Construction

Stormwater and the Construction Industry
Construction Phasing
Protect Natural Features Vegetative Buffers

Bad
Bad Bad

Good
• Minimize clearing.
Good • Sequence construction activities so that the soil is not Good
exposed for long periods of time.
• Protect and install vegetative buffers along waterbodies to
• Minimize the amount of exposed soil. • Schedule or limit grading to small areas. slow and filter stormwater runoff.

Silt Fencing • Identify and protect areas where existing vegetation, such as
trees, will not be disturbed by construction activity.
• Install key sediment control practices before site grading
begins.
• Maintain buffers by mowing or replanting periodically to
ensure their effectiveness.

Site Stabilization
• Protect streams, stream buffers, wild woodlands, wetlands, • Schedule site stabilization activities, such as landscaping,
or other sensitive areas from any disturbance or construction to be completed immediately after the land has been
activity by fencing or otherwise clearly marking these areas. graded to its final contour.

Maintain your BMPs!
Bad

Bad
Good
• Inspect and maintain silt fences after each rainstorm.
• Make sure the bottom of the silt fence is buried in the ground.
• Securely attach the material to the stakes.
www.epa.gov/npdes/menuofbmps Good
• Vegetate, mulch, or otherwise stabilize all exposed areas as
soon as land alterations have been completed.
• Don’t place silt fences in the middle of a waterway or use them as
a check dam.
• Make sure stormwater is not flowing around the silt fence.

Storm Drain Inlet Protection
Construction Entrances
Slopes
Dirt Stockpiles
Bad
Bad

Good
Good Bad • Use rock or other appropriate material to cover the storm
drain inlet to filter out trash and debris.
• Remove mud and dirt from the tires of construction vehicles
before they enter a paved roadway. Bad • Make sure the rock size is appropriate (usually
1 to 2 inches in diameter).
• Properly size entrance BMPs for all anticipated vehicles. Good
• Rough grade or terrace slopes. • If you use inlet filters, maintain them regularly.
• Make sure that the construction entrance does not become
buried in soil. • Break up long slopes with sediment barriers, or under
Good
drain, or divert stormwater away from slopes. • Cover or seed all dirt stockpiles.
 Stormwater and the Construction Industry
Planning and Implementing Erosion and Sediment Control Practices
T he construction industry is a critical participant in the nation’s efforts to protect streams, rivers, lakes,
wetlands, and oceans. Through the use of best management practices (BMPs), construction site operators are Developing and Implementing a Plan 4. Certification and Notification
the key defense against erosion and sedimentation.
You must have a Plan that includes erosion and sediment control and pollution prevention BMPs. These Plans require n Certify the Plan
As stormwater flows over a construction site, it picks up pollutants like sediment, debris, and chemicals. High • Advance planning and training to ensure proper implementation of the BMPs
n Submit permit application or notice of intent
volumes of stormwater can also cause stream bank erosion, and destroy downstream aquatic habitat. Preventing soil • Erosion and sediment control BMPs in place until the area is permanently stabilized
Once the Plan has been developed, an authorized representative must sign
erosion and sedimentation is an important responsibility at all construction sites. • Pollution prevention BMPs to keep the construction site “clean” Preconstruction Checklist
it. Now is the time to submit the permit application or notice of intent.
• Regular inspection of the construction site to ensure proper installation and maintenance of BMPs Your permit might require that the Plan be kept on site, so be sure to keep
• A site description, including
In addition to the environmental impact, uncontrolled erosion can have a significant financial impact on a
u Nature of the activity
construction project. It costs money and time to repair gullies, replace vegetation, clean sediment-clogged storm Fortunately, the practices and measures that must be included in your Plan are already part of the standard operating procedures at many construction sites. it available for the staff implementing the Plan.
u Intended sequence of major construction activities
drains, replace poorly installed BMPs, and mitigate damage to other people’s property or to natural resources. Six steps are associated with developing and implementing a stormwater Plan. There’s a wealth of information available on developing pollution
Erosion and
u Total area of the site
prevention plans. Please contact your permitting authority for help in finding additional guidance materials, or visit www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater. A u Existing soil type and rainfall runoff data
Best Management Practice (BMP) sample construction plan is available at www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/sample_swppp.pdf.
A BMP is a method used to prevent or control stormwater runoff and the discharge of pollutants, including sediment, into sedimentation control u A site map with:
£ Drainage patterns
local waterbodies. Silt fences, inlet protection, and site-stabilization techniques are typical BMPs on a construction site.
1. Site Evaluation and Design Development practices are only £ Approximate slopes after major grading
Operator n Collect site information £ Area of soil disturbance
An operator is someone who has control over and the ability to modify construction plans and specifications (e.g. owner,
n Develop site plan design
as good as their £ Outline of areas which will not be disturbed
general contractor) Location of major structural and nonstructural soil erosion
installation and
£

