Certified Stormwater Inspector
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a stormwater inspection program?
A. Increase groundwater extraction
B. Verify that stormwater controls are properly installed, maintained, and
functioning
C. Eliminate all construction activity
D. Reduce potable water consumption
Answer: B. Verify that stormwater controls are properly installed, maintained,
and functioning
Rationale: Stormwater inspections are intended to confirm that required erosion
and sediment controls, pollution-prevention measures, and other BMPs are
functioning as required.
2. What is the main difference between erosion and sedimentation?
A. Erosion occurs only after construction
B. Sedimentation is the movement of soil by wind
C. Erosion is the detachment and transport of soil, while sedimentation is the
deposition of transported soil
D. They are identical processes
Answer: C. Erosion is the detachment and transport of soil, while sedimentation
is the deposition of transported soil
,Rationale: Erosion removes soil from its original location, while sedimentation
occurs when transported particles settle out of runoff or flowing water.
3. Which factor generally increases the potential for stormwater runoff?
A. Increased vegetation
B. Increased infiltration
C. Increased impervious surface area
D. Increased soil organic matter
Answer: C. Increased impervious surface area
Rationale: Impervious surfaces such as pavement and rooftops prevent
infiltration and generally increase runoff volume and peak flow.
4. What is the primary function of a silt fence?
A. Treat dissolved pollutants chemically
B. Intercept and slow sediment-laden sheet flow
C. Divert underground groundwater
D. Replace all inlet protection
Answer: B. Intercept and slow sediment-laden sheet flow
Rationale: Silt fences are designed primarily for sediment control on relatively
small drainage areas with sheet flow.
5. Where should a silt fence generally be installed?
A. Across concentrated channels
B. At the center of a paved road
C. Along the contour or perpendicular to sheet flow
D. Only inside storm drains
Answer: C. Along the contour or perpendicular to sheet flow
,Rationale: Proper orientation allows runoff to pond temporarily behind the
fence, promoting sediment deposition rather than allowing water to bypass the
control.
6. What is the primary purpose of a stabilized construction entrance?
A. Increase vehicle speed
B. Store construction materials
C. Reduce tracking of soil and sediment onto public roads
D. Divert sanitary sewage
Answer: C. Reduce tracking of soil and sediment onto public roads
Rationale: Stabilized entrances provide a firm, coarse surface that helps remove
soil from vehicle tires before vehicles reach public streets.
7. What should an inspector do when sediment is deposited on a public
roadway?
A. Ignore it if the construction site is permitted
B. Document the condition and require appropriate cleanup and corrective
action
C. Cover it with additional soil
D. Direct additional runoff onto the roadway
Answer: B. Document the condition and require appropriate cleanup and
corrective action
Rationale: Sediment tracked onto roads can enter storm drains and waterways
and may create traffic hazards.
8. Which BMP is specifically intended to protect a storm drain inlet from
sediment?
A. Riprap channel
B. Construction fence
C. Inlet protection
D. Temporary seeding
, Answer: C. Inlet protection
Rationale: Inlet protection is designed to intercept sediment before runoff enters
a storm drain system.
9. What is a major limitation of many inlet-protection devices?
A. They increase soil stabilization
B. They can become clogged and cause localized flooding if not maintained
C. They eliminate runoff
D. They prevent all pollutants from entering the drainage system
Answer: B. They can become clogged and cause localized flooding if not
maintained
Rationale: Accumulated sediment and debris can restrict flow through inlet-
protection devices, requiring timely inspection and maintenance.
10.What is the purpose of temporary seeding?
A. Increase soil disturbance
B. Establish vegetation quickly to reduce erosion
C. Increase runoff velocity
D. Replace permanent drainage infrastructure
Answer: B. Establish vegetation quickly to reduce erosion
Rationale: Temporary vegetation protects exposed soil until permanent
stabilization or subsequent construction activities occur.
11.Which condition generally indicates good vegetative stabilization?
A. Bare soil throughout the disturbed area
B. Deep rills across the slope
C. Adequate, established vegetation covering exposed soil
D. Sediment deposited over all vegetation
Answer: C. Adequate, established vegetation covering exposed soil
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a stormwater inspection program?
