VA DEQ SWM Inspector Exam – Latest
2025/2026 Exam Prep & Practice Questions
What element is targeted by water quality criteria? - correct answerPhosphorous, it
indicates pollution by bonding with other pollutants.
At what % impervious cover are streams substantially affected? - correct answer25%
what is the site-based load limit for water quality? - correct answer0.41 lbs/acre/yr total
phosphorous
Virginia Runoff Reduction Method- method of load calculations - correct answerload
calculations based on land cover type and soil type.
what must happen to potentially harmful sheet flow runoff? - correct answerMust be
diverted to stormwater conveyance system.
SWM ponds must be able to convey water safely up to what level storm event? - correct
answermust be able to safely convey up to a 100 yr storm.
Define LDA - correct answerLand disturbing activity; any man-made change to the land
surface that potentially changes its runoff characteristics; includes clearing, grading, and
excavation.
What size LDA must comply with stormwater management regulation? in CPBA areas?
- correct answeranything of 1 acre or more, or 2500 ft^2 in CPBA areas; may be more
stringent locally.
what are some activities exempt from SWM regulations? - correct answermining,
agriculture, sewer discharges, local reclamation programs, routine maintenance of
preexisting operations, public emergency activity
what term basically means a plea deal for stormwater offenders? - correct
answerconsent order, which replaces penalties with fines.
how long does VSMP authority have to review SWM plan? - correct answer15 days to
review and determine approval, and notify applicant.
How often must a VSMP authority inspect an LDA? - correct answerPeriodically.
all SWPPP requirements may be met by - correct answerincorporating other plans into
reference, or by developing missing elements.
,What must the DEQ issue to an operator before an LDA? - correct answera construction
GP
How soon after final grade of a site must vegetation be put in place? - correct
answerwithin 7 days.
How long must operator keep routine inspection reports? - correct answerAt least 3
years after the GP expires/terminates.
How long does operator have to revise SWPPP if authority deems it necessary? How
long does local authority have to review any modifications to SWPPP? - correct
answer7 days for operator to make changes, 60 days for authority to review changes.
How long does operator have to notify DEQ of an unauthorized discharge? How long
does operator have to make a written report of this? - correct answerwithin 24 hours of
discovery for notification, within 5 days for written acknowledgement.
What constitutes a measurable rain event according to GP? - correct answer0.25 in. or
more over 24 hours.
Co-located practices - correct answerDuring construction, a facility functions for ESC,
and is later constructed into a stormwater BMP.
During construction, when should inspector make sure a BMP is not installed? - correct
answerBMP should not be installed before contirbuting drainage area has been
stabilized.
Notice of Termination forms, to terminate construction permits, must be sent after how
many days once conditions are met? - correct answer30 days
When is ground considered stabilized? - correct answerwhen vegetation is uniform,
mature enough to survive, and will inhibit erosion.
How long must VSMP authority keep construction record drawings? - correct
answerUntil the relevant SWM facility is removed.
How soon after meeting permit requirements must the VSMP authority return any bonds
or securities to operator? - correct answerwithin 60 days.
VSMP authorities must ensure that SWM facilities, post-construction, are inspected at
least once every ___ years, unless: - correct answerat least once every 5 years unless
a certified personnel provides inspection reports at least once a year.
What legislation authorizes the VA SWM Program? - correct answerThe Virginia
Stormwater Management Act
, What regulation administers the VA SWM Program? - correct answerThe Virginia
Stormwater Management Program Regulation
The Stormwater Management act requires the State Water Control Board to do what? -
correct answerpermit, regulate, and control stormwater runoff
How many days does DEQ have to complete review of real or potential inter-
jurisdicitonal impacts upon request? - correct answer90 days
Who is required to maintain a certificate of competency by the Stormwater Management
Act? - correct answerstaff of a stormwater program, anyone contracted by a VSMP
authority, and all standard and specification holders
A SWM Plan must be approved by who prior to land disturbance? - correct answerthe
VSMP Program Authority
What is the TP limit for a site? - correct answer0.41 lbs/ac/yr
The phosphorus load limit uses what % impervious cover? - correct answer10%
Part II B and II C water quantity criteria addresses: - correct answerchannel protection
and flood protection
Of all the plans included in the SWPPP, which two must be approved? - correct
answerthe SWM and ESC Plans
Does a SWM plan address runoff during or after construction? - correct answerpost-
construction
What is the lower limit of imperviousness which could result in stream degradation? -
correct answer10%
If land disturbance occurs as a result of emergency work, what is the timeline for
advising the VSMP authority of the disturbance? - correct answerwithin 7 days of
commencing the LDA and a permit application must be submitted within 30 days
DEQ is responsible for enforcing the ______ while locality _______ are responsible for
enforcing local ordinances. - correct answerConstruction GP, VSMP
BMPs use these three mechanisms to control pollution: - correct answerInfiltration,
settling, and vegetative uptake
How long does a locality VSMP authority have to determine the completeness of a
SWM plan? - correct answer15 days
2025/2026 Exam Prep & Practice Questions
What element is targeted by water quality criteria? - correct answerPhosphorous, it
indicates pollution by bonding with other pollutants.
