DEQ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
INSPECTOR ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
● Does the stormwater management plan address runoff during
construction or after? Answer: The stormwater management plan
addresses post-construction stormwater runoff.
● What impact does impervious cover have on water quality? Answer:
Impervious cover increases stormwater runoff volume and velocity,
leading to higher pollutant levels like sediment and phosphorus,
negatively affecting water quality.
● What is the target pollutant in the water quality criteria? Answer:
Phosphorus
● What is the lower limit of imperviousness that can result in stream
degradation? Answer: 10%
● What destructive forces does the SWM regulation protect against?
Answer: Channel erosion and flooding.
, ● How does the rate of runoff change after development? Answer:
Runoff rate increases post-development due to vegetation replacement
with impervious surfaces, potentially causing erosion and flooding.
● What must a locality's ordinance require for submission and approval?
Answer: ESC plan and SWM plan (9VAC25-870-148)
● List three violations for which a penalty may be imposed. Answer:
Violations include: No registration date, No SWPPP, Incomplete
SWPPP, SWPPP not available for review, No approved ESC plan,
Failure to install stormwater management BMPs or ESCs, Improperly
installed or maintained stormwater BMPs or ESCs, Operational
deficiencies, Failure to conduct required inspections, Incomplete,
improper, or missed inspections.
● Maximum Penalty under the Stormwater Act Answer: $32,500
● Locality VSMP Authority Registration Statement Retention Answer:
Must be documented and retained for at least three years from project
completion or permit termination
● DEQ Program Reviews Frequency Answer: DEQ conducts a program
review once every five years
INSPECTOR ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
● Does the stormwater management plan address runoff during
construction or after? Answer: The stormwater management plan
addresses post-construction stormwater runoff.
● What impact does impervious cover have on water quality? Answer:
Impervious cover increases stormwater runoff volume and velocity,
leading to higher pollutant levels like sediment and phosphorus,
negatively affecting water quality.
● What is the target pollutant in the water quality criteria? Answer:
Phosphorus
● What is the lower limit of imperviousness that can result in stream
degradation? Answer: 10%
● What destructive forces does the SWM regulation protect against?
Answer: Channel erosion and flooding.
, ● How does the rate of runoff change after development? Answer:
Runoff rate increases post-development due to vegetation replacement
with impervious surfaces, potentially causing erosion and flooding.
● What must a locality's ordinance require for submission and approval?
Answer: ESC plan and SWM plan (9VAC25-870-148)
● List three violations for which a penalty may be imposed. Answer:
Violations include: No registration date, No SWPPP, Incomplete
SWPPP, SWPPP not available for review, No approved ESC plan,
Failure to install stormwater management BMPs or ESCs, Improperly
installed or maintained stormwater BMPs or ESCs, Operational
deficiencies, Failure to conduct required inspections, Incomplete,
improper, or missed inspections.
● Maximum Penalty under the Stormwater Act Answer: $32,500
● Locality VSMP Authority Registration Statement Retention Answer:
Must be documented and retained for at least three years from project
completion or permit termination
● DEQ Program Reviews Frequency Answer: DEQ conducts a program
review once every five years
