CEPSCI Certification Exam Questions With
Accurate Solutions 2025\2026 A+ Grade
Why erosion prevention and sediment control are important?
- accurate answers-1. Stormwater runoff is leading cause of impaired water in
SC. 2. Protect downstream surface water and aquatic habitats
Erosion
- accurate answers-Process by which land surface is worn away by action of
water, wind, ice and gravity.
Natural erosion
- accurate answers-aka Geologic erosion. 1. relative slow 2. most rapid along
shorelines and stream channels 3. produces about 30% of eroded sediment in
US
Accelerated erosion
- accurate answers-1. erosion at elevated rate bc of human activity 2.
agriculture, timber harvesting and construction are primary contributors 3.
accounts for remaining 70% of eroded sediment in US
Factors influencing erosion
- accurate answers-1. climate (frequency, intensity and duration of rainfall for
a region) 2. season (more intense storms in summer) 3. vegetative cover 4.
topography 5. soil characteristics (texture, percentage of organic content,
structure, and permeability)
Sedimentation
- accurate answers-Process by which eroded material is transported and
deposited.
Negative impacts of sedimentation
- accurate answers-1. screens out sunlight/reduces water clarity. 2. fills
channels and reduces capacity. 3. pollutants attached to sediment particles
can impact downstream water quality.
NPDES
- accurate answers-aka National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
Created by the 1972 Clean Water Act.
, 1987
- accurate answers-Amendment to CWA called Water Quality Act required
EPA to develop program to regulate storm discharges under NPDES program.
Point source pollution
- accurate answers-Discharges from readily identifiable sources such as
wastewater treatment plants or industrial facilities.
Nonpoint source pollution
- accurate answers-Discharges that are less easily identifiable such as runoff
from urbanized or agricultural areas.
DHEC
- accurate answers-aka Department of Health and Environmental Control.
This regulation administers NPDES regulations, but EPA has authority to exert
jurisdiction in SC.
CGP
- accurate answers-aka Construction General Permit. One of several NPDES
permits administered by DHEC.
Who must obtain NPDES coverage?
- accurate answers-1. land disturbing activities greater than or equal to 1 acre.
2. land disturbance less than 1 acre within half a mile of a receiving water
body in SC Coastal Zone. 3. Exception: SFR development NOT part of larger
common plan of development.
Who is permitted?
- accurate answers-NPDES permits are always issued to operator (person or
company) for a particular discharge. NOT issued to parcel or project.
Authorization of Discharges
- accurate answers-To receive coverage under permit, appropriate Notice of
Intent (NOI) form must be completed and submitted. There are 3 types of
NOIs and dependent on the Operator Category (refer to chart).
Primary permittee
- accurate answers-1. has operational control over Stormwater Pollution
Accurate Solutions 2025\2026 A+ Grade
Why erosion prevention and sediment control are important?
- accurate answers-1. Stormwater runoff is leading cause of impaired water in
SC. 2. Protect downstream surface water and aquatic habitats
Erosion
- accurate answers-Process by which land surface is worn away by action of
water, wind, ice and gravity.
Natural erosion
- accurate answers-aka Geologic erosion. 1. relative slow 2. most rapid along
shorelines and stream channels 3. produces about 30% of eroded sediment in
US
Accelerated erosion
- accurate answers-1. erosion at elevated rate bc of human activity 2.
agriculture, timber harvesting and construction are primary contributors 3.
accounts for remaining 70% of eroded sediment in US
Factors influencing erosion
- accurate answers-1. climate (frequency, intensity and duration of rainfall for
a region) 2. season (more intense storms in summer) 3. vegetative cover 4.
topography 5. soil characteristics (texture, percentage of organic content,
structure, and permeability)
Sedimentation
- accurate answers-Process by which eroded material is transported and
deposited.
Negative impacts of sedimentation
- accurate answers-1. screens out sunlight/reduces water clarity. 2. fills
channels and reduces capacity. 3. pollutants attached to sediment particles
can impact downstream water quality.
NPDES
- accurate answers-aka National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
Created by the 1972 Clean Water Act.
, 1987
- accurate answers-Amendment to CWA called Water Quality Act required
EPA to develop program to regulate storm discharges under NPDES program.
Point source pollution
- accurate answers-Discharges from readily identifiable sources such as
wastewater treatment plants or industrial facilities.
Nonpoint source pollution
- accurate answers-Discharges that are less easily identifiable such as runoff
from urbanized or agricultural areas.
DHEC
- accurate answers-aka Department of Health and Environmental Control.
This regulation administers NPDES regulations, but EPA has authority to exert
jurisdiction in SC.
CGP
- accurate answers-aka Construction General Permit. One of several NPDES
permits administered by DHEC.
Who must obtain NPDES coverage?
- accurate answers-1. land disturbing activities greater than or equal to 1 acre.
2. land disturbance less than 1 acre within half a mile of a receiving water
body in SC Coastal Zone. 3. Exception: SFR development NOT part of larger
common plan of development.
Who is permitted?
- accurate answers-NPDES permits are always issued to operator (person or
company) for a particular discharge. NOT issued to parcel or project.
Authorization of Discharges
- accurate answers-To receive coverage under permit, appropriate Notice of
Intent (NOI) form must be completed and submitted. There are 3 types of
NOIs and dependent on the Operator Category (refer to chart).
Primary permittee
- accurate answers-1. has operational control over Stormwater Pollution
