CSOWM Prep Exam Review 2026/2027 |
Comprehensive Study Guide with
Verified Questions and Answers
Q1: What federal act establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of
pollutants into the waters of the United States?
A1: The Clean Water Act (CWA).
Q2: What does the acronym NPDES stand for?
A2: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
Q3: Under the NPDES program, what is an MS4?
A3: Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. It is a publicly-owned conveyance
system for stormwater that is not combined with sanitary sewage.
Q4: What is the primary difference between a Phase I and Phase II MS4 permit?
A4: Phase I covers medium and large MS4s (populations over 100,000) and
construction sites disturbing 5+ acres. Phase II covers smaller MS4s (urbanized
areas under 100,000) and construction sites disturbing 1–5 acres.
Q5: What does the acronym TMDL stand for?
A5: Total Maximum Daily Load. It is the maximum amount of a pollutant a
waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards.
Q6: What is the standard threshold of land disturbance that triggers the need for
a construction general permit (CGP) under federal regulations?
, A6: Disturbing one acre or greater.
Q7: What document must a construction operator submit to obtain coverage
under a general NPDES stormwater permit?
A7: A Notice of Intent (NOI).
Q8: What does SWPPP stand for?
A8: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.
Q9: What is the "Maximum Extent Practicable" (MEP) standard?
A9: The technology-based discharge standard for MS4s to reduce pollutant
discharges, requiring permittees to implement affordable, available best
management practices.
Q10: What is Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)?
A10: An MS4 program minimum control measure focused on identifying and
eliminating non-stormwater discharges into the storm sewer system.
Section 2: Stormwater Hydrology & Water Quality
Q11: What is a watershed?
A11: The geographic area of land that drains all surface water to a common point,
such as a river, lake, or ocean.
Q12: What is the primary cause of non-point source pollution in most
watersheds?
Comprehensive Study Guide with
Verified Questions and Answers
Q1: What federal act establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of
pollutants into the waters of the United States?
A1: The Clean Water Act (CWA).
Q2: What does the acronym NPDES stand for?
A2: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
Q3: Under the NPDES program, what is an MS4?
A3: Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. It is a publicly-owned conveyance
system for stormwater that is not combined with sanitary sewage.
Q4: What is the primary difference between a Phase I and Phase II MS4 permit?
A4: Phase I covers medium and large MS4s (populations over 100,000) and
construction sites disturbing 5+ acres. Phase II covers smaller MS4s (urbanized
areas under 100,000) and construction sites disturbing 1–5 acres.
Q5: What does the acronym TMDL stand for?
A5: Total Maximum Daily Load. It is the maximum amount of a pollutant a
waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards.
Q6: What is the standard threshold of land disturbance that triggers the need for
a construction general permit (CGP) under federal regulations?
, A6: Disturbing one acre or greater.
Q7: What document must a construction operator submit to obtain coverage
under a general NPDES stormwater permit?
A7: A Notice of Intent (NOI).
Q8: What does SWPPP stand for?
A8: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.
Q9: What is the "Maximum Extent Practicable" (MEP) standard?
A9: The technology-based discharge standard for MS4s to reduce pollutant
discharges, requiring permittees to implement affordable, available best
management practices.
Q10: What is Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)?
A10: An MS4 program minimum control measure focused on identifying and
eliminating non-stormwater discharges into the storm sewer system.
Section 2: Stormwater Hydrology & Water Quality
Q11: What is a watershed?
A11: The geographic area of land that drains all surface water to a common point,
such as a river, lake, or ocean.
Q12: What is the primary cause of non-point source pollution in most
watersheds?
