Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan on Construction Projects

2012 Ensafe (www.ensafe.com.au)

Contractors are required to prepare an Environmental management plan before works start on construction projects; construction works may include civil works such as roads and bridge construction or building works such as residential and commercial developments.

The key component of Contractors Environmental plan is the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan (ESCP). An ESCP is a site management strategy designed to minimise exposure of the site to the erosive forces of rain and wind. This includes strategies to minimise extent and/or duration of exposure, such as limiting the area of disturbance, staging works, and progressive revegetation. When soil is disturbed, control measures are required to help prevent erosion and stop sediment getting into waterways. High sediment levels and sediment build up affect animals and plants in our waterways. The following rules should be implemented to minimise erosion and manage sedimentation: 1. Avoid disturbing soil in the first place. 2. Stop erosion or reduce the potential for it to occur. 3. Install sediment capture and control measures Avoid unnecessary soil disturbance - Disturbing soil unnecessarily increases: Soil erosion potential. Surface run-off. Loss of topsoil and nutrients. Sediment build up in receiving waterways.

Stop erosion or reduce the potential for it to occur Some methods used to reduce potential for erosion include: Avoiding unnecessary ground clearing of drains, as they act as natural filters and vegetation cover helps to stop the soil eroding. Avoiding clearing vegetation near watercourses. Protecting exposed surfaces with mulch such as rocks or geotextile blankets or by progressive revegetation. Hydromulching. Diverting water around the site Spreading stripped topsoil back onto disturbed areas as soon as possible.

2012 Ensafe (www.ensafe.com.au)

Other methods that can be used to reduce the potential for erosion include: Use mulched vegetation to reduce the potential for erosion: A layer of mulch helps prevent water hitting bare soil and causing erosion. Excess mulch can also be used as an effective sediment barrier. Mulched vegetation should not be laid in close proximity to waterways because of the potential to release tannins into the water. Instead, wherever possible, leave a filter strip of vegetation in place next to watercourses. Windrows of cleared vegetation can be used to slow the flow of water and capture sediment

Install and maintain sediment capture and control measures - Before disturbing soil:

Identify the existing drainage patterns. Construct drains to divert run-off from undisturbed areas in order to keep offsite water separated from onsite water. Find ways to slow the flow of water eg install catch drains and sediment sumps. This will reduce the amount of erosion and therefore reduce the level of sediment control required. Ensure that sediment filter fences, silt traps and sediment basins are in place and properly located in all areas downslope of the works. Protect all entries to kerb-side inlets and drop inlets with appropriate sediment barriers. Locate sediment controls as close to the sediment source as possible (without impeding construction activities).

When carrying out works some controls to implement are: Ensure all run-off is directed towards sediment control structures. Look at ways that the flow of water can be slowed. Inspect and maintain all erosion and sedimentation control structures regularly, especially after rain. Remove built-up sediment and repair structures as necessary. Check all control structures if rain is likely, or if work is not going to continue the following day. Always keep stored materials clear of drainage lines. Be clever with topsoil it can be used for bunding, diversion banks and in the rehabilitation of the site.

When inspecting erosion and sediment control structures check:

2012 Ensafe (www.ensafe.com.au)

That all stormwater entry points such as gully pits and access holes in the worksite and surrounds are well protected with sediment traps, silt fences etc. That sediment control structures are properly installed and have not been displaced, dislocated or damaged (especially after rain). That sediment control structures are functioning properly. Whether the structures require de-silting or cleaning. Structures should be cleared if they are 60% full (ie have only 40% capacity remaining).

When works are completed: Revegetate bare areas as soon as possible use mulch to prevent erosion and stop weed growth. Restore surfaces to the natural shape where practicable. Remove temporary erosion and sediment control structures only when exposed surfaces have stabilised.

Examples of good ESCP structures

A check dam is an effective control to slow water in small drains, inlets to drains, and diversion channels

A good example of stacked straw bales acting as a check dam

Correctly installed and maintained sediment fences reduce the amount of sediment leaving the site

Sediment traps can be constructed out of excess rock and lined with geotextile fabric.

For More Information and Articles Like The One Above, Please Visit: www.ensafe.com.au

2012 Ensafe (www.ensafe.com.au)