CERTIFIED STORM WATER OPERATOR
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 ADVANCED
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS FULLY
SOLVED A+
●● The introduction of pollutants to storm water most commonly occurs
when industrial facilities allow operating procedures and industrial
materials to _________________ Answer: become exposed to storm
water
●● The best way to prevent contamination of storm water is
__________ Answer: through pollution prevention
●● The highest percentage of pollutants in storm water runoff occurs in
the first few minutes that storm water runs off. This is called the
________ Answer: first flush
●● Organic enrichment of storm water runoff from sources such as food
processing, airport deicing, antifreezes, and sewage create addition
oxygen demand in lakes and streams. Much of the demand is due to
bacteria feeding on these materials. The increased oxygen demand can
lead to __________, which is a common cause of fish kills. Answer:
oxygen depletion
,●● The addition of nitrogen and phosphorus to storm water runoff can
result in algal blooms and excessive growth of aquatic plants in fresh
water systems such as lakes and streams. In fresh water systems
___________ is the main cause of excessive plant and algal growth.
Answer: phosphorus
●● Sediment is one of the most widespread pollutants in surface water.
Many ________ attach to finer sediment particles. Sediment can also be
destructive to aquatic systems by covering and damaging habitat.
Answer: pollutants
●● Michigan law requires that anyone who discharges liquid wastes to
surface waters of the state must have their pollution control measures
under the supervision of a __________________________ Answer:
Certified Operator
●● If there is a construction activity at an industrial facility that disturbs
one or more acres of land or the soil disturbance is within 500 feet of a
water body, the owner of the property will need to apply for a
__________________________________________ permit. In addition
if the soil disturbance will become 5 or more acres in size the property
owner will need to submit the Notice of Coverage application to the
EGLE, Water Resources Division. Answer: Soil Erosion and
Sedimentation Control
●● _________________ permits are not site specific and contain the
minimum requirements for protecting water quality. Answer: General
, ●● The _______________________________ is a document that
authorizes the discharge of storm water under a general storm water
permit. Answer: Certificate of Coverage
●● ________________ permits are site specific and contain
requirements such as regular sampling, monitoring, end of pipe
treatment or effluent limits. Answer: Individual
●● There are two type of industrial storm water general permits in
Michigan; they are Storm Water from Industrial Activity and Storm
Water with ________________________ Answer: Required Monitoring
or Special Use Areas
●● A facility that has the industrial storm water general permit with
required monitoring or special use areas is required to conduct a
________________________________________ Answer: Short Term
Storm Water Characterization Study
●● An annual fee will be assessed to all facilities that have permitted
storm water discharges. All facilities that have authorization to discharge
storm water on _________________ will be responsible for the annual
fee Answer: January 1
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 ADVANCED
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS FULLY
SOLVED A+
●● The introduction of pollutants to storm water most commonly occurs
when industrial facilities allow operating procedures and industrial
materials to _________________ Answer: become exposed to storm
water
●● The best way to prevent contamination of storm water is
__________ Answer: through pollution prevention
●● The highest percentage of pollutants in storm water runoff occurs in
the first few minutes that storm water runs off. This is called the
________ Answer: first flush
●● Organic enrichment of storm water runoff from sources such as food
processing, airport deicing, antifreezes, and sewage create addition
oxygen demand in lakes and streams. Much of the demand is due to
bacteria feeding on these materials. The increased oxygen demand can
lead to __________, which is a common cause of fish kills. Answer:
oxygen depletion
,●● The addition of nitrogen and phosphorus to storm water runoff can
result in algal blooms and excessive growth of aquatic plants in fresh
water systems such as lakes and streams. In fresh water systems
___________ is the main cause of excessive plant and algal growth.
Answer: phosphorus
●● Sediment is one of the most widespread pollutants in surface water.
Many ________ attach to finer sediment particles. Sediment can also be
destructive to aquatic systems by covering and damaging habitat.
Answer: pollutants
●● Michigan law requires that anyone who discharges liquid wastes to
surface waters of the state must have their pollution control measures
under the supervision of a __________________________ Answer:
Certified Operator
●● If there is a construction activity at an industrial facility that disturbs
one or more acres of land or the soil disturbance is within 500 feet of a
water body, the owner of the property will need to apply for a
__________________________________________ permit. In addition
if the soil disturbance will become 5 or more acres in size the property
owner will need to submit the Notice of Coverage application to the
EGLE, Water Resources Division. Answer: Soil Erosion and
Sedimentation Control
●● _________________ permits are not site specific and contain the
minimum requirements for protecting water quality. Answer: General
, ●● The _______________________________ is a document that
authorizes the discharge of storm water under a general storm water
permit. Answer: Certificate of Coverage
●● ________________ permits are site specific and contain
requirements such as regular sampling, monitoring, end of pipe
treatment or effluent limits. Answer: Individual
●● There are two type of industrial storm water general permits in
Michigan; they are Storm Water from Industrial Activity and Storm
Water with ________________________ Answer: Required Monitoring
or Special Use Areas
●● A facility that has the industrial storm water general permit with
required monitoring or special use areas is required to conduct a
________________________________________ Answer: Short Term
Storm Water Characterization Study
●● An annual fee will be assessed to all facilities that have permitted
storm water discharges. All facilities that have authorization to discharge
storm water on _________________ will be responsible for the annual
fee Answer: January 1