At what % impervious cover are streams substantially affected? - correct answer25%
what is the site-based load limit for water quality? - correct answer0.41 lbs/acre/yr total
phosphorous
Virginia Runoff Reduction Method- method of load calculations - correct answerload
calculations based on land cover type and soil type.
what must happen to potentially harmful sheet flow runoff? - correct answerMust be
diverted to stormwater conveyance system.
SWM ponds must be able to convey water safely up to what level storm event? - correct
answermust be able to safely convey up to a 100 yr storm.
Define LDA - correct answerLand disturbing activity; any man-made change to the land
surface that potentially changes its runoff characteristics; includes clearing, grading, and
excavation.
What size LDA must comply with stormwater management regulation? in CPBA areas?
- correct answeranything of 1 acre or more, or 2500 ft^2 in CPBA areas; may be more
stringent locally.
what are some activities exempt from SWM regulations? - correct answermining,
agriculture, sewer discharges, local reclamation programs, routine maintenance of
preexisting operations, public emergency activity
what term basically means a plea deal for stormwater offenders? - correct
answerconsent order, which replaces penalties with fines.
how long does VSMP authority have to review SWM plan? - correct answer15 days to
review and determine approval, and notify applicant.
How often must a VSMP authority inspect an LDA? - correct answerPeriodically.
all SWPPP requirements may be met by - correct answerincorporating other plans into
reference, or by developing missing elements.
,What must the DEQ issue to an operator before an LDA? - correct answera construction
GP
How soon after final grade of a site must vegetation be put in place? - correct
answerwithin 7 days.
How long must operator keep routine inspection reports? - correct answerAt least 3
years after the GP expires/terminates.
How long does operator have to revise SWPPP if authority deems it necessary? How
long does local authority have to review any modifications to SWPPP? - correct
answer7 days for operator to make changes, 60 days for authority to review changes.
How long does operator have to notify DEQ of an unauthorized discharge? How long
does operator have to make a written report of this? - correct answerwithin 24 hours of
discovery for notification, within 5 days for written acknowledgement.
What constitutes a measurable rain event according to GP? - correct answer0.25 in. or
more over 24 hours.
Co-located practices - correct answerDuring construction, a facility functions for ESC,
and is later constructed into a stormwater BMP.
During construction, when should inspector make sure a BMP is not installed? - correct
answerBMP should not be installed before contirbuting drainage area has been
stabilized.
Notice of Termination forms, to terminate construction permits, must be sent after how
many days once conditions are met? - correct answer30 days
When is ground considered stabilized? - correct answerwhen vegetation is uniform,
mature enough to survive, and will inhibit erosion.
How long must VSMP authority keep construction record drawings? - correct
answerUntil the relevant SWM facility is removed.
How soon after meeting permit requirements must the VSMP authority return any bonds
or securities to operator? - correct answerwithin 60 days.
VSMP authorities must ensure that SWM facilities, post-construction, are inspected at
least once every ___ years, unless: - correct answerat least once every 5 years unless
a certified personnel provides inspection reports at least once a year.
What legislation authorizes the VA SWM Program? - correct answerThe Virginia
Stormwater Management Act
, What regulation administers the VA SWM Program? - correct answerThe Virginia
Stormwater Management Program Regulation
The Stormwater Management act requires the State Water Control Board to do what? -
correct answerpermit, regulate, and control stormwater runoff
How many days does DEQ have to complete review of real or potential inter-
jurisdicitonal impacts upon request? - correct answer90 days
Who is required to maintain a certificate of competency by the Stormwater Management
Act? - correct answerstaff of a stormwater program, anyone contracted by a VSMP
authority, and all standard and specification holders
A SWM Plan must be approved by who prior to land disturbance? - correct answerthe
VSMP Program Authority
What is the TP limit for a site? - correct answer0.41 lbs/ac/yr
The phosphorus load limit uses what % impervious cover? - correct answer10%
Part II B and II C water quantity criteria addresses: - correct answerchannel protection
and flood protection
Of all the plans included in the SWPPP, which two must be approved? - correct
answerthe SWM and ESC Plans
Does a SWM plan address runoff during or after construction? - correct answerpost-
construction
What is the lower limit of imperviousness which could result in stream degradation? -
correct answer10%
If land disturbance occurs as a result of emergency work, what is the timeline for
advising the VSMP authority of the disturbance? - correct answerwithin 7 days of
commencing the LDA and a permit application must be submitted within 30 days
DEQ is responsible for enforcing the ______ while locality _______ are responsible for
enforcing local ordinances. - correct answerConstruction GP, VSMP
BMPs use these three mechanisms to control pollution: - correct answerInfiltration,
settling, and vegetative uptake
How long does a locality VSMP authority have to determine the completeness of a
SWM plan? - correct answer15 days
