Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) are control measures, such as silt fences, sediment basins, and riprap, used on construction sites to control erosion and trap pollutants before they reach local waterways.
Under federal regulations like the Clean Water Act, construction activities that disturb one or more acres (or discharge runoff into public waters) must obtain an NPDES permit and maintain a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).…
read moreControlling dust on a construction site requires a combination of water suppression, chemical soil stabilizers, physical surface covers, vehicle tracking controls, and equipment-level dust collection.
Dust is the most common form of air pollution from construction activity, making active controls essential to both SWPPP and OSHA compliance.…
read moreErosion control wattles outperform silt fences on steep slopes, rocky or irregular terrain, and low-velocity drainage channels where trenching a fence is impractical or prohibited.
While silt fences provide higher sediment storage on flat perimeters, wattles offer superior flexible ground contact, reduce runoff velocity, and biodegrade in place to eliminate removal costs.…
read moreA silt fence is a temporary sediment control barrier made of porous geotextile fabric anchored by wooden or metal posts.
Installed around perimeters and vulnerable slopes, it captures heavy soil particles while allowing stormwater to pass through, preventing erosion and protecting local waterways from runoff.…
read moreTo prevent soil erosion on a construction site, combine temporary ground cover controls, such as erosion control blankets and silt fences, with permanent stabilization measures like hydroseeding and vegetative cover.
These techniques keep the soil intact, preventing loose sedimentation, while also filtering any sediment particles before they are discharged from the site.…
read moreBMPs (Best Management Practices) in construction are on-site controls required by NPDES permits to prevent erosion, trap sediment, and prevent pollutants from leaving a construction site.
According to NPDES permitting guidelines, any site that disturbs one acre or more of land requires a procedural stormwater prevention plan (SWPPP).…
read moreThe average cost to clear land ranges from $1,395 to $6,167 per acre, with smaller, lightly wooded plots costing a few hundred dollars and dense, steep, two-acre parcels exceeding $10,000.
Total project costs depend heavily on a mix of terrain, equipment, and labor variables:
Concrete washouts prevent toxic, highly alkaline wastewater and heavy solids from contaminating local water supplies, making them an essential part of a stormwater management plan.
When concrete tools, chutes, and equipment are washed down, the resulting slurry carries a high pH level that can destroy aquatic ecosystems, leach into groundwater, and violate federal EPA and local environmental regulations.…
read moreAn erosion control project lifecycle is a seven-stage process designed to manage risk, maintain regulatory compliance, reduce pollution, and establish permanent vegetation on a construction site.
From initial pre-construction planning through post-construction stabilization, the lifecycle ensures that Best Management Practices (BMPs) evolve with changing landscape conditions.…
read moreStorm drain inlet protection is a temporary or permanent sediment barrier designed to filter out debris, sediment, and pollutants from stormwater runoff before it enters catch basins, curb inlets, or storm sewer systems.
Typically implemented as part of a construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), these protective devices allow water to pass through while trapping silt, trash, and heavy sediment.…
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