n Prepare pollution prevention site map controls
or
Areas where stabilization practices are expected to occur
maintenance.
£
Someone who has control over the day-to-day operations at a site (e.g., owner, general contractor) that are necessary The first step in preparing a Plan is to define the characteristics of the site and the type of construction that will occur. This involves collecting site
£ Surface waters
to ensure compliance with the permit requirements. It is the responsibility of a construction site owner or operator to information, identifying natural features that should be protected, developing a site plan design, describing the nature of the construction activity, and
£ Stormwater discharge locations
preparing a pollution prevention site map.
contain stormwater runoff and prevent erosion during all stages of a project. u Name of the receiving water(s)

There may be more than one person at a site who meets these definitions and must apply for permit coverage. (States 2. Assessment 5. Implementing and • A description of controls:

Maintaining a Plan
u Erosion and sediment controls, including
may have different definitions of the term “operator.”)
n Measure the site area £ Stabilization practices for all areas disturbed by construction
£ Structural practices for all drainage/discharge locations
n Determine the drainage areas n Implement controls
So what’s being done about polluted runoff? u Stormwater management controls, including

n Calculate the runoff coefficient n Inspect and maintain controls Measures used to control pollutants occurring in stormwater
The Clean Water Act includes the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program. £

The next step is assessing the impact the project will have on stormwater runoff. Determine the drainage areas and estimate the runoff amounts and discharges after construction activities are complete
As of January 2003, 44 states and territories are authorized to issue NPDES stormwater permits. If your state isn’t n Update/change the Plan
velocities. For more information on calculating the runoff coefficient, go to www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/chap02_conguide.pdf, page 11. £ Velocity dissipation devices to provide nonerosive flow conditions
authorized to operate the NPDES stormwater permit program, EPA issues the permits. Permits vary from state to n Report releases of hazardous materials from the discharge point along the length of any outfall channel
state, so contact your state or EPA for specific information. Your permitting authority has specific information on
your state’s NPDES stormwater permit program. In general, construction permits require construction operators 3. Control Selection and Plan Design A Plan describes the practices and activities you’ll use to prevent
stormwater contamination and meet the NPDES permit requirements.
u Other controls, including

£ Waste disposal practices that prevent discharge of solid materials
to do all of the following:
n Review and incorporate state or local requirements Make sure that the Plan is implemented and that the Plan is updated as £ Measures to minimize offset tracking of sediments by construction
• Develop and implement a stormwater pollution prevention plan necessary to reflect changes on the site. vehicles
n Select erosion and sediment controls £ Measures to ensure compliance with state or local waste disposal,
• Submit a permit application or notice of intent (NOI) Erosion and sedimentation control practices are only as good as their sanitary sewer, or septic system regulations
n Select other controls installation and maintenance. Train the contractors that will install
• Comply with the permit, including maintaining BMPs and inspecting the site u Description of the timing during the construction when measures will
n Select stormwater management controls the BMPs and inspect immediately to ensure that the BMPs have been
be implemented
Under the NPDES program, construction activities that disturb 1 or more acres are required to obtain stormwater installed correctly.
n Indicate the location of controls on the site map • State or local requirements incorporated into the Plan
permit coverage. States have different names for the plans that construction operators must develop, such as Regularly inspect the BMPs (especially before and after rain events) and
• Inspection and maintenance procedures for control measures identified in
n Prepare an inspection and maintenance plan perform any necessary repairs or maintenance immediately. Many BMPs
• Stormwater pollution prevention plan the Plan
are designed to handle a limited amount of sediment. If not maintained,
• Erosion and sediment control plan n Coordinate controls with construction activity • Contractor certification and Plan certification
they’ll become ineffective and a source of sediment pollution.
• Erosion control and stormwater management plan n Prepare sequence of major activities It’s also important to keep records of BMP installation, implementation,
• Stormwater management plan In the third step you’ll actually document your procedures to prevent and control polluted stormwater runoff. You must delineate areas that will not be and maintenance. Keep track of major grading activities that occur on the
• Water pollution control plan disturbed, including critical natural areas like streamside areas, floodplains, and trees. You must also identify the measures (or BMPs) you’ll use to protect site, when construction activities cease (temporarily or permanently), and Implementation Checklist
these areas. when a site is temporarily or permanently stabilized.
• Pollution prevention plan • Maintain records of construction activities, including
Soil erosion control tips… Phasing your project to minimize the amount of exposed If construction plans change at any time, or if more appropriate BMPs are u Dates when major grading activities occur
• Design the site to infiltrate stormwater into the ground and to keep it out of storm drains. Eliminate
This document uses the term “Plan.” or minimize the use of stormwater collection and conveyance systems while maximizing the use of
soil at any given time is a highly effective way to prevent chosen for the site, update the Plan accordingly. u Dates when construction activities temporarily cease on the site or
erosion. Erosion control measures designed to prevent a portion of the site
stormwater infiltration and bioretention techniques.
I think I need a permit… Where do I start? • Minimize the amount of exposed soil on site.
soil from being mobilized include diversions to route
stormwater away from exposed soils and stabilization 6. Completing the Project: u Dates when construction activities permanently cease on the site or a

