CEPSCI Water Quality Monitoring and Testing

Question 1

Which water quality parameter is most commonly used to assess the effectiveness of sediment controls at a construction site discharge point?

Accepted Answer

Turbidity

Answer

Dissolved oxygen

Answer

pH

Answer

Biochemical oxygen demand

Question 2

What unit of measurement is most commonly used to express turbidity in stormwater monitoring?

Accepted Answer

NTU

Answer

mg/L

Answer

ppm

Answer

CFU/100mL

Question 3

Under the EPA's Construction General Permit (CGP), operators must conduct water quality monitoring when a project discharges to a water body that is impaired for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Sediment or turbidity

Answer

Nitrogen or phosphorus

Answer

Chlorine or fluoride

Answer

Bacteria or pathogens

Question 4

A grab sample collected for turbidity monitoring at a construction site should ideally be taken:

Accepted Answer

During a storm event when discharge is actively occurring

Answer

24 hours after a storm event ends

Answer

At the beginning of a rain event before discharge begins

Answer

Only during dry weather baseflow conditions

Question 5

What is the typical acceptable turbidity benchmark for construction site discharges under many state NPDES permits before further action is required?

Accepted Answer

250 NTU

Answer

500 NTU

Answer

50 NTU

Answer

1000 NTU

Question 6

Which device is most commonly used in the field to measure turbidity during stormwater monitoring?

Accepted Answer

Turbidimeter or nephelometer

Answer

Conductivity meter

Answer

Dissolved oxygen probe

Answer

Spectrophotometer

Question 7

When sampling stormwater at a pipe discharge point, where should the sample be collected relative to the discharge?

Accepted Answer

Directly at the pipe outlet or within the first few feet of discharge

Answer

Upstream of the discharge point in the receiving water

Answer

At least 100 feet downstream in the receiving water body

Answer

At the center of the receiving stream channel