There are a few kinds of weather events that can have a significant impact on stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) and their related maintenance and upkeep, and rain is one of the most common and notable here. Even in a place like Utah, which gets less rain than some other states, being prepared for the rainy season is important if you're part of managing any sort of SWPPP setup.
At Silver Leaf SWPPP, we're proud to assist clients around Utah with all their SWPPP needs, from SWPPP certifications and SWPPP inspections to specific needs like erosion control, street sweeping and more. March, April and May are the three months with the highest average rainfall in Utah - here are some basic ways our team will assist you in preparing all SWPPP sites and documentation materials for any upcoming rain events.
Within any SWPPP setup, one of the most important areas to monitor when rain is in the forecast is what's known as "run-on and run-off" areas. These refer to any locations where water can enter or exit a construction site, and they're highly relevant for stormwater concerns - if such water isn't properly contained, it could carry various pollutants into nearby surface waters.
In addition, discharge areas are also relevant here. These refer to specific locations where water exits a site and is transported into nearby water bodies. These areas must be carefully monitored before, during and after any rain event to ensure proper containment of stormwater runoff and protection of the surrounding environment.
Clearing pollutants and sediment from streets is important for any SWPPP at any time of the year, but particularly so during the rainy season. This is because rain events not only increase water accumulation on streets, they also move various pollutants from these areas into nearby bodies of water.
The most common method to manage this issue is street sweeping, which removes debris and other harmful materials from streets before they become a major concern for stormwater pollution. Street sweeping can be done both manually and mechanically, and may need to occur more frequently during the rainy season.
For concrete or any other surfaces where polluted waters may pass through during the construction process, washout areas should be established and marked. These are designated areas where equipment can be washed off before leaving the site, which helps prevent runoff into surrounding surface waters.
Disposal methods are also highly relevant here. If pollutants or sediment have been removed from a street by sweeping or from another location on the site, it's vital to dispose of these materials properly - any runoff into the environment should be avoided at all costs. Proper disposal methods must be followed to ensure compliance with SWPPP regulations and minimize environmental impact.
While inlet protection is generally considered a secondary BMP for most SWPPPs, it becomes more relevant during the rainy season. This involves placing various barriers or filters around storm drain inlets to prevent sediment and other pollutants from entering these drains and being transported into nearby surface waters.
Some common inlet protection methods include straw wattles, silt fences, filter logs, and gravel bags. These are placed around the perimeter of the construction site to capture sediment and other pollutants before they reach the storm drain inlets. Inlet protection is often a temporary solution during the rainy season but can also be an effective long-term BMP for SWPPPs in high-risk areas.
During rain events, it's important to have sampling kits ready and calibrated for use. These kits are used to collect water samples from various locations on the site before and after a rain event, which are then analyzed for pollutants and compliance with environmental regulations.
Sampling kits must be properly maintained and calibrated to ensure accurate results. Our team at Silver Leaf SWPPP can assist you in setting up proper sampling procedures and calibrating your kits to meet regulatory requirements.
For any construction site, proper sanitation and waste management are important for preventing pollution. During the rainy season, it's important to ensure that porta potties are properly placed and maintained to prevent any runoff from these areas into nearby surface waters.
In addition, secondary containment should also be considered for any potentially hazardous materials or equipment on the site. This could include spill berms or other barriers to prevent any spills or leaks from reaching surrounding surface waters during a rain event.
Finally, for these and any other specific actions you take to prepare for the rainy season and its impact on SWPPPs, it's vital to communicate these plans and expectations with all members of the construction site. This includes contractors, subcontractors, and anyone else involved in the project.
By clearly communicating your SWPPP preparations and maintenance plans for rain events, you can ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards compliance with environmental regulations.
As you can see, there are many important considerations to keep in mind when preparing for the rainy season and its impact on SWPPPs. From run-on and run-off areas to sampling kits and communication plans, our team is here to help you stay compliant and protect the environment during this time of year.
Don't hesitate to reach out to our team at Silver Leaf SWPPP for assistance with all your SWPPP needs around Utah. Continued monitoring and maintenance is key to success in preventing stormwater pollution and protecting our valuable water resources for future generations. Let's work together to keep our communities clean and sustainable, rain or shine!
