Construction Runoff

Necessity of Controlling Construction Site Runoff

Sedimentation Pollution

Polluted stormwater runoff from construction sites often flows to Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) and ultimately is discharged into local rivers and streams. Of the pollutants listed in Table 1, sediment is usually the main pollutant of concern.

According to the 2000 National Water Quality Inventory, States and Tribes report that sedimentation is one of the most widespread pollutants affecting assessed rivers and streams, second only to pathogens (bacteria). Sedimentation impairs 84,503 river and stream miles (12% of the assessed river and stream miles and 31% of the impaired river and stream miles).

Sources & Effects of Sedimentation

Sources of sedimentation include agriculture, urban runoff, construction, and forestry. Sediment runoff rates from construction sites, however, are typically 10 to 20 times greater than those of agricultural lands, and 1,000 to 2,000 times greater than those of forest lands.

During a short period of time, construction sites can contribute more sediment to streams than can be deposited naturally during several decades. The resulting siltation, and the contribution of other pollutants from construction sites, can cause physical, chemical, and biological harm to our nation’s waters.

Pollutants Commonly Discharged from Construction Sites

  • Concrete truck washout
  • Construction chemicals
  • Construction debris
  • Nitrogen (fertilizer)
  • Oil and grease
  • Pesticides
  • Phosphorous (fertilizer)
  • Sediment
  • Solid and sanitary wastes