What is the primary role of a stormwater inspector?

The primary role of a stormwater inspector is to monitor and verify compliance with stormwater regulations. This responsibility is crucial in ensuring that construction sites and other land use activities adhere to state and local laws designed to control the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff. Inspectors assess whether best management practices (BMPs) are effectively implemented, check for potential pollution sources, and ensure that the necessary erosion and sediment control measures are in place.

Compliance monitoring plays a fundamental role in protecting water quality and preventing adverse environmental impacts, such as flooding and waterway pollution. By systematically checking compliance, inspectors help contractors and developers understand their responsibilities under the stormwater management program, thereby promoting better environmental stewardship.

The other choices involve important activities related to stormwater management but do not capture the essence of a stormwater inspector's primary duties. Writing rainfall data is essential for various purposes, including weather forecasting, but it is not the inspector's main role. Designing stormwater management systems requires engineering expertise and is typically the responsibility of planners and engineers, not inspectors. Measuring groundwater levels is a valuable activity in understanding hydrology, but it does not align with the primary focus of inspecting stormwater management practices and regulatory compliance.