Newletters, helpful advice and other pearls of wisdom from Earthworks' staff.
Arguably one of the most important Best Management Practices (BMP) on a construction site, whether residential or commercial, is the installation and maintenance of perimeter controls. Perimeter controls may vary depending on the needs of the construction site (ie. Silt fence, fiber logs, hay bales, trackout control device, etc.) Perimeter controls are generally the first temporary BMP to be installed and the last to be removed. It is important to thoroughly inspect perimeter BMP’s to ens...
by Johnathan Clayton // 2020-08-03
Read MoreThis Q1 2020 article will diverge from the normal focus on strictly stormwater information. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic there are many questions and uncertainties as we all look for answers. One recommended social practice now being accepted worldwide is Social Distancing. The following information comes from a New York Times article titled “Wondering about Social Distancing” by Apoorva Mandavilli on 16-MAR-2020. Here in the US our President has now endorsed a voluntary practi...
by Mark Hubbard // 2020-08-03
Read MoreThe Illinois Urban Manual is a technical reference for those involved in the inspecting and/or installing Best Management Practices (BMPs) for soil and erosion control on construction sites in the state of Illinois. The manual has been put together and updated by the state of Illinois and the public. The state entity includes the following public agencies representing the entire State of Illinois: AISWCD, IEPA, Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), Illinois Department of Agricu...
by Matthew Trygg // 2020-08-03
Read MoreStates are required to follow the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has authorized most states to perform their own permitting, administrative and enforcement aspects of the program (NPDES, 2020), however, regulations do not stop there. In Texas cities and counties are also allowed to create and enforce their own set of ordinances that are as or more stringent than the Texas Pollutant Discharge ...
by Haley Daily // 2020-08-03
Read MoreThe main purpose of BMPs (Best Management Practices) on a construction site are to keep lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands free of sediment pollution. Sediment pollution can negatively impact the environment in many ways, including the degradation of plant and animal life. Turbid water blocks sunlight from reaching plant life, and also prevents fish and other animals from seeing their food. In return, this completely disrupts the food chain which can severely impact the natural habitat....
by Brian Hartman // 2020-07-30
Read MoreTemporary stabilization is a soil stabilization measure that is generally used for disturbed areas of a construction site that have a planned period of inactivity. In Florida, the Construction General Permit (CGP) calls for temporary stabilization to be implemented when an area of disturbed soil will not be active for a period of 7 days or greater. There are many ways to achieve temporary stabilization, some of which include: seeding, sodding, mulching, soil binding agents, erosion contro...
by Johnathan Clayton // 2020-07-30
Read MoreWater used in the concrete washout process has a high level pH, that pH level can be near 12, which is essentially the same as liquid drain cleaner, ammonia or other household cleaning detergents. The safe pH ranges for aquatic life habitats are 6.5 – 9 for freshwater and 6.5 – 8.5 for saltwater. Another issue with concrete washout is it has other toxins include Aluminum, Barium, Chromium, Hexavalent Chromium (Chromium 6), Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Nickel, Potassium, Selenium, Sodiu...
by Matthew Trygg // 2020-07-30
Read MoreA Stormwater pollution prevention plan is essential for the development of measures aimed at the elimination of illicit discharges. Although most of the attention toward pollution prevention in the Stormwater Plan is given to the structural BMPs, a plan for the use of non-structural BMP can also play an integral role. One such example is the vacuum street sweeper. While we are all familiar with the street sweepers utilized by most cities and towns, that same methodology of pollution c...
by Mark Hubbard // 2020-07-30
Read MoreSlope stabilization techniques have been around for a long time. However, what many do not realize is that not all stabilization techniques are suitable for every situation. Most traditional methods, i.e., natural fiber stabilization blankets, are only suitable for shallower slope (3:1 and shallower)1 situations. With a greater slope, the demands on the stabilization method increases as the water velocities will also increase. With the heightened erosion potential, many commonly used erosion...
by Rick Jackson // 2020-07-25
Read MoreA common question with the NPDES inspection process regards trash or construction debris and if it relates to the stormwater plan. It absolutely does! Trash and debris directly affect the stormwater plan and is a specific requirement in state Construction General Permits (CGP) to maintain. Most often attention is given to sediment and hazardous material to determine if a site is in compliance, these are only part of staying in compliance as there are many items throughout state CGPs th...
by Brooks Morse // 2020-07-25
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