Certified Storm Water Operator Actual
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
What are the three criteria to consider when determining if storm water discharge coverage is
needed under the National Pollutants Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) industrial
storm water permits? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔1. The industry is identified in the federal
storm water regulations by SIC code or narrative description
2. There is a point source discharge of storm water to surface waters of the state
3. There is a potential for exposure of industrial materials or activities to storm water runoff
The industrial storm water certified operator should be someone who is at the facility
_________________________________ - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔On a regular basis
The industrial storm water operator certificate is valid for _____________ - CORRECT
ANSWER- ✔✔5 years
Under natural conditions the majority of rain water that falls to the ground
___________________________________________ - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Infiltrates
the ground or evaporates
The introduction of pollutants to storm water most commonly occurs when industrial
facilities allow operating procedures and industrial materials to
__________________________________ - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Become exposed to
storm water
The best way to prevent contamination of storm water is
_______________________________ - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Through pollution
prevention
The highest percentage of pollutants in storm water runoff occur in the first few minutes that
storm water runs off. This is called the __________________________________ -
CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔First flush
Organic enrichment of storm water runoff from sources such as food processing, airport
deicing, antifreezes, and sewage can provide a food source for bacteria in lakes and streams.
, This can lead to ______________________________, which is a common cause of fish kills.
- CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Oxygen depletion
The addition of __________________________________ to storm water runoff can result in
algal blooms and excessive growth of aquatic plants in fresh water systems such as lakes and
streams. - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Phosphorus
Sediment is one of the most widespread pollutants in surface water. Many
_____________________________ attach to finer sediment particles. Sediment can also be
destructive to aquatic systems by covering and damaging habitat. - CORRECT ANSWER-
✔✔Pollutants
If there is construction activity at an industrial facility that disturbs one or more acres of land
or the soil disturbance is within 500 feet of a water body, the owner of the property will need
to apply for a _____________________________. In addition if the soil disturbance will
become five or more acres in size the property owner will need to submit the Notice of
Coverage application to the MDEQ, Water Bureau. - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Soil Erosion
and Sediment Control
The _____________________________________ is a document that authorizes the
discharge of storm water under a general storm water permit. - CORRECT ANSWER-
✔✔Certificate of Coverage
_______________________________________ permits are site specific and contain
requirements such as regular sampling, monitoring, end of pipe treatment or effluent limits. -
CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Individual
________________________________ permits are not site specific and contain the
minimum requirements for protecting water quality - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔General
Industrial facilities are identified in the federal storm water regulations by
__________________________________________________________ and narrative
description. - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code
A __________________________________ is any discernable, confined, and discrete
conveyance that discharges storm water into surface waters. Examples include, but are not
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
What are the three criteria to consider when determining if storm water discharge coverage is
needed under the National Pollutants Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) industrial
storm water permits? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔1. The industry is identified in the federal
storm water regulations by SIC code or narrative description
2. There is a point source discharge of storm water to surface waters of the state
3. There is a potential for exposure of industrial materials or activities to storm water runoff
The industrial storm water certified operator should be someone who is at the facility
_________________________________ - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔On a regular basis
The industrial storm water operator certificate is valid for _____________ - CORRECT
ANSWER- ✔✔5 years
Under natural conditions the majority of rain water that falls to the ground
___________________________________________ - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Infiltrates
the ground or evaporates
The introduction of pollutants to storm water most commonly occurs when industrial
facilities allow operating procedures and industrial materials to
__________________________________ - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Become exposed to
storm water
The best way to prevent contamination of storm water is
_______________________________ - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Through pollution
prevention
The highest percentage of pollutants in storm water runoff occur in the first few minutes that
storm water runs off. This is called the __________________________________ -
CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔First flush
Organic enrichment of storm water runoff from sources such as food processing, airport
deicing, antifreezes, and sewage can provide a food source for bacteria in lakes and streams.
, This can lead to ______________________________, which is a common cause of fish kills.
- CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Oxygen depletion
The addition of __________________________________ to storm water runoff can result in
algal blooms and excessive growth of aquatic plants in fresh water systems such as lakes and
streams. - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Phosphorus
Sediment is one of the most widespread pollutants in surface water. Many
_____________________________ attach to finer sediment particles. Sediment can also be
destructive to aquatic systems by covering and damaging habitat. - CORRECT ANSWER-
✔✔Pollutants
If there is construction activity at an industrial facility that disturbs one or more acres of land
or the soil disturbance is within 500 feet of a water body, the owner of the property will need
to apply for a _____________________________. In addition if the soil disturbance will
become five or more acres in size the property owner will need to submit the Notice of
Coverage application to the MDEQ, Water Bureau. - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Soil Erosion
and Sediment Control
The _____________________________________ is a document that authorizes the
discharge of storm water under a general storm water permit. - CORRECT ANSWER-
✔✔Certificate of Coverage
_______________________________________ permits are site specific and contain
requirements such as regular sampling, monitoring, end of pipe treatment or effluent limits. -
CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Individual
________________________________ permits are not site specific and contain the
minimum requirements for protecting water quality - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔General
Industrial facilities are identified in the federal storm water regulations by
__________________________________________________________ and narrative
description. - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code
A __________________________________ is any discernable, confined, and discrete
conveyance that discharges storm water into surface waters. Examples include, but are not
