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APWA CERTIFIED STORMWATER MANAGER (CSM)
EXAM –ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
ACTUAL EXAM COVERAGE
Based on the official CSM Content Outline, the exam comprises 150 multiple-choice items (Recall 15 %,
Application 55 %, Analysis 30 %) distributed across three main domains. The complete coverage is as
follows:
1. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT – 67 items (45% of exam)
• Overall Stormwater Management (22 items) – Identify sources and impacts of non-point
pollutants (N, P, pesticides, fecal coliforms); maintain knowledge of Clean Water Act, NPDES,
TMDLs; land-use change effects; interpret engineering drawings; flood-plain management;
surface-water/groundwater relationships.
• Program Administration (15 items) – Monitor revenues/expenditures; administer stormwater
quality/quantity programs; funding options (grants, impact fees, stormwater utility); NPDES
permit reporting and compliance; budget development; contract management; record retention;
database maintenance; enforcement tracking; ensure workmanship/conformance.
• Communication/Education (7 items) – Stakeholder/public communication; develop community
outreach/education; explain environmental regulations (violations, deficiencies, noncompliance);
educate on equipment, construction, and operations.
• Planning and Design (23 items) – Cost-effective mix of structural/non-structural practices;
determine pollutants of concern (P, bacteria, sediment, metals, hydrocarbons, trash); identify
practices to use or avoid; capital improvement projects; evaluate Low Impact Development (LID);
review plans for highways, parking lots, residential developments; ensure consistency with master
plans; use GIS and mapping.
2. WATER QUALITY and QUANTITY – 68 items (45% of exam)
• Regulatory Programs (30 items) – Administer pollution abatement programs; business
inspections for oil/grease; illicit discharge inspections; construction compliance; investigate spills,
oil leaks, chemical contamination, coliform sources; sewer-to-storm cross-connections;
remedial/enforcement procedures; interpret sampling/monitoring data; household hazardous
waste program.
• Structural Best Management Practices (23 items) – Ponds (extended detention, wet, pocket),
wetlands, infiltration trenches/basins/porous pavement, filtering systems (sand filters,
bio-retention), open channels (dry/wet swales, grass channels); assess pollutant removal and
maintenance requirements; select BMPs to meet water quality/quantity goals and schedule
implementation.
• Hydrology and Hydraulics (15 items) – Conduct studies: percent impervious, drainage and flow
calculations, soil types/infiltration rates, delineate drainage areas, models, rainfall data
(duration/volume), pipe sizing, pond sizing for flooding and pollutant removal; manage variables:
groundwater recharge, stream bank protection, channel protection, flood reduction.
3. OPERATIONS and MAINTENANCE – 15 items (10% of exam)
• Administer storm/sewer drain TV inspection program; coordinate with city departments to enact
BMPs; develop operational procedures for maintenance/repair of stormwater infrastructure,
channels, ponds; respond to drainage complaints and coordinate solutions; analyze maintenance
methods, equipment, and performance (e.g., street sweeper, vacuum truck).
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SUMMURIZED EXAM COVERAGE
The CSM exam tests your ability to manage a comprehensive stormwater program across three weighted
domains: (1) Program Management (45%) – covering overall stormwater policy, program administration,
public outreach, and planning/design; (2) Water Quality and Quantity (45%) – focusing on regulatory
compliance (NPDES, TMDL, MS4), structural BMP selection, and hydrology/hydraulics; and (3) Operations
and Maintenance (10%) – inspecting, maintaining, and repairing stormwater infrastructure. Key topics
include non-point source pollution, illicit discharge detection, erosion control, LID, stormwater utility
funding, annual permit reporting, and continuous improvement of maintenance methods.
APWA CERTIFIED STORMWATER MANAGER (CSM) EXAM: 250 SCENARIO-BASED MCQS (RANDOM
ORDER)
Question 1
A homeowner has applied fertilizer to his lawn two days before a forecasted heavy rain. Which
statement best describes the likely consequence for the local receiving stream?
A) The fertilizer will be completely absorbed by the soil and will not reach the stream.
B) The rain will cause overland flow carrying nitrogen and phosphorus into the storm drain, potentially
causing nutrient enrichment and algal blooms in the stream.
C) The stormwater will dilute the fertilizer so effectively that no measurable water quality impact will
occur.
D) The fertilizer will evaporate before the rain begins.
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Answer: B
Rationale: Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are common non-point source pollutants that can
be transported by stormwater runoff. When rainfall occurs soon after application, these pollutants are
picked up by overland flow, enter the storm drain system, and may cause eutrophication in receiving
waters.
Question 2
A municipal stormwater manager is reviewing the annual budget. Which of the following is the most
appropriate line item for funding the ongoing operation of the stormwater program?
A) General fund allocation from property taxes
B) Stormwater utility fee based on impervious area
C) State revolving fund loan
D) Federal emergency management grant
Answer: B
Rationale: A stormwater utility fee, typically based on the amount of impervious area a property
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contributes, provides a stable, equitable, and dedicated source of funding for ongoing program
operations. General fund allocations can be unpredictable, and loans or grants are better suited for
capital projects.
Question 3
A Phase II MS4 community must submit its annual NPDES permit report. Which of the following is
required as part of the report for the stormwater management program (SWMP)?
