Referenced Document MCU13/0171

    Controlling stormwater pollution on your building site




Contents                                                                           Introduction
What are the impacts?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2         These guidelines provide a practical guide to best
                                                                                   practice techniques to minimise stormwater pollution from
Erosion and sediment control on                                                    building sites. They are designed to help people involved
residential building sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2       in the building industry comply with their statutory
                                                                                   environmental duties and avoid large fines.
Environmental law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
                                                                                   The following fact sheets provide practical examples
Erosion controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4   of recommended control measures. Included is an easy-
Sediment control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5     to-follow daily site checklist to guide site supervisors.
                                                                                       1   Erosion and sediment control daily site check list
Drainage control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
                                                                                       2   Erosion and sediment control on residential
Building operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7              building sites

Storage of materials on hard surfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8                     3   Erosion control
                                                                                       4   Sediment control
Grouped building lots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
                                                                                       5   Drainage control
Erosion and Sediment Control Management Plans . . . 9                                  6   Building operations
                                                                                       7   Storage of materials on hard surfaces
                                                                                       8   Grouped building lots
                                                                                       9   Erosion and Sediment Control Management Plans

Erosion and sediment control                                                       BEST PRACTICE

daily site check list                                                              Best practice is the management of an activity to ensure
                                                                                   environmental harm is minimised using cost-effective
An erosion and sediment control check list has been                                measures. These practices are assessed against national
developed to assist builders and site supervisors                                  and international standards.
managing the task of control measure maintenance.
                                                                                   SAVE MONEY TIME AND ENERGY
For further information on erosion and sediment control,
contact your local council.                                                        Some of the benefits to home owners, builders and
                                                                                   the building industry include:
                                                                                   •       all-weather site access
                                                                                   •       improved wet weather working conditions
                                                                    LEGEND         •       sites do not get boggy
                                                                                   •       less mud and dust problems
                                                               ✓ – Best practice   •       reduced stockpile losses
                                                                                   •       reduced clean-up costs
                                                               ✕ – Not best        •       a better public image
                                                                       practice
                                                                                   •       more marketable sites
                                                                                   •       fewer public complaints
                                                                                   •       reduced risk of fines
                                                                                   •       better fishing for everyone
                                                                                   •       healthier waterways.
                                                                                   National and international experience shows that the
                                                                                   cost of effective pollution management on building sites
                                                                                   is greatly reduced within the first few years as builders
                                                                                   become experienced with the various techniques.




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