BMP Details Excerpts from the Alabama Handbook for Erosion Control, Sediment Control and ...

136 Pages·2013·9.59 MB·English

by  Louise Duffy

Construction Best Management Practices Plan (CBMPP)
Blue Collar Country, LLC – Blue Collar - Foley October 21, 2013
TTL Project No. 600212022 Attachments

Appendix G – BMP Details
Excerpts from the Alabama Handbook for Erosion Control,
Sediment Control and Stormwater Management on Construction Sites and
Urban Areas
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency BMP Fact Sheets
Manufacturer Installation Instructions
Gopher Tortoise Exclusion Fence Layout Alternative

M:\Projects\2012\600212\022 - CDM Smith Confidential BCD FoleyAlabama\ADEM NOI-CBMPP\BCD - CBMPP REV 2 - sgr.docx
Buffer Zone (BZ)
Installation and Maintenance of Best Management Practice

Buffer Zone (BZ)

Practice Description
A buffer zone is a strip of plants adjacent to land-disturbing sites or bordering
streams, lakes, and wetlands which provides streambank stability, reduces scour
erosion, reduces storm runoff velocities and filters sediment in stormwater. This
practice applies on construction sites and other disturbed areas that can support
vegetation and can be particularly effective on floodplains, next to wetlands,
along stream banks and on steep, unstable slopes.
Typical Components of the Practice
 Preservation and Protection of Existing Vegetation
 Site Preparation
 Soil Amendments (lime and fertilizer)
 Planting Desired Vegetation
 Mulching
Installation (Preservation)
Prior to start of construction, buffer zones should be designed by a qualified
design professional. Plans and specifications should be referred to by field
personnel throughout the installation process.

March 2009 191
Chapter 3

Preserve vegetation on designated areas shown in plan. In the absence of a plan,
maintain a buffer of existing vegetation with a minimum width for shoreline or
stream bank protection of at least 35 feet. Local ordinances may require a wider
buffer. Narrower buffer zones may be sufficient on steep slopes that are narrower
than 35 feet.
Installation (Plantings)
Prior to start of construction, buffer zones should be designed by a qualified
design professional. Plans and specifications should be referred to by field
personnel throughout the installation process.
Site Preparation
Install planned measures such as silt fences and diversions before grading and
seedbed preparation. In the absence of a plan and before grading and seedbed
preparation, install other necessary measures which may include silt fences and
diversions. Clear area of clods, rocks, etc. that would interfere with seedbed
preparation; smooth the area before the soil amendments are applied and firm the
soil after the soil amendments are applied.
Soil Amendments (lime and fertilizer)
Apply lime and fertilizer according to the plan or by soil test recommendations.
In the absence of a plan or soil test recommendations, apply agricultural
limestone at the rate of 2 tons per acre (90 lbs per ft2.) and 10-10-10 fertilizer at
the rate of 1000 lbs per acre (25 lbs per 1000 ft2.). Apply ground agricultural
limestone unless a soil test shows pH of 6.0 or greater. Incorporate amendments
to a depth of 4” to 6” with a disk or chisel plow.
Planting Desired Vegetation
Plant desired vegetation according to the design plan. In the absence of a plan use
installation guidelines for Permanent Seeding, Tree Planting on Disturbed Areas,
Shrub, Vine and Groundcover Planting.
Mulching
Spread mulch according to guidelines in the Mulching practice.
Common Problems
Consult with qualified design professional if any of the following occur:

 Soil compaction can prevent adequate plant growth. Compaction should be
addressed during site preparation.

192 March 2009
Installation and Maintenance of Best Management Practice

 Design specifications for plants (variety, seeding/planting dates) and mulch
cannot be met; substitutions may be required. Unapproved substitutions
could lead to failure.

Problems that require remedial actions:

 Erosion, washout and poor plant establishment – repair eroded surface,
reseed, reapply mulch and anchor.

 Mulch is lost to wind or stormwater runoff – reapply mulch and anchor.
Maintenance
Replant trees, grass, shrubs or vines where needed to maintain adequate cover for
erosion control. Maintain grass plantings with periodic applications of fertilizer
and mowing.

