CESSWI - Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector SWPPP and Plan Management Questions and Answers

Question 1

A SWPPP must be amended within a specific timeframe after certain events. Which of the following scenarios triggers a mandatory SWPPP amendment under the typical EPA Construction General Permit (CGP)?

Accepted Answer

A change in design, construction, operation, or maintenance that has a significant effect on the potential for pollutant discharge.

Answer

According to the EPA's Construction General Permit (CGP) and similar state permits, a SWPPP must be amended when there is a change in design, construction, operation, or maintenance that could significantly impact the discharge of pollutants. Minor schedule changes, equivalent material substitutions, or routine maintenance findings do not typically require a formal amendment, although maintenance must be documented.

Question 2

An inspector is reviewing a construction site's SWPPP records. Which of the following documents is NOT typically required to be kept on-site or readily available as part of the SWPPP documentation?

Accepted Answer

The personal qualifications and resume of the SWPPP designer.

Answer

While the SWPPP must be prepared by a qualified person, their full resume or curriculum vitae is not a required record to be kept with the on-site SWPPP. The plan should identify the stormwater team members and their responsibilities. However, the permit coverage letter, NOI, inspection reports, training logs, and records of any corrective actions are all essential compliance documents that must be maintained.

Question 3

A construction site operator has completed all construction activities and established a uniform, perennial vegetative cover with a density of 85% across all previously disturbed areas. What is the next critical step for the operator regarding their NPDES permit?

Accepted Answer

Submit a Notice of Termination (NOT) to the permitting authority.

Answer

Once a construction site has met the final stabilization requirements defined in the permit (e.g., achieving 70% or greater permanent vegetative cover), the operator is eligible to terminate their permit coverage. To do this, they must submit a formal Notice of Termination (NOT) to the permitting authority (like the EPA or state agency). Until the NOT is submitted and approved, the operator remains responsible for permit compliance.

Question 4

During a site walk, a CESSWI identifies that a subcontractor's new staging area for material storage is located in an area not designated on the SWPPP site map and lacks required perimeter controls. This represents a failure in what critical aspect of SWPPP management?

Accepted Answer

Plan implementation and communication.

Answer

The SWPPP is a living document that must accurately reflect site conditions. Failing to place controls around a new staging area and not updating the site map shows a breakdown in implementing the plan as written and communicating SWPPP requirements to all personnel, including subcontractors. All contractors and subcontractors on site are responsible for implementing parts of the SWPPP.

Question 5

All personnel involved in activities that could impact stormwater quality must receive training. What is the primary purpose of documenting this training and keeping records with the SWPPP?

Accepted Answer

To demonstrate compliance with a specific requirement of the Construction General Permit.

Answer

The Construction General Permit explicitly requires that personnel receive training on stormwater pollution prevention measures. Maintaining a log of who was trained, the date, and the topics covered is a required record-keeping activity to demonstrate to regulators that the permittee is complying with the training requirements of the permit.

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

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

CESSWI - Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector SWPPP and Plan Management Questions and Answers