Construction & Development

Overview

Soil, cement wash, asphalt, oil, and other hazardous debris from construction sites often make their way into the Madison County storm drain system, and flow untreated into local waterways. Follow these best management practices to prevent pollution, protect public health, and avoid fines or legal action.

For more information, please contact Stormwater Program Management at (731) 423-2041.

Best Management Practices

• Store Materials Safely: Keep construction materials and debris away from the street, gutter, and storm drains. Cover exposed stockpiles of soil, sand, or gravel and excavated material with plastic sheeting, protected from rain, wind, and runoff.
• Preventing Erosion: Avoid excavation or grading during wet weather. Plant temporary vegetation or add hydro mulch on slopes where construction is not immediately planned, and permanent vegetation once excavation and grading are complete. Construct diversion dikes to channel runoff to a detention basin and around the construction site. Use gravel approaches where truck traffic is frequent to reduce soil compaction and limit the tracking of sediment into the streets. For more information on erosion control, call (731) 423-2041.
• Cleaning and Preventing Spills: Use a drip pan and funnel when draining or pouring fluids. Sweep up dry spills, instead of hosing. Be ready for spills by preparing and using spill containment and cleanup kits that include safety equipment and dry cleanup materials such as kitty litter or sawdust. To report serious spills, call 9-1-1.
• Maintaining Vehicles and Equipment: Maintain and refuel vehicles and equipment at a single location on-site, away from the street, gutter, and storm drains. Perform major equipment repairs and washings off-site. Inspect vehicles and equipment frequently for leaks, and prevent leaks from stored vehicles by draining gas, hydraulic oil, transmission, and brake and radiator fluids.
• Ordering Materials and Recycling Waste: Reduce waste by ordering only the amounts of materials needed for the job. Use recycled or recyclable materials whenever possible. You can recycle broken asphalt, concrete, wood, and cleared vegetation. Dispose of hazardous materials through a hazardous waste hauler or other means in accordance with the construction permit. Non-recyclable materials should be taken to a landfill or disposed of as hazardous waste.
• Concrete and mortar application: Never dispose of cement washout into driveways, streets, gutters, or drainage ditches. Wash concrete mixers and equipment only in specified washout areas, where the water flows into lined containment ponds. Cement wash water can be recycled by pumping it back into cement mixers for reuse.