March 2009 193
Concrete Wash (CW)
EPA - Stormwater Menu of BMPs
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES)
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Public Education &
Outreach on
Stormwater Impacts
Concrete Washout

Public Involvement/
Participation Minimum Measure: Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control

Illicit Discharge
Subcategory: Good Houskeeping/Materials Management
Detection &
Elimination

Construction Site Description
Stormwater Runoff
Concrete washouts are used to contain concrete and liquids
Control
when the chutes of concrete mixers and hoppers of concrete

pumps are rinsed out after delivery. The washout facilities
Post-Construction
consolidate solids for easier disposal and prevent runoff of
Stormwater
liquids. The wash water is alkaline and contains high levels of
Management in New
chromium, which can leach into the ground and contaminate
Development &
groundwater. It can also migrate to a storm drain, which can
Redevelopment
increase the pH of area waters and harm aquatic life. Solids

that are improperly disposed of can clog storm drain pipes
Pollution
and cause flooding. Installing concrete washout facilities not
Prevention/Good
only prevents pollution but also is a matter of good An example of a prefabricated
Housekeeping for
housekeeping at your construction site. concrete washout container
Municipal Operations

This fact sheet describes the different types of concrete washout facilities that can be used at your
Measurable Goals
site and outlines how they should be sited, designed, and maintained.

Stormwater Home
Types of Concrete Washout Facilities

Prefabricated washout containers

A growing number of companies offer sturdy, prefabricated
concrete washout containers that are delivered to the site.
Some services provide the containers alone without providing
maintenance and disposal of materials, while other companies
offer complete service that includes delivery of containers and
regular pickups of solid and liquid waste materials. The
prefabricated containers resist damage and protect well
against spills and leaks, and the full-service option relieves
the site superintendent of the burden of disposing of An example of a self-installed
materials. To prevent leaks on the jobsite, ensure that concrete washout structure
prefabricated washout containers are watertight. Additionally,
some companies offer prefabricated washout containers with ramps to accommodate concrete pump
trucks.
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When selecting a company to handle concrete waste, ensure that they are properly disposing of all
materials, and give preference to companies that recycle collected materials.
Self-installed concrete washouts
You can also build your own concrete washout facility, although self-installed structures are much
less reliable than prefabricated containers and are prone to leaks. There are many design options
for the washout, but they are preferably built below-grade to prevent breaches and reduce the
likelihood of runoff. Above-grade structures can also be used if they are sized and constructed
correctly and are diligently maintained. One of the most common problems with self-installed
concrete washout facilities is that they can leak or be breached as a result of constant use, so you
should take care to use quality materials and inspect the facilities on a daily basis.
You should size your washouts to handle solids, wash water, and rainfall to prevent overflow.
Concrete Washout Systems, Inc., (2006) estimates that 7 gallons of wash water are used to wash
one truck chute and 50 gallons are used to wash out the hopper of a concrete pump truck.
For larger sites, a below-grade washout should be at least 10 feet wide and sized to contain all
liquid and solid waste you expect to generate in between cleanout periods (CASQA, 2003).
Washouts at smaller sites, such as a single-family residential lot, should be sized to accommodate
the expected load and can be smaller than 10 feet wide. Include a minimum 12-inch freeboard in
the sizing calculations. Line the pit with plastic sheeting of at least 10-mil thickness that has no
holes or tears to prevent leaching of liquids into the ground (CASQA, 2003). Concrete wash water
should never be placed in a pit that is connected to the storm drain system or that drains to nearby
waterways.
At larger sites, build an above-grade washout at least 10 feet wide by 10 feet long and size it to
contain all liquid and solid waste you expect to generate in between cleanout periods. Washouts at
smaller sites can be smaller according to the expected capacity needed. Include a 4-inch freeboard
in the sizing calculations (CASQA, 2003). You can make the structures from staked straw bales or
sandbags double- or triple-lined with plastic sheeting of at least 10-mil thickness that has no holes
or tears.
Siting
According to CASQA (2003), you should not place concrete washout facilities within 50 feet of storm
drains, open ditches, or waterbodies. You should place them in a location that allows convenient
access for concrete trucks, preferably near the area where the concrete is being poured.
Appropriate gravel or rock should cover paths to concrete washout facilities if the facilities are
located on undeveloped property. These areas should be far enough away from other construction
traffic to reduce the likelihood of accidental damage and spills. The number of facilities you install
should depend on the expected demand for storage capacity. On large sites with extensive concrete
work, washouts should be placed in multiple locations for ease of use by concrete truck drivers.
Operation
Inspection
Check all concrete washout facilities daily to determine if they have been filled to 75 percent
capacity, which is when materials need to be removed. Both above- and below- ground self-
installed washouts should be inspected daily to ensure that plastic linings are intact and sidewalls
have not been damaged by construction activities. Prefabricated washout containers should be
inspected daily as well to ensure the container is not leaking or nearing 75 percent capacity.
Inspectors should also note whether the facilities are being used regularly; if drivers have washed
out their chutes or hoppers in other locations, you may need to provide more education, install
additional signage, or place additional washouts in more convenient locations.
Material Removal
Concrete washouts are designed to to promote evaporation where feasible. However, if stored
liquids have not evaporated and the washout is nearing capacity, vacuum and dispose of them in
an approved manner - check with the local sanitary sewer authority to determine if there are special
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disposal requirements for concrete wash water. Remove liquids or cover the structures before
predicted rainstorms to prevent overflows. Companies that offer prefabricated and watertight
washout containers generally offer a vacuum service to remove the liquid material.
You can remove hardened solids whole or you can break them up first depending on the type of
equipment available at your site. You can then reuse the solids onsite or haul them away for
recycling - crushed concrete makes excellent aggregate for roadbeds and other building
applications. Check with your local recycling agency to identify opportunities for concrete recycling.
When you remove materials from the concrete washout, build a new structure or, if the previous
structure is still intact, inspect the structure for signs of weakening or damage and make any
necessary repairs. Line the structure with new plastic that is free of holes or tears and replace
signage if necessary. It is very important that new plastic is used after every cleaning because
pumps and concrete removal equipment can damage the existing liner.
Education for Concrete Subcontractors
An important factor that dictates the success of concrete washout facilities is whether or not
concrete truck drivers use concrete washouts. You need to make them aware of the presence of
these facilities. Your site superintendent can educate concrete subcontractors, post signage
indicating the location and designated use of these areas, and provide careful oversight to inspect
for evidence of improper dumping of concrete waste and wash water. Include requirements in
contracts with concrete delivery companies that drivers must use designated concrete washout
facilities.
Resources
CASQA Concrete Waste Management Fact Sheet in the California BMP Handbook: Construction:
[http://www.cabmphandbooks.com/Construction.asp [PDF - 127 KB - 7 pp] ].
References
California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA). 2003. Stormwater Best Management Practice
Handbook: Construction. [http://www.cabmphandbooks.com/Construction.asp ].
Accessed May 8, 2006.
Concrete Washout Systems, Inc. 2006. Industry Problems: Facts and Figures.
[http://www.concretewashout.com/ pages/industry_problems/concrete_washout_facts_figures/
]. Accessed May 10, 2006.

