CESSWI - Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector Inspection Procedures and Duties Questions and Answers

Question 1

An inspector is performing a routine weekly site inspection.
According to the EPA's 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP), which of the following items is essential to document in the inspection report?

Accepted Answer

The visual quality of any discharges, including color, odor, and oily sheen.

Answer

The brand names of all BMPs currently installed on site.

Answer

A summary of any conversations held with subcontractors during the inspection.

Answer

The projected cost of any required maintenance or corrective actions.

Question 2

During a pre-construction meeting, what is a CESSWI's primary duty regarding the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)?

Accepted Answer

To ensure key site personnel understand their specific roles and responsibilities for implementing and maintaining BMPs.

Answer

To approve the final SWPPP design and sign off on all engineering calculations.

Answer

To negotiate the contract terms for the vendors who will supply the erosion control materials.

Answer

To determine the final construction schedule and phasing for the entire project.

Question 3

A CESSWI finds a failed silt fence during an inspection on a Tuesday morning. The failure has resulted in a sediment deposit onto a public road. According to the EPA CGP, when must corrective action be documented?

Accepted Answer

Within 24 hours of discovering the failure, and a summary of modifications within 7 days.

Answer

Within 7 calendar days of discovering the failure.

Answer

By the end of the next business day after the inspection.

Answer

Within 14 calendar days, as long as the repair is completed in that time.

Question 4

Which of the following situations would trigger a mandatory amendment to the site's SWPPP?

Accepted Answer

The project manager decides to re-route a primary haul road and create a new 2-acre staging area.

Answer

A forecast for a large storm event expected next week.

Answer

The replacement of a damaged silt fence with a new one of the same type in the same location.

Answer

A routine weekly inspection identifies that a wattle needs minor maintenance.

Question 5

As an inspector, you are reviewing your duties for an active construction site. The site is required to conduct inspections once every 7 calendar days and within 24 hours of a storm event of 0.25 inches or greater. If a 0.5-inch storm ends at 8:00 AM on a Friday, and the last routine inspection was on Monday, what is the latest the post-storm inspection must be completed?

Accepted Answer

By 8:00 AM on Saturday.

Answer

By the end of the day on Friday.

Answer

By the end of the day on Monday, the next business day.

Answer

By the time of the next scheduled weekly inspection.

Question 6

Which of the following BEST describes the inspector's role when interacting with regulatory personnel visiting the site?

Accepted Answer

To provide factual records, explain site conditions, and accompany them during the inspection.

Answer

To act as the sole spokesperson for the contractor and property owner.

Answer

To prevent them from accessing certain areas of the site until deficiencies are corrected.

Answer

To immediately halt all construction activities until the regulatory inspection is complete.