CERTIFIED STORM WATER OPERATOR
CERTIFICATION TEST 2026 STUDY GUIDE WITH
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS
◉ The industrial storm water certified operator should be someone
who is at the facility _________________________________
Answer: On a regular basis
◉ The industrial storm water operator certificate is valid for
_____________
Answer: 5 years
◉ Under natural conditions the majority of rain water that falls to
the ground ___________________________________________
Answer: Infiltrates the ground or evaporates
◉ The introduction of pollutants to storm water most commonly
occurs when industrial facilities allow operating procedures and
industrial materials to __________________________________
Answer: Become exposed to storm water
,◉ The best way to prevent contamination of storm water is
_______________________________
Answer: Through pollution prevention
◉ The highest percentage of pollutants in storm water runoff occur
in the first few minutes that storm water runs off. This is called the
__________________________________
Answer: First flush
◉ Organic enrichment of storm water runoff from sources such as
food processing, airport deicing, antifreezes, and sewage can provide
a food source for bacteria in lakes and streams. This can lead to
______________________________, which is a common cause of fish kills.
Answer: Oxygen depletion
◉ 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
CERTIFICATION TEST 2026 STUDY GUIDE WITH
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS
◉ The industrial storm water certified operator should be someone
who is at the facility _________________________________
Answer: On a regular basis
◉ The industrial storm water operator certificate is valid for
_____________
Answer: 5 years
◉ Under natural conditions the majority of rain water that falls to
the ground ___________________________________________
Answer: Infiltrates the ground or evaporates
◉ The introduction of pollutants to storm water most commonly
occurs when industrial facilities allow operating procedures and
industrial materials to __________________________________
Answer: Become exposed to storm water
,◉ The best way to prevent contamination of storm water is
_______________________________
Answer: Through pollution prevention
◉ The highest percentage of pollutants in storm water runoff occur
in the first few minutes that storm water runs off. This is called the
__________________________________
Answer: First flush
◉ Organic enrichment of storm water runoff from sources such as
food processing, airport deicing, antifreezes, and sewage can provide
a food source for bacteria in lakes and streams. This can lead to
______________________________, which is a common cause of fish kills.
Answer: Oxygen depletion
◉ 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
