All the activity on a construction site can lead to soil erosion, which can have numerous negative environmental impacts. Nearby water sources can become contaminated, soils can lose their ability to support vegetation, and the habitats of local wildlife can be damaged. This can lead to severe issues for contractors from a regulatory standpoint, as many jurisdictions have strict sanctions for ecological damage caused by construction activity. Contractors who don’t recognize the potential harm of soil erosion may face heavy fines and reputational damage as a result.
As heavy equipment moves across the ground, it loosens enough earth that it can be carried away by wind and rain. Unfortunately, many builders make the mistake of not paying enough attention to the effect their work has. Read on to learn more about how to reduce the impact of construction on the soil and why it matters.
HOW TO PREVENT SOIL EROSION IN CONSTRUCTION
There are a number of techniques construction companies can use to minimize the impact their work has on the soil at their jobsites. These include:
- Careful staging — It requires a bit of forethought, but contractors can limit the amount of erosion they cause by working only in the area required for the project. By restricting the movement of equipment, they avoid causing damage to surrounding areas.
- Soil stabilization — One of the most effective means of soil erosion prevention and sediment control in sustainable construction is the use of soil stabilization techniques. These include putting down mulch or blankets to hold it in place or planting more vegetation so the root systems will keep it from moving.
- Dewatering — Because the movement of water through sites is one of the most significant causes of soil erosion, removing as much groundwater or rainwater from the site can make a big difference.
- Slope protection — Installing geotextiles, turf blankets, or mats on slopes can help prevent them from collapsing and enabling loose soil to be blown or washed away into surrounding areas. Any sites that feature steep slopes should consider using these to keep everything in place.
- Permanent installations — Depending on the design of the project, erosion control already may be built into the work. Retaining walls, artificial turf, and drainage systems may be added. However, it should be noted that contractors also will likely need to employ temporary strategies to limit the impact of their activities elsewhere on the site or until those permanent solutions are put in place.
- Regular inspections — No matter what type of erosion mitigation strategy is employed, builders need to check up on the site after each rainfall to ensure their efforts are working. This allows them to make any needed adjustments to achieve the best results.
COMMON MISTAKES THAT LEAD TO SOIL EROSION ISSUES
Some of the most common mistakes contractors make that can cause erosion problems later include:
- Clearing too much vegetation — Clearing out all vegetation on the jobsite might make it look cleaner, but it also leaves the site extremely vulnerable to erosion. This is why it’s important to plan carefully and only remove whatever vegetation is necessary.
- Assuming all soils are alike — What works well for controlling erosion on one job may not be enough for another. Soil modification and site prep work must be planned with the specific conditions of the area in mind.
- Improper grading — Failing to grade the site properly can result in unwanted water flow patterns. This can accelerate erosion in certain spots.
- Waiting too long to start erosion control procedures: Even the most well-considered erosion control plan can fail if contractors wait too long to use them. This is why it’s important to make erosion prevention a key element of the planning from the very beginning of the project.
GIVE ROCK SOLID STABILIZATION & RECLAMATION A CALL
As a leading partner to the construction industry for soil stabilization and modification, Rock Solid knows what it takes to ensure construction sites don’t let erosion get away from them. Our expertise and experience with this highly specialized work means our clients can count on us to keep their jobsites free from the issues that plague so many others. If you want to learn more about our capabilities and how we can put them to work for you, reach out and get in touch with us today.