Posts by KCI Now
Fenced In: How to use silt fence
When installed and used properly silt fence can be a simple and effective Best Management Practice (BMP) to prevent on site erosion from impacting surrounding areas of a work site. Erosion can be caused by wind, water, and other natural agents. If this process is not controlled and contained within an active site, there can…
Read MoreWashouts: Who needs ‘em?
Florida is known for its unpredictable storms. Outdoor activities, like construction, can contribute to pollutants getting in to our conveyance systems. Construction involving homebuilding and commercial construction produce liquid and solid waste from both interior and exterior activities. These wastes can contain concrete, sediment, and stucco. Painting the exterior is one of the later steps…
Read MoreTurbidity: A dirty word
When you first hear about letting dirt run into the waterways as a bad thing, you may think, “but what about actual pollution? Things like garbage, and chemicals, and all other manner of terrible thingsâ€? The truth is that the dirt that runs off into the water, comprised of tiny grains of sediment, has its…
Read MoreContaminated sites after Disasters
The 2017 hurricane season has been filled with destructive forces with the likes of Harvey, Irma and Maria. With the intense winds and record-breaking rainfall, civilians’ lives and the environment are equally affected. The latter cannot pick themselves up after natural disasters and need our help. There are currently around thirty active superfund sites in…
Read MoreSinkholes are swallowing the ground!
A sinkhole is a cavity that opens up from underground through to the surface, usually occurring in limestone bedrock. They can vary in size from tiny holes barely big enough to engulf your foot, to large enough to swallow cars, houses, or highways. Florida is notorious for having sinkholes open up, causing destruction to houses…
Read MoreEco-Friendly Construction
Eco-friendly construction In a world where being environmentally conscious is becoming more and more important, people are slowly re-evaluating their choices and making decisions based on what is best for the environment and the next generation. Construction in the United States is a huge industry and contributes significantly to the economy. With this in mind,…
Read MoreSlope Stabilization
Slope Stabilization Even slight slopes on a construction site can quickly get out of control if they are not protected from erosion. The force of water flowing across an area of unprotected soil increases significantly when the water is moving from a higher to a lower elevation. This rapid erosion is why it is so…
Read MoreStreet Sweeping: What happens on site, stays on site
One of the first rules of stormwater management and erosion control is to keep sediment on site. This may seem like an impossible task, for some. Both wind and water are notorious for going wherever they please, and unfortunately, they take the sediment with them. The best that we can do is to use well…
Read MoreStrain that Drain!
There are many ways that a construction site can ensure that sediment does not reach our waterways. One of the most obvious that you can immediately see when you visit a site is inlet protection. The main types of inlet that you see on site are either a curb inlet or a grated drop inlet.…
Read MoreIrma You Left a Smell!
There has been a foul smell in the air the last few days in the Orlando area, and throughout much of Florida as we work to clean up after Hurricane Irma, which bowled through the state early last week. As the week went on and we worked towards getting everything back to normal, it became…
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