VIRGINIA DEQ SWM INSPECTOR EXAM CERTIFICATION -
COMPREHENSIVE 300 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE
1. Q: What is the primary federal law that regulates stormwater
discharges? A: The Clean Water Act (CWA), specifically Section 402 which
established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
program.
2. Q: What Virginia regulation governs stormwater management? A:
Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Regulation (9VAC25-
870).
3. Q: What is the minimum disturbed area threshold for requiring a
stormwater management plan? A: 2,500 square feet of land disturbance.
4. Q: What is the definition of "land disturbance" under Virginia
regulations? A: A manmade change to the land surface that potentially changes
its runoff characteristics including clearing, grading, or excavating.
5. Q: What is the maximum civil penalty for violating stormwater
regulations in Virginia? A: Up to $32,500 per violation per day.
6. Q: How long must construction records be maintained after project
completion? A: A minimum of 3 years.
7. Q: What is the minimum inspection frequency for active construction
sites? A: At least once every 7 calendar days and within 24 hours of a storm
event of 0.5 inches or greater.
8. Q: What constitutes a "storm event" requiring additional inspection? A:
A precipitation event of 0.5 inches or greater in a 24-hour period.
9. Q: Who can conduct stormwater inspections in Virginia? A: Only
certified stormwater inspectors or individuals under their direct supervision.
10. Q: What is the definition of "waters of the state" in Virginia? A: All
surface waters, groundwaters, and wetlands within the boundaries of Virginia.
,11. Q: What is the statute of limitations for stormwater violations in
Virginia? A: 5 years from the date the violation was discovered or should have
been discovered.
12. Q: What is required for a General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater
from Construction Activities? A: Registration with DEQ and development of
a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
13. Q: What is the minimum bond amount required for land disturbance
activities? A: $3,000 per acre of disturbed land, with a minimum of $10,000.
14. Q: What is the definition of "total maximum daily load" (TMDL)? A:
The maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still
meet water quality standards.
15. Q: What is the Chesapeake Bay TMDL requirement for new
development? A: No net increase in nonpoint source pollution loads.
16. Q: What is the definition of "redevelopment" under Virginia
stormwater regulations? A: Development activity on previously developed
land that results in land disturbance.
17. Q: What is the minimum setback requirement for stormwater BMPs
from property lines? A: Generally 10 feet, but varies by BMP type and local
ordinances.
18. Q: What is the definition of "impervious surface"? A: A surface
composed of material that significantly impedes or prevents natural infiltration
of water into soil.
19. Q: What is the maximum allowable turbidity level for stormwater
discharges? A: 50 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) above background
levels.
20. Q: What is the definition of "hotspot" in stormwater management? A:
A land use or activity that generates higher concentrations of stormwater
pollutants.
21. Q: What is the minimum treatment requirement for stormwater
runoff? A: Treatment of the 1-year, 24-hour storm event or the first 0.5 inches
of runoff.
22. Q: What is the definition of "infiltration" in stormwater management?
A: The process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil.
, 23. Q: What is the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP)
authority? A: The entity responsible for implementing the stormwater
management program, typically DEQ or approved localities.
24. Q: What is the definition of "best management practice" (BMP)? A: A
structural or non-structural practice designed to prevent or reduce water
pollution.
25. Q: What is the minimum design storm for stormwater quantity
management? A: The 10-year, 24-hour storm event.
26. Q: What is the definition of "linear development project"? A: Road,
pipeline, or utility projects that are linear in nature.
27. Q: What is the Virginia Stormwater BMP Clearinghouse? A: An online
resource providing approved BMP specifications and design standards.
28. Q: What is the definition of "off-site" stormwater management? A:
Managing stormwater at a location other than the development site.
29. Q: What is the minimum required professional engineer involvement in
stormwater plans? A: Plans must be prepared by or under the direct
supervision of a licensed professional engineer.
30. Q: What is the definition of "water quality" in stormwater
management? A: The chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of
water.
31. Q: What is the Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook? A: The
official technical guidance document for stormwater management in Virginia.
32. Q: What is the definition of "peak flow rate"? A: The maximum
instantaneous flow rate during a storm event.
33. Q: What is the minimum insurance requirement for stormwater
inspectors? A: General liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence.
34. Q: What is the definition of "runoff coefficient"? A: The ratio of peak
runoff rate to peak rainfall rate.
35. Q: What is the Virginia Stormwater Management Act? A: Code of
Virginia Title 62.1, Chapter 3.1, Articles 2.3 and 2.4.
