Referenced Document MCU13/0171

Controlling stormwater pollution on your building site




Building operations                        SEE FACT SHEET 6



Prior to commencing building work
•    Obtain all necessary permits, licences and approvals.
•    Prepare a site specific Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Management Plan and have all necessary
     ESC materials available.
•    Avoid clearing vegetation and excavating until ready to build.
•    Where necessary in new estates, temporary revegetation may be required.

Points to consider as part of building operations
•     Tool and paint washing, brick, tile or masonry cutting and water-cooled cutting activities should be done
      within the property boundaries.
•     All waste water should be contained on-site where possible.
•     Activities should be carried out on a permeable surface or up-slope of an infiltration trench.
•     Vehicles should not be parked on the footpath area or verge where they can damage essential vegetation
      and transport dirt onto the road.
•     Contain waste concrete washed from trucks, mixers and barrows on site; do not wash out into stormwater
      systems as this can clog drains and cause flooding during storm events.

    LITTER AND BUILDING WASTE
All hard waste should be stored on-site in a way that prevents material loss caused by wind or water. Smaller
materials such as litter should be contained in covered bins or litter traps formed on three sides by a geotextile
wind break or similar device.
When travelling to and from the site, secure load to prevent wind blown litter polluting our waterways and roadsides.




                                                 ✓                                                                  ✕
One way to properly store building waste                              Poor litter and building waste storage


    SITE CLEAN-UP
Remove accidental spills of soil or other materials from the road,
gutter or any location outside the control of the primary sediment
barrier:
•     immediately if it is raining or likely to rain during the day
•     at least upon completion of the day’s work (even if rainfall is
      unlikely during the night)
•     use a broom and shovel instead of hosing to clean hard surfaces.
•     clean up food packaging after meal breaks as this litter can enter
      stormwater systems and waterways.
                                                                                                                        ✓
Following storms, the road reserve and sediment barriers should be               Undertake regular site clean-ups
inspected and excess sediment residue removed.




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