NPDES Spill Prevention & Control
Compliance Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a Spill Prevention, Control, and
Countermeasure (SPCC) plan?
A. Increase wastewater flow
B. Prevent oil discharges into navigable waters
C. Improve drinking water quality
D. Reduce air emissions
Answer: B
Rationale: SPCC plans are designed to prevent oil spills from reaching
navigable waters and adjoining shorelines.
2. Which facility is most likely required to have an SPCC plan?
A. Office building
B. Farm with above-threshold oil storage
, C. Retail clothing store
D. Residential home
Answer: B
Rationale: Facilities storing oil above regulatory thresholds and with
potential for discharge require SPCC plans.
3. SPCC regulations are primarily enforced under which federal law?
A. Clean Air Act
B. Safe Drinking Water Act
C. Clean Water Act
D. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Answer: C
Rationale: SPCC requirements are established under the Clean Water
Act.
4. What is the minimum oil storage threshold for SPCC applicability
(generally)?
A. 10 gallons
B. 55 gallons
C. 500 gallons
D. 5,000 gallons
Answer: B
Rationale: Facilities storing more than 55 gallons of oil may be
subject to SPCC requirements.
,5. What is the main goal of secondary containment systems?
A. Increase oil production
B. Detect air leaks
C. Prevent spilled oil from reaching the environment
D. Improve tank pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: Secondary containment captures leaks or spills before
they reach soil or water.
6. Who is responsible for implementing the SPCC plan?
A. Local residents
B. Facility owner/operator
C. EPA only
D. Shipping companies
Answer: B
Rationale: The facility owner or operator is responsible for
compliance.
7. Which of the following is considered oil under SPCC rules?
A. Milk
B. Diesel fuel
C. Steam
D. Oxygen
Answer: B
Rationale: Diesel fuel is a petroleum oil regulated under SPCC.
, 8. How often must SPCC plans typically be reviewed?
A. Every week
B. Every 5 years or when changes occur
C. Every 20 years
D. Never after approval
Answer: B
Rationale: SPCC plans must be reviewed at least every 5 years or
when facility changes occur.
9. What is the function of dikes or berms?
A. Increase evaporation
B. Provide containment for spills
C. Filter drinking water
D. Cool storage tanks
Answer: B
Rationale: Dikes and berms provide physical containment for spills.
10. Which agency oversees SPCC compliance?
A. FDA
B. EPA
C. OSHA only
D. NOAA exclusively
Answer: B
Rationale: The Environmental Protection Agency enforces SPCC
requirements.
Compliance Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a Spill Prevention, Control, and
Countermeasure (SPCC) plan?
A. Increase wastewater flow
B. Prevent oil discharges into navigable waters
C. Improve drinking water quality
D. Reduce air emissions
Answer: B
Rationale: SPCC plans are designed to prevent oil spills from reaching
navigable waters and adjoining shorelines.
2. Which facility is most likely required to have an SPCC plan?
A. Office building
B. Farm with above-threshold oil storage
, C. Retail clothing store
D. Residential home
Answer: B
Rationale: Facilities storing oil above regulatory thresholds and with
potential for discharge require SPCC plans.
3. SPCC regulations are primarily enforced under which federal law?
A. Clean Air Act
B. Safe Drinking Water Act
C. Clean Water Act
D. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Answer: C
Rationale: SPCC requirements are established under the Clean Water
Act.
4. What is the minimum oil storage threshold for SPCC applicability
(generally)?
A. 10 gallons
B. 55 gallons
C. 500 gallons
D. 5,000 gallons
Answer: B
Rationale: Facilities storing more than 55 gallons of oil may be
subject to SPCC requirements.
,5. What is the main goal of secondary containment systems?
A. Increase oil production
B. Detect air leaks
C. Prevent spilled oil from reaching the environment
D. Improve tank pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: Secondary containment captures leaks or spills before
they reach soil or water.
6. Who is responsible for implementing the SPCC plan?
A. Local residents
B. Facility owner/operator
C. EPA only
D. Shipping companies
Answer: B
Rationale: The facility owner or operator is responsible for
compliance.
7. Which of the following is considered oil under SPCC rules?
A. Milk
B. Diesel fuel
C. Steam
D. Oxygen
Answer: B
Rationale: Diesel fuel is a petroleum oil regulated under SPCC.
, 8. How often must SPCC plans typically be reviewed?
A. Every week
B. Every 5 years or when changes occur
C. Every 20 years
D. Never after approval
Answer: B
Rationale: SPCC plans must be reviewed at least every 5 years or
when facility changes occur.
9. What is the function of dikes or berms?
A. Increase evaporation
B. Provide containment for spills
C. Filter drinking water
D. Cool storage tanks
Answer: B
Rationale: Dikes and berms provide physical containment for spills.
10. Which agency oversees SPCC compliance?
A. FDA
B. EPA
C. OSHA only
D. NOAA exclusively
Answer: B
Rationale: The Environmental Protection Agency enforces SPCC
requirements.
