20 inches wide?

Step 1: Convert inches to feet

?ft = 1 ft X 20 inches = 1.67 ft

12 inches

Step 2: Insert diameter (in ft) into volume formula and do the math.

V = 0.785(1.67 ft)(1.67 ft)(3 ft) = 6.6 ft3

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February 2017

Volume of a Rectangular Tank – Converting ft3 to gallons

The problems in the previous examples requested the volume measured in units of cubic feet. More often,
the volumes are measured in gallons. The conversion factor to go from cubic feet to gallons is:

1 ft3 = 7.48 gallons

To convert ft3 to gallons, use this equation:

Gallons = volume in ft3 X 7.48

1 ft3
7.48 gallons

Therefore, if we were asked to calculate the volumes in the previous problems in gallons instead of cubic
feet, the solution would require one extra step.

Practice Problem: What is the volume, in gallons, of a tank 40 feet square and filled to 12 feet deep?

Step 1: Solve the volume equation in ft3:

V= (L)(W)(D) = (40 ft)(40 ft)(12 ft) = 19,200 ft3

Step 2: Convert ft3 into gallons:

? gal = 7.48 gal X 19,200 ft3 = 143,616 gallons

1 ft3

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February 2017

Volume of a Circular Tank – Converting ft3 to gallons

Practice Problem: What is the volume, in gallons, of a day tank that is filled to 3 feet, and is 20 inches
wide?

Step 1: Convert inches to feet

?ft = 1 ft X 20 inches = 1.67 ft

12 inches

Step 2: Insert diameter (in ft) into volume formula and do the math.

V = 0.785(1.67 ft)(1.67 ft)(3 ft) = 6.6 ft3

Step 3: Convert ft3 into gallons:

? gal = 7.48 gal X 6.6 ft3 = 49.3 gallons

1 ft3

QUIZ # 1

1. What is the volume in ft3, of a sedimentation basin that is 22 feet long, and 15 feet wide, and filled to
10 feet?

V = (L)(W)(H) = (22ft)(15ft)(10ft) = 3300 ft3

2. What is the volume in gallons of a clear well that is 35 feet long, 30 feet wide, and filled to 18 feet?

Step 1: Solve the volume equation in ft3

V = (L)(W)(D) = (35 ft)(30 ft)(18 ft) = 18900 ft3

Step 2: Convert ft3 into gallons:

? gal = 7.48 gal X 18900 ft3 = 141,372 gallons

1 ft3

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3. What is the volume in gallons of a storage tank that is 20 feet in diameter, and filled to 18 feet?

Step 1: Solve the volume equation in ft3:

V= 0.785(Dia)2(H)

V=0.785(20 ft)(20 ft)(18 ft) = 5652 ft3

Step 2: Convert ft3 into gallons:

? gal = 7.48 gal X 5652 ft3 = 42,277 gallons (rounded)

1 ft3

4. What is the volume in gallons of a clear well that is 40 feet 8 inches square, and filled to 12 feet
deep?

Step 1: Convert inches to feet

?ft = 1 ft X 8 inches = 0.67 ft

12 inches

Step 2: Insert diameter (in ft) into volume formula and do the math.

V = (L)(W)(D) = (40.67 ft)(40.67 ft)(12 ft) = 19848.5 ft3

Step 3: Convert ft3 into gallons:

? gal = 7.48 gal X 19848.5 ft3 = 148,467 gallons

1 ft3

5. What is the volume in ft3 of an elevated clear well that is 17.5 feet in diameter, and filled to 14 feet?

Volume (ft3) (0.785)(D)2(h) =

V = (0.785)(17.5ft)(17.5ft)(14ft) = 3,366 ft3

6. What is the pressure (psi) at the bottom of an elevated tank filled to 60 feet of water?

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
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? psi = 1 psi x 60 ft = 60 psi = 26 psi

2.31 ft 2.31

7. Convert 80 º F to ºC.

°C = ºF-32
1.8

°C = 80 ºF-32 = 48 = 27 °C (rounded)
1.8 1.8

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

Equation #1: Solving for lbs/day using the Feed Rate Formula

?lbs = Flow(MGD) X Dose(mg/L) X (8.34)

day

This feed rate formula is represented in the following diagram called the Davidson Pie which was created by Gerald
Davidson, Manager, Clear Lake Oaks Water District, Clear Lake Oaks, CA.

Davidson Pie

Key Acronyms: MG = million gallons or MGD = million gallons per day

Practice Problem: If a water treatment plant is putting out 14 MGD, and dosing soda ash at the rate of 5
mg/l, how many pounds will they use every day?

?lbs = Flow(MGD) X Dose(mg/L) X (8.34)

day

? lbs = 14 X 5 X 8.34 = 584

day

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Practice Problem: If a water treatment plant is making 0.150 MGD, and the chlorine dose is 1.2 mg/l,
how many pounds of gas chlorine will they use?

