CESSWI key terms

A written record of a site walk that lists conditions observed, the date and location of each finding, whether each required control was working, and the corrective actions and deadlines assigned.

Handwritten or electronic notes taken during site visits that capture time, weather, locations, observations, and conversations, forming the raw evidence later used to write formal reports.

A dated series of photographs taken from consistent reference points to show site conditions before, during, and after construction, used to verify compliance and support enforcement decisions.

Location data automatically attached to a digital photo or file that records where and when it was captured, helping confirm that images match the correct site feature.

A scaled drawing showing property boundaries, buildings, drainage patterns, and the location of planned and installed stormwater controls, used to compare actual conditions with the approved design.

A drawing revised after construction to show the actual dimensions, locations, and elevations of installed features, including any stormwater controls that differ from the original design.

A written notice telling the responsible party that a specific control is missing, damaged, or failing, and stating what must be fixed and by when.

A meeting before earthwork begins where the owner, contractor, and inspector review the stormwater plan, inspection schedule, responsibilities, and procedures for reporting and correcting problems.

A short, informal safety or compliance briefing held with the crew at the start of a shift to cover a single topic such as inlet protection or working near traffic.

A formal written document issued by a regulator stating that a permit condition has been broken, identifying the required corrective action and any penalties that may follow.

The documented process of moving an unresolved problem to a higher level of authority, such as a supervisor, owner, or permitting agency, when site personnel do not correct it.

A communication technique of giving full attention, restating what the other person said, and asking clarifying questions so that instructions and concerns are understood correctly.

Personal protective equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, boots, high-visibility vests, and hearing protection worn to reduce exposure to workplace hazards.

A standardized document from a product manufacturer that lists a chemical's hazards, safe handling practices, first-aid measures, and spill response steps.

A climbing or trailing plant with three glossy leaflets that causes an itchy rash on contact with its oil; inspectors should avoid touching it and wash exposed skin.

Diseases such as Lyme disease spread by tick bites received in tall grass and brush; prevention includes repellent, long clothing, and full-body checks after field work.

A range of conditions from heat cramps to heat stroke caused by working in hot weather; prevention includes water, rest breaks, shade, and watching coworkers for symptoms.

A practice, structure, or device used to prevent pollutants from leaving a site, either by keeping soil in place or by capturing sediment before runoff leaves the property.

A temporary barrier of fabric supported by posts, installed along a level contour to slow sheet flow and pond muddy water so sediment settles out before discharge.

A constructed pond that holds runoff long enough for soil particles to settle, with a controlled outlet that releases clearer water downstream.

A small barrier of rock, wood, or fabric placed across a swale or ditch to reduce flow velocity, prevent channel erosion, and allow sediment to settle behind it.

A temporary filter of gravel, fabric, or block placed around or over a storm drain inlet to keep sediment out of the drainage system during construction.

A manufactured mat of straw, wood, or synthetic fibers laid over bare soil to shield it from rain and wind while vegetation becomes established.

Applying a wet mixture of seed, mulch, fertilizer, and binder through a spray nozzle to establish vegetation quickly on slopes and disturbed ground.

A pad of coarse aggregate at the site exit where vehicle tires are shaken clean so mud and sediment are not tracked onto public roads.

A shallow channel or berm built upslope of disturbed areas to intercept and carry clean runoff around the work area, reducing the water that must be managed.

A layer of durable rock placed on slopes, channels, or outfalls to absorb energy from flowing water and prevent soil erosion.

The condition in which a disturbed area is permanently covered with vegetation or another approved cover, so that erosion is controlled and the site no longer needs routine maintenance.

A site-specific plan describing the pollution sources, the controls that will be installed and maintained, inspection schedules, and the individuals responsible for carrying out the plan.

The federal permitting program that regulates point-source discharges of pollutants to waters of the United States, including stormwater from construction sites above a size threshold.

A municipal separate storm sewer system: a publicly owned network of gutters, pipes, and ditches that carries stormwater and is regulated under a permit.

Any flow into a storm sewer that is not composed entirely of stormwater, such as wash water, sewage, or chemical spills, and that is not covered by a permit.

The point where a storm sewer, ditch, or basin discharges into a stream, wetland, or other receiving water, often a focus of inspection and sampling.

A basin that temporarily stores stormwater and releases it slowly through an outlet, reducing peak flows and allowing sediment to settle after a storm.

The downward movement of water into soil, which can be promoted by porous pavement, trenches, or basins to reduce runoff volume and recharge groundwater.

A measure of how cloudy water is due to suspended soil or other particles; high readings at a discharge point indicate that sediment controls are not working.