A. Increase groundwater extraction
B. Verify that stormwater controls are properly installed, maintained, and
functioning
C. Eliminate all construction activity
D. Reduce potable water consumption
Answer: B. Verify that stormwater controls are properly installed, maintained,
and functioning
Rationale: Stormwater inspections are intended to confirm that required erosion
and sediment controls, pollution-prevention measures, and other BMPs are
functioning as required.
2. What is the main difference between erosion and sedimentation?
A. Erosion occurs only after construction
B. Sedimentation is the movement of soil by wind
C. Erosion is the detachment and transport of soil, while sedimentation is the
deposition of transported soil
D. They are identical processes
Answer: C. Erosion is the detachment and transport of soil, while sedimentation
is the deposition of transported soil
,Rationale: Erosion removes soil from its original location, while sedimentation
occurs when transported particles settle out of runoff or flowing water.
3. Which factor generally increases the potential for stormwater runoff?
A. Increased vegetation
B. Increased infiltration
C. Increased impervious surface area
D. Increased soil organic matter
Answer: C. Increased impervious surface area
Rationale: Impervious surfaces such as pavement and rooftops prevent
infiltration and generally increase runoff volume and peak flow.
4. What is the primary function of a silt fence?
A. Treat dissolved pollutants chemically
B. Intercept and slow sediment-laden sheet flow
C. Divert underground groundwater
D. Replace all inlet protection
Answer: B. Intercept and slow sediment-laden sheet flow
Rationale: Silt fences are designed primarily for sediment control on relatively
small drainage areas with sheet flow.
5. Where should a silt fence generally be installed?
A. Across concentrated channels
B. At the center of a paved road
C. Along the contour or perpendicular to sheet flow
D. Only inside storm drains
Answer: C. Along the contour or perpendicular to sheet flow
,Rationale: Proper orientation allows runoff to pond temporarily behind the
fence, promoting sediment deposition rather than allowing water to bypass the
control.
6. What is the primary purpose of a stabilized construction entrance?
A. Increase vehicle speed
B. Store construction materials
C. Reduce tracking of soil and sediment onto public roads
D. Divert sanitary sewage
Answer: C. Reduce tracking of soil and sediment onto public roads
Rationale: Stabilized entrances provide a firm, coarse surface that helps remove
soil from vehicle tires before vehicles reach public streets.
7. What should an inspector do when sediment is deposited on a public
roadway?
A. Ignore it if the construction site is permitted
B. Document the condition and require appropriate cleanup and corrective
action
C. Cover it with additional soil
D. Direct additional runoff onto the roadway
Answer: B. Document the condition and require appropriate cleanup and
corrective action
Rationale: Sediment tracked onto roads can enter storm drains and waterways
and may create traffic hazards.
8. Which BMP is specifically intended to protect a storm drain inlet from
sediment?
A. Riprap channel
B. Construction fence
C. Inlet protection
D. Temporary seeding
, Answer: C. Inlet protection
Rationale: Inlet protection is designed to intercept sediment before runoff enters
a storm drain system.
9. What is a major limitation of many inlet-protection devices?
A. They increase soil stabilization
B. They can become clogged and cause localized flooding if not maintained
C. They eliminate runoff
D. They prevent all pollutants from entering the drainage system
Answer: B. They can become clogged and cause localized flooding if not
maintained
Rationale: Accumulated sediment and debris can restrict flow through inlet-
protection devices, requiring timely inspection and maintenance.
10.What is the purpose of temporary seeding?
A. Increase soil disturbance
B. Establish vegetation quickly to reduce erosion
C. Increase runoff velocity
D. Replace permanent drainage infrastructure
Answer: B. Establish vegetation quickly to reduce erosion
Rationale: Temporary vegetation protects exposed soil until permanent
stabilization or subsequent construction activities occur.
11.Which condition generally indicates good vegetative stabilization?
A. Bare soil throughout the disturbed area
B. Deep rills across the slope
C. Adequate, established vegetation covering exposed soil
D. Sediment deposited over all vegetation
Answer: C. Adequate, established vegetation covering exposed soil