? lbs = Flow(MGD) X Dose(mg/L) X (8.34)

day

? lbs = (0.15)(1.2)(8.34) = 1.5

day

Converting from GPD to MGD before solving with the formula

Practice Problem: If a water treatment plant is making water at the rate of 300,000 gallons per day, and
the chlorine dose is 2.0 mg/l, how many pounds of gas chlorine will they use daily?

Step 1: Convert gallons per day into million gallons per day (MGD) using unit cancellation.

?MG = 1 MG x 300,000 gallons = 0.30 MGD

day 1,000,000 gallons day

Step 2: Use MGD in feed rate formula to solve for lbs/day

Feed Rate, lbs per day = Flow(MGD) x Dose(mg/L) x 8.34

0.30 x 2.0 x 8.34 = 5 lb/day

Converting from GPM to MGD before solving with the formula

Practice Problem: A water treatment plant operates at the rate of 200 gallons per minute. They dose
soda ash at 5 mg/L. How many pounds of soda ash will they use in a day?

Step 1: Convert gallons per minute into million gallons per day (MGD) using unit cancellation.

? MG = 1 MG x 200 gal x 1440 minutes = 0.288 MG

day 1,000,000 gallons minute day day

Step 2: Use MGD in feed rate formula to solve for lbs/day

Feed Rate, lbs per day = Flow(MGD) x Dose(mg/L) x 8.34

0.288 x 5 x 8.34 = 12 lb/day

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Equation #2: Solving for Dose (mg/L) using the Feed Rate Formula

An operator can also use the pie chart formula to calculate the dose if the known factors are the feed rate in
pounds per day, and the flow rate.

? Dose (mg/L) = Feed Rate, (lbs/ day)

Flow(MGD)(8.34)

X X

Practice Problem: A water treatment plant produces 150,000 gallons of water every day. It uses
an average of 2 pounds of permanganate for iron and manganese removal. What is the dose of
the permanganate?

Step 1: Set up the variables in vertical format.

? Dose (mg/L) = Feed Rate, lbs/day

(Flow, MGD)(8.34)

Step 2: Insert known values into equation.

? Dose (mg/L) = Feed Rate, lbs/day = (2) lbs/day

(Flow, MGD)(8.34) (0.15)(8.34)

Step 3: Multiply 0.15 x 8.34 in the denominator = 1.25 (basic math rule)

Step 4: Perform the DOSE division: 2 (numerator) = 1.56 mg

1.25 (denominator) L

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Equation #3: Solving for Flow (MGD) using the Feed Rate Formula

Lastly, the pie chart formula can be used to calculate the flow if the dose and feed rate in pounds per day
are known factors.

Example Problem: A water treatment plant uses 14 pounds of chlorine gas to treat their water daily. The
chlorine dose is 1.5 mg/l. What is their flow rate in MGD?

X X

Vertical Format: Flow, MGD = Feed Rate, lbs/per day

(Dose, mg/L)(8.34)

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Practice Problem: A water treatment plant uses 8 pounds of chlorine daily and the dose is 17 mg/l. How
many gallons are they producing?

Step 1: Set up the variables in vertical format and insert known values

? Flow (MGD) = Feed Rate, lbs/day = ( 8 ) lb/day

(Dose)(8.34) (17)(8.34)

Step 2: Multiply 17 x 8.34 in the denominator = 141.78 (basic math rule)

Step 3: Perform the FLOW division: 8 (numerator) = 0.056425 MGD

141.78 (denominator)

Unit Cancellation Steps to solve for gallons/day

? gallons = 1,000.000 gallons x 0.056425 MG = 56,425 gallons

day 1 MG day day

Quiz # 2

1. How many pounds per day will be required if the dose is 13 mg/L, and the flow treated is 1
MGD?

?lbs = Flow(MGD) X Dose(mg/L) X (8.34) = (1)(13)(8.34) = 108 lbs

day day

2. How many pounds per day will be required if the dose is 13 mg/l, and the flow is at the rate of
695 gpm?

Step 1: Convert gallons per minute into million gallons per day (MGD) using unit cancellation.

? MG = 1 MG x 695 gal x 1440 minutes = 0.068 MG

day 1,000,000 gallons minute day day

Step 2: Use MGD in feed rate formula to solve for lbs/day

Feed Rate, lbs per day = Flow(MGD) x Dose(mg/L) x 8.34

0.068 x 13 x 8.34 = 108 lb/day

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3. How many pounds per day will be needed to dose 335,000 gallons of water at 4 mg/L?

Step 1: Convert gallons per day into million gallons per day (MGD) using unit cancellation.

