CESSWI Site Inspection Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a post-storm inspection, which condition would most urgently require immediate corrective action documentation?
- Minor sediment accumulation at the site entrance
- Silt fence failure with visible sediment discharge reaching a waterway (Correct answer)
- Slightly overgrown vegetation on a stabilized slope
- Gravel tracking pad showing wear on one side
Correct answer: Silt fence failure with visible sediment discharge reaching a waterway
Sediment discharge reaching a waterway constitutes an active violation requiring immediate corrective action and documentation.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of documenting the date and time on inspection reports?
- To satisfy administrative filing requirements
- To establish a legal record and correlate findings with weather events (Correct answer)
- To track inspector overtime hours
- To schedule the next inspection interval
Correct answer: To establish a legal record and correlate findings with weather events
Date and time stamps create a legal record and allow correlation of findings with rainfall events, which is critical for regulatory compliance.
Question 3: When inspecting a site with multiple phases of construction, what is the most important organizational step before beginning the walkthrough?
- Review the SWPPP to understand the planned BMP layout for each active phase (Correct answer)
- Start at the lowest elevation point and work uphill
- Photograph only completed grading areas
- Check only the BMPs installed most recently
Correct answer: Review the SWPPP to understand the planned BMP layout for each active phase
Reviewing the SWPPP before the walkthrough ensures the inspector knows what BMPs should be in place for each phase and can identify omissions.
Question 4: An inspector observes a check dam in a drainage channel that is partially buried by sediment to within 2 inches of the overflow notch. What is the appropriate finding?
- No action needed; sediment indicates the BMP is working
- The check dam must be cleaned out to restore capacity before the next storm (Correct answer)
- Replace the check dam with a larger structure immediately
- Document and re-inspect after the next 0.5-inch rain event
Correct answer: The check dam must be cleaned out to restore capacity before the next storm
When sediment reaches within 50% of the overflow notch capacity, the check dam must be cleaned out to restore its sediment-trapping function before the next storm.
Question 5: Which of the following is considered a 'qualified inspector' for NPDES construction general permit inspections in most US states?
- Any site laborer who has read the SWPPP
- A person knowledgeable in the principles of erosion and sediment control and familiar with the CGP requirements (Correct answer)
- Only a licensed Professional Engineer
- The construction project manager regardless of training
Correct answer: A person knowledgeable in the principles of erosion and sediment control and familiar with the CGP requirements
Most CGPs require inspections by a person with knowledge of erosion/sediment control principles and familiarity with the permit, not necessarily a licensed PE.
Question 6: When measuring turbidity at a stormwater discharge point, what unit is commonly used to report results?
- Parts per million (ppm)
- Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) (Correct answer)
- Milligrams per liter (mg/L) of TSS only
- Percent transmittance (%)
Correct answer: Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU)
NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) is the standard unit for turbidity measurements in stormwater monitoring and compliance reporting.
Question 7: A site inspector finds that inlet protection around a storm drain has been removed by the contractor to allow equipment access. What is the correct response?
- Allow access until the end of the workday, then require reinstallation
- Document the deficiency, require immediate reinstallation, and note a corrective action deadline (Correct answer)
- Issue a stop-work order immediately without documentation
- Advise the contractor verbally and take no written action
Correct answer: Document the deficiency, require immediate reinstallation, and note a corrective action deadline
Removed BMPs must be documented as a deficiency with a required corrective action deadline to maintain the compliance record.
CESSWI Site Inspection Procedures 2
During a post-storm inspection, which condition would most urgently require immediate corrective action documentation?