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This is the first time that EPA has imposed national monitoring requirements and enforceable numeric limitations on construction site stormwater discharges.

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule to help reduce water pollution from construction sites.

This rule, which takes effect in February 2010 and will be phased in over four years, should significantly improve the quality of water nationwide. Construction activities like clearing, excavating and grading significantly disturb soil and sediment. If that soil is not managed properly it can be easily washed off of the construction site during storms and pollute nearby water bodies.

The new Effluent Guidelines for Discharges from the Construction and Development Industry require construction site owners and operators that disturb one or more acres of land to use best management practices to ensure that soil disturbed during construction activity does not pollute nearby water bodies. Additionally, owners and operators of sites that impact 10 or more acres of land at one time will be required to monitor discharges and ensure they comply with specific limits on discharges to minimize the impact on nearby water bodies.

Soil and sediment runoff is one of the leading causes of water quality problems nationwide. Soil runoff from construction has also reduced the depth of small streams, lakes and reservoirs, leading to the need for dredging. It is anticipated that the regulation will reduce the amount of sediment discharged from construction sites by about 4 billion pounds each year once fully implemented.

For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/construction