CSM Compliance Reporting & Documentation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the NPDES permit program, how frequently must most industrial stormwater permit holders submit Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs)?
- Daily
- Monthly
- Semi-annually (Correct answer)
- Every two years
Correct answer: Semi-annually
Most NPDES industrial stormwater permits require semi-annual DMR submissions to report monitoring results.
Question 2: Which document serves as the primary on-site compliance record for construction sites under the Construction General Permit?
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) (Correct answer)
- Notice of Termination (NOT)
- Annual Report
- Discharge Monitoring Report
Correct answer: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
The SWPPP is the foundational on-site document that details BMPs and serves as the primary compliance record for construction sites.
Question 3: A facility's SWPPP must be updated when which of the following occurs?
- A new employee is hired
- Significant changes to industrial activities or site conditions occur (Correct answer)
- Annual rainfall exceeds the 10-year average
- A neighbor files a complaint
Correct answer: Significant changes to industrial activities or site conditions occur
SWPPPs must be amended whenever significant changes to site activities, processes, or conditions occur that affect stormwater discharge.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a Notice of Termination (NOT) under the NPDES Construction General Permit?
- To notify regulators that stormwater discharge has begun
- To request a permit modification
- To inform the permitting authority that permit coverage is no longer needed upon site stabilization (Correct answer)
- To terminate an employee's stormwater responsibilities
Correct answer: To inform the permitting authority that permit coverage is no longer needed upon site stabilization
An NOT is submitted when a construction site has achieved final stabilization and permit coverage is no longer required.
Question 5: Which entity typically receives stormwater compliance reports for facilities operating under an individual NPDES permit?
- Local county assessor
- EPA regional office or authorized state agency (Correct answer)
- Army Corps of Engineers
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
Correct answer: EPA regional office or authorized state agency
Reports are submitted to the EPA regional office or the state environmental agency that has been authorized to administer the NPDES program.
Question 6: A stormwater inspection log that documents BMP condition, deficiencies found, and corrective actions taken is an example of which type of record?
- Effluent limitation guideline
- Compliance schedule record
- Corrective action and inspection documentation (Correct answer)
- Annual facility registration
Correct answer: Corrective action and inspection documentation
Corrective action and inspection documentation tracks observed BMP deficiencies and the remedies applied, forming a key compliance record.
Question 7: Under EPA regulations, how long must stormwater-related records, including inspection logs and DMRs, typically be retained?
- 1 year
- 3 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
- 10 years
Correct answer: 3 years
EPA regulations generally require stormwater records to be retained for at least 3 years from the date of the report or sampling event.
CSM Compliance Reporting & Documentation 2
Under the NPDES permit program, how frequently must most industrial stormwater permit holders submit Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs)?