COMPREHENSIVE 300 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE
1. Q: What is the primary federal law that regulates stormwater
discharges? A: The Clean Water Act (CWA), specifically Section 402 which
established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
program.
2. Q: What Virginia regulation governs stormwater management? A:
Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Regulation (9VAC25-
870).
3. Q: What is the minimum disturbed area threshold for requiring a
stormwater management plan? A: 2,500 square feet of land disturbance.
4. Q: What is the definition of "land disturbance" under Virginia
regulations? A: A manmade change to the land surface that potentially changes
its runoff characteristics including clearing, grading, or excavating.
5. Q: What is the maximum civil penalty for violating stormwater
regulations in Virginia? A: Up to $32,500 per violation per day.
6. Q: How long must construction records be maintained after project
completion? A: A minimum of 3 years.
7. Q: What is the minimum inspection frequency for active construction
sites? A: At least once every 7 calendar days and within 24 hours of a storm
event of 0.5 inches or greater.
8. Q: What constitutes a "storm event" requiring additional inspection? A:
A precipitation event of 0.5 inches or greater in a 24-hour period.
9. Q: Who can conduct stormwater inspections in Virginia? A: Only
certified stormwater inspectors or individuals under their direct supervision.
10. Q: What is the definition of "waters of the state" in Virginia? A: All
surface waters, groundwaters, and wetlands within the boundaries of Virginia.
,11. Q: What is the statute of limitations for stormwater violations in
Virginia? A: 5 years from the date the violation was discovered or should have
been discovered.
12. Q: What is required for a General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater
from Construction Activities? A: Registration with DEQ and development of
a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
13. Q: What is the minimum bond amount required for land disturbance
activities? A: $3,000 per acre of disturbed land, with a minimum of $10,000.
14. Q: What is the definition of "total maximum daily load" (TMDL)? A:
The maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still
meet water quality standards.
15. Q: What is the Chesapeake Bay TMDL requirement for new
development? A: No net increase in nonpoint source pollution loads.
16. Q: What is the definition of "redevelopment" under Virginia
stormwater regulations? A: Development activity on previously developed
land that results in land disturbance.
17. Q: What is the minimum setback requirement for stormwater BMPs
from property lines? A: Generally 10 feet, but varies by BMP type and local
ordinances.
18. Q: What is the definition of "impervious surface"? A: A surface
composed of material that significantly impedes or prevents natural infiltration
of water into soil.
19. Q: What is the maximum allowable turbidity level for stormwater
discharges? A: 50 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) above background
levels.
20. Q: What is the definition of "hotspot" in stormwater management? A:
A land use or activity that generates higher concentrations of stormwater
pollutants.
21. Q: What is the minimum treatment requirement for stormwater
runoff? A: Treatment of the 1-year, 24-hour storm event or the first 0.5 inches
of runoff.
22. Q: What is the definition of "infiltration" in stormwater management?
A: The process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil.
, 23. Q: What is the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP)
authority? A: The entity responsible for implementing the stormwater
management program, typically DEQ or approved localities.
24. Q: What is the definition of "best management practice" (BMP)? A: A
structural or non-structural practice designed to prevent or reduce water
pollution.
25. Q: What is the minimum design storm for stormwater quantity
management? A: The 10-year, 24-hour storm event.
26. Q: What is the definition of "linear development project"? A: Road,
pipeline, or utility projects that are linear in nature.
27. Q: What is the Virginia Stormwater BMP Clearinghouse? A: An online
resource providing approved BMP specifications and design standards.
28. Q: What is the definition of "off-site" stormwater management? A:
Managing stormwater at a location other than the development site.
29. Q: What is the minimum required professional engineer involvement in
stormwater plans? A: Plans must be prepared by or under the direct
supervision of a licensed professional engineer.
30. Q: What is the definition of "water quality" in stormwater
management? A: The chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of
water.
31. Q: What is the Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook? A: The
official technical guidance document for stormwater management in Virginia.
32. Q: What is the definition of "peak flow rate"? A: The maximum
instantaneous flow rate during a storm event.
33. Q: What is the minimum insurance requirement for stormwater
inspectors? A: General liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence.
34. Q: What is the definition of "runoff coefficient"? A: The ratio of peak
runoff rate to peak rainfall rate.
35. Q: What is the Virginia Stormwater Management Act? A: Code of
Virginia Title 62.1, Chapter 3.1, Articles 2.3 and 2.4.