?MG = 1 MG x 335,000 gallons = 0.335 MGD

day 1,000,000 gallons day

Step 2: Use MGD in feed rate formula to solve for lbs/day

Feed Rate, lbs per day = Flow(MGD) x Dose(mg/L) x 8.34

0.335 x 4.0 x 8.34 = 11 lb/day

4. What is the dose if 2.5 MGD were treated with 31 pounds of chlorine?

Step 1: Set up the variables in vertical format.

? Dose (mg/L) = Feed Rate, lbs/day

(Flow, MGD)(8.34)

Step 2: Insert known values into equation.

? Dose (mg/L) = Feed Rate, lbs/day = (31) lbs/day

(Flow, MGD)(8.34) (2.5)(8.34)

Step 3: Multiply 2.5 x 8.34 in the denominator = 20.85 (basic math rule)

Step 4: Perform the DOSE division: 31 (numerator) = 1.5 mg (rounded)

20.85 (denominator) L

5. How many pounds will be required if the flow is 95 gpm, and the dose is 7mg/L, and the plant
runs for 12 hours per day?

Step 1: Convert gallons per minute into million gallons per day (MGD) using unit cancellation.

? MG = 1 MG x 95 gal x 60 minutes x 12 hrs = 0.0684 MG for 12 hrs

day 1,000,000 gallons minute hr day day

Step 2: Use MGD in feed rate formula to solve for lbs/day

Feed Rate, lbs per day = Flow(MGD) x Dose(mg/L) x 8.34

0.0684 x 7 x 8.34 = 4 lb/day (rounded)

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Practice problems:

1. How many pounds per day will be used when the dose is 5 mg/L, and the flow rate is 350
gpm?

Step 1: Convert gallons per minute into million gallons per day (MGD) using unit cancellation.

? MG = 1 MG x 350 gal x 1440 minutes = 0.5 MG

day 1,000,000 gallons minute day day

Step 2: Use MGD in feed rate formula to solve for lbs/day

Feed Rate, lbs per day = Flow(MGD) x Dose(mg/L) x 8.34

0.5 x 5 x 8.34 = 21 lb/day (rounded)

2. How many pounds per day will be needed if the flow rate is 80,000 gpd, and the dose is 25
mg/L?

Step 1: Convert gallons per day into million gallons per day (MGD) using unit cancellation.

?MG = 1 MG x 80,000 gallons = 0.08 MGD

day 1,000,000 gallons day

Step 2: Use MGD in feed rate formula to solve for lbs/day

Feed Rate, lbs per day = Flow(MGD) x Dose(mg/L) x 8.34

0.08 x 25 x 8.34 = 17 lb/day

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3. How many pounds per day will be used if the flow rate is 47 gpm through each filter, and there
are 2 filters, and the dose is 7 mg/L?

Step 1: Determine total flow rate for both filters by multiplying by 2

47 X 2 = 94 gpm

Step 2: Convert gallons per minute into million gallons per day (MGD) using unit cancellation.

? MG = 1 MG x 94 gal x 1440 minutes = 0.135 MG

day 1,000,000 gallons minute day day

Step 3: Use MGD in feed rate formula to solve for lbs/day

Feed Rate, lbs per day = Flow(MGD) x Dose(mg/L) x 8.34

0.135 x 7 x 8.34 = 8 lb/day (rounded)

4. How many pounds per day will be used if the flow rate is 50 gpm, the dose is 4 mg/L, and the
plant operates for 16 hours each day?

Step 1: Convert gallons per minute into million gallons per day (MGD) using unit cancellation.

? MG = 1 MG x 50 gal x 60 minutes x 16 hrs = 0.048 MG for 16 hrs

day 1,000,000 gallons minute hr day day

Step 2: Use MGD in feed rate formula to solve for lbs/day

Feed Rate, lbs per day = Flow(MGD) x Dose(mg/L) x 8.34

0.048 x 4 x 8.34 = 1.6 lb/day

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5. What is the dose if the total water treated is 650,000 gallons, and 22 pounds of chemical was
used?

Step 1: Set up the variables in vertical format.

? Dose (mg/L) = Feed Rate, lbs/day

(Flow, MGD)(8.34)

Step 2: Insert known values into equation.

? Dose (mg/L) = Feed Rate, lbs/day = (22) lbs/day

(Flow, MGD)(8.34) (0.65)(8.34)

Step 3: Multiply 0.65 x 8.34 in the denominator = 20.85 (basic math rule)

Step 4: Perform the DOSE division: 22 (numerator) = 4 mg (rounded)

5.42 (denominator) L

6. What is the dose if the plant uses 120 pounds of chemical each day to treat 1,350,000 gallons
daily?

Step 1: Set up the variables in vertical format.

? Dose (mg/L) = Feed Rate, lbs/day

(Flow, MGD)(8.34)

Step 2: Insert known values into equation.

