Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 20, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains what data WaterOperatorPracticeTest.com (the "Site") collects, why we collect it, how we use it, and the choices you have. We try to say things in plain English first and the legal version second.

The short version

• You can use this Site as a guest without giving us any personal information at all.
• If you choose to create an account, we collect your email address so we can sign you in and remember your test history.
• We collect anonymous, aggregated data about which practice questions are answered correctly so we can improve the Site.
• We use Firebase (a Google service) to run the login and database that stores your scores.
• If and when we add advertising or analytics, we will use cookies that you can decline using the cookie banner.
• We do not sell your personal information.

Who we are

WaterOperatorPracticeTest.com is an independent study aid for water operator certification. We are not affiliated with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), or any state primacy agency. You can contact us at our contact page.

What we collect

If you use the Site as a guest

Your test results and a short history are stored in your browser using localStorage. This information stays on your device and is not transmitted to us in a personally-identifiable way. We do receive an anonymous attempt record — which question you answered and whether your answer was correct — so we can track per-question difficulty across all visitors. This anonymous record cannot be linked back to you.

If you create an account

We collect:

• Your email address (used to sign you in)
• If you sign in with Google, your display name and profile photo URL
• The results of practice tests you complete while signed in (test ID, score, answers, time spent)

Automatically

Our hosting provider (currently Netlify) records standard web-server logs that include your IP address, browser type, referring page, and request time. These logs are used for security and abuse prevention.

How we use your data

• To sign you in and keep you signed in.
• To save and show you your test history.
• To compute aggregate, anonymous statistics about how visitors perform on each question so we can improve the tests.
• To detect and prevent abuse of the Site.
• To respond when you contact us.

Third-party services we use

Firebase (Google LLC)

Firebase Authentication and Firestore Database store your account credentials and your test results. By using the Site you agree to Firebase's privacy practices.

Google Analytics (planned)

If we add Google Analytics in the future, it will use cookies and a tracking identifier to measure aggregate visitor traffic. You will be able to decline this tracking using the cookie banner on the Site.

Google AdSense (planned)

If we add display advertising in the future, Google or its advertising partners may use cookies to serve ads based on your visits to this and other websites. You will be able to decline this tracking using the cookie banner on the Site. Learn more about how Google uses information from sites that use its services.

Cookies and similar technologies

The Site uses three categories of cookies and browser storage:

• Essential: Required for the Site to function (sign-in tokens, your cookie-banner preference). These cannot be disabled.
• Functional: localStorage entries that remember your test history as a guest, your study streak, and your preferences.
• Analytics & advertising: Only used after you accept them through the cookie banner. You may decline at any time by clearing your browser's storage and revisiting the Site.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you have the following rights:

• Access: You may ask us what data we hold about you.
• Correction: You may ask us to correct inaccurate data.
• Deletion: You may delete your account at any time from your dashboard, which removes your email and test history from our database. You may also ask us to delete any remaining data.
• Opt out of sale: We do not sell your personal information. California residents may exercise their CCPA rights by contacting us.
• Data portability: You may request a copy of your test history in machine-readable form.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us via our contact page. We will respond within 30 days.

Children's privacy

The Site is intended for working adults preparing for professional certification. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us information, please contact us and we will delete it.

Security

We use industry-standard security practices, including HTTPS for all traffic and Firebase's built-in authentication and database access controls. No system is perfectly secure, but we will notify affected users without undue delay if we become aware of a breach involving personal information.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, for material changes, post a notice on the homepage for at least 14 days.

Contact

Questions about this policy? Reach us here.