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April/May Showers Bring May Flowers & Stormwater Issues

April/May showers may bring May flowers, but they also bring stormwater control issues on construction sites. Spring rains and thunderstorms are now upon us and this means construction site supervisors need to plan for large rain events. Supervisors, don't just be reactive after the storm, be proactive and get ahead of it in order to minimize stormwater runoff issues on your site.

What can you do to be proactive on your construction site?

  • Make sure you are keeping up with your weekly inspections and regularly addressing any maintenance issues.
  • Have extra supplies on hand for any needed repairs and maintence.
  • Stabilize as you go. Make sure that any idle or final grade areas are temporarily or permanently stabilized.
  • Make sure all your dumpsters, concrete washouts, and other containers are covered and leak-proof.
  • Look at the forecast and stay up to date on any incoming storms. Then do a walk-through and make sure all your erosion and sediment controls are in good shape and ready to take it on.

Being prepared and proactive can make a huge difference on your site and downstream areas when it comes to erosion and sediment-laden runoff. Using just one practice won't cut it though. All the erosion and sediment control practices act as a treatment train to help ensure that runoff is slowed down, spread out, and sediment is filtered out of the runoff a couple of different ways prior to leaving your site. Non-sediment pollutant control practices help prevent chemical pollutants and trash from coming into contact with stormwater runoff. Staying in compliance with the Ohio EPA Stormwater Construction General Permit #OHC000005 helps to minimize the impact of sediment-laden runoff to our yards, roads, sewers, water treatment plants, rivers, streams, lakes like Lake Erie, wildlife, recreation, our health, wellbeing, and our wallets. The Rainwater and Land Development Manual is an excellent, easy to read reference for all of the what's, why's, and how-to's for all of the practices that are approved by the Ohio EPA for use on your site.

Everything we do has an impact on something or someone else.

Blog Author: Kelly Parker, Stormwater Specialist II

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