? Dose (mg/L) = Feed Rate, lbs/day = (120) lbs/day

(Flow, MGD)(8.34) (1.35)(8.34)

Step 3: Multiply 1.35 x 8.34 in the denominator = 11.25 (basic math rule)

Step 4: Perform the DOSE division: 120 (numerator) = 11. mg (rounded)

11.25 (denominator) L

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7. What is the dose if the operator uses 18 pounds of chemical to treat 650,000 gpd?

Step 1: Set up the variables in vertical format.

? Dose (mg/L) = Feed Rate, lbs/day

(Flow, MGD)(8.34)

Step 2: Insert known values into equation.

? Dose (mg/L) = Feed Rate, lbs/day = (18) lbs/day

(Flow, MGD)(8.34) (0.65)(8.34)

Step 3: Multiply 0.65 x 8.34 in the denominator = 5.42 (basic math rule)

Step 4: Perform the DOSE division: 18 (numerator) = 3.3 mg (rounded)

5.42 (denominator) L

Feed Rate Calculations Using Flow with a % Strength (i.e., % pure)

Solution

Practice Problem: A water plant uses 15% sodium hypochlorite to disinfect the water. The dose
is 1.2 mg/L. They treat 0.25 million gallons per day. How many pounds of sodium hypochlorite will
need to be fed?

Step 1: Solve for pounds per day (feed rate) for 100% pure chemical (no impurities).

? Pounds per day = flow x dose x 8.34 = (0.25)(1.2)(8.34) = 2.5 pounds of chlorine is required.

Step 2: Calculate # of pounds of 15% solution needed to achieve Step 1 feed rate.
a) Convert % purity of solution into a decimal:

15% = 0.15
100%

b) Then divide the pounds needed (feed rate of 100% pure chemical) by the % purity of the
solution (as a decimal).

2.5 pounds = 16.7 pounds of 15% hypochlorite.

0.15 (% purity as a decimal)

TIP: Answer will always be more pounds than Step 1 result because solution is not 100%
pure.

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Practice Problem: A water plant doses liquid alum at 5 mg/L and treats 1.5 MGD. How many
pounds of liquid alum will be required daily to do this? Liquid alum is 48½% pure.

Step 1: Solve for pounds per day (feed rate) for 100% pure chemical (no impurities).

? Pounds per day = flow x dose x 8.34 = (1.5)(5)(8.34) = 62.55 pound alum.

Step 2: Calculate # of pounds of 15% solution needed to achieve Step 1 feed rate.

a) Convert % purity of solution into a decimal:

48.5% = 0.485
100%

b) Then divide the pounds needed (feed rate of 100% pure chemical) by the % purity of the
solution (as a decimal).

62.55 pounds = 128.96 or 129 pounds of liquid alum.

0.485 (% purity as a decimal)

Feed Rate Calculations Using Volume with a % Strength (i.e., % pure)

Solution

Practice Problem: Calculate the amount of calcium hypochlorite to dose a 500,000 gallon storage
tank to a dose of 25 mg/L using granular calcium hypochlorite that indicates it is 65% chlorine.
Step 1: Convert volume (in gallons) into MG so that the feed rate (lbs) formula can be used.
?MG = 1 MG X (500,000) gal = 0.5 MG
1,000,000 gal
Step 2: Solve for pounds per day (feed rate) for 100 % pure chemical (no impurities).
? lbs = volume(MG) x dose(mg/L) x 8.34 = (0.5)(25)(8.34) = 104.25 pounds of chlorine is
required.
Step 3: Calculate # of pounds of 65% solution needed to achieve Step 2 feed rate.
a) Convert % purity of solution into a decimal:
65% = 0.65
100%
b) Then divide the pounds needed (feed rate of 100% pure chemical) by the % purity of the
solution (as a decimal).
104.25 pounds = 160.39 pounds of 65% calcium hypochlorite.
0.65

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Calculating “Active Ingredient” Weight

Active ingredient weight is the number of pounds of “active ingredient” per gallon of a %
solution that cause a chemical reaction.
o This “active ingredient” weight value is then used in a calculation with the 100% pure
“lbs/day” feed rate to determine the “gal/day” feed rate.

Calculating the Weight of the “Active ingredient” of a % Solution Chemical

Practice Problem: How many pounds of caustic soda are there in a gallon of caustic soda that is
25% pure that has a specific gravity of 1.28?

Step 1: Solve weight equation (lbs/gal) for 1 gallon of chemical

Weight, lbs/gal = (Specific gravity of substance) x (weight of a gallon of water)

1.28 x 8.34 pounds = 10.67 pounds
gallon gallon

Step 2: Determine the “active ingredient” weight of the caustic soda based on the % purity
of solution
a) Convert % purity of solution into a decimal:
25% = 0.25
100%

b) Multiply the weight of a gallon (from step 1) by the % purity of the product (as a
decimal).

