Stormwater EPA Exam with Complete
Questions and Answers (Graded A)
What Generates Stormwater discharge? - ANSWER-Discharge is generated by runoff
from land and impervious areas such as paved streets, parking lots, and building
rooftops during rainfall and snow events that often contain pollutants in quantities that
could adversely affect water quality.
Types of Stormwater Sampling - ANSWER-Catch Basin Sampling, Ditch Sampling,
Sheet Flow Sampling
Where to sample - ANSWER-Pipes (catch basin or outfall), Open Ditch or a sheet flow.
Stormwater discharge is representative of your wholes sites pollution. Sampling sites
must be noted on permit site map
Tools needed for sampling - ANSWER-Bottle, Gloves, IceBox, pen, pH paper, and an
extension rod.
Things you are sampling for - ANSWER-Turbidity(cloudiness), pH, Total Zn, Total
Copper, and Oil Sheen
What pollutants usually sampled for - ANSWER-Stormwater permits require the
development of minimum control measures called what?: MS4's for stormwater permits
and BMPs for industrial stormwater permits
How does stormwater effect construction sites - ANSWER-Stormwater flows over
construction sites, picking up pollutants that can then harm or kill fish/wildlife
, NPDES Stormwater Program requires sites of what size sites to obtain authorization to
discharge stormwater? - ANSWER-One Acre or larger
What is the focus of the NPDES Stormwater Permits? - ANSWER-Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plans
EPA Construction General Permit (CGP) - ANSWER-Outlines a set of provisions that
construction operators must follow to comply with the requirements of the NPDES
stormwater regulations.
In California who issues NPDES permits for discharges into federal ocean water? -
ANSWER-EPA
In California what entity handles permits for discharges into non-federal waters? -
ANSWER-CalEPA
Timetable to report instances of noncompliance for CGP? - ANSWER-Orally within 24
hours, written within 5 days
What must a written submission of noncompliance contain? - ANSWER-Description of
the noncompliance and its cause, the exact dates and times of noncompliance, and if
the non compliance has been corrected.
What are the basic requirements of a CGP - ANSWER-1) Read entire CGP, 2) Develop
a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), 3) Complete and submit a Notice of
Intent (NOI), 4) Install and maintain erosion and sediment controls throughout the entire
construction project, 5) Implement pollution prevention controls, 6) Conduct inspections
on the site based on established timeframe, 7) Take Corrective action to address any
issue with your stormwater controls or discharges, 8) Keep SWPPP up to date, 9)
Comply with any state, requirements, 10) Keep a copy of permit on site, and 11) Submit
Questions and Answers (Graded A)
What Generates Stormwater discharge? - ANSWER-Discharge is generated by runoff
from land and impervious areas such as paved streets, parking lots, and building
rooftops during rainfall and snow events that often contain pollutants in quantities that
could adversely affect water quality.
Types of Stormwater Sampling - ANSWER-Catch Basin Sampling, Ditch Sampling,
Sheet Flow Sampling
Where to sample - ANSWER-Pipes (catch basin or outfall), Open Ditch or a sheet flow.
Stormwater discharge is representative of your wholes sites pollution. Sampling sites
must be noted on permit site map
Tools needed for sampling - ANSWER-Bottle, Gloves, IceBox, pen, pH paper, and an
extension rod.
Things you are sampling for - ANSWER-Turbidity(cloudiness), pH, Total Zn, Total
Copper, and Oil Sheen
What pollutants usually sampled for - ANSWER-Stormwater permits require the
development of minimum control measures called what?: MS4's for stormwater permits
and BMPs for industrial stormwater permits
How does stormwater effect construction sites - ANSWER-Stormwater flows over
construction sites, picking up pollutants that can then harm or kill fish/wildlife
, NPDES Stormwater Program requires sites of what size sites to obtain authorization to
discharge stormwater? - ANSWER-One Acre or larger
What is the focus of the NPDES Stormwater Permits? - ANSWER-Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plans
EPA Construction General Permit (CGP) - ANSWER-Outlines a set of provisions that
construction operators must follow to comply with the requirements of the NPDES
stormwater regulations.
In California who issues NPDES permits for discharges into federal ocean water? -
ANSWER-EPA
In California what entity handles permits for discharges into non-federal waters? -
ANSWER-CalEPA
Timetable to report instances of noncompliance for CGP? - ANSWER-Orally within 24
hours, written within 5 days
What must a written submission of noncompliance contain? - ANSWER-Description of
the noncompliance and its cause, the exact dates and times of noncompliance, and if
the non compliance has been corrected.
What are the basic requirements of a CGP - ANSWER-1) Read entire CGP, 2) Develop
a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), 3) Complete and submit a Notice of
Intent (NOI), 4) Install and maintain erosion and sediment controls throughout the entire
construction project, 5) Implement pollution prevention controls, 6) Conduct inspections
on the site based on established timeframe, 7) Take Corrective action to address any
issue with your stormwater controls or discharges, 8) Keep SWPPP up to date, 9)
Comply with any state, requirements, 10) Keep a copy of permit on site, and 11) Submit
