CPESC Inspection Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When inspecting a perimeter control BMP on a site adjacent to a jurisdictional wetland, which condition requires the most urgent corrective action?
- Minor gaps in vegetation on the upslope side of the barrier
- Sediment or runoff from the site reaching or threatening to reach the wetland boundary (Correct answer)
- Fence posts that are slightly out of plumb but structurally intact
- Accumulation of litter against the perimeter fence
Correct answer: Sediment or runoff from the site reaching or threatening to reach the wetland boundary
Any breach that allows site runoff to reach a jurisdictional wetland represents a Clean Water Act Section 404 compliance issue requiring immediate correction.
Question 2: What is the significance of a 'qualified inspector' designation under most NPDES construction general permits?
- The inspector must hold a PE license in the state where the project is located
- The inspector must have training in erosion and sediment control practices sufficient to assess BMP adequacy (Correct answer)
- The inspector must be employed directly by the permittee, not a subcontractor
- The inspector must be certified by the state environmental agency
Correct answer: The inspector must have training in erosion and sediment control practices sufficient to assess BMP adequacy
Most CGPs define a qualified inspector as someone with sufficient training and knowledge to assess whether BMPs are adequate, which may include CPESC certification.
Question 3: An inspector observes that a turbidity curtain installed in a waterway for in-stream work has a large tear. What is the primary concern?
- Debris from the tear may clog downstream culverts
- Sediment-laden water from the work zone can bypass the curtain and impact downstream water quality (Correct answer)
- The torn curtain may create a navigation hazard
- Equipment operators may not see the curtain and damage their machinery
Correct answer: Sediment-laden water from the work zone can bypass the curtain and impact downstream water quality
A torn turbidity curtain allows sediment plumes from in-stream construction to travel downstream, directly violating water quality standards.
Question 4: During a dry-weather inspection, an inspector notices a discharge of sediment-laden water from a dewatering operation exiting the site without treatment. What permit violation does this most likely represent?
- A solid waste disposal violation under RCRA
- An unpermitted discharge of process wastewater without treatment, violating NPDES permit conditions (Correct answer)
- A Clean Air Act violation due to dust generation
- A violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act
Correct answer: An unpermitted discharge of process wastewater without treatment, violating NPDES permit conditions
Dewatering discharges must be managed as process wastewater and treated before discharge; releasing them untreated violates the NPDES construction permit.
Question 5: What information is typically NOT required to be included in a routine SWPPP inspection report?
- Date and time of the inspection
- Name and signature of the inspector
- The project owner's financial bonding information (Correct answer)
- Weather conditions and recent rainfall data
Correct answer: The project owner's financial bonding information
Financial bonding information is not an SWPPP requirement; inspection reports document site conditions, BMP status, deficiencies, and corrective actions.
Question 6: A site inspector notes that a storm drain inlet protection device was removed by a subcontractor to facilitate material delivery and was not reinstalled. Which step should the inspector take first?
- Issue a formal notice of violation to the regulatory agency
- Require immediate reinstallation of the device and document the incident in the inspection log (Correct answer)
- Assess a financial penalty against the subcontractor
- Notify the project owner in writing within 30 days
Correct answer: Require immediate reinstallation of the device and document the incident in the inspection log
Restoration of the missing BMP is the immediate priority, followed by documentation of the incident and corrective action in the inspection record.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the role of photographic documentation in a construction site inspection?
- Photos serve as the sole legal basis for issuing enforcement actions
- Photos provide visual evidence of site conditions that support and corroborate written inspection findings (Correct answer)
- Photos are only required when a violation is observed
- Photos replace the need for written inspection reports when conditions are clearly visible
Correct answer: Photos provide visual evidence of site conditions that support and corroborate written inspection findings
Photographs complement written reports by providing visual corroboration of observed conditions, BMP status, and deficiencies.
CPESC Inspection Procedures 5
When inspecting a perimeter control BMP on a site adjacent to a jurisdictional wetland, which condition requires the most urgent corrective action?