CESSWI Regulations and Compliance 3

Question 1

Under the CWA, 'waters of the United States' (WOTUS) is important because it defines the geographic scope of which regulatory program?

Accepted Answer

NPDES permit jurisdiction and Section 404 wetland permits

Answer

WOTUS defines which water bodies fall under federal CWA jurisdiction, triggering NPDES and Section 404 permit requirements.

Question 2

A contractor installs a concrete washout area on-site without any liner. Which regulatory concern does this most directly trigger?

Accepted Answer

Potential unpermitted discharge of pH-elevated wastewater to stormwater

Answer

Unlined concrete washouts can leach alkaline wastewater into stormwater, constituting an unpermitted pollutant discharge under NPDES.

Question 3

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for which activity?

Accepted Answer

Discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States

Answer

Section 404 permits issued by USACE are required for discharging dredged or fill material into jurisdictional waters and wetlands.

Question 4

What does a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) establish for an impaired water body?

Accepted Answer

The maximum amount of a pollutant a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards

Answer

A TMDL sets the maximum pollutant load a water body can assimilate while still meeting applicable water quality standards.

Question 5

A CESSWI inspector discovers that a permitted construction site is discharging turbid stormwater directly to a stream without functional BMPs. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Document the violation, notify the site operator, and report to the permitting authority

Answer

Inspectors document noncompliance and notify operators and the regulatory authority; federal enforcement authority rests with the permitting agency, not the inspector.

(CESSWI) Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector Practice Test

(CESSWI) Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector Practice Test

CESSWI Regulations and Compliance 3