A) A list of all property owners in the jurisdiction
B) A map of all wetlands within the community
C) A summary of the implementation status of the six minimum control measures
D) An analysis of groundwater levels in the area
Answer: C
Rationale: The annual NPDES report for a Phase II MS4 must document the progress made in
implementing each of the six minimum control measures (public education, public involvement, illicit
APWA CERTIFIED STORMWATER MANAGER (CSM)
EXAM –ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
ACTUAL EXAM COVERAGE
Based on the official CSM Content Outline, the exam comprises 150 multiple-choice items (Recall 15 %,
Application 55 %, Analysis 30 %) distributed across three main domains. The complete coverage is as
follows:
1. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT – 67 items (45% of exam)
• Overall Stormwater Management (22 items) – Identify sources and impacts of non-point
pollutants (N, P, pesticides, fecal coliforms); maintain knowledge of Clean Water Act, NPDES,
TMDLs; land-use change effects; interpret engineering drawings; flood-plain management;
surface-water/groundwater relationships.
• Program Administration (15 items) – Monitor revenues/expenditures; administer stormwater
quality/quantity programs; funding options (grants, impact fees, stormwater utility); NPDES
permit reporting and compliance; budget development; contract management; record retention;
database maintenance; enforcement tracking; ensure workmanship/conformance.
• Communication/Education (7 items) – Stakeholder/public communication; develop community
outreach/education; explain environmental regulations (violations, deficiencies, noncompliance);
educate on equipment, construction, and operations.
• Planning and Design (23 items) – Cost-effective mix of structural/non-structural practices;
determine pollutants of concern (P, bacteria, sediment, metals, hydrocarbons, trash); identify
practices to use or avoid; capital improvement projects; evaluate Low Impact Development (LID);
review plans for highways, parking lots, residential developments; ensure consistency with master
plans; use GIS and mapping.
2. WATER QUALITY and QUANTITY – 68 items (45% of exam)
• Regulatory Programs (30 items) – Administer pollution abatement programs; business
inspections for oil/grease; illicit discharge inspections; construction compliance; investigate spills,
oil leaks, chemical contamination, coliform sources; sewer-to-storm cross-connections;
remedial/enforcement procedures; interpret sampling/monitoring data; household hazardous
waste program.
• Structural Best Management Practices (23 items) – Ponds (extended detention, wet, pocket),
wetlands, infiltration trenches/basins/porous pavement, filtering systems (sand filters,
bio-retention), open channels (dry/wet swales, grass channels); assess pollutant removal and
maintenance requirements; select BMPs to meet water quality/quantity goals and schedule
implementation.
• Hydrology and Hydraulics (15 items) – Conduct studies: percent impervious, drainage and flow
calculations, soil types/infiltration rates, delineate drainage areas, models, rainfall data
(duration/volume), pipe sizing, pond sizing for flooding and pollutant removal; manage variables:
groundwater recharge, stream bank protection, channel protection, flood reduction.
3. OPERATIONS and MAINTENANCE – 15 items (10% of exam)
• Administer storm/sewer drain TV inspection program; coordinate with city departments to enact
BMPs; develop operational procedures for maintenance/repair of stormwater infrastructure,
channels, ponds; respond to drainage complaints and coordinate solutions; analyze maintenance
methods, equipment, and performance (e.g., street sweeper, vacuum truck).
, Page 2 of 230
SUMMURIZED EXAM COVERAGE
The CSM exam tests your ability to manage a comprehensive stormwater program across three weighted
domains: (1) Program Management (45%) – covering overall stormwater policy, program administration,
public outreach, and planning/design; (2) Water Quality and Quantity (45%) – focusing on regulatory
compliance (NPDES, TMDL, MS4), structural BMP selection, and hydrology/hydraulics; and (3) Operations
and Maintenance (10%) – inspecting, maintaining, and repairing stormwater infrastructure. Key topics
include non-point source pollution, illicit discharge detection, erosion control, LID, stormwater utility
funding, annual permit reporting, and continuous improvement of maintenance methods.
APWA CERTIFIED STORMWATER MANAGER (CSM) EXAM: 250 SCENARIO-BASED MCQS (RANDOM
ORDER)
Question 1
A homeowner has applied fertilizer to his lawn two days before a forecasted heavy rain. Which
statement best describes the likely consequence for the local receiving stream?
A) The fertilizer will be completely absorbed by the soil and will not reach the stream.
B) The rain will cause overland flow carrying nitrogen and phosphorus into the storm drain, potentially
causing nutrient enrichment and algal blooms in the stream.
C) The stormwater will dilute the fertilizer so effectively that no measurable water quality impact will
occur.
D) The fertilizer will evaporate before the rain begins.
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Answer: B
Rationale: Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are common non-point source pollutants that can
be transported by stormwater runoff. When rainfall occurs soon after application, these pollutants are
picked up by overland flow, enter the storm drain system, and may cause eutrophication in receiving
waters.
Question 2
A municipal stormwater manager is reviewing the annual budget. Which of the following is the most
appropriate line item for funding the ongoing operation of the stormwater program?
A) General fund allocation from property taxes
B) Stormwater utility fee based on impervious area
C) State revolving fund loan
D) Federal emergency management grant
Answer: B
Rationale: A stormwater utility fee, typically based on the amount of impervious area a property
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contributes, provides a stable, equitable, and dedicated source of funding for ongoing program
operations. General fund allocations can be unpredictable, and loans or grants are better suited for
capital projects.
Question 3
A Phase II MS4 community must submit its annual NPDES permit report. Which of the following is
required as part of the report for the stormwater management program (SWMP)?
A) A list of all property owners in the jurisdiction
B) A map of all wetlands within the community
C) A summary of the implementation status of the six minimum control measures
D) An analysis of groundwater levels in the area
Answer: C
Rationale: The annual NPDES report for a Phase II MS4 must document the progress made in
implementing each of the six minimum control measures (public education, public involvement, illicit
