Posts by KCI Now

We know stormwater runoff from construction sites can have a major impact on the quality of local water bodies. Depending on the scope of work, a new construction site may require a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Construction Generic Permit (CGP). The CGP defines several clear expectations prior to starting a construction project. First,…

Stormwater can accumulate pollutants from outside industrial facility work activities. These pollutants can travel across impervious surfaces and then potentially enter local water bodies through a designated outfall. As a result, the facility may need to perform sampling of stormwater discharges. The result of sampling helps identify specific Best Management Practices (BMPs) that should be…

The relationship between industrialization and the environment is complex. On one hand, industrialization has fueled economic growth, technological advancements, and improved standards of living for millions of people around the world. On the other hand, industrial production has also resulted in significant environmental degradation, leading to negative impacts on human health and natural ecosystems.  The…

The water cycle is one of the most basic science lessons we learn. So basic, in fact, that it is easy to forget how relevant and important it is to our lives.  The water cycle is a necessity for our survival. It is described as the movement of water through different processes. In its simplest form,…

Stormwater compliance refers to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) regulations and best practices to manage stormwater runoff from construction sites, industrial facilities, and other entities that encounters large amounts of stormwater. Being compliant includes the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to prevent contamination of stormwater and to minimize environmental impacts. Regulations typically…

Florida’s streams, rivers, woodlands, and wetlands manage stormwater naturally.  These natural resources can filter and absorb massive amounts of stormwater, improving water quality and reducing flooding.  The end result of land development and urban sprawl creates more impervious surfaces increasing stormwater volume that cannot adequately be absorbed naturally into the ground.  During active construction projects,…

A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, or SWPPP, provides an on-site reference to help reduce pollution impacts from construction activities. Having a SWPPP clearly documented helps avoid fines in case a county or state inspector visits the site and begins inspecting the various pollution prevention practices and stormwater management systems currently in place. A SWPPP is a…

Stormwater needs a dedicated system to allow it to properly flow in the direction of the greatest and most positive impact on the environment. Long ago, it was quite common to simply allow the rain and stormwater to run off from the streets directly into the local sewer system. The primary challenge with this strategy…

Construction activities increase the ability of soil to erode once vegetation and the topsoil eventually becomes removed. Once this takes place, there will be a high degree of concern for various erosion processes to begin to take place. A diversion is the best management practice a construction site can implement to minimize the risk. Stormwater…

Florida, being a beautiful state with a warm climate year-round, attracts over 300,000 new residents each year. With such a fast-growing population, it dramatically puts a huge strain on the water supply and the necessity for all of us to conserve. Not only is it critical to conserve our aquifers and fresh water supplies, but…