SWM DEQ PRACTICE EXAMINATION
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◍ DEQ.
Answer: Department of Environmental Quality
◍ What ESC practice can be used to keep sediment off the area where
permeable pavement will be installed ?.
Answer: All permeable area should be fully protected by silt fence or
construction fencing.
◍ Final Stabilization.
Answer: When a uniform, evenly distributed perennial vegetative cover with
a density of 70% of the native background cover has been established on all
unpaved areas and areas not covered by permanent structures.
◍ VPDES Permit/Construction GP authorizes discharge of stormwater from
construction activities that are.
Answer: greater than or equal to an acre
◍ Does the SWPPP have to contain control measures for support activity
areas?.
Answer: Yes, if the support is covered under the construction GP, the
SWPPP must include control measures for the support activity areas.
◍ What is the target pollutant in the water quality criteria?.
Answer: Phosphorus
◍ A SWM Plan must be approved by who prior to land disturbance?.
Answer: the VSMP Program Authority
◍ Does the SWPPP have to contain control measures for support activity
, areas?.
Answer: Yes, if the support is covered under the constuction GP, the
SWPPP must include control measures for the support activity areas.
◍ The water quality criteria sets a site-based load limit of ____ of total
phosphorus for new development.
Answer: 0.41 lbs/acre/year
◍ Minimum effective vegetated ground cover for flat roofs and for pitched
roofs.
Answer: 75%, 90%
◍ Circumstances for Issuing a Stop Work Order.
Answer: 1. Failure to comply with an ESC plan (documented by inspection
reports), followed by issuance of notice to comply, and then failure to
implement corrective measures by deadline 2. LDA started without
approved ESC plan or required permits3. Alledged noncompliance is
causing or is about to cause harmful erosion of lands or sediment deposition
in waters within the watersheds of the commonwealth
◍ What regulation administers the VA SWM Program?.
Answer: The Virginia Stormwater Management Program Regulation
◍ What are the three requirements for concrete wash water?.
Answer: Must be removed properly, must not overflow, put in a leak-proof
basin
◍ When must permanent or temporary soil stabilization be applied to bare
areas that are at final grade?.
Answer: Permanent or temporary soil stabilization must be applied within 7
days after final grade is reached on any portion of the site.
◍ Where are the two locations where the notice of coverage letter must be
posted?.
Answer: 1) onsite near the main entrance, and 2) in the General information
section of the SWPPP
, ◍ A level 1 (dry) swale slope must be less than what percent?.
Answer: Less than 2% Found-Wet swale- Design Criteria
◍ What is a LDA?.
Answer: Land Disturbing Activity (clearing, grading, excavation)
◍ Cut and Fill.
Answer: the excavating of material in one place and the depositing of it
nearbyif a contour map runs R to L, an existing line (dashed) to the left of
the proposed line (solid) represents a cut; an existing line to the right of the
proposed line represents a fill
◍ Erosion Impact Area.
Answer: An area of land NOT ASSOCIATED with current LDAs, but
subject to persistent soil erosion resulting in the delivery of sediment onto
neighboring properties or into state waters.- does not apply to parcels
<10,000 sq. ft.- may require land owner to submit an ESC plan
◍ 5 Stages of Soil Erosion (water) 1. Raindrop.
Answer: 1. raindrop - kinetic (diameter, velocity), churn surface, seals pores,
90%
◍ Post-construction.
Answer: When the stormwater management plan address runoff
◍ ESD.
Answer: Environmental Site Design
◍ Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Law (ESCL).
Answer: requires that State Water Control Board "shall develop a program
and promulgate regulations for the effective control of soil erosion, sediment
deposition, and non agricultural runoff that must be met in any control
program to prevent the unreasonable degradation of properties, stream
channels, waters, and other natural resources
◍ K factor.
Answer: represents rate of runoffsoil properties used to develop a K factor:-
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◍ DEQ.
Answer: Department of Environmental Quality
◍ What ESC practice can be used to keep sediment off the area where
permeable pavement will be installed ?.
Answer: All permeable area should be fully protected by silt fence or
construction fencing.
◍ Final Stabilization.
Answer: When a uniform, evenly distributed perennial vegetative cover with
a density of 70% of the native background cover has been established on all
unpaved areas and areas not covered by permanent structures.
◍ VPDES Permit/Construction GP authorizes discharge of stormwater from
construction activities that are.
Answer: greater than or equal to an acre
◍ Does the SWPPP have to contain control measures for support activity
areas?.
Answer: Yes, if the support is covered under the construction GP, the
SWPPP must include control measures for the support activity areas.
◍ What is the target pollutant in the water quality criteria?.
Answer: Phosphorus
◍ A SWM Plan must be approved by who prior to land disturbance?.
Answer: the VSMP Program Authority
◍ Does the SWPPP have to contain control measures for support activity
, areas?.
Answer: Yes, if the support is covered under the constuction GP, the
SWPPP must include control measures for the support activity areas.
◍ The water quality criteria sets a site-based load limit of ____ of total
phosphorus for new development.
Answer: 0.41 lbs/acre/year
◍ Minimum effective vegetated ground cover for flat roofs and for pitched
roofs.
Answer: 75%, 90%
◍ Circumstances for Issuing a Stop Work Order.
Answer: 1. Failure to comply with an ESC plan (documented by inspection
reports), followed by issuance of notice to comply, and then failure to
implement corrective measures by deadline 2. LDA started without
approved ESC plan or required permits3. Alledged noncompliance is
causing or is about to cause harmful erosion of lands or sediment deposition
in waters within the watersheds of the commonwealth
◍ What regulation administers the VA SWM Program?.
Answer: The Virginia Stormwater Management Program Regulation
◍ What are the three requirements for concrete wash water?.
Answer: Must be removed properly, must not overflow, put in a leak-proof
basin
◍ When must permanent or temporary soil stabilization be applied to bare
areas that are at final grade?.
Answer: Permanent or temporary soil stabilization must be applied within 7
days after final grade is reached on any portion of the site.
◍ Where are the two locations where the notice of coverage letter must be
posted?.
Answer: 1) onsite near the main entrance, and 2) in the General information
section of the SWPPP
, ◍ A level 1 (dry) swale slope must be less than what percent?.
Answer: Less than 2% Found-Wet swale- Design Criteria
◍ What is a LDA?.
Answer: Land Disturbing Activity (clearing, grading, excavation)
◍ Cut and Fill.
Answer: the excavating of material in one place and the depositing of it
nearbyif a contour map runs R to L, an existing line (dashed) to the left of
the proposed line (solid) represents a cut; an existing line to the right of the
proposed line represents a fill
◍ Erosion Impact Area.
Answer: An area of land NOT ASSOCIATED with current LDAs, but
subject to persistent soil erosion resulting in the delivery of sediment onto
neighboring properties or into state waters.- does not apply to parcels
<10,000 sq. ft.- may require land owner to submit an ESC plan
◍ 5 Stages of Soil Erosion (water) 1. Raindrop.
Answer: 1. raindrop - kinetic (diameter, velocity), churn surface, seals pores,
90%
◍ Post-construction.
Answer: When the stormwater management plan address runoff
◍ ESD.
Answer: Environmental Site Design
◍ Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Law (ESCL).
Answer: requires that State Water Control Board "shall develop a program
and promulgate regulations for the effective control of soil erosion, sediment
deposition, and non agricultural runoff that must be met in any control
program to prevent the unreasonable degradation of properties, stream
channels, waters, and other natural resources
◍ K factor.
Answer: represents rate of runoffsoil properties used to develop a K factor:-
