Construction projects must take precautions to protect local bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, streams and sensitive wetlands from erosion and sediment caused by stormwater runoff.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strongly considers sediment as the most common pollutant in rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs. Identifying sediment as the most common pollutant affecting our waterways across the nation, this designation emphasizes the significant threat that sediment poses to aquatic ecosystems and water quality.
Erosion is a common geological process. Over time, wind, rain, and other environmental sources can naturally create erosion. Erosion becomes accelerated by the human impact from land development. The EPA has confirmed that more than 70 percent of the total erosion is caused by human use of land.
While land development is extremely important, there are many initiatives that construction sites can execute to help minimize the risk of erosion and sediment from entering critical areas. Managing stormwater runoff requires important Best Management Practices (BMPs) be put in place to help intercept and control the runoff water. It should be a top priority for construction sites to focus on controlling accelerated erosion during heavy storms and rain events.
There are serious issues that can arise when erosion and sediment become intrusive to local water bodies. Here are some of the implications that can take place.
- Dramatically degrades the water quality.
- Increase potential flooding concerns.
- Potentially causing declines in fish and other species.
Federal and state regulatory inspections can happen. Regulatory officials can visit a construction project unannounced to inspect and examine its operations, BMPs, and compliance records. If your site is found to be non-compliant during an inspection, it may be subject to penalties, fines, warnings, or other enforcement actions.
KCI can help you become environmentally cautious by partnering with you on stormwater management programs. Call us today, 888-346-7779.
