Erosion Control
Regulations and Resources
What You Need to Know
Erosion Control Regulations have been established to protect the environment from continued degradation and pollution, especially on construction sites. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states, “By most accounts, the most environmentally dangerous period of development is the initial construction phase when land is cleared of vegetation and graded to create a proper surface for construction. The removal of natural vegetation and topsoil makes the exposed area particularly susceptible to erosion, causing transformation of existing drainage areas and disturbance of sensitive areas.”
Various sites and applications can and will produce a combination of pollutants that need to be controlled and prevented from entering surrounding waters. Below is a table describing those possible and/or probable pollutants. After reviewing this table, you may want to check out the information on Erosion Control Compliance, New Erosion Control Methods, and Erosion Control Resources.
Construction Site Pollutants |
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| Areas of Consideration | Primary Pollutant | Other Pollutants | |||
| Sediment | Nutrients | Heavy Metals | pH (acids & base) | Pesticides & Herbicides | |
| Clearing, Grading, Excavating, and Unstabilized Areas | ● | ||||
| Paving Operations | ● | ||||
| Concrete Washout and Waste | ● | ● | |||
| Structure Construction/Painting/Cleaning | ● | ● | |||
| Demolition and Debris Disposal | ● | ||||
| Dewatering Operations | ● | ||||
| Drilling and Blasting Opertions | ● | ||||
| Material Delivery and Storage | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Material Use During Building Process | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Solid Waste (Trash and Debris) | |||||
| Hazardous Waste | ● | ● | ● | ||
| Contaminated Spills | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Sanitary/Septic Waste | ● | ● | |||
| Vehicle/Equipment Fueling and Maintenance | |||||
| Vehicle/Equipment Use and Storage | |||||
| Landscaping Operations | ● | ● | |||
Other Pollutants Continued |
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| Areas of Consideration | Oil & Grease | Bacteria & Viruses | Trash, Debris & Solids | Other Toxic Chemicals |
| Clearing, Grading, Excavating, and Unstabilized Areas | ● | |||
| Paving Operations | ● | |||
| Concrete Washout and Waste | ● | |||
| Structure Construction/Painting/Cleaning | ● | ● | ||
| Demolition and Debris Disposal | ● | |||
| Dewatering Operations | ||||
| Drilling and Blasting Opertions | ● | |||
| Material Delivery and Storage | ● | ● | ● | |
| Material Use During Building Process | ● | ● | ● | |
| Solid Waste (Trash and Debris) | ● | ● | ||
| Hazardous Waste | ● | ● | ||
| Contaminated Spills | ● | ● | ||
| Sanitary/Septic Waste | ● | ● | ||
| Vehicle/Equipment Fueling and Maintenance | ● | ● | ||
| Vehicle/Equipment Use and Storage | ● | ● | ||
| Landscaping Operations | ● | |||
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