10.67 pounds x 0.25 = 2.66 pounds of caustic soda in a gallon of 25% caustic soda solution
gallon

This “active ingredient” weight provides the pounds of available caustic soda that is found in each
gallon of 25% caustic soda solution. Within the 10.67 pounds of 25% caustic solution, there are
2.66 pounds of active ingredients.

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Using “Active Ingredient” Weight to Convert Feed Rate from lbs/day to

gal/day

Practice Problem: A water plant uses sodium hypochlorite (12.5%) to disinfect the water which
provides 1.2 lbs/gal of available chlorine (“active ingredient” weight). The chlorine dosage is 1.6
mg/L. They treat 600,000 gallons per day. How many gallons of sodium hypochlorite will need to
be fed?

Step 1: Convert flow in gallons (per day) into MGD so that the feed rate (lbs/day) formula can be
used.

? MGD = 1 MG X 600,000 (gal) = 0.6 MGD

1,000,000 gal 1 day

Step 2: Solve for pounds per day (feed rate) for 100 % pure chemical (no impurities).

? pounds per day = flow x dose x 8.34 = (0.6)(1.6)(8.34) = 8 pounds of chlorine is required.

Step 3: Use “active ingredient” weight with unit cancellation steps to convert lbs/day to gal/day

Active Ingredient Weight

of 12.5% hypo solution Feed Rate of 100% pure chlorine

?gal = 1 gallon x 8 lbs = 6.67 gal

day 1.2 lbs day day

NOTE: When you are given the “active ingredient” weight of a solution to solve a feed rate
problem, you do not need to use the % purity factor because it was used to derive the active
ingredient weight.

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Quiz: 3

1. How many pounds of alum (48.5 %) are required to treat 0.75 MGD with a dose of 12
mg/L?

Step 1: Solve for pounds (feed rate) for 100 % pure chemical (no impurities).

? pounds per day = flow x dose x 8.34 = (0.75)(12)(8.34) = 75 pounds of chlorine is required.

Step 2: Calculate # of pounds of 65% solution needed to achieve Step 2 feed rate.

a) Convert % purity of solution into a decimal:

48.5% = 0.485
100%

b) Then divide the pounds needed (feed rate of 100% pure chemical) by the % purity of the solution
(as a decimal).

75 pounds = 155 pounds of 48.5% alum.

0.485 (% purity as a decimal)

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February 2017

2. How many pounds of calcium hypochlorite (65 %) are needed to treat 500,000 gallons per
day with a dose of 2 mg/L?

Step 1: Convert flow in gallons (per day) into MGD so that the feed rate (lbs/day) formula can be
used.

? MGD = 1 MG X 500,000 (gal) = 0.5 MGD

1,000,000 gal 1 day

Step 2: Solve for pounds per day (feed rate) for 100% pure chemical (no impurities).

? pounds per day = flow x dose x 8.34 = (0.5)(2)(8.34) = 8.34 pounds of chlorine is required.

Step 3: Calculate # of pounds of % solution needed (in this example, 65%) to achieve Step 2 feed
rate.

a) Convert % purity of solution into a decimal:

65% = 0.65
100%

b) Then divide the pounds needed (feed rate of 100% pure chemical) by the % purity of the
solution (as a decimal).

8.34 pounds = 12.8 pounds of 65% calcium hypochlorite.

0.65

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February 2017

3. How many pounds of sodium hypochlorite (12½ %) are needed to treat a flow of 150
gallons per minute at a dose of 0.7 mg/L?

Step 1: Convert flow in gallons (per minute) into MGD so that the feed rate (lbs/day) formula can
be used.

?MGD = 1 MG x volume of flow (gal) x 1440 min

1,000,000 gal 1 min day

? MG = 1 MG x 150 gal x 1440 minutes = 0.216 MG

day 1,000,000 gallons minute day day

Step 2: Solve for pounds per day (feed rate) for 100% pure chemical (no impurities).

? pounds per day = flow x dose x 8.34 = (0.216)(0.7)(8.34) = 1.26 pounds of chlorine is required.

Step 3: Calculate # of pounds of % solution needed (in this example, 65%) to achieve Step 2 feed
rate.

a) Convert % purity of solution into a decimal:

12.5% = 0.125
100%

b) Then divide the pounds needed (feed rate of 100% pure chemical) by the % purity of the
solution (as a decimal).

1.26 pounds = 10 pounds of 12.5% sodium hypochlorite.

0.125

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

4. How many pounds of caustic soda are needed to dose water at 17 mg/L if you are treating
1,400,000 gallons per day? The caustic soda concentration is 50 percent.

Step 1: Solve for pounds (feed rate) for 100 % pure chemical (no impurities).

