CEPSCI Exam Questions with Verified Answers & Rationales
Domain 1: Regulatory Framework & NPDES (Questions 1–25)
1. The Clean Water Act was enacted in which year?
A) 1965
B) 1972
C) 1987
D) 1990
Answer: B
Rationale: The Clean Water Act (CWA) was enacted in 1972 and is administered
by the EPA. It created the framework for regulating pollutant discharges into US
waters and established the NPDES program .
2. What does NPDES stand for?
A) National Pollution Discharge and Elimination System
B) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
C) Nonpoint Source Discharge Elimination System
D) National Point Discharge Elimination Standard
,Answer: B
Rationale: NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) was created
by the 1972 Clean Water Act to regulate point source discharges .
3. The 1987 Amendment to the Clean Water Act is known as the:
A) Water Quality Act
B) Coastal Zone Management Act
C) Safe Drinking Water Act
D) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Answer: A
Rationale: The 1987 amendment, called the Water Quality Act, required the EPA
to develop a program to regulate stormwater discharges under the NPDES
program .
4. In South Carolina, NPDES regulations are administered by:
A) EPA Region 4
,B) SCDOT
C) SCDHEC
D) USACE
Answer: C
Rationale: South Carolina is an NPDES-delegated state, meaning the SCDHEC
(Department of Health and Environmental Control) administers NPDES
regulations, though EPA retains oversight authority .
5. What does CGP stand for in the context of construction stormwater?
A) Construction Grading Permit
B) Construction General Permit
C) Coastal General Protection
D) Clean Groundwater Permit
Answer: B
, Rationale: The Construction General Permit (CGP) is one of several NPDES permits
administered by DHEC that authorizes stormwater discharges from construction
sites .
6. A construction site must obtain NPDES coverage if it disturbs:
A) 1/2 acre or more
B) 1 acre or more
C) 5 acres or more
D) 10 acres or more
Answer: B
Rationale: Land disturbing activities greater than or equal to 1 acre must obtain
NPDES coverage. There is also a special provision for disturbances less than 1 acre
within 1/2 mile of a receiving water body in the SC Coastal Zone .
7. Which type of pollution comes from readily identifiable sources such as
wastewater treatment plants?
A) Nonpoint source pollution
B) Point source pollution
Domain 1: Regulatory Framework & NPDES (Questions 1–25)
1. The Clean Water Act was enacted in which year?
A) 1965
B) 1972
C) 1987
D) 1990
Answer: B
Rationale: The Clean Water Act (CWA) was enacted in 1972 and is administered
by the EPA. It created the framework for regulating pollutant discharges into US
waters and established the NPDES program .
2. What does NPDES stand for?
A) National Pollution Discharge and Elimination System
B) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
C) Nonpoint Source Discharge Elimination System
D) National Point Discharge Elimination Standard
,Answer: B
Rationale: NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) was created
by the 1972 Clean Water Act to regulate point source discharges .
3. The 1987 Amendment to the Clean Water Act is known as the:
A) Water Quality Act
B) Coastal Zone Management Act
C) Safe Drinking Water Act
D) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Answer: A
Rationale: The 1987 amendment, called the Water Quality Act, required the EPA
to develop a program to regulate stormwater discharges under the NPDES
program .
4. In South Carolina, NPDES regulations are administered by:
A) EPA Region 4
,B) SCDOT
C) SCDHEC
D) USACE
Answer: C
Rationale: South Carolina is an NPDES-delegated state, meaning the SCDHEC
(Department of Health and Environmental Control) administers NPDES
regulations, though EPA retains oversight authority .
5. What does CGP stand for in the context of construction stormwater?
A) Construction Grading Permit
B) Construction General Permit
C) Coastal General Protection
D) Clean Groundwater Permit
Answer: B
, Rationale: The Construction General Permit (CGP) is one of several NPDES permits
administered by DHEC that authorizes stormwater discharges from construction
sites .
6. A construction site must obtain NPDES coverage if it disturbs:
A) 1/2 acre or more
B) 1 acre or more
C) 5 acres or more
D) 10 acres or more
Answer: B
Rationale: Land disturbing activities greater than or equal to 1 acre must obtain
NPDES coverage. There is also a special provision for disturbances less than 1 acre
within 1/2 mile of a receiving water body in the SC Coastal Zone .
7. Which type of pollution comes from readily identifiable sources such as
wastewater treatment plants?
A) Nonpoint source pollution
B) Point source pollution