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Concrete Washout Area

Best Management Practice

from Ecology’s Water Quality Program
Reminder: The Construction Stormwater General Permit does not allow operators to
discharge concrete wash water to waterways, storm drains or groundwater. Operators
must manage and contain this water to prevent spills, leaks or discharges.
Description: Concrete wash water is generated from washing out ready-mix trucks, drums and pumps; it also
includes the water from rinsing off chutes, equipment, and concrete truck exteriors. Concrete wash water is
toxic to fish and aquatic life and can contaminate drinking water supplies. Improper disposal can clog storm
drain pipes and cause flooding. Operators must prevent concrete wash water from entering waterways, storm
drains and groundwater. If possible, all concrete waste and wash water should be returned with each concrete
truck for disposal at the concrete batch plant. If this is not possible, operators can install an on-site concrete
washout area. This best management practice can prevent water pollution and comply with state and federal
laws.
Education for Concrete Contractors: The success of your on-site concrete washout area depends on
whether or not concrete truck drivers use your designated concrete washout areas. Bring attention to the
designated washout area with signs, and provide careful oversight to prevent improper dumping of concrete
wash water. Operators should ensure that concrete contracts include requirements that concrete truck drivers use
designated concrete washout areas.
Types of Concrete Washout Areas
Prefabricated washout containers: A growing number of companies
offer sturdy, prefabricated concrete washout containers that are delivered to
the site. Some services provide the containers alone without providing
maintenance and disposal of materials, while other companies offer
complete service that includes delivery of containers and regular pickups of
solid and liquid waste materials. The prefabricated containers resist damage
and protect against spills and leaks. Full-service option relieves the site
superintendent of the burden of disposing of materials. Some companies
offer prefabricated washout containers with ramps to accommodate
concrete pump trucks.
Self-installed concrete washouts: You can also build your own concrete
washout facility - although self-installed structures are much less reliable
than prefabricated containers and are prone to leaks.
• Below-grade washouts will prevent breaches and reduce the
likelihood of spills and contaminated stormwater runoff.
• Above-grade washouts must be carefully sized, inspected and
maintained to prevent leaks and spills.
Sizing Self-Installed Concrete Washout Areas
Refer to Ecology BMP C154 for detailed design standards. You must size
your washouts to handle solids, wash water, and rainfall to prevent overflow.