CERTIFIED STORM WATER OPERATOR
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ ____________________ lines connect points of equal surface elevations.
(Unit 4).
Answer: Contour.
◍ The effects of _____________ erosion are usually more visible than
_____________ erosion. (Unit 1).
Answer: Water; wind
◍ If there is a spill or release to waters of state....
Answer: -Contact EGLE's Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS)
during non business hours-Regular business hours, contact local EGLE
district office-Cant just leave voice mail!!!-Also contact LEPC
◍ Soil erosion prevention and sedimentation control requires thoughtful
_______________ to be effective. (Unit 4).
Answer: Planning.
◍ Outfall.
Answer: The location at which a point source discharge enters the surface
waters of the state
◍ The primary goal of Part 91 (of the NREPA) is to protect _____________
properties and the ______________ of the state from
____________________ generated from unchecked erosion. (Unit 5).
Answer: Adjacent, waters, sediment.
◍ _____________ erosion is the removal of a uniform layer of soil from
rain-splash and storm water runoff. (Unit 1).
, Answer: Sheet
◍ Significant Materials.
Answer: Any material that can degrade or impair the water quality
◍ Groughty soil can be corrected by:- selecting ______________ resistant
plants- ____ silt and clay soil or _____________ matter with the droughty
soil. (Unit 3).
Answer: - Drought- Mix, organic.
◍ Goal of Storm Water.
Answer: Reduce Pollution-Store inventory inside-Use less toxic chemicals
in operation-Facility assessments-Current Inventory
◍ EGLE.
Answer: Administer CWA and issue NPDES permits
◍ Owners of projects that disturb _____ acres or more of land that have a
point source discharge to surface waters of the state must submit a
_____________ ___ ________________ _______ [along with other require
documents and fees] to the MDNRE to receive coverage under
Permit-by-Rule. The permittee must also comply with the requirements of
Permit-by-Rule..
Answer: 5, Notice of Coverage (NOC)
◍ Immediately following seeding, a mulch of clean straw should be applied at
____________ tons/acre. (Unit 3).
Answer: Two.
◍ The three common ways to express slope on a plan or map are as a
_________, a ______________, or in ______________. (Unit 4).
Answer: Ratio, percent, degrees.
◍ How should you see what chemicals have potential for exposure from spill?.
Answer: -Look at lists of lists and cross reference with materials we have on
site and make a list
◍ MiWaters.
, Answer: -New information system for web-based permitting and compliance
database
◍ For sites disturbing ___ ___ _______ _______,
_________________________ _________________ ______ _____
___________________ _________ ___ ______________ ____
_________________ to the MDEQ or when the SESC permit ___________
or ____ years from the start of the project, whichever is sooner..
Answer: 5 or more acres, Permit-by-Rule terminates when the permittee
sends a Notice or Termination, expires, 5
◍ A _______________________ meeting between the inspector, permittee,
contractor, project engineer, and the SESC agent can eliminate many
potential problems. (Unit 4).
Answer: Pre-construction.
◍ Pathogens.
Answer: -Inhibits recreational uses-can cause ear and or intestinal
problems-Sources are sanitary sewer overflows, animal waste, failing septic
systems
◍ A 50 pound bag of 20-10-5 contains __________ pounds of phosphorous.
(Unit 3).
Answer: Five
◍ A SESC permit and plan is required, at a minimum for all earth changes that
disturb ____ or more acres or that are located within ____ feet of the water's
edge of a _______ or __________. (Unit 4).
Answer: One, 500, lake, stream.
◍ 3 Criteria to consider when determining if coverage is needed under NPDES
ISW Permit.
Answer: 1. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC code) - see if regulated
by EPA based on products company makes2. Do we discharge to surface
waters of state? -where is water going? point source discharge?3. Potential
for Exposure - if you dont think you have anything, you need a No Exposure
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ ____________________ lines connect points of equal surface elevations.
(Unit 4).
Answer: Contour.
◍ The effects of _____________ erosion are usually more visible than
_____________ erosion. (Unit 1).
Answer: Water; wind
◍ If there is a spill or release to waters of state....
Answer: -Contact EGLE's Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS)
during non business hours-Regular business hours, contact local EGLE
district office-Cant just leave voice mail!!!-Also contact LEPC
◍ Soil erosion prevention and sedimentation control requires thoughtful
_______________ to be effective. (Unit 4).
Answer: Planning.
◍ Outfall.
Answer: The location at which a point source discharge enters the surface
waters of the state
◍ The primary goal of Part 91 (of the NREPA) is to protect _____________
properties and the ______________ of the state from
____________________ generated from unchecked erosion. (Unit 5).
Answer: Adjacent, waters, sediment.
◍ _____________ erosion is the removal of a uniform layer of soil from
rain-splash and storm water runoff. (Unit 1).
, Answer: Sheet
◍ Significant Materials.
Answer: Any material that can degrade or impair the water quality
◍ Groughty soil can be corrected by:- selecting ______________ resistant
plants- ____ silt and clay soil or _____________ matter with the droughty
soil. (Unit 3).
Answer: - Drought- Mix, organic.
◍ Goal of Storm Water.
Answer: Reduce Pollution-Store inventory inside-Use less toxic chemicals
in operation-Facility assessments-Current Inventory
◍ EGLE.
Answer: Administer CWA and issue NPDES permits
◍ Owners of projects that disturb _____ acres or more of land that have a
point source discharge to surface waters of the state must submit a
_____________ ___ ________________ _______ [along with other require
documents and fees] to the MDNRE to receive coverage under
Permit-by-Rule. The permittee must also comply with the requirements of
Permit-by-Rule..
Answer: 5, Notice of Coverage (NOC)
◍ Immediately following seeding, a mulch of clean straw should be applied at
____________ tons/acre. (Unit 3).
Answer: Two.
◍ The three common ways to express slope on a plan or map are as a
_________, a ______________, or in ______________. (Unit 4).
Answer: Ratio, percent, degrees.
◍ How should you see what chemicals have potential for exposure from spill?.
Answer: -Look at lists of lists and cross reference with materials we have on
site and make a list
◍ MiWaters.
, Answer: -New information system for web-based permitting and compliance
database
◍ For sites disturbing ___ ___ _______ _______,
_________________________ _________________ ______ _____
___________________ _________ ___ ______________ ____
_________________ to the MDEQ or when the SESC permit ___________
or ____ years from the start of the project, whichever is sooner..
Answer: 5 or more acres, Permit-by-Rule terminates when the permittee
sends a Notice or Termination, expires, 5
◍ A _______________________ meeting between the inspector, permittee,
contractor, project engineer, and the SESC agent can eliminate many
potential problems. (Unit 4).
Answer: Pre-construction.
◍ Pathogens.
Answer: -Inhibits recreational uses-can cause ear and or intestinal
problems-Sources are sanitary sewer overflows, animal waste, failing septic
systems
◍ A 50 pound bag of 20-10-5 contains __________ pounds of phosphorous.
(Unit 3).
Answer: Five
◍ A SESC permit and plan is required, at a minimum for all earth changes that
disturb ____ or more acres or that are located within ____ feet of the water's
edge of a _______ or __________. (Unit 4).
Answer: One, 500, lake, stream.
◍ 3 Criteria to consider when determining if coverage is needed under NPDES
ISW Permit.
Answer: 1. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC code) - see if regulated
by EPA based on products company makes2. Do we discharge to surface
waters of state? -where is water going? point source discharge?3. Potential
for Exposure - if you dont think you have anything, you need a No Exposure
