1|Page
CERTIFIED STORM WATER OPERATOR TEST 2025
WITH 200 EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS/ CSWO EXAM 2025/ STORM
WATER OPERATOR CERTIFICATION EXAM (NEW!)
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? -
..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
_________________________________ - ..ANSWER...✓✓ On a
regular basis
The industrial storm water operator certificate is valid for
_____________ - ..ANSWER...✓✓ 5 years
,2|Page
Under natural conditions the majority of rain water that
falls to the ground
___________________________________________ -
..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
__________________________________ - ..ANSWER...✓✓
Become exposed to storm water
The best way to prevent contamination of storm water is
_______________________________ - ..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
__________________________________ - ..ANSWER...✓✓ First
flush
Organic enrichment of storm water runoff from sources
such as food processing, airport deicing, antifreezes, and
,3|Page
sewage can provide a food source for bacteria in lakes
and streams. This can lead to
______________________________, which is a common cause
of fish kills. - ..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. - ..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. - ..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. -
..ANSWER...✓✓ Soil Erosion and Sediment Control
, 4|Page
The _____________________________________ is a document
that authorizes the discharge of storm water under a
general storm water permit. - ..ANSWER...✓✓ Certificate
of Coverage
_______________________________________ permits are site
specific and contain requirements such as regular
sampling, monitoring, end of pipe treatment or effluent
limits. - ..ANSWER...✓✓ Individual
________________________________ permits are not site
specific and contain the minimum requirements for
protecting water quality - ..ANSWER...✓✓ General
Industrial facilities are identified in the federal storm
water regulations by
__________________________________________________________
and narrative description. - ..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
CERTIFIED STORM WATER OPERATOR TEST 2025
WITH 200 EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS/ CSWO EXAM 2025/ STORM
WATER OPERATOR CERTIFICATION EXAM (NEW!)
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? -
..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
_________________________________ - ..ANSWER...✓✓ On a
regular basis
The industrial storm water operator certificate is valid for
_____________ - ..ANSWER...✓✓ 5 years
,2|Page
Under natural conditions the majority of rain water that
falls to the ground
___________________________________________ -
..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
__________________________________ - ..ANSWER...✓✓
Become exposed to storm water
The best way to prevent contamination of storm water is
_______________________________ - ..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
__________________________________ - ..ANSWER...✓✓ First
flush
Organic enrichment of storm water runoff from sources
such as food processing, airport deicing, antifreezes, and
,3|Page
sewage can provide a food source for bacteria in lakes
and streams. This can lead to
______________________________, which is a common cause
of fish kills. - ..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. - ..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. - ..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. -
..ANSWER...✓✓ Soil Erosion and Sediment Control
, 4|Page
The _____________________________________ is a document
that authorizes the discharge of storm water under a
general storm water permit. - ..ANSWER...✓✓ Certificate
of Coverage
_______________________________________ permits are site
specific and contain requirements such as regular
sampling, monitoring, end of pipe treatment or effluent
limits. - ..ANSWER...✓✓ Individual
________________________________ permits are not site
specific and contain the minimum requirements for
protecting water quality - ..ANSWER...✓✓ General
Industrial facilities are identified in the federal storm
water regulations by
__________________________________________________________
and narrative description. - ..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
