CERTIFIED STORM WATER OPERATOR FINAL
PRACTICE EXAM 2026 COMPLETE REVIEW SET
WITH ANSWERS AND RUNOFF CONTROL
CONCEPTS
◉ The addition of __________________________________ to storm water
runoff can result in algal blooms and excessive growth of aquatic
plants in fresh water systems such as lakes and streams.
Answer: Phosphorus
◉ Sediment is one of the most widespread pollutants in surface
water. Many _____________________________ attach to finer sediment
particles. Sediment can also be destructive to aquatic systems by
covering and damaging habitat.
Answer: Pollutants
◉ If there is construction activity at an industrial facility that
disturbs one or more acres of land or the soil disturbance is within
500 feet of a water body, the owner of the property will need to
apply for a _____________________________. In addition if the soil
disturbance will become five or more acres in size the property
owner will need to submit the Notice of Coverage application to the
MDEQ, Water Bureau.
Answer: Soil Erosion and Sediment Control
,◉ The _____________________________________ is a document that
authorizes the discharge of storm water under a general storm
water permit.
Answer: Certificate of Coverage
◉ _______________________________________ permits are site specific and
contain requirements such as regular sampling, monitoring, end of
pipe treatment or effluent limits.
Answer: Individual
◉ ________________________________ permits are not site specific and
contain the minimum requirements for protecting water quality
Answer: General
◉ Industrial facilities are identified in the federal storm water
regulations by __________________________________________________________
and narrative description.
Answer: Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code
◉ A __________________________________ is any discernable, confined, and
discrete conveyance that discharges storm water into surface
waters. Examples include, but are not limited to, pipes, ditches,
channels, tunnels, conduits, or anything that conveys storm water
into surface waters.
, Answer: Point source
◉ The surface waters that receives the point source discharge is
called the _____________________. This information must be included on
the Notice of Intent (NOI) application when applying for the storm
water discharge coverage.
Answer: Receiving waters
◉ Surface waters of the state include ____________________________________
Answer: Streams, Lakes, and Wetlands
◉ A sewer system in which the sanitary sewage and the storm water
are directed to a wastewater treatment plant is called a
_____________________________________.
Answer: Combined storm sewers
◉ A sewer system in which the storm water is kept separate from
sanitary sewage and discharges directly into a surface body water is
called a ___________________________________.
Answer: Separate storm sewers
◉ For industrial facilities that are regulated by the federal
regulations and there is a point source discharge, but there is no
PRACTICE EXAM 2026 COMPLETE REVIEW SET
WITH ANSWERS AND RUNOFF CONTROL
CONCEPTS
◉ The addition of __________________________________ to storm water
runoff can result in algal blooms and excessive growth of aquatic
plants in fresh water systems such as lakes and streams.
Answer: Phosphorus
◉ Sediment is one of the most widespread pollutants in surface
water. Many _____________________________ attach to finer sediment
particles. Sediment can also be destructive to aquatic systems by
covering and damaging habitat.
Answer: Pollutants
◉ If there is construction activity at an industrial facility that
disturbs one or more acres of land or the soil disturbance is within
500 feet of a water body, the owner of the property will need to
apply for a _____________________________. In addition if the soil
disturbance will become five or more acres in size the property
owner will need to submit the Notice of Coverage application to the
MDEQ, Water Bureau.
Answer: Soil Erosion and Sediment Control
,◉ The _____________________________________ is a document that
authorizes the discharge of storm water under a general storm
water permit.
Answer: Certificate of Coverage
◉ _______________________________________ permits are site specific and
contain requirements such as regular sampling, monitoring, end of
pipe treatment or effluent limits.
Answer: Individual
◉ ________________________________ permits are not site specific and
contain the minimum requirements for protecting water quality
Answer: General
◉ Industrial facilities are identified in the federal storm water
regulations by __________________________________________________________
and narrative description.
Answer: Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code
◉ A __________________________________ is any discernable, confined, and
discrete conveyance that discharges storm water into surface
waters. Examples include, but are not limited to, pipes, ditches,
channels, tunnels, conduits, or anything that conveys storm water
into surface waters.
, Answer: Point source
◉ The surface waters that receives the point source discharge is
called the _____________________. This information must be included on
the Notice of Intent (NOI) application when applying for the storm
water discharge coverage.
Answer: Receiving waters
◉ Surface waters of the state include ____________________________________
Answer: Streams, Lakes, and Wetlands
◉ A sewer system in which the sanitary sewage and the storm water
are directed to a wastewater treatment plant is called a
_____________________________________.
Answer: Combined storm sewers
◉ A sewer system in which the storm water is kept separate from
sanitary sewage and discharges directly into a surface body water is
called a ___________________________________.
Answer: Separate storm sewers
◉ For industrial facilities that are regulated by the federal
regulations and there is a point source discharge, but there is no
