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CSWO Exam 2025 /2026 Certified Storm Water Operator
Exam Prep with 100 Questions and Correct Answers from the
CSWO and SESC Comprehensive Training Manual
What are the three criteria to consider when determining if storm water
discharge coverage is needed under the National Pollutants Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) industrial storm water permits? ..ANSWER..1. The industry is
identified in the federal storm water regulations by SIC code or narrative
description
2. There is a point source discharge of storm water to surface waters of the
state
3. There is a potential for exposure of industrial materials or activities to storm
water runoff
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
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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
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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
The surface waters that receives the point source discharge is called the
_____________________. This information must be included on the Notice of
Intent (NOI) application when applying for the storm water discharge coverage.
..ANSWER..Receiving waters
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Surface waters of the state include ____________________________________
..ANSWER..Streams, Lakes, and Wetlands
A sewer system in which the sanitary sewage and the storm water are directed to
a wastewater treatment plant is called a
_____________________________________. ..ANSWER..Combined storm
sewers
A sewer system in which the storm water is kept separate from sanitary sewage
and discharges directly into a surface body water is called a
___________________________________. ..ANSWER..Separate storm sewers
For industrial facilities that are regulated by the federal regulations and there is a
point source discharge, but there is no exposure of industrial materials, the no
exposure certification must be submitted every _________________________.
..ANSWER..5 years
A signed NOI certifies that the facility is in _____________________ with the
general permit. ..ANSWER..Compliance
The 5 permit requirements that must be completed at an existing facility before
the applications is submitted are: ..ANSWER..1. Storm Water Pollution
Prevention Plan (SWPPP) has been developed
2. The facility has an industrial storm water certified operator
3. There are no unauthorized discharges from the facility
4. The non-structural storm water pollution prevention measures or controls
have been fully implemented
CSWO Exam 2025 /2026 Certified Storm Water Operator
Exam Prep with 100 Questions and Correct Answers from the
CSWO and SESC Comprehensive Training Manual
What are the three criteria to consider when determining if storm water
discharge coverage is needed under the National Pollutants Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) industrial storm water permits? ..ANSWER..1. The industry is
identified in the federal storm water regulations by SIC code or narrative
description
2. There is a point source discharge of storm water to surface waters of the
state
3. There is a potential for exposure of industrial materials or activities to storm
water runoff
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
,2|Page
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
,3|Page
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
The surface waters that receives the point source discharge is called the
_____________________. This information must be included on the Notice of
Intent (NOI) application when applying for the storm water discharge coverage.
..ANSWER..Receiving waters
, 4|Page
Surface waters of the state include ____________________________________
..ANSWER..Streams, Lakes, and Wetlands
A sewer system in which the sanitary sewage and the storm water are directed to
a wastewater treatment plant is called a
_____________________________________. ..ANSWER..Combined storm
sewers
A sewer system in which the storm water is kept separate from sanitary sewage
and discharges directly into a surface body water is called a
___________________________________. ..ANSWER..Separate storm sewers
For industrial facilities that are regulated by the federal regulations and there is a
point source discharge, but there is no exposure of industrial materials, the no
exposure certification must be submitted every _________________________.
..ANSWER..5 years
A signed NOI certifies that the facility is in _____________________ with the
general permit. ..ANSWER..Compliance
The 5 permit requirements that must be completed at an existing facility before
the applications is submitted are: ..ANSWER..1. Storm Water Pollution
Prevention Plan (SWPPP) has been developed
2. The facility has an industrial storm water certified operator
3. There are no unauthorized discharges from the facility
4. The non-structural storm water pollution prevention measures or controls
have been fully implemented
