SWM DEQ Exam Question and Answer
(2026/2027) | Updated Questions and
Correct Answers | Final Review
• The Virginia Stormwater Management Program is authorized by the ______ and
administered through the ______ . CORRECT ANSWER: Virginia Stormwater
Management Act, Virginia Stormwater Management Program Regulation
• VPDES Permit/Construction GP authorizes discharge of stormwater from
construction activities that are . CORRECT ANSWER: greater than or equal to an
acre
• The Stormwater Management Act requires the State Water Control Board to .
CORRECT ANSWER: permit, regulate, and control stormwater runoff
• DEQ has ___ days to complete review of real or potential inter-jurisdictional
impacts upon request . CORRECT ANSWER: 90
• The Stormwater Management Act requires the following individuals to obtain
and maintain a certificate of competency . CORRECT ANSWER: staff of a
stormwater program, anyone contracted by a VSMP authority, standard and
specification holders
• The dual certificate will expire three years from . CORRECT ANSWER: the latest
date of the certificates
• SWM plan must be approved by ___ before land disturbance . CORRECT
ANSWER: VSMP program authority
, • The water quality criteria sets a site-based load limit of ____ of total
phosphorus for new development . CORRECT ANSWER: 0.41 lbs/acre/year
• The phosphorus load limit uses the . CORRECT ANSWER: 10% impervious cover
• Part II B and II C water quantity criteria addresses . CORRECT ANSWER: channel
protection and flood protection
• Which two plans in the SWPPP must be approved? . CORRECT ANSWER: SWM
plan, ESC plan
• Does the SWM plan address runoff during or after construction? . CORRECT
ANSWER: post-construction
• What is the lower limit of the range of imperviousness that can result in stream
degradation? . CORRECT ANSWER: 10%
• What do land disturbing activities consist of? . CORRECT ANSWER: excavating,
clearing, grading
• LDA threshold for the SWM Act and Regulation . CORRECT ANSWER: 1 acre or
2500 square feet for Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act
• In situations where an initial exemption was applicable because LDAs were
related to emergency work, VSMP authority shall be advised of the disturbance
(2026/2027) | Updated Questions and
Correct Answers | Final Review
• The Virginia Stormwater Management Program is authorized by the ______ and
administered through the ______ . CORRECT ANSWER: Virginia Stormwater
Management Act, Virginia Stormwater Management Program Regulation
• VPDES Permit/Construction GP authorizes discharge of stormwater from
construction activities that are . CORRECT ANSWER: greater than or equal to an
acre
• The Stormwater Management Act requires the State Water Control Board to .
CORRECT ANSWER: permit, regulate, and control stormwater runoff
• DEQ has ___ days to complete review of real or potential inter-jurisdictional
impacts upon request . CORRECT ANSWER: 90
• The Stormwater Management Act requires the following individuals to obtain
and maintain a certificate of competency . CORRECT ANSWER: staff of a
stormwater program, anyone contracted by a VSMP authority, standard and
specification holders
• The dual certificate will expire three years from . CORRECT ANSWER: the latest
date of the certificates
• SWM plan must be approved by ___ before land disturbance . CORRECT
ANSWER: VSMP program authority
, • The water quality criteria sets a site-based load limit of ____ of total
phosphorus for new development . CORRECT ANSWER: 0.41 lbs/acre/year
• The phosphorus load limit uses the . CORRECT ANSWER: 10% impervious cover
• Part II B and II C water quantity criteria addresses . CORRECT ANSWER: channel
protection and flood protection
• Which two plans in the SWPPP must be approved? . CORRECT ANSWER: SWM
plan, ESC plan
• Does the SWM plan address runoff during or after construction? . CORRECT
ANSWER: post-construction
• What is the lower limit of the range of imperviousness that can result in stream
degradation? . CORRECT ANSWER: 10%
• What do land disturbing activities consist of? . CORRECT ANSWER: excavating,
clearing, grading
• LDA threshold for the SWM Act and Regulation . CORRECT ANSWER: 1 acre or
2500 square feet for Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act
• In situations where an initial exemption was applicable because LDAs were
related to emergency work, VSMP authority shall be advised of the disturbance
