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, it is water that evaporates into vapor, forms clouds, and returns to earth as precipitation, such as rainfall or snow. Particularly in Florida, more than 90% of our drinking water is supplied by rainfall that is absorbed into the ground and then filters through our soils to replenish the groundwater and the states various aquifers.
When we build sidewalks, buildings, and parking lots, these cover the ground to create impervious surfaces. These constructed surfaces stifle water naturally returning to the soil. Impervious surfaces cause stormwater to infiltrate in heavy volume toward creeks and rivers, dramatically increasing water pollution.
Construction projects affect the environment by altering how water moves during storms. As land disturbing activities occur on an active construction site, soil becomes exposed in an unvegetated state and now subjected to untamed stormwater. Proactively stabilizing these areas as soon as possible will help soil stay in place preventing erosion as well as sediment from moving. It is vital to establish an effective maintenance program along with installing adequate best management practices (BMPs) frequently throughout the construction timeline to effectively reduce the impact of stormwater erosion.
Here are two ways a construction site can minimize the impact:
- Effectively install erosion and sediment Control Measures. Implement erosion control practices such as installing silt fences, sediment basins, and sediment traps to prevent soil erosion during construction activities. Additionally, use erosion control blankets or mats on exposed soil surfaces to stabilize the soil and prevent sediment from being washed away by stormwater.
- When you can, install a vegetative cover. Maintain existing vegetation where possible and establish vegetative cover on disturbed areas to reduce soil erosion. Create buffer strips or vegetated swales along water bodies to filter stormwater runoff and trap sediment before it reaches natural waterways.
KCI can help construction projects with stormwater management efforts and incorporate the right BMP structural needs into the site design. Call us today, at 888-346-7779.