Erosion and Sediment Control

 
Developers and builders are encouraged to protect the value of your projects while serving the best interests of the community and your customers. Erosion and sediment control measures ensure you are doing all you can to safeguard local water quality and minimize sediment from entering our streams, the Potomac River, and, eventually, the Chesapeake Bay.
 
Failing to provide and/or implement an erosion and sediment control plan, or failing to maintain it properly throughout the project, can add substantial costs to your project and harm the environment. PWC Site Inspectors regularly inspect construction sites and land development projects to ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws. 
  • Work can be stopped for non-compliance with an approved plan.
  • There can be costs to repair damage to adjacent properties.
  • There may be costs associated with missed deadlines, litigation with damaged parties and extra charges from contractors for repairing and cleaning erosion controls that were not properly maintained.

A Major Source of Erosion

 
Erosion from construction activities is one of the leading causes of sediment entering our waterways. Conditions at a construction site that create the potential for erosion and sediment runoff include:
  • A large increase in bare soil areas exposed to storm runoff and soil erosion.
  • Increased volumes of runoff that accelerate soil erosion and sediment.
  • Changes in surface water patterns that may adversely affect drainage systems, slope stability, and survival of existing or new vegetation.

How to Prevent Erosion
 
Proper management of a construction project can greatly control soil erosion and sedimentation. These management practices are required by local, state, and federal law. Good construction management for soil conservation requires an understanding of the following:
  • Erosion control is the first line of defense. If soil is not allowed to erode -- there will be no sediment to control. Erosion control means protecting the bare soil surface from rainfall and runoff. You can protect soil by preserving existing vegetation, quickly establishing new vegetative cover, mulching, and immediately applying stone to areas that will be paved.
  • Sediment control is the second line of defense. Most construction projects will create some land disturbance which leaves soil bare. To prevent soil from eroding and leaving the site, use measures such as diversion dikes, silt fences, sediment traps or sediment basins.
  • Coordinate erosion and sediment control for maximum protection. Installing sediment trapping measures around a project is only one step to controlling this problem. Typical structural measures are only 50 to 75 percent effective at best, and this effectiveness is reduced as the sediment storage capacity is used up. Routing maintenance and inspections to clean the traps is the primary means for ensuring their effectiveness. You can also install soil stabilization measures, such as temporary or permanent seeding, upslope from the sediment traps. Both measures will increase their effectiveness and useful life while reducing the amount of soil lost from a site.
  • Site Inspectors are available to consult with you on your particular project. You may reach us at 703-792-6820.
Establish Control from the Start
 
The project supervisor is required to establish erosion and sediment controls before land disturbance. These controls are legally required to protect property and water resources. In the end, the project manager will find it will save time and money.
 
As a supervisor, you must ensure the controls are in place and, perhaps more importantly, maintained and working effectively throughout the project.
  • Inspect erosion control measures regularly and within 48 hours of each rainfall. Any necessary repairs or cleanup must be made immediately.
  • All sediment control practices must be constructed and maintained according to the minimum standards and specifications of the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook.
  • A copy of the approved erosion and sediment control plan must be maintained on the site at all times and available for inspection.
  • During dewatering operations, water must be pumped into an approved filtering device.
  • Additional erosion control measures must be installed as required by the Site Inspector.
  • Road surfaces will be cleaned thoroughly at the end of the day. Sediment should be removed by sweeping/shoveling, and properly disposed. The street may then be washed.
  • It is the law -- Title 10.01, Chapter 5, Article 4 of the Code of Virginia.
Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
 
An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (EC) is a final plan required for all land disturbing activities, cumulatively exceeding 2,500 square feet, which would not otherwise necessitate submission of either a final subdivision or site plan. The following forms are required when submitting an erosion and sediment control plan: