CESSWI Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CESSWI facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A 'perched water table' on a construction site is most likely caused by: → An impermeable soil or rock layer that impedes downward percolation of water
2. What should inspectors check for in BMPs? → Installation and maintenance status
3. When should erosion control measures be implemented? → Before or during land disturbance
4. Why inspect during storm events? → Assess runoff and erosion controls
5. What does the letter 'D' represent in NRCS Hydrologic Soil Group (HSG) classification? → Very slow infiltration rate — highest runoff potential
6. Under good housekeeping practices, construction site dumpsters used for general solid waste should be: → Covered or lidded to prevent stormwater from contacting and mobilizing waste materials
7. Why monitor stormwater discharges? → To assess pollutant levels
8. Permeable pavement is classified as which type of Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater practice? → Volume reduction / green infrastructure BMP
9. Why is documentation important in compliance? → To provide evidence during audits
10. What is a retention basin used for? → Store stormwater temporarily
11. Who enforces federal stormwater regulations? → Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
12. What is the goal of stormwater management? → Reduce pollution and manage flow
13. On a construction site soil report, a 'dispersion' problem refers to which condition? → Soil particles that deflocculate in water, making it highly erodible
14. Which soil characteristic most directly determines whether a soil is classified as cohesive or non-cohesive? → Clay mineral content and plasticity
15. Which of the following construction activities requires a designated washout area to prevent discharge of process water to storm drains? → Concrete placement and finishing operations
16. How often must reports be submitted under a general permit? → Weekly or monthly depending on rules
17. What does a SWPPP stand for? → Storm Window Placement Project
18. Which USDA soil texture class is generally considered the most erodible by water? → Silt loam
19. The 'LS' factor in the USLE represents: → Slope length and slope steepness combined
20. A key principle of construction sequencing for minimizing erosion is to perform which of the following actions FIRST? → Install perimeter controls and sediment barriers before mass grading begins.
21. Why are permeable pavements beneficial? → Enable infiltration
22. What is the purpose of a stabilized construction entrance/exit (also called a rock pad or wheel wash) under pollution prevention requirements? → To reduce the tracking of mud and sediment onto public roads by construction vehicles
23. How does stormwater affect receiving waters? → Degrades water quality
24. What does vegetative buffer strip do? → Reduces erosion and captures pollutants
25. What role do vegetated rooftops play? → Delay runoff and cool buildings
26. What is an inspection log used for? → Track inspection details
27. What is required in inspection reports? → Site conditions and BMP status
28. Which practice helps stabilize disturbed soil? → Seeding and mulching
29. How should liquid chemical containers (such as paint cans or solvent drums) be handled at the end of a construction day to minimize stormwater pollution risk? → Closed with lids tightly secured and stored in covered, secondary containment areas
30. Soil compaction from heavy construction equipment primarily affects stormwater management by: → Reducing infiltration capacity and increasing runoff volume