Posts by KCI Now

Early in the process of starting a project, contractors should review where are there specific water bodies in the area. Secondly, determine the areas where soil erosion may occur when dirt is exposed to strong winds, ample rainfall, and then velocity of potential fast-moving water.  Land clearance will dramatically increase the susceptibility of soil to…

One of the most common issues on a construction site is erosion running onto streets and potentially into local nearby water bodies. Construction sites must be on alert and prepare for stormwater runoff at all times. The site must maintain effective best management practices to control and prevent sediment from erosion and various contaminants from…

Climatologists state that the increase of heavy, intense thunderstorms is part of a changing weather pattern due to a warming planet. The statistics also state that more rainfall is expected due to the warmer atmosphere that will accelerate evaporation of our lakes and oceans. Therefore, the more evaporation, the more precipitation from thunderstorms that is…

The hydrologic cycle, also known as the “water cycle,†is when rain falls to the ground, and then naturally soaks into the soil replenishing ground water supplies. Then, the water evaporates from plant leaves through the mechanism of transpiration. As the steam rises in the atmosphere, it will cool, condense, and then return to the…

The only thing that should enter a storm drain is natural and uncontaminated stormwater runoff. Storm drains, also known as storm sewer systems, are designed to collect and divert surface rainwater runoff to prevent flooding and erosion. What you can find in a storm drain can be quite creepy.   Throughout the year, storm drains can…

In the stormwater compliance business, various tools and technologies are used to manage and maintain stormwater systems and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. The primary reason for stormwater management is to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts associated with stormwater runoff from a construction site. Stormwater management is crucial for many reasons. The most critical step…

One of the most obvious non-structural Best Management Practices (BMPs) is to simply ensure a regular schedule of maintenance is followed. This can include a sweeping schedule to keep roads clean, regular trash and debris collection, solid waste collection, a water truck visit to keep wind erosion down during dry spells and cleaning out inlet…

Educating trade workers about stormwater compliance is especially important. A formal education program is an effective non-structural Best Management Practice (BMP) that will help ensure construction site workers understand why it is important to protect our waterbodies. When construction sites’ operators provide general rules along with effectively explaining the reason, trade workers are more likely…

Performing the regulatory compliance required inspection is considered a non-structural Best Management Practice (BMP). Stormwater management involves the control and mitigation of stormwater runoff on construction sites to prevent flooding, erosion, and pollution of water bodies. Routine and rain event inspections play a significant role in this process.  Performing a stormwater inspection is typically a…

To maintain a strong stormwater compliance and management program, construction sites use tools and processes called Best Management Practices (BMPs) to ensure local waterways stay clean. When you approach an active construction site, you will notice many things in place to manage stormwater runoff from carrying sediment and contaminants from departing the site. Silt fence,…