The flow of water during rainstorms and other forms of precipitation can have an impact on several common areas, and one great example is construction zones or sites and their surrounding areas. Rain will cause stormwater to flow away from construction zones and to other nearby properties -- and if pollutants or contaminants are present in this stormwater, this creates a big issue, both in terms of individual health and legal liability.
At Silver Leaf SWPPP, we're happy to offer the very best SWPPP and stormwater management services in all of Utah, offering everything from SWPPP inspections to risk management, street sweeping and more. We help ensure that your job site is always in full compliance with local SWPPP guidelines, and do so in simple, economical ways.
One common area we're regularly asked about by clients: Which are the key pollutants often present in stormwater on construction sites, and why are they both harmful and potential compliance issues for you? Here's a simple rundown of some of the most common.
One of the most common contaminant types, and one that spans several different pollutant categories, is sediments and soil. When it rains, water can cause loose soils to erode, which then flows away with the stormwater runoff. This can clog up gutters and drains, making flooding more likely -- and it can also contaminate nearby waterways with harmful pollutants.
Sedimentation is often caused by improper drainage around a construction site. It can also be caused by things like exposed soils, excessive grading, and even activities like vehicle traffic. Any time there's loose soil on your property, it's at risk of being picked up and carried away by stormwater runoff.
To prevent sedimentation and erosion, you'll need to take steps to keep your soils in place. This means things like using sediment fences, building berms, and using stabilization methods like mulching, street sweeping, seeding, and straw wattle.
If you're not on top of these kinds of programs, and sediment-filled water flows off your property, you could be in violation of the Clean Water Act. Sediments may find their way into streams, rivers and other water bodies, and can smother plant life and fish habitats, as well as contaminate drinking water sources.
Another pollutant category with a broad range of potential contaminants is petroleum products. Things like oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, solvents, and other chemicals used in construction can all find their way into stormwater runoff, and can have serious impacts on the environment.
These pollutants can come from a variety of sources, including construction equipment, vehicles, generators, and storage tanks or containers. If any of these things are present on your worksite and not properly managed, they could be a source of pollution in nearby waterways.
These pollutants are often extremely visible, as well, such as a "sheen" often seen on the surface of water contaminated with oil. However, they can also be present in very small amounts -- and even tiny concentrations of these pollutants can have serious impacts on aquatic life and human health.
To prevent petroleum products from contaminating stormwater on your property, you'll need to take steps like storing all chemicals and oils in appropriate containers, properly disposing of all waste products, and training your employees on best practices.
You should also consider using things like absorbent pads or booms around areas where these pollutants could potentially be present, such as storage tanks, parking areas, and equipment maintenance areas. By doing so, you can help prevent them from entering the stormwater system and contaminating nearby areas.
Many construction sites make use of materials like steel, aluminum, and other metals in the course of their work. These materials can be a source of pollution if they're not properly managed, as they can end up in stormwater runoff and contaminate nearby waterways.
These pollutants can come from a variety of sources, including construction equipment, vehicles, generators, and storage tanks or containers. If any of these things are present on your worksite and not properly managed, they could be a source of pollution in nearby waterways.
There are several concepts to consider when it comes to preventing these issues and staying in compliance with regulations. First, you'll need to make sure that all metals on your site are properly stored and maintained, to prevent them from becoming a pollution source. This might include things like storing metals in covered containers, regularly cleaning up any spillage or waste, and training employees on best practices.
You should also take steps to prevent erosion and sedimentation on your site, as these can be a source of metal pollution as well. As mentioned earlier, best practices in this area include using sediment fences, building berms, and using stabilization methods like mulching, seeding, and straw wattle.
Finally, it's important to consider the issue of garbage and other types of debris on construction sites. Things like wood, plastic, glass, and metal can all find their way into stormwater runoff if they're not properly managed -- and this can have serious impacts on the environment.
This pollution category is often caused by littering or poor waste management practices on construction sites. To prevent it, you'll need to make sure that all employees are properly trained in waste management best practices, and that there is a system in place for regularly cleaning up debris.
For more on the common pollutants that are found in construction site stormwater and how to prevent them from becoming an issue, or to learn about any of our SWPPP services in Utah, speak to the team at Silver Leaf SWPPP today.
