Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control

Construction site activities often disturb or expose soil, which can increase erosion and cause sediment to be picked up and carried off by stormwater runoff. If not controlled, this sediment and other pollutants at construction sites can be carried away and deposited in nearby wetlands, waterways, and fragile habitats. This can harm aquatic plants, fish, and wildlife, and degrade water quality for municipal, industrial, and recreational uses. In the U.S., operators of large construction sites are often required to obtain stormwater discharge permits from the EPA, the state, or local authorities. To begin this process, you must create and implement a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP).

• Define the terms “construction site,” “stormwater runoff,” and “erosion” • List and describe the possible impacts of common construction site pollutants on nearby wetlands, waterways, and fragile habitats • List the site characteristics that must be evaluated and described in stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) • Describe how erosion control and sediment control best management practices (BMPs) work • Distinguish between structural and non-structural BMPs • List some key housekeeping BMPs for construction sites • List the order in which documents, plans, and permits are created before, during, and after a large construction project