All land-disturbing activities, including clearing, grading, and excavation, that disturb 1 or more acres are required u To the extent possible, plan the project in stages to minimize the amount of area that is bare and portion of the site
to be covered under a state or EPA-issued NPDES construction stormwater permit prior to land disturbance. Permit
subject to erosion. The less soil exposed, the easier and cheaper it will be to control erosion.
u Vegetate disturbed areas with permanent or temporary seeding immediately upon reaching final
with vegetation, mulch, and geotextiles. Sedimentation
control measures designed to remove sediment from Final Stabilization and u Dates when stabilization measures are completed on the site

requirements vary by state. Begin by researching the specific requirements in your state. You might already be subject
Termination of the Permit
grade. stormwater or prevent it from leaving the site include • Prepare inspection reports summarizing
to local erosion and sediment control requirements, but that doesn’t release you from the requirements of the NPDES u Vegetate or cover stockpiles that will not be used immediately. silt fences, sediment traps, and diversions.
u Name of person conducting BMP inspections
program at the state or EPA level. Although you must comply with both sets of requirements, in most cases they have • Reduce the velocity of stormwater both onto and away from the project area. You’ll need to select erosion and sediment controls— n Final stabilization u Qualifications of person conducting BMP inspections
been designed to be complementary. Contact your permitting authority to find out exactly what you need to do. A good u Interceptors, diversions, vegetated buffers, and check dams are a few of the BMPs that can be used including stabilization measures for protecting dis-
u BMPs/areas inspected
place to start your search is the Construction Industry Compliance Assistance web site at http://www.envcap.org/cica. to slow down stormwater as it travels across and away from the project site.
turbed areas and structural controls for diverting run- n Notice of Termination
u Diversion measures can also be used to direct flow away from exposed areas toward stable u Observed conditions
off and removing sediment—that are appropriate for n Record retention
portions of the site.
The NPDES permit requirements include small construction activities that are part of a larger common plan of your particular site. The appropriateness of the control u Necessary changes to the Plan
u Silt fences and other types of perimeter filters should never be used to reduce the velocity of
development or sale, such as a single lot within a larger subdivision. For developments with multiple operators, all measures will depend on several factors, but will be Many states and EPA require a Notice of Termination (NOT) or other
runoff.
notification signifying that the construction activity is completed. An • Report releases of reportable quantities of oil or hazardous materials
operators must have permit coverage for their individual parts of the larger development, no matter how large or influenced most directly by the site characteristics.
• Protect defined channels immediately with measures adequate to handle the storm flows expected. Some stabilization measures you might consider are NOT is required when u Notify the National Response Center at 800-424-8802 immediately
small each operation happens to be. When there are multiple operators at one site, they’re encouraged to develop u Sod, geotextile, natural fiber, riprap, or other stabilization measures should be used to allow the
temporary seeding, permanent seeding, and mulching. • Final stabilization has been achieved on all portions of the site u Report releases to your permitting authority immediately, or as
and share one comprehensive Plan and obtain permit coverage as co-permitees. channels to carry water without causing erosion. Use softer measures like geotextile or vegetation
where possible to prevent downstream impacts. Structural control measures include earth dikes, silt for which the permittee is responsible. specified in your permit. You must also provide a written report
Construction sites that discharge
fences, and sediment traps. No single BMP will meet within 14 days.
The owner or operator of the construction site is responsible for complying unpermitted stormwater are in • Keep sediment on site. • Another operator has assumed control over all areas of the site
with the requirements of the permit. Responsibilities include developing a Plan, u Place aggregate or stone at construction site vehicle exits to accommodate at least two tire all of the erosion and sedimentation control needs of a u Modify the Plan to include
violation of the Clean Water Act revolutions of large construction vehicles. Much of the dirt on the tires will fall off before the that have not been finally stabilized. That operator would need
construction site. A combination of BMPs is necessary. The date of release
obtaining permit coverage, implementing BMPs, and stabilizing the site at the vehicle gets to the street. to submit a new permit application to the permitting authority. £
and may be subject to fines of up For more information on the types of BMPs appropri-
end of the construction activity. u Regular street sweeping at the construction entrance will prevent dirt from entering storm drains. £ Circumstances leading to the release
to $27,500 a day per violation. ate for your construction site, see the BMP fact sheet • For residential construction only, temporary stabilization of a
Do not hose paved areas. £ Steps taken to prevent reoccurrence of the release
series available at www.epa.gov/npdes/menuofbmps. lot has been completed prior to transference of ownership to the
Determine your eligibility u Sediment traps and basins are temporary structures and should be used in conjunction with other
homeowner, with the homeowner being made aware of the need
measures to reduce the amount of erosion. • Modify Plan as necessary
All construction activity that disturbs 1 or more acres of land, as well as activity that disturbs less than 1 acre but is to perform final stabilization.
• Maintaining all BMPs is critical to ensure their effectiveness during the life of the project. u Incorporate requests of the permitting authority to bring the Plan into
part of a larger common plan of development, must obtain permit coverage.
u Regularly remove collected sediment from silt fences, berms, traps, and other BMPs. compliance
Permittees must keep a copy of their permit application and their Plan
Read and understand your stormwater permit requirements u Ensure that geotextiles and mulch remain in place until vegetation is well established.
for at least 3 years following final stabilization. This period may be longer u Address changes in design, construction operation, or maintenance

