CERTIFIED STORM WATER OPERATOR
EXAMPREP STUDY GUIDE 2026 DETAILED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
●● The industrial storm water certified operator should be someone who
is at the facility _________________________________ Answer: On a
regular basis
●● The industrial storm water operator certificate is valid for
_____________ Answer: 5 years
●● Under natural conditions the majority of rain water that falls to the
ground ___________________________________________ Answer:
Infiltrates the ground or evaporates
●● 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 occur 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 can provide a food
source for bacteria in lakes and streams. This can lead to
______________________________, which is a common cause of fish
kills. Answer: Oxygen depletion
●● The addition of __________________________________ to storm
water runoff can result in algal blooms and excessive growth of aquatic
plants in fresh water systems such as lakes and streams. 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
●● If there is 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
_____________________________. In addition if the soil disturbance
will become five or more acres in size the property owner will need to
, submit the Notice of Coverage application to the MDEQ, Water Bureau.
Answer: Soil Erosion and Sediment Control
●● 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
●● ________________________________ permits are not site specific
and contain the minimum requirements for protecting water quality
Answer: General
●● Industrial facilities are identified in the federal storm water
regulations by
__________________________________________________________
and narrative description. Answer: Standard Industrial Classification
(SIC) Code
●● A __________________________________ is any discernable,
confined, and discrete conveyance that discharges storm water into
surface waters. Examples include, but are not limited to, pipes, ditches,
channels, tunnels, conduits, or anything that conveys storm water into
surface waters. Answer: Point source
EXAMPREP STUDY GUIDE 2026 DETAILED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
●● The industrial storm water certified operator should be someone who
is at the facility _________________________________ Answer: On a
regular basis
●● The industrial storm water operator certificate is valid for
_____________ Answer: 5 years
●● Under natural conditions the majority of rain water that falls to the
ground ___________________________________________ Answer:
Infiltrates the ground or evaporates
●● 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 occur 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 can provide a food
source for bacteria in lakes and streams. This can lead to
______________________________, which is a common cause of fish
kills. Answer: Oxygen depletion
●● The addition of __________________________________ to storm
water runoff can result in algal blooms and excessive growth of aquatic
plants in fresh water systems such as lakes and streams. 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
●● If there is 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
_____________________________. In addition if the soil disturbance
will become five or more acres in size the property owner will need to
, submit the Notice of Coverage application to the MDEQ, Water Bureau.
Answer: Soil Erosion and Sediment Control
●● 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
●● ________________________________ permits are not site specific
and contain the minimum requirements for protecting water quality
Answer: General
●● Industrial facilities are identified in the federal storm water
regulations by
__________________________________________________________
and narrative description. Answer: Standard Industrial Classification
(SIC) Code
●● A __________________________________ is any discernable,
confined, and discrete conveyance that discharges storm water into
surface waters. Examples include, but are not limited to, pipes, ditches,
channels, tunnels, conduits, or anything that conveys storm water into
surface waters. Answer: Point source