? pounds per day = flow x dose x 8.34 = (1.4)(17)(8.34) = 198 pounds of chlorine is required.

Step 2: Calculate # of pounds of 65% solution needed to achieve Step 2 feed rate.

a) Convert % purity of solution into a decimal:

50% = 0.5
100%

b) Then divide the pounds needed (feed rate of 100% pure chemical) by the % purity of the solution
(as a decimal).

198 pounds = 397 pounds of 50% PAC

0.5 (% purity as a decimal)

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

5. How many pounds of chlorine gas are required to treat 750,000 gallons of water to a dose
of 50 mg/L for a 24 hour period?

Step 1: Convert flow in gallons (per day) into MGD so that the feed rate (lbs/day) formula can be
used.

? MGD = 1 MG X 750,000 (gal) = 0.75 MGD

1,000,000 gal 1 day

Step 2: Solve for pounds per day (feed rate) for 100% pure chemical (no impurities).

? pounds per day = flow x dose x 8.34 = (0.75)(50)(8.34) = 313 pounds of chlorine is required.

6. A treatment plant uses 12.5% hypochlorite to disinfect the water. The required
hypochlorite dosage is 2 mg/L and the plant flow is 300,000 gpd. How many gallons of
12.5% hypochlorite are required (12.5% hypo has 1.25 lbs/gal available chlorine)?

Step 1: Convert flow in gallons (per day) into MGD so that the feed rate (lbs/day) formula can be used.

? MGD = 1 MG X 300,000 (gal) = 0.3 MGD

1,000,000 gal 1 day

Step 2: Solve for pounds per day (feed rate) for 100 % pure chemical (no impurities).

? pounds per day = flow x dose x 8.34 = (0.3)(2)(8.34) = 5 pounds of chlorine is required.

Step 3: Use “active ingredient” weight with unit cancellation steps to convert lbs/day to gal/day

Active Ingredient Weight

of 12.5% hypo solution
Feed Rate of 100% pure chlorine

?gal = 1 gallon x 5 lbs = 4 gal

day 1.25 lbs day day

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

Calculating the Weight of a Solution

Another consideration in water chemistry calculations is the weight of the product being used. For
example, the weight of a gallon of water is 8.34 pounds. We learned earlier that there are 7.48
gallons in a cubic foot of water.

Practice Problem: What would be the weight of 100 gallons of water?

? lbs = 8.34 lbs X 100 gal = 834 lbs

gal

Using Specific Gravity to calculate the weight of a solution

To calculate the weight of various chemicals we need to factor in the specific gravity of the
chemical being used. Specific gravity is the weight of a substance compared to the weight of a
gallon of water. Specific gravity information is found on the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and is used
to calculate the weight of a substance.

Total Weight, lbs/gal = (Specific gravity of substance) x (weight of a gallon of water)

Practice Problem: What is the weight of a gallon of sodium hypochlorite if the specific gravity is
1.11?

Weight, lbs/gal = (Specific gravity of substance) x (weight of a gallon of water)

? lbs = 1.11 x 8.34 lbs = 9.26 lbs

gal gal gal

Practice Problem: What is the weight of a gallon of crankcase oil if the specific gravity is 0.89?

Weight, lbs/gal = (Specific gravity of substance) x (weight of a gallon of water)

? lbs = 0.89 x 8.34 lbs = 7.4 lbs

gal gal gal

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

Calculating the weight of a drum

If you want to determine the weight of a drum or tank of solution, you must include that volume in your
calculation.

Drum Weight, lbs = (gallons of drum or tank) x (S.G.) x (8.34 lbs/gal)

Practice Problem: What would be the weight of a 50 gallon drum of 50% caustic soda if the specific gravity
of the product is 1.53

Drum Weight, lbs = (gallons of drum or tank) x (S.G.) x (8.34 lbs/gal)

? Drum weight, lbs = 50 x 1.53 x 8.34 = 638 lbs.

Calculating “Active Ingredient” Weight

Practice Problem: What is the active ingredient weight of 48.5% alum that has a specific gravity
of 1.33.

Step 1: Solve weight equation (lbs/gal) for 1 gallon of chemical

Weight, lbs/gal = (Specific gravity of substance) x (weight of a gallon of water)

1.33 x 8.34 lbs = 11.09 lbs

gal gal

Step 2: Determine the “active ingredient” weight of the solution based on the % purity of
solution

a) Convert % purity of solution into a decimal:

48.5 = 0.485
100

b) Multiply the weight of a gallon (from step 1) by the % purity of the product (as a
decimal).

11.09 lbs x 0.485 = 5.37 pounds of available alum in a gallon of 48.5 % alum
gal

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

Calculating the active ingredient weight of a drum of solution

You can also calculate how many pounds of active ingredients there are in drum or tank of a liquid
product.

