Stormwater & Erosion Control (SWPPP)
When rain washes mud, concrete washout, fuel and trash off a construction site, it pollutes streams and storm drains. Most sites that disturb an acre or more need a stormwater permit and a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Everyone on site plays a part in following it.
- Construction
- Site work
- Superintendents
Photo: silt fence along a site perimeter, a gravel construction entrance and a lined concrete washout area
Who needs a permit
- Construction that disturbs 1 acre or more, or less if it’s part of a larger common plan of development, generally needs coverage under a construction stormwater permit from EPA or the state.
- The permit requires a SWPPP that shows the controls, who’s responsible and the inspection schedule.
- Many cities and counties have their own erosion control rules for smaller sites.
Common controls
| Control | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Silt fence, fiber rolls (wattles) | Trap sediment before it leaves the site |
| Stabilized construction entrance (gravel pad) | Knock mud off tires before trucks reach the street |
| Inlet protection | Keep sediment out of storm drains |
| Concrete washout area | Contain high-pH washout water and solids |
| Seeding, mulch, erosion blankets | Stabilize bare soil |
| Covered material and fuel storage | Keep chemicals and debris out of runoff |
Inspections
Permits require regular inspections, often every 7 days, or every 14 days plus within 24 hours after a significant storm, depending on the permit. Problems found must be fixed quickly and recorded.
What workers should do
- Don’t drive over or remove silt fence and controls; report damage.
- Wash out concrete trucks and tools only at the designated washout.
- Keep fuel, paint and chemicals covered and away from drains. See Spill Response.
- Pump water from excavations only as the SWPPP allows, through filters if required. See Dewatering.
- Sweep, don’t hose, mud off streets.
Why it matters: violations can bring big fines and stop-work orders, and silica-laden slurry from saws counts as pollution too. See Walk-Behind Saws.
Standards & references
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