CESSWI Inspection Procedures and Duties 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a CESSWI inspection, which document should the inspector review FIRST before visiting the site?
- The contractor's daily log
- The SWPPP and approved site plans (Correct answer)
- The local weather forecast only
- The property deed
Correct answer: The SWPPP and approved site plans
Reviewing the SWPPP and approved site plans before arriving ensures the inspector knows what controls are required and can assess compliance effectively.
Question 2: A CESSWI inspector notices that a silt fence has been installed but the bottom has not been trenched and backfilled. What is the most appropriate action?
- Document as a minor deficiency and return in 30 days
- Require immediate correction as the fence provides no protection without trenching (Correct answer)
- Accept if the fence has been stapled tightly to the ground
- Note it only if runoff is currently occurring
Correct answer: Require immediate correction as the fence provides no protection without trenching
Silt fence effectiveness depends on proper trenching and backfilling to prevent underflow; without it the BMP is non-functional and must be corrected immediately.
Question 3: How frequently must routine inspections typically be conducted on an active construction site under most NPDES permit requirements?
- Once per month regardless of rainfall
- At least every 14 calendar days and within 24 hours after a 0.5-inch or greater rainfall event (Correct answer)
- Only after visible signs of erosion appear
- Weekly during summer and monthly during winter
Correct answer: At least every 14 calendar days and within 24 hours after a 0.5-inch or greater rainfall event
Most NPDES construction general permits require inspections every 14 days and within 24 hours of qualifying storm events to catch problems promptly.
Question 4: When documenting inspection findings, which information is LEAST critical to include in the inspection report?
- Date, time, and weather conditions
- Inspector's name and qualifications
- Names of all workers observed on site that day (Correct answer)
- Location and description of each BMP inspected
Correct answer: Names of all workers observed on site that day
Worker rosters are not a required component of inspection reports; the critical elements are inspector identity, site conditions, BMP status, and corrective actions.
Question 5: An inspector finds that a sediment basin is more than 50% full of accumulated sediment. What action should be taken?
- Continue monitoring; capacity is adequate until 75% full
- Require sediment removal to restore design capacity before the next storm event (Correct answer)
- Install an additional outlet pipe to compensate
- Document and revisit in 60 days
Correct answer: Require sediment removal to restore design capacity before the next storm event
When a sediment basin reaches 50% capacity its storage volume and residence time are significantly reduced, requiring cleanout to maintain design effectiveness.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the inspector's role when a contractor disputes a cited violation?
- Withdraw the violation to avoid conflict
- Adjust the finding based on the contractor's verbal explanation without documentation
- Maintain the documented finding and direct the contractor to follow the agency's appeal process (Correct answer)
- Issue a stop-work order immediately
Correct answer: Maintain the documented finding and direct the contractor to follow the agency's appeal process
Inspectors must maintain objective, documented findings and refer disputes to established regulatory or agency appeal procedures rather than unilaterally changing records.
Question 7: A construction site discharges visibly turbid stormwater to an adjacent stream during a rain event. What is the inspector's immediate priority?
- Schedule a follow-up inspection for the next dry day
- Document the discharge, photograph it, and notify the appropriate regulatory authority (Correct answer)
- Instruct workers to stop the rain
- Issue a verbal warning only and leave
Correct answer: Document the discharge, photograph it, and notify the appropriate regulatory authority
An active discharge of turbid water is a potential permit violation requiring immediate documentation, photographic evidence, and regulatory notification.
CESSWI Inspection Procedures and Duties 2
During a CESSWI inspection, which document should the inspector review FIRST before visiting the site?