Certified Stormwater Inspector Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. What is the primary purpose of a stormwater inspection?
a) To identify local wildlife habitats
b) To ensure stormwater regulations are being followed
c) To assess air quality
d) To measure soil pH
b) To ensure stormwater regulations are being followed
Inspections focus on compliance with stormwater regulations to
prevent pollution and protect water quality.
2. Which federal agency administers the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) program?
a) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
b) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
c) Department of Agriculture
d) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
b) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA regulates stormwater discharges through the NPDES
program to control pollutants entering water bodies.
3. What is considered a stormwater Best Management Practice
(BMP)?
a) Rain gardens
b) Asphalt paving
, c) Street lighting
d) Underground gas lines
a) Rain gardens
BMPs are techniques or structures designed to reduce pollution
and manage stormwater runoff.
4. Which type of inspection is usually performed after a construction
site has been disturbed?
a) Routine quarterly inspection
b) Post-construction inspection
c) Active construction site inspection
d) Off-site monitoring
c) Active construction site inspection
Active construction site inspections ensure that erosion and
sediment controls are working during construction.
5. When inspecting a construction site, which of the following should
be checked first?
a) Stormwater runoff points
b) Employee break areas
c) Office signage
d) Nearby schools
a) Stormwater runoff points
Runoff points are the most direct locations where sediment or
pollutants could leave the site.
6. What does “TSS” stand for in stormwater management?
a) Total Suspended Solids
b) Temporary Sediment Sample
c) Total Stormwater Source
, d) Test Site Standard
a) Total Suspended Solids
TSS measures the concentration of suspended particles in
stormwater, indicating potential pollution.
7. Which of the following is a common sign of erosion at a site?
a) Cracked pavement
b) Rill or gully formation
c) Overgrown grass
d) Faded paint
b) Rill or gully formation
Rills and gullies indicate soil movement caused by water flow,
which can transport pollutants.
8. How often should stormwater inspections typically occur on active
construction sites under most NPDES permits?
a) Monthly
b) Weekly
c) Annually
d) Only after rainfall events
b) Weekly
Many NPDES construction permits require weekly inspections to
ensure BMPs are functioning.
9. Which document should inspectors reference for site-specific
stormwater requirements?
a) Employee handbook
b) Site Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
c) Local building codes only
d) OSHA safety manual
, b) Site Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
The SWPPP outlines BMPs, site layout, and inspection
requirements for compliance.
10. What is the main purpose of silt fences?
a) To provide aesthetic landscaping
b) To reduce sediment runoff
c) To improve soil fertility
d) To manage pedestrian traffic
b) To reduce sediment runoff
Silt fences trap sediment in stormwater before it leaves the
construction site.
11. What is the primary concern when inspecting a stormwater
pond?
a) Water temperature
b) Sediment accumulation and outlet function
c) Fish species present
d) Recreational use
b) Sediment accumulation and outlet function
Inspectors focus on whether ponds are retaining sediment and
discharging water safely.
12. Which of the following is considered an illicit discharge?
a) Rainwater
b) Fertilizer washing off a lawn
c) Dirt from a construction site
d) Clean snowmelt
b) Fertilizer washing off a lawn
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a stormwater inspection?
a) To identify local wildlife habitats
b) To ensure stormwater regulations are being followed
c) To assess air quality
d) To measure soil pH
b) To ensure stormwater regulations are being followed
Inspections focus on compliance with stormwater regulations to
prevent pollution and protect water quality.
2. Which federal agency administers the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) program?
a) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
b) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
c) Department of Agriculture
d) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
b) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA regulates stormwater discharges through the NPDES
program to control pollutants entering water bodies.
3. What is considered a stormwater Best Management Practice
(BMP)?
a) Rain gardens
b) Asphalt paving
, c) Street lighting
d) Underground gas lines
a) Rain gardens
BMPs are techniques or structures designed to reduce pollution
and manage stormwater runoff.
4. Which type of inspection is usually performed after a construction
site has been disturbed?
a) Routine quarterly inspection
b) Post-construction inspection
c) Active construction site inspection
d) Off-site monitoring
c) Active construction site inspection
Active construction site inspections ensure that erosion and
sediment controls are working during construction.
5. When inspecting a construction site, which of the following should
be checked first?
a) Stormwater runoff points
b) Employee break areas
c) Office signage
d) Nearby schools
a) Stormwater runoff points
Runoff points are the most direct locations where sediment or
pollutants could leave the site.
6. What does “TSS” stand for in stormwater management?
a) Total Suspended Solids
b) Temporary Sediment Sample
c) Total Stormwater Source
, d) Test Site Standard
a) Total Suspended Solids
TSS measures the concentration of suspended particles in
stormwater, indicating potential pollution.
7. Which of the following is a common sign of erosion at a site?
a) Cracked pavement
b) Rill or gully formation
c) Overgrown grass
d) Faded paint
b) Rill or gully formation
Rills and gullies indicate soil movement caused by water flow,
which can transport pollutants.
8. How often should stormwater inspections typically occur on active
construction sites under most NPDES permits?
a) Monthly
b) Weekly
c) Annually
d) Only after rainfall events
b) Weekly
Many NPDES construction permits require weekly inspections to
ensure BMPs are functioning.
9. Which document should inspectors reference for site-specific
stormwater requirements?
a) Employee handbook
b) Site Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
c) Local building codes only
d) OSHA safety manual
, b) Site Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
The SWPPP outlines BMPs, site layout, and inspection
requirements for compliance.
10. What is the main purpose of silt fences?
a) To provide aesthetic landscaping
b) To reduce sediment runoff
c) To improve soil fertility
d) To manage pedestrian traffic
b) To reduce sediment runoff
Silt fences trap sediment in stormwater before it leaves the
construction site.
11. What is the primary concern when inspecting a stormwater
pond?
a) Water temperature
b) Sediment accumulation and outlet function
c) Fish species present
d) Recreational use
b) Sediment accumulation and outlet function
Inspectors focus on whether ponds are retaining sediment and
discharging water safely.
12. Which of the following is considered an illicit discharge?
a) Rainwater
b) Fertilizer washing off a lawn
c) Dirt from a construction site
d) Clean snowmelt
b) Fertilizer washing off a lawn
