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APWA CERTIFIED STORMWATER
MANAGER (CSM) EXAMINATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Question Bank (200+ Questions)
- Domain 1: Program Management (90 questions)
- Domain 2: Water Quality and Quantity (90 questions)
- Domain 3: Operations and Maintenance (20 questions)
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QUESTION BANK
DOMAIN 1: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Section 1.A: Overall Stormwater Management
Question 1
Topic: Non-Point Source Pollution
Learning Objective: Identify common sources and impacts of non-point source pollutants
caused by stormwater runoff
Difficulty: Easy
**Question:** Which of the following is the primary source of fecal coliform bacteria in urban
stormwater runoff?
A. Agricultural fertilizer applications
B. Pet waste and failing septic systems
C. Atmospheric deposition from industrial emissions
D. Erosion of stream banks during high-flow events
Correct answer: B. Pet waste and failing septic systems
Detailed rationale: Fecal coliform bacteria in urban stormwater runoff originate primarily from
warm-blooded animal waste, including domestic pets (dogs, cats) and wildlife, as well as from
failing or poorly maintained septic systems. These bacteria indicate the potential presence of
disease-causing pathogens. Agricultural fertilizer (A) is a source of nutrients (nitrogen and
phosphorus), not bacteria. Atmospheric deposition (C) contributes pollutants like mercury and
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nitrogen oxides, not bacteria. Stream bank erosion (D) contributes sediment, not fecal coliform
bacteria.
Why the other options are incorrect:
- **A:** Agricultural fertilizer is a major source of nitrogen and phosphorus (nutrients), which
cause eutrophication, not fecal coliform bacteria.
- **C:** Atmospheric deposition contributes air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur
dioxide, and heavy metals to stormwater, not bacteria.
- **D:** Stream bank erosion is a source of sediment (total suspended solids), which is a
physical pollutant, not a biological pollutant like fecal coliform.
Exam tip: Remember the key non-point source pollutants: **N-P-S-B-M-H** — **N**utrients
(N,P), **P**esticides, **S**ediment, **B**acteria (fecal coliform), **M**etals,
**H**ydrocarbons.
---
**Question 2**
**Topic:** Clean Water Act / NPDES
**Learning Objective:** Maintain knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, such as the
Clean Water Act and NPDES/TMDL programs
**Difficulty:** Easy
**Question:** The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program is
authorized under which section of the Clean Water Act?
A. Section 208
B. Section 303(d)
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C. Section 402
D. Section 404
**Correct answer:** C. Section 402
**Detailed rationale:** Section 402 of the Clean Water Act authorizes the NPDES permit
program, which regulates point source discharges of pollutants into waters of the United States.
Stormwater discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), industrial
activities, and construction sites are regulated through NPDES permits. Section 208 addresses
areawide waste treatment management planning. Section 303(d) requires states to identify
impaired waters and establish Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). Section 404 regulates the
discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States.
**Why the other options are incorrect:**
- **A:** Section 208 of the CWA addresses areawide waste treatment management planning,
not the NPDES permitting program.
- **B:** Section 303(d) establishes the TMDL program for impaired waters, not the NPDES
permit program itself.
- **D:** Section 404 regulates dredged and fill material discharges (wetlands permitting),
administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
**Exam tip:** Remember the key CWA sections: **402** = **Permits** (NPDES), **303(d)** =
**D**irty waters (TMDLs), **404** = **F**ill material (wetlands).
---
**Question 3**
**Topic:** Land Use Change Impacts
APWA CERTIFIED STORMWATER
MANAGER (CSM) EXAMINATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Question Bank (200+ Questions)
- Domain 1: Program Management (90 questions)
- Domain 2: Water Quality and Quantity (90 questions)
- Domain 3: Operations and Maintenance (20 questions)
,Page 2 of 84
QUESTION BANK
DOMAIN 1: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Section 1.A: Overall Stormwater Management
Question 1
Topic: Non-Point Source Pollution
Learning Objective: Identify common sources and impacts of non-point source pollutants
caused by stormwater runoff
Difficulty: Easy
**Question:** Which of the following is the primary source of fecal coliform bacteria in urban
stormwater runoff?
A. Agricultural fertilizer applications
B. Pet waste and failing septic systems
C. Atmospheric deposition from industrial emissions
D. Erosion of stream banks during high-flow events
Correct answer: B. Pet waste and failing septic systems
Detailed rationale: Fecal coliform bacteria in urban stormwater runoff originate primarily from
warm-blooded animal waste, including domestic pets (dogs, cats) and wildlife, as well as from
failing or poorly maintained septic systems. These bacteria indicate the potential presence of
disease-causing pathogens. Agricultural fertilizer (A) is a source of nutrients (nitrogen and
phosphorus), not bacteria. Atmospheric deposition (C) contributes pollutants like mercury and
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nitrogen oxides, not bacteria. Stream bank erosion (D) contributes sediment, not fecal coliform
bacteria.
Why the other options are incorrect:
- **A:** Agricultural fertilizer is a major source of nitrogen and phosphorus (nutrients), which
cause eutrophication, not fecal coliform bacteria.
- **C:** Atmospheric deposition contributes air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur
dioxide, and heavy metals to stormwater, not bacteria.
- **D:** Stream bank erosion is a source of sediment (total suspended solids), which is a
physical pollutant, not a biological pollutant like fecal coliform.
Exam tip: Remember the key non-point source pollutants: **N-P-S-B-M-H** — **N**utrients
(N,P), **P**esticides, **S**ediment, **B**acteria (fecal coliform), **M**etals,
**H**ydrocarbons.
---
**Question 2**
**Topic:** Clean Water Act / NPDES
**Learning Objective:** Maintain knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, such as the
Clean Water Act and NPDES/TMDL programs
**Difficulty:** Easy
**Question:** The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program is
authorized under which section of the Clean Water Act?
A. Section 208
B. Section 303(d)
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C. Section 402
D. Section 404
**Correct answer:** C. Section 402
**Detailed rationale:** Section 402 of the Clean Water Act authorizes the NPDES permit
program, which regulates point source discharges of pollutants into waters of the United States.
Stormwater discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), industrial
activities, and construction sites are regulated through NPDES permits. Section 208 addresses
areawide waste treatment management planning. Section 303(d) requires states to identify
impaired waters and establish Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). Section 404 regulates the
discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States.
**Why the other options are incorrect:**
- **A:** Section 208 of the CWA addresses areawide waste treatment management planning,
not the NPDES permitting program.
- **B:** Section 303(d) establishes the TMDL program for impaired waters, not the NPDES
permit program itself.
- **D:** Section 404 regulates dredged and fill material discharges (wetlands permitting),
administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
**Exam tip:** Remember the key CWA sections: **402** = **Permits** (NPDES), **303(d)** =
**D**irty waters (TMDLs), **404** = **F**ill material (wetlands).
---
**Question 3**
**Topic:** Land Use Change Impacts
