CME Stormwater Management & Drainage Engineering 2

Question 1

A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is required under which regulatory framework for construction sites disturbing one or more acres?

Accepted Answer

NPDES Construction General Permit

Answer

The NPDES Construction General Permit requires construction sites disturbing one or more acres to develop and implement a SWPPP that identifies potential pollutant sources and describes Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce pollutants in stormwater discharges.

Question 2

A bioswale is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A vegetated channel designed to slow stormwater runoff and filter pollutants through plants and soil

Answer

A bioswale is a landscaped channel with dense vegetation that slows stormwater runoff, promotes infiltration, and removes pollutants through filtration, adsorption, and biological uptake.

Question 3

In the Rational Method, which factor primarily reflects the land use and surface characteristics of a drainage area?

Accepted Answer

Runoff coefficient (C)

Answer

The runoff coefficient (C) represents the fraction of rainfall that becomes surface runoff and varies by land use — for example, C ≈ 0.90 for impervious pavement versus C ≈ 0.25 for lawns with sandy soil.

Question 4

An MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permit under Phase II NPDES regulations applies to municipalities with populations below:

Accepted Answer

100,000

Answer

Phase II MS4 regulations extended NPDES permit requirements to regulated small MS4s serving populations under 100,000, requiring six minimum control measures to reduce stormwater pollutants.

Question 5

The 'first flush' phenomenon in urban stormwater refers to:

Accepted Answer

The disproportionately high concentration of pollutants in the initial portion of a storm runoff event

Answer

The first flush effect describes how pollutants accumulated on impervious surfaces between storms are washed off in high concentrations during the early part of a runoff event, making initial runoff volumes particularly important to treat for water quality.

(CME) Certified Municipal Engineer Practice Test

(CME) Certified Municipal Engineer Practice Test

CME Stormwater Management & Drainage Engineering 2