? lbs of active ingredient within drum = drum volume (gal) x active ingredient weight (lbs/gal)

Example Problem: How many pounds of active ingredient are there in a 55 gallon drum of liquid
alum if the product is 48½ percent pure with a specific gravity of 1.33 and the active ingredient
weight is 5.37 lbs of alum/gal of product?

? lbs of active ingredient within drum = active ingredient weight (lbs/gal) X drum volume (gal)

? lbs of active ingredient within drum = 5.37 lbs X 55 gal

gal

= 295.8 lbs of active ingredient (alum) within the 48.5%

solution

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

Alternative Method of Calculating Active Ingredient Weight of a Drum:

Example Problem: How many pounds of active ingredient are there in a 55 gallon drum of liquid
alum if the product is 48½ percent pure with a specific gravity of 1.33 and the active ingredient
weight is 5.37 lbs of alum/gal of product?

Step 1: Solve weight equation (lbs/gal) for the drum

Drum Weight, lbs = (gallons of drum or tank) x (S.G.) x (8.34 lbs/gal)

? Drum Weight, lbs = 55 gal X 1.33 X 8.34

= 610 lbs

Step 2: Determine the “active ingredient” weight of the solution based on the % purity of
solution

a) Convert % purity of solution into a decimal:

48.5 = 0.485
100
b) Multiply the weight of the drum (from step 1) by the % purity of the product (as a
decimal).

610 lbs X 0.485 = 295.8 lbs of active ingredient (alum) within the 48.5% alum solution

Math Concept Exercise

1. In order to use the Feed Rate formula which is lbs/day = Flow x Dosage x 8.34, name the
units of measurement for the flow:

a) MGD
b) gpm
c) gpd
d) All of the above units can be used

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

2. If you have a flow in gpm, what calculation do you use to convert it to MGD?

a) Multiply gpm X 24 and divide by 1,000,000

b) Multiply gpm x 60 and divide by 1,000,000

c) Multiply gpm x 1440 and divide by 1,000,000

d) Divide flow in gpm by 1,000,000

3. If you have a flow in gpd, what calculation do you use to convert it to MGD?

a) Divide flow in gpd by 100

b) Divide flow in gpd by 10,000
c) Divide flow in gpd by 100,000
d) Divide flow in gpd by 1,000,000

4. When using “active ingredient” weight to solve for “gallons”, what calculation do you use?

a) ? gals = 1 gal X “lbs” (as a % solution feed rate)

1.63 lbs

b) ? gals = 1.63 lbs X “lbs” (as a % solution feed rate)

gal

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

Final Quiz :

1. What is the volume in gallons of a water tank that is 25 feet in diameter, and filled to a
depth of 17 feet?

Step 1: Solve the volume equation in ft3:

V= 0.785(Dia)2(H)

V=0.785(25 ft)(25 ft)(17 ft) = 8340.6 ft3

Step 2: Convert ft3 into gallons:

? gal = 7.48 gal X 8340.6 ft3 = 62,388 gallons (rounded)

1 ft3

2. What is the volume in gallons in a sedimentation basin that is 50 feet long, 35 feet wide,
and filled to a depth of 12 feet?

Step 1: Solve the volume equation in ft3:

V= (L)(W)(H)

V=(50 ft)(35 ft)(12 ft) = 21,000 ft3

Step 2: Convert ft3 into gallons:

? gal = 7.48 gal X 21,000 ft3 = 157,080 gallons (rounded)

1 ft3

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

3. How many pounds of chemical will be fed if the dose required is 13 mg/L, and the amount
of water to be treated is 175,000 gallons per day?

Step 1: Convert flow (in gallons) into MG so that the feed rate (lbs) formula can be used.

?MG = 1 MG X (175,000) gal = 0.175 MG

1,000,000 gal

Step 2: Solve for pounds per day (feed rate) for 100 % pure chemical (no impurities).

? lbs = volume(MG) x dose(mg/L) x 8.34 = (0.175)(13)(8.34) = 19 pounds of chlorine is required.

(rounded)

4. What is the dose if a water plant used 40 pounds of chemical, and treated 1.2 million
gallons of water?

Step 1: Set up the variables in vertical format.

? Dose (mg/L) = Feed Rate, lbs/day

(Flow, MGD)(8.34)

Step 2: Insert known values into equation.

? Dose (mg/L) = Feed Rate, lbs/day = (40) lbs/day

(Flow, MGD)(8.34) (1.2)(8.34)

Step 3: Multiply 2.5 x 8.34 in the denominator = 10 (basic math rule)

Step 4: Perform the DOSE division: 40 (numerator) = 4 mg

10 (denominator) L

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

5. The target dose for a system is 1.2 mg/L. They are treating an average of 300,000 gallons
each day. How many lbs of sodium hypochlorite (12½ %) will they need to feed?

