Construction

• Protect construction material stockpiles from winds, rain and inclement weather by storing them under cover or roof, secure impermeable tarp or durable plastic sheeting.
• Avoid storing materials near streets, storm drain inlets or naturally occurring waterways such as streams or creek channels.

• Prevent sediment from leaving or flowing away from the construction site through installation of silt fencing around the site where required.
• Gravel bags or berms should be applied to protect storm drain inlets in proximity of the site.
• Periodically vacuum or street sweep loose sediment from paved streets or sidewalks around your construction site.

• To minimize exposed soil and risk of runoff infiltration following major clearing, grading or excavation activities, consider temporary or permanent vegetation planting as a solution for erosion control once activities are completed.
• Excavation and grading activities should be avoided during wet weather to minimize loose sediment and soil infiltration in rainfall runoff.
• Construct and establish diversion dikes or channels at the construction site to help channel runoff - these channels should direct runoff to grass or roughened pavement to reduce its velocity and spread.

Construct makeshift retention structures or detention ponds at key areas around the construction site to help capture rainwater for slow channeling into the ground rather than as loose streams into the street and storm drains.

• Limit vehicular and worker access pathways to and from the construction site.
• Establish clear and exclusive construction zone entrances and exits to minimize tracking of dirt, mud and loose sediment out onto the streets or nearby storm drains.
• Establish and conduct a regular street sweeping schedule.

• Regularly clean construction site areas by removing and properly disposing of trash, debris and construction material wastes.
• In the event of a chemical spill, use dry cleanup methods - e.g., applying absorbent materials such as cat litter, sand or rags for liquid spills, dry sweep compound, mortar or fertilizer spills - and carefully contain contaminated soil from spills on dirt or other earth areas.
• In the event of a hazardous chemical spill, immediately act to contain the spread of the spilled material and contact the San Antonio Fire Department for emergency hazmat response.

Prevent erosion and sediment pollution in storm water runoff by implementing soil stabilization solutions at your construction site - these can include mulching, surface roughening and temporary silt fencing.

Utilize rocks or special synthetic materials to cover nearby storm drain inlets, which filter out trash and debris, in order to prevent sediment-laden water or runoff from entering the storm drains.

• Perform regular maintenance, inspection and repair of all construction site heavy equipment and vehicles off-site to avoid or resolve oil, fluid or chemical ground spills or leaks which can pollute the runoff.
• Wash out concrete mixers only at designated washing areas located at your construction site.
• Use gravel approaches where truck traffic is frequent in order reduce soil compaction and limit sediment tracking onto paved streets and roads.

• Recycle or reuse eligible construction materials and products such as solvents, paint thinner, vehicle fluids, broken asphalt, broken concrete, wood and uprooted vegetation.
• Hazardous waste should be properly disposed of at a hazardous waste drop-off and not discarded on the construction site.
• Construction site dumpsters should remain covered with secured tarps, lids or durable plastic sheeting and should never be cleaned out by washing out onto or near storm drains.
• Manage wash and debris collection schedules at your construction site to ensure that liquid wash water is not overflowed or allowed to rapidly enter onto streets to pollute storm water runoff or enter a nearby storm drain.