CPSWQ Scope of Practice

Version: August 20, 2010

The Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ) program and certification was developed in response to a request by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to develop and implement programs that would standardize the qualifications of professionals engaged in the practice of storm water management and erosion and sediment control. The CPSWQ program is designed to work independent of, or in combination with other EnviroCert International Inc. programs and to identify individuals with tested and documented skills in the regulation and management of storm water.

Purpose and Intent

The purpose and intent of this program is to provide a systematic approach to evaluating and testing the qualifications of professionals engaged in storm water management practices and provide a standardized process of certifying and maintaining qualified individuals.

Technical Field

The CPSWQ program addresses the regulatory framework and technical implementation and management of storm water for all three target areas: construction, municipal, and industrial storm water programs. This program also recognizes and reiterates the importance of identifying and understanding the appropriate regulatory requirements, techniques, and principles. In addition, this program focuses on pollutant sources, transport, and removal mechanisms.

Individuals that are certified by the CPSWQ program must have a thorough understanding of the practice areas described below.

1. Construction
   The CPSWQ program requires that storm water professionals certified as a CPSWQ have an understanding of the regulations governing storm water management at construction sites including but not limited to the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Construction storm water management includes both construction phase and post-construction phase management requirements. Professionals must understand the regulatory drivers for storm water management, permit types and conditions including application for and termination of coverage, responsibilities and authorities, general hydrology, typical pollutants of concern for construction activities and post-construction anticipated and potential pollutants for different land uses, fundamentals of erosion and sediment control, temporary and permanent Best Management Practices (BMPs) for both erosion and sediment control and control of potential chemical contaminants, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) requirements, storm water monitoring and reporting, and monitoring and inspection requirements. Both quantitative and qualitative skills are required to properly characterize sites and select BMPs to minimize impacts on the quality of receiving waters. Professionals must be able to perform calculations for determining hydrological conditions and understand models applicable to runoff and pollutant loading predictions.
2. Industrial
   CPSWQ certified storm water professionals must understand the impact of and regulations on industrial facilities, both existing and proposed. The CPSWQ program requires that professionals understand the conditions of the NPDES regulations for permitting storm water discharges from industrial sites including who the permit covers, categories of industrial activity and applicable regulatory classification codes, general permit conditions including application for and termination of permit coverage, conducting safe and comprehensive site inspections of industrial sites, recognizing conditions of concern at industrial sites, SWPPP preparation and implementation for industrial sites, monitoring and reporting requirements including water quality sampling methods and analytical methods, and BMPs applicable to different types of industrial activities and anticipated or potential pollutants.
3. Municipal
   The CPSWQ program requires that a certified professional have a comprehensive understanding of the municipal permit requirements under the regulations promulgated by the USEPA. Professionals must understand what constitutes a large, medium, small and non-traditional small multiple separate storm sewer system (MS4) and the compliance requirements for each. As part of the NPDES requirements, a CPSWQ must be able to define the components of a municipal storm water management program and how the municipal permit relates to the industrial and construction permits. As part of the regulatory requirements, a professional must understand the six minimum control measures: public education and outreach, public participation and involvement, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site runoff control, post-construction runoff control, and pollution prevention and good housekeeping. Both quantitative and qualitative skills are required to properly characterize program performance and select BMPs to minimize impacts on the quality of receiving waters.

Program Summary

The CPSWQ program includes a formal application approval process to screen individuals for proper education and experience, a skills exam to test individuals on their knowledge of the subject matter, and a continuing education requirement to ensure maintenance of storm water management skills for certified individuals. This CPSWQ program covers all phases including planning, design, construction, implementation, observation, maintenance, and inspection.