Non-Structural BMP’s

Maintaining strong stormwater compliance and management requires more than installing physical controls around a construction site. Construction operators rely on a combination of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control erosion, prevent pollution, and reduce the potential for sediment and other contaminants to leave the sit

When approaching an active construction site, many of the most visible controls are structural BMPs. Silt fences, stabilized construction entrances, concrete washouts, inlet protection, sediment controls, and similar measures are strategically installed to help manage stormwater runoff and prevent sediment and pollutants from leaving the site.

Equally important are non-structural BMPs. Rather than relying on a physical device or structure, non-structural BMPs focus on the processes, behaviors, planning, knowledge, and routine actions that support effective stormwater management. Inspections, training, maintenance planning, documentation, and established procedures all contribute to a strong compliance program.

Non-structural BMPs can provide significant benefits. They help identify problems before they become larger compliance issues, improve awareness among workers, reinforce acc

ountability, and support the effectiveness of structural BMPs already installed on the site. They can also be cost-effective because prevention, early identification, and routine maintenance can reduce the need for more extensive corrective actions later.

Three particularly important non-structural BMPs deserve continued attention:

Field Inspections

Routine stormwater inspections provide a systematic way to evaluate site conditions, identify deficiencies, document compliance, and initiate corrective actions when necessary. A quality inspection looks beyond whether BMPs are simply present; it evaluates whether they are properly installed, functioning as intended, adequately maintained, and appropriate for changing site conditions. Inspections are an essential part of keeping the SWPPP and the actual conditions in the field aligned.

Training and Education

Stormwater compliance is more effective when the people working on the site understand their role in protecting it. Training and education help site operators, supervisors, subcontractors, and field personnel recognize potential pollution sources, understand BMP expectations, respond appropriately to changing conditions, and avoid everyday activities that can create compliance problems. An informed workforce adds another layer of protection to the site’s stormwater management program.

BMP Maintenance Planning

Installing a BMP is only the beginning. BMPs must be routinely observed, maintained, repaired, replaced, or adjusted as construction progresses and site conditions change. A BMP maintenance plan establishes responsibility and creates a proactive approach for addressing deterioration, sediment accumulation, 

damage, changing drainage patterns, and other conditions that can reduce BMP effectiveness. Consistent maintenance helps ensure that structural controls continue performing their intended function throughout construction.

At KCI, we strongly encourage construction operators to view non-structural BMPs as an integral part of stormwater management—not simply as administrative requirements. When effective inspections, ongoing education, and proactive BMP maintenance work together, they create a stronger and more sustainable approach to protecting the site, maintaining compliance, and protecting Florida’s waterways. Contact KCI to learn more.