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Subjects · Leaving Cert Construction Studies

Leaving Cert Construction Studies: Water supply & plumbing

How often Water supply & plumbing comes up on the Construction Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 1 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2022.

OL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

June 2028 is the first exam on the new Construction Studies course. These come from the 2016–2025 papers, so read them as a guide.

Water supply & plumbing, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Water supply & plumbing.

(a)Colour of the MDPE water service pipe to a house?
  1. Yellow
  2. Blue
  3. Black
(b)Why is drinking water taken from the rising main at the kitchen sink?
  1. Mains water is softer, so it tastes better to most people
  2. Mains water is warmer, so it is safer to drink
  3. Mains water is fresh; stored water may be contaminated
(c)Purpose of the float valve in a cold-water storage tank?
  1. Shuts off the mains supply when the tank is full
  2. Drains the tank in winter to stop the water freezing
  3. Heats the stored water in cold weather
Show the answers

(a) Blue

(b) Mains water is fresh; stored water may be contaminated

(c) Shuts off the mains supply when the tank is full

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Water supply & plumbing.

Higher Level

Asked on 1 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2022.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Q8
2021Not asked
2019Not asked
2018Not asked
2017Not asked
2016Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Water supply & plumbing questions

Water supply & plumbing, 2 marks

Why fit a thermostatic mixing valve to a hot water outlet?

  1. To kill Legionella in the cylinder
  2. To raise the water pressure
  3. To prevent scalding
Show the answer

To prevent scalding

The valve blends hot and cold water to a safe set temperature at baths and basins, while the cylinder itself can be kept hot enough to control bacteria.

Water supply & plumbing, 2 marks

Why should stored hot water be heated to at least 60 °C at times?

  1. To lower running costs
  2. To kill Legionella bacteria
  3. To reduce limescale
Show the answer

To kill Legionella bacteria

Legionella multiplies in lukewarm water, roughly 20 to 45 °C. Heating the cylinder to 60 °C regularly, for example with a timed boost, kills it.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q3
2024Q3
2023Q3
2022Q3
2021Q3
2019Q3
2018Q3, Q7, Q8h
2017Q3, Q8e
2016Q3, Q8a, Q8e

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Water supply & plumbing questions

Water supply & plumbing, 2 marks

Colour of the plastic water service pipe coming into a house?

  1. Yellow
  2. Orange
  3. Blue
Show the answer

Blue

Blue MDPE pipe carries mains water. Yellow is used for gas, so the colours warn anyone digging what is in the ground.

Water supply & plumbing, 2 marks

Valve used to turn off the mains water supply to a house?

  1. Pressure relief valve
  2. Stopcock
  3. Float valve
Show the answer

Stopcock

A stopcock is fitted where the supply enters the house, often under the kitchen sink. Everyone in the house should know where it is for a leak.

Water supply & plumbing, 2 marks

Job of the float (ball) valve in a cold water storage tank?

  1. Shuts off the inflow when the tank is full
  2. Heats the water in the tank in winter
  3. Drains the tank for cleaning once each year
Show the answer

Shuts off the inflow when the tank is full

As the water rises, the float lifts and closes the valve. When water is used the level drops, the float falls and the tank refills.

Other Construction Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Construction Studies