CESSWI CURRENT EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026-2027 LATEST
UPDATE
Erosion is the process by which soil particles are separated and transported by wind
and/or water.
Sediment is eroded particles suspended in the wind or water.
Sedimentation is the deposition of eroded material.
Types of Erosion (answer splash)
sheet
rill
gully
channel
Splash erosion - ANSWER: Raindrop impact energy is sufficient to move surface
sediments.
Sheet erosion is created by rain splashes that detach soil particles, pull them up, and
remove them with shallow "sheets" of water streaming down the sloped soil
surface.
Rill Erosion - ANSWER: As flow concentrates, tiny channels begin to emerge on
the soil surface.
Gully Erosion - ANSWER Formed when runoff cuts rills deeper and wider, or
when flows from multiple rills combine to form a huge channel.
,Channel Erosion - ANSWER could become unstable because to higher flows or
changes in upstream sediment load.
Natural erosion is typically regarded to be caused by climate forces on the earth's
surface.
Accelerated erosion - ANSWER natural erosion combined with human activity
What issues might increased erosion create? - ANSWER Unrestricted Development
Remove the surface cover.
increased imperviousness
Poor stewardship
Downslope property owners face issues relating to construction-induced erosion.
annoyance issues on the streets
Clog streams and storm drains.
increasing turbidity downstream.
Cover delicate habitats with sediment.
Identify sediment damage in streams: disruption of spawning grounds, food
sources, and habitat.
Direct toxicity to wildlife.
Lake deterioration
Filling of navigation channels.
,Impacts on commercial fisheries
Reduced water storage capacities
ANSWER sediment can impact light penetration, channel stability, fisheries, and
habitat.
Name Offstream Damages - ANSWER Increased Flood Hazards
Increased water treatment expenses
Reduced capacity in conveyance facilities
Increased infrastructure maintenance expenses.
What factors have contributed to the growth in impervious surface area in our
watershed? - ANSWER Urbanization and Development
Priority contaminants include: nutrients.
pathogens
Heavy Metals
toxics
sediment
salts
detergents
Hydro carbons
, Clean Water Act (CWA) - ANSWER Federal Water Pollution Control Act
designed to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of
US waters.
controlled by the USEPA.
Section 401: ANSWER water quality certification
requires applicants, including those involved in the building or operation of a plant,
to get certification to discharge any pollutant.
administered by the state.
Section 402 - Answer NPDES Regulations
NPDES: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
MS4 - ANSWER: Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems
NURP - ANSWER: National Urban Runoff Program
1987-1983
led to the EPA regulating stormwater.
Phase I
(1987-1992) - ANSWER: Already covered by NPDES permit.
Facilities that conduct industrial activity
Large municipal storm systems (above 250,000)
Medium municipal storm systems (100–250 K)
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026-2027 LATEST
UPDATE
Erosion is the process by which soil particles are separated and transported by wind
and/or water.
Sediment is eroded particles suspended in the wind or water.
Sedimentation is the deposition of eroded material.
Types of Erosion (answer splash)
sheet
rill
gully
channel
Splash erosion - ANSWER: Raindrop impact energy is sufficient to move surface
sediments.
Sheet erosion is created by rain splashes that detach soil particles, pull them up, and
remove them with shallow "sheets" of water streaming down the sloped soil
surface.
Rill Erosion - ANSWER: As flow concentrates, tiny channels begin to emerge on
the soil surface.
Gully Erosion - ANSWER Formed when runoff cuts rills deeper and wider, or
when flows from multiple rills combine to form a huge channel.
,Channel Erosion - ANSWER could become unstable because to higher flows or
changes in upstream sediment load.
Natural erosion is typically regarded to be caused by climate forces on the earth's
surface.
Accelerated erosion - ANSWER natural erosion combined with human activity
What issues might increased erosion create? - ANSWER Unrestricted Development
Remove the surface cover.
increased imperviousness
Poor stewardship
Downslope property owners face issues relating to construction-induced erosion.
annoyance issues on the streets
Clog streams and storm drains.
increasing turbidity downstream.
Cover delicate habitats with sediment.
Identify sediment damage in streams: disruption of spawning grounds, food
sources, and habitat.
Direct toxicity to wildlife.
Lake deterioration
Filling of navigation channels.
,Impacts on commercial fisheries
Reduced water storage capacities
ANSWER sediment can impact light penetration, channel stability, fisheries, and
habitat.
Name Offstream Damages - ANSWER Increased Flood Hazards
Increased water treatment expenses
Reduced capacity in conveyance facilities
Increased infrastructure maintenance expenses.
What factors have contributed to the growth in impervious surface area in our
watershed? - ANSWER Urbanization and Development
Priority contaminants include: nutrients.
pathogens
Heavy Metals
toxics
sediment
salts
detergents
Hydro carbons
, Clean Water Act (CWA) - ANSWER Federal Water Pollution Control Act
designed to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of
US waters.
controlled by the USEPA.
Section 401: ANSWER water quality certification
requires applicants, including those involved in the building or operation of a plant,
to get certification to discharge any pollutant.
administered by the state.
Section 402 - Answer NPDES Regulations
NPDES: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
MS4 - ANSWER: Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems
NURP - ANSWER: National Urban Runoff Program
1987-1983
led to the EPA regulating stormwater.
Phase I
(1987-1992) - ANSWER: Already covered by NPDES permit.
Facilities that conduct industrial activity
Large municipal storm systems (above 250,000)
Medium municipal storm systems (100–250 K)