Get a copy of the permit for construction activities and a permit application (or notice of intent form) from your u Maintain fences that protect sensitive areas, silt fences, diversion structures, and other BMPs.
depending on state and local requirements. that affect the potential for discharge of pollutants
state or EPA permitting authority.
Develop a Plan Other BMPs and Activities to Control Polluted Runoff
Most states do not require you to submit your Plan. However, you do need to keep the Plan on site. If that’s
impractical, you may post a notice that tells where the Plan is kept so it can be accessed by the permitting authority
You’ll need to select other controls to address potential pollutant sources on your site. Construction materials, debris, trash, fuel, paint, and stockpiles become pollution
sources when it rains. Basic pollution prevention practices can significantly reduce the amount of pollution leaving construction sites. The following are some simple
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! It’s far more efficient and cost-
and other interested parties. practices that should be included in the Plan and implemented on site:
• Keep potential sources of pollution out of the rain as practicable (e.g., inside a building, covered with plastic or tarps, or sealed tightly in a leak-proof container).
effective to prevent pollution than it is to try to correct problems later. Installing and
You’ll need to post a copy of your completed application on site. Put it in a place where the public can see it so
they’ll know your site is covered by an NPDES permit!
• Clearly identify a protected, lined area for concrete truck washouts. This area should be located away from streams, storm drain inlets, or ditches and should be cleaned maintaining simple BMPs and pollution prevention techniques on site can greatly
out periodically.

Apply for permit coverage • Park, refuel, and maintain vehicles and equipment in one area of the site to minimize the area exposed to possible spills and fuel storage. This area should be well away reduce the potential for stormwater pollution and can also save you money!
from streams, storm drain inlets, or ditches. Keep spill kits close by and clean up any spills or leaks immediately, including spills on pavement or earthen surfaces.
Once you understand your permit requirements and have developed a Plan, you can submit a stormwater permit
• Practice good housekeeping. Keep the construction site free of litter, construction debris, and leaking containers. Keep all waste in one area to minimize cleaning.
application (or notice of intent) to your permitting authority. This must be done before beginning any land
disturbance on the site. Some states require a few days of lead time, so check with your permitting authority. Once • Never hose down paved surfaces to clean dust, debris, or trash. This water could wash directly into storm drains or streams. Sweep up materials and dispose of them in
the trash. Never bury trash or debris!
you’ve submitted the application, you must satisfy the conditions of the permit.
• Dispose of hazardous materials properly.
Implement the Plan
EPA 833-H-03-001
Be prepared to implement the BMPs in your Plan before construction begins. Ensure that BMPs are properly

Visit www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater for more information.
April 2003
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