Construction

Construction sites can be a source of water pollution because stormwater carries pollutants, such as sediment, off the site. Sewer systems and storm water conveyance networks (drains, streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, inlets, and catch basins) are separate; they are not connected. Sewer water gets treated at a wastewater treatment plant, but everything that washes into the storm water conveyance system goes untreated directly into our rivers, creeks, and lakes.

You can make a difference by preventing illegal discharges and incorporating clean water behaviors into daily work routines. North Carolina’s water is depending on you!

Construction Area Best Management Practices

  1. Check with applicable local governments to find out if your project will require a sediment and erosion control permit and/or plan. If so, follow its provisions carefully. Local permits and plans are intended to help prevent water pollution and other negative impacts of site disturbance.
    This EPA brochure for construction businesses can help determine the need for permits.
  2. Identify any and all storm drains, curbs, gutters, inlets, and catch basins near the construction area.
  3. Do not allow concrete, paints, chemicals, sediment, yard debris, etc. to enter the storm water conveyance network.
  4. Store materials so they will stay dry.
  5. Establish and use an adequately sized area to wash equipment in order to contain liquids that become contaminated with concrete, dirt, and other water pollutants.
  6. Follow local and state erosion and sediment control guidelines to prevent sediment and other pollutants from leaving the site.
  7. Provide a stabilized entrance and exit for vehicles to prevent tracking dirt and mud off-site.
  8. Sweep up surfaces regularly and place the waste in a dumpster. Whenever possible, don’t use water to clean surfaces.
  9. Properly dispose of all materials. Never dump unused or waste materials on the ground, where runoff can carry them into streams. Such products can suffocate fish and other aquatic life.

Remember the 3 C’s:

Control – The best line of defense is to prevent materials and debris from entering the storm drain via procedural methods or “good housekeeping.”

Contain – Isolate your work area to prevent discharges from leaving the site.

Capture – Clean up the work area by sweeping or vacuuming up any residual pollutants that have the potential to be discharged. Properly dispose of the residue, and check with the manufacturer for disposal requirements.

Additional Resources

A fact sheet from the NC Division of Water Quality on stormwater requirements under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System

A bilingual brochure for construction workers

This poster from the EPA shows some basics on how to maintain construction BMPs

Text modified from San Diego Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program brochure. http://www.thinkbluesd.org/brochures/Construction_Area_Practices.pdf