NPDES Construction General Permit
(CGP) Compliance Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of the NPDES Construction General
Permit (CGP)?
A. To regulate drinking water treatment systems
B. To control stormwater discharges from construction activities
C. To regulate hazardous waste disposal
D. To establish building design standards
Answer: B. To control stormwater discharges from construction activities
The NPDES Construction General Permit is designed to minimize pollutants
entering waterways through stormwater runoff from construction sites.
2. Which federal law authorizes the NPDES permit program?
,A. Clean Air Act
B. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
C. Clean Water Act
D. Safe Drinking Water Act
Answer: C. Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act established the NPDES program to regulate pollutant
discharges into waters of the United States.
3. What does NPDES stand for?
A. National Pollution Discharge Environmental System
B. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
C. National Permit Drainage Enforcement Standard
D. Natural Pollution Detection Evaluation System
Answer: B. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NPDES is the permitting system that controls point-source discharges of
pollutants into surface waters.
4. A construction activity generally requires CGP coverage when it
disturbs how much land?
A. One acre or more
B. One-half acre or more
,C. Five acres or more only
D. Any land disturbance regardless of size
Answer: A. One acre or more
Construction sites disturbing one acre or more typically require NPDES
stormwater permit coverage unless exempted.
5. The main document describing how a construction site will control
stormwater pollution is called:
A. Spill Prevention Plan
B. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
C. Emergency Response Plan
D. Site Safety Plan
Answer: B. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
The SWPPP identifies potential pollution sources and the best
management practices used to prevent stormwater contamination.
6. Who is generally responsible for ensuring CGP compliance at a
construction site?
A. Only local residents
B. The permittee or operator
, C. Only equipment manufacturers
D. Material suppliers
Answer: B. The permittee or operator
The operator with control over construction activities or stormwater
practices is responsible for permit compliance.
7. What is a Best Management Practice (BMP)?
A. A method used to reduce pollution impacts
B. A construction contract requirement
C. A type of heavy equipment
D. A financial reporting system
Answer: A. A method used to reduce pollution impacts
BMPs are practical measures such as silt fences and sediment basins used
to control pollutants.
8. Which pollutant is most commonly associated with construction
stormwater runoff?
A. Chlorine gas
B. Sediment
C. Radioactive material
D. Industrial solvents only
(CGP) Compliance Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of the NPDES Construction General
Permit (CGP)?
A. To regulate drinking water treatment systems
B. To control stormwater discharges from construction activities
C. To regulate hazardous waste disposal
D. To establish building design standards
Answer: B. To control stormwater discharges from construction activities
The NPDES Construction General Permit is designed to minimize pollutants
entering waterways through stormwater runoff from construction sites.
2. Which federal law authorizes the NPDES permit program?
,A. Clean Air Act
B. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
C. Clean Water Act
D. Safe Drinking Water Act
Answer: C. Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act established the NPDES program to regulate pollutant
discharges into waters of the United States.
3. What does NPDES stand for?
A. National Pollution Discharge Environmental System
B. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
C. National Permit Drainage Enforcement Standard
D. Natural Pollution Detection Evaluation System
Answer: B. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NPDES is the permitting system that controls point-source discharges of
pollutants into surface waters.
4. A construction activity generally requires CGP coverage when it
disturbs how much land?
A. One acre or more
B. One-half acre or more
,C. Five acres or more only
D. Any land disturbance regardless of size
Answer: A. One acre or more
Construction sites disturbing one acre or more typically require NPDES
stormwater permit coverage unless exempted.
5. The main document describing how a construction site will control
stormwater pollution is called:
A. Spill Prevention Plan
B. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
C. Emergency Response Plan
D. Site Safety Plan
Answer: B. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
The SWPPP identifies potential pollution sources and the best
management practices used to prevent stormwater contamination.
6. Who is generally responsible for ensuring CGP compliance at a
construction site?
A. Only local residents
B. The permittee or operator
, C. Only equipment manufacturers
D. Material suppliers
Answer: B. The permittee or operator
The operator with control over construction activities or stormwater
practices is responsible for permit compliance.
7. What is a Best Management Practice (BMP)?
A. A method used to reduce pollution impacts
B. A construction contract requirement
C. A type of heavy equipment
D. A financial reporting system
Answer: A. A method used to reduce pollution impacts
BMPs are practical measures such as silt fences and sediment basins used
to control pollutants.
8. Which pollutant is most commonly associated with construction
stormwater runoff?
A. Chlorine gas
B. Sediment
C. Radioactive material
D. Industrial solvents only
