VA DEQ ESC INSPECTOR EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS LATEST 2025-2026 UPDATE |
GRADE A+ GUARANTEE
Perimeter Controls - Answer-assures that sediment does not leave the
perimeter of the land-disturbing area once site clearing, grading, and
construction commences
Examples: silt fences, sediment traps, sediment basins, construction
entrance, temporary diversions, diversions
Minimum Standard 5 - Answer-Earthen Structure Stabilization
stabilization measures shall be applied to earthen structures such as
dams, dikes, and diversions immediately after installation
reduce erosion and sedimentation and reduce damage from sediment and
runoff to downstream or off-site areas
Minimum Standard 6 - Answer-Traps and Basins
sediment traps and basins shall be designed and constructed based upon
the total drainage area (not just disturbed area) to be served by the trap
or basin
, Sediment Traps - Answer-minimum storage capacity shall be 134 cubic
yards per acre of drainage area and shall only control drainage areas less
than 3 acres
*stone outlet = trap*
Sediment Basins - Answer-surface runoff from disturbed areas that is
comprised of flow from drainage areas greater than or equal to 3 acres
shall be controlled by a basin; minimum storage capacity of a sediment
basin shall be 134 cubic yards per acre of drainage area; the outfall
system shall, at a minimum, maintain the structural integrity of the basin
during a 25-year storm of 24-hour duration; runoff coefficients used in
runoff calculations shall correspond to a bare earth condition or those
conditions expected to exist while the sediment basin is utilized.
Sediment Trapping Devises - Answer-1. place near the lowest drainage
points of a project
2. install as a first-step measure [MS-4]
3. stabilize immediately [MS-5]
4. must include outlet protection for basins [MS-11]
Minimum Standard 7 - Answer-Cut and Fill Slopes
,roughening the surface of the slope decreases runoff, lowers the velocity
runoff, increases water retention, and leads to better seed germination
slopes that are found to be eroding excessively within on year of
permanent stabilization shall be provided with additional slop stabilizing
measures until the problem is corrected
Minimum Standard 8 - Answer-Concentrated Runoff
shall not flow down cut or fill slopes unless contained within an
adequate temporary or permanent channel, flume or slope drain structure
outlets of these drains need outlet protection to prevent erosion from the
concentrated flow
size of pipe depends on drainage area
temporarily conduct concentrated stormwater runoff safely down the
face of a cut or fill slope without causing erosion on or below the slope
Minimum Standard 9 - Answer-Water Seeps
whenever water seeps from a slope face, adequate drainage or other
protection shall be provided
, cut and fill operations may expose shallow aquifers or groundwater
tables from which water may seep through the side of a slope
Minimum Standard 10 - Answer-Inlet Protection
all storm sewer inlets that are made operable during construction shall be
protected so that sediment-laden water cannot enter the conveyance
system without first being filtered or otherwise treated to remove
sediment
storm sewers are designed to efficiently transport stormwater away from
the site, so when sediment enters the storm sewer system, two negative
effects can occur:
1. when velocity of flow is high, much of the sediment will be quickly
transported to the nearest receiving channel
2. when velocity of the flow is low, the sediment may be deposited in
the pipes resulting in clogging and potential flooding of a site during
storm events
prevents sediment from entering storm drainage systems prior to
permanent stabilization of the disturbed area
Silt Fence Drop Inlet Protection vs. Block and Gravel Drop Inlet
Sediment Filter - Answer-Block and gravel drop inlet - will have to
clean out regularly but won't get damaged.
Minimum Standard 11 - Answer-Outlet Protection
AND ANSWERS LATEST 2025-2026 UPDATE |
GRADE A+ GUARANTEE
Perimeter Controls - Answer-assures that sediment does not leave the
perimeter of the land-disturbing area once site clearing, grading, and
construction commences
Examples: silt fences, sediment traps, sediment basins, construction
entrance, temporary diversions, diversions
Minimum Standard 5 - Answer-Earthen Structure Stabilization
stabilization measures shall be applied to earthen structures such as
dams, dikes, and diversions immediately after installation
reduce erosion and sedimentation and reduce damage from sediment and
runoff to downstream or off-site areas
Minimum Standard 6 - Answer-Traps and Basins
sediment traps and basins shall be designed and constructed based upon
the total drainage area (not just disturbed area) to be served by the trap
or basin
, Sediment Traps - Answer-minimum storage capacity shall be 134 cubic
yards per acre of drainage area and shall only control drainage areas less
than 3 acres
*stone outlet = trap*
Sediment Basins - Answer-surface runoff from disturbed areas that is
comprised of flow from drainage areas greater than or equal to 3 acres
shall be controlled by a basin; minimum storage capacity of a sediment
basin shall be 134 cubic yards per acre of drainage area; the outfall
system shall, at a minimum, maintain the structural integrity of the basin
during a 25-year storm of 24-hour duration; runoff coefficients used in
runoff calculations shall correspond to a bare earth condition or those
conditions expected to exist while the sediment basin is utilized.
Sediment Trapping Devises - Answer-1. place near the lowest drainage
points of a project
2. install as a first-step measure [MS-4]
3. stabilize immediately [MS-5]
4. must include outlet protection for basins [MS-11]
Minimum Standard 7 - Answer-Cut and Fill Slopes
,roughening the surface of the slope decreases runoff, lowers the velocity
runoff, increases water retention, and leads to better seed germination
slopes that are found to be eroding excessively within on year of
permanent stabilization shall be provided with additional slop stabilizing
measures until the problem is corrected
Minimum Standard 8 - Answer-Concentrated Runoff
shall not flow down cut or fill slopes unless contained within an
adequate temporary or permanent channel, flume or slope drain structure
outlets of these drains need outlet protection to prevent erosion from the
concentrated flow
size of pipe depends on drainage area
temporarily conduct concentrated stormwater runoff safely down the
face of a cut or fill slope without causing erosion on or below the slope
Minimum Standard 9 - Answer-Water Seeps
whenever water seeps from a slope face, adequate drainage or other
protection shall be provided
, cut and fill operations may expose shallow aquifers or groundwater
tables from which water may seep through the side of a slope
Minimum Standard 10 - Answer-Inlet Protection
all storm sewer inlets that are made operable during construction shall be
protected so that sediment-laden water cannot enter the conveyance
system without first being filtered or otherwise treated to remove
sediment
storm sewers are designed to efficiently transport stormwater away from
the site, so when sediment enters the storm sewer system, two negative
effects can occur:
1. when velocity of flow is high, much of the sediment will be quickly
transported to the nearest receiving channel
2. when velocity of the flow is low, the sediment may be deposited in
the pipes resulting in clogging and potential flooding of a site during
storm events
prevents sediment from entering storm drainage systems prior to
permanent stabilization of the disturbed area
Silt Fence Drop Inlet Protection vs. Block and Gravel Drop Inlet
Sediment Filter - Answer-Block and gravel drop inlet - will have to
clean out regularly but won't get damaged.
Minimum Standard 11 - Answer-Outlet Protection
