CPSWQ Exam Questions With Already
Solved Correctly Answers
Cornerstone Fundamental Principles CORRECT ANSWERS Integrity, Objectivity,
Confidentiality, Competence, Professionalism
Establishment of Phase II and Permits CORRECT ANSWERS Phase II established in
1999, permits began in 2003
6 Minimum Control Measures CORRECT ANSWERS SWMPs for Stormwater
Management Programs: Public Outreach, Public Involvement, Illicit Discharge
Detection, Construction Runoff Control, Post Construction Management, Pollution
Prevention
Federal Water Pollution Control Act CORRECT ANSWERS Established in 1948 as
framework for CWA, amended in 1972
Purpose of NPDES CORRECT ANSWERS Control discharges of pollutants from point
sources
POTW Definition CORRECT ANSWERS Publicly Owned Treatment Works
NURP and Discoveries CORRECT ANSWERS National Urban Runoff Program (1978-
1983) characterized stormwater pollutants from residential, commercial, and light
industrial areas, discovered common pollutants
Section 402 Categories CORRECT ANSWERS Facilities under NPDES permit,
Facilities with industrial activity, Large MS4 Systems, Medium MS4 Systems, Facilities
contributing to poor water quality
Section 404 Description CORRECT ANSWERS Outlines Dredge/Fill permitting
CZARA Meaning CORRECT ANSWERS Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization
Amendments - States with coastal zone jurisdiction must develop non-point pollution
control plan
Stormwater Discharges CORRECT ANSWERS Any conveyance like a pipe, ditch, or
channel where pollutants are discharged.
Waters of the US CORRECT ANSWERS -Waters used for commerce, interstate waters,
wetlands, intrastate waters, tributaries, Territorial Sea, and wetlands adjacent to US
waters.
, Exclusions from Waters of the US CORRECT ANSWERS Waste treatment systems
meeting CWA requirements.
Construction Activities Requiring NPDES Permit CORRECT ANSWERS Disturbing >5
acres (Phase I) or 1-5 acres (Phase II), or construction with heavy equipment impacting
water quality.
NPDES Permit Application CORRECT ANSWERS Operator of construction site (owner
if operator not identified).
Phase II Coverage CORRECT ANSWERS Commercial, retail, light industrial,
institutional facilities, construction <5 acres, and MS4 systems <100k population.
Phase II Exemptions CORRECT ANSWERS Oil and Gas Operators, Silviculture,
Agriculture (crop production only).
Phase II Requirements CORRECT ANSWERS Submit NOI, develop SWPPP with
BMPs, submit NOT when site is present.
Phase II Waivers CORRECT ANSWERS Low predicted rainfall, TMDL established by
EPA, or pollutant not detrimental to water quality.
Municipalities under Phase II CORRECT ANSWERS Develop SWMP, implement 6
control measures, reduce discharges with BMPs, evaluate program effectiveness,
reduce pollutant discharges to MEP.
Purpose of the Clean Water Act (CWA) CORRECT ANSWERS Designed to protect the
beneficial uses of surface waters and requires states to adopt water quality standards.
Requirements of Water Quality Standards CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Include provisions
for restoring, maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of state waters.
2. Achieve a level of water quality that provides for the protection and propagation of
fish and wildlife, as well as recreation. 3. Consider the use and value of state waters
(ecosystem services).
Explanation of Section 303d CORRECT ANSWERS Establishes the Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL) procedure.
Steps for TMDL Development CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Identify quality-limited waters.
2. Establish priority waters/watersheds. 3. Determine the pollutant of concern and the
daily load the waterbody can handle without degrading water quality.
Definition of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) CORRECT ANSWERS Maximum
amount of a particular pollutant that a water body can assimilate on a daily basis without
degrading water quality.
Solved Correctly Answers
Cornerstone Fundamental Principles CORRECT ANSWERS Integrity, Objectivity,
Confidentiality, Competence, Professionalism
Establishment of Phase II and Permits CORRECT ANSWERS Phase II established in
1999, permits began in 2003
6 Minimum Control Measures CORRECT ANSWERS SWMPs for Stormwater
Management Programs: Public Outreach, Public Involvement, Illicit Discharge
Detection, Construction Runoff Control, Post Construction Management, Pollution
Prevention
Federal Water Pollution Control Act CORRECT ANSWERS Established in 1948 as
framework for CWA, amended in 1972
Purpose of NPDES CORRECT ANSWERS Control discharges of pollutants from point
sources
POTW Definition CORRECT ANSWERS Publicly Owned Treatment Works
NURP and Discoveries CORRECT ANSWERS National Urban Runoff Program (1978-
1983) characterized stormwater pollutants from residential, commercial, and light
industrial areas, discovered common pollutants
Section 402 Categories CORRECT ANSWERS Facilities under NPDES permit,
Facilities with industrial activity, Large MS4 Systems, Medium MS4 Systems, Facilities
contributing to poor water quality
Section 404 Description CORRECT ANSWERS Outlines Dredge/Fill permitting
CZARA Meaning CORRECT ANSWERS Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization
Amendments - States with coastal zone jurisdiction must develop non-point pollution
control plan
Stormwater Discharges CORRECT ANSWERS Any conveyance like a pipe, ditch, or
channel where pollutants are discharged.
Waters of the US CORRECT ANSWERS -Waters used for commerce, interstate waters,
wetlands, intrastate waters, tributaries, Territorial Sea, and wetlands adjacent to US
waters.
, Exclusions from Waters of the US CORRECT ANSWERS Waste treatment systems
meeting CWA requirements.
Construction Activities Requiring NPDES Permit CORRECT ANSWERS Disturbing >5
acres (Phase I) or 1-5 acres (Phase II), or construction with heavy equipment impacting
water quality.
NPDES Permit Application CORRECT ANSWERS Operator of construction site (owner
if operator not identified).
Phase II Coverage CORRECT ANSWERS Commercial, retail, light industrial,
institutional facilities, construction <5 acres, and MS4 systems <100k population.
Phase II Exemptions CORRECT ANSWERS Oil and Gas Operators, Silviculture,
Agriculture (crop production only).
Phase II Requirements CORRECT ANSWERS Submit NOI, develop SWPPP with
BMPs, submit NOT when site is present.
Phase II Waivers CORRECT ANSWERS Low predicted rainfall, TMDL established by
EPA, or pollutant not detrimental to water quality.
Municipalities under Phase II CORRECT ANSWERS Develop SWMP, implement 6
control measures, reduce discharges with BMPs, evaluate program effectiveness,
reduce pollutant discharges to MEP.
Purpose of the Clean Water Act (CWA) CORRECT ANSWERS Designed to protect the
beneficial uses of surface waters and requires states to adopt water quality standards.
Requirements of Water Quality Standards CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Include provisions
for restoring, maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of state waters.
2. Achieve a level of water quality that provides for the protection and propagation of
fish and wildlife, as well as recreation. 3. Consider the use and value of state waters
(ecosystem services).
Explanation of Section 303d CORRECT ANSWERS Establishes the Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL) procedure.
Steps for TMDL Development CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Identify quality-limited waters.
2. Establish priority waters/watersheds. 3. Determine the pollutant of concern and the
daily load the waterbody can handle without degrading water quality.
Definition of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) CORRECT ANSWERS Maximum
amount of a particular pollutant that a water body can assimilate on a daily basis without
degrading water quality.