Step 1: Convert volume (in gallons) into MG so that the feed rate (lbs) formula can be used.

?MG = 1 MG X (300,000) gal = 0.3 MG

1,000,000 gal

Step 2: Solve for pounds per day (feed rate) for 100 % pure chemical (no impurities).

? lbs = volume(MG) x dose(mg/L) x 8.34 = (0.3)(1.2)(8.34) = 3 pounds of chlorine is required.

Step 3: Calculate # of pounds of 65% solution needed to achieve Step 2 feed rate.

a) Convert % purity of solution into a decimal:

12.5% = 0.125
100%

b) Then divide the pounds needed (feed rate of 100% pure chemical) by the % purity of the
solution (as a decimal).

3 pounds = 24 pounds of 65% calcium hypochlorite.

0.125

6. The specific gravity of the hypochlorite is 1.11. If the system needs to feed 24 pounds of
hypochlorite, how many gallons will that require?

Step 1: Solve weight equation (lbs/gal) for 1 gallon of chemical

Weight, lbs/gal = (Specific gravity of substance) x (weight of a gallon of water)

1.11 x 8.34 pounds = 9.26 pounds

gallon gallon

Step 2: Use weight of gallon of hypochlorite solution with unit cancellation steps to convert lbs/day to
gal/day

Weight of hypo solution

Feed Rate

?gal = 1 gallon x 24 lbs = 2.6 gal (rounded)

day 9.26 lbs day day

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

7. How many pounds of chlorine will be needed to disinfect a 250,000 gallon tank if a 50
mg/L dose is required?

Step 1: Convert volume (in gallons) into MG so that the feed rate (lbs) formula can be used.

?MG = 1 MG X (250,000) gal = 0.25 MG

1,000,000 gal

Step 2: Solve for pounds per day (feed rate) for 100 % pure chemical (no impurities).

? lbs = volume(MG) x dose(mg/L) x 8.34 = (0.5)(25)(8.34) = 104.25 pounds of chlorine is required.

8. What is the weight of the water that is in a container one foot long, one foot wide, and
filled to a depth of 1 foot?

Step 1: Solve the volume equation in ft3:

V= (L)(W)(H)

V=(1 ft)(1 ft)(1 ft) = 1 ft3

Step 2: Convert ft3 into gallons:

? gal = 7.48 gal X 1 ft3 = 7.48 gallons

1 ft3

Step 3: Convert gallons into lbs.

? lbs= 8.34 lbs X 7.48 gal = 62.4 lbs

gal

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

9 How many pounds of aluminum sulfate (48.5%) are required to dose water at 21 mg/L if
the amount of water treated is 2 MGD?

Step 1: Solve for pounds per day (feed rate) for 100% pure chemical (no impurities).

? Pounds per day = flow x dose x 8.34 = (2)(21)(8.34) = 350.28 pound alum.

Step 2: Calculate # of pounds of 48.5% solution needed to achieve Step 1 feed rate.

a) Convert % purity of solution into a decimal:

48.5% = 0.485
100%

b) Then divide the pounds needed (feed rate of 100% pure chemical) by the % purity of the
solution (as a decimal).

350.28 pounds = 722 pounds of liquid alum.

0.485 (% purity as a decimal)

10. Convert a flow of 65 gallons per minute to the MGD unit.

?MGD = 1 MG x volume of flow (gal) x 1440 min

1,000,000 gal 1 min day

? MG = 1 MG x 65 gal x 1440 minutes = 0.0936 MG

day 1,000,000 gallons minute day day

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 ANSWER KEY: 2017 Revised Basic Math
February 2017

11. How high (in ft) is the water column if the pressure at the bottom measures 40 psi?

? ft = 2.31 ft x 40 psi = 92 ft
1 psi

12. Convert 17º C to ºF.

°F = (ºC X 1.8) +32

°F = (17 X 1.8) = 31 + 32 = 63 °F

13. What is the % unaccounted water if a system records the following readings:

The master meter reading is 1,500,000 gallons.

The meter reading total is 965,000 gallons
Another 100,000 gallons were used for flushing, and 35,000 gallons were metered at a
blow-off.

Step 1: Add total gallons accounted for (billed, blow-off, and flushing)

Gallons Accounted for =965,000 (billed) + 35,000 (blow-off) + 100,000 (flushing) = 1,100,000

Step 2: Subtract “accounted for” from total produced to find “Unaccounted for”

1,500,000 – 1,100,000 (Step 1 Accounted for) = 400,000 (Unaccounted for)

Step 3: Divide “Unaccounted for” by total produced and multiply by 100 to equal the %
unaccounted for

400,000 (Step 2 Unaccounted For) = 0.266 X 100 = 27 % Unaccounted for (rounded)

1,500,000 (Total Produced)

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