t requires good communication to implement the proper erosion and sediment control practices that are required by the city of Calgary. For the project manager or owner, it is imperative that you understand the local ordinances that govern erosion and sediment control for your upcoming project. Plus, you will need a sure hand to guide you through the process, so that potential issues are avoided, and the environment is properly protected.
A number of important items must be addressed, including
- Implementation of Proper Erosion and Sediment Control
- Inspection and Maintenance of Erosion and Sediment Control Practices
- Management of Erosion and Sediment Control Failures
- Completion and Removal of Temporary Practices when Done
- Documentation of Installation, Inspection, & Maintenance of Erosion and Sediment Control Practices
It may seem like a lot at first, but the proper implementation of the practices, their inspection and maintenance, followed by documentation can be performed as part of your project properly, if you start off correctly.
Set Up
To begin, you will need to work with everyone who is part of the project and communicate to them the importance of following the guidelines for proper erosion and sediment control. You will also have to delegate responsibility to the designers and contractors who are part of this process. Once delegated, your role will be to oversee through implementation, inspection, and maintenance that the procedures are being correctly followed. You must plan and communicate the actions required, inspect to ensure they are being carried out, and maintenance to correct any potential issues which might cause you to be in violation of the guidelines. In case of failure, you will need to notify the authorities in Calgary who oversee erosion and sediment control, so that proper repairs can be made and changes to the plan implemented.
Weather
It’s common for the late spring and summer months to see high-intensity storms, packing winds, rain, and even hail that might cause erosion and sediment issues to occur. You will need to anticipate such events, inspect control practices to ensure they are prepared, and have systems in place in case the damage is worse than expected.
Stabilization
Here, you will need to locate surface waters, such as nearby rivers, wetlands, lakes, and streams. Then, prepare your erosion and sediment control efforts so that such bodies of water will not be compromised by your efforts. This means proper drainage of the area using ditches, inlets, and the like which may be temporary or permanent depending on the requirements. Proper stabilization of the soil helps prevent large amount of sediment from flowing into nearby bodies of water.
Being Safe
A construction site is a dangerous place, from the noise and dust created to the heavy equipment being used. Your erosion and sediment control efforts should not compromise the safety of those who work on the site. This means clearly marking places where sediment may accumulate, identifying storm inlets and other control efforts so that employees understand what is present, so they can stay safe and protected.
Inspect and Maintain
Now that you have the plans in place, the next step is to ensure that the controls which are implemented work the way they should and that they continue to perform their function. Keep in mind that inspection and maintenance efforts should continue the year-round, even if snow is covering the site.
Proper Inspection: You can prevent major damage from occurring when you make routine and regular inspections that catch potential issues before they become big problems. From the installation to the final site stabilization, you are required to inspect the site a minimum of every seven days during dry weather and more frequently when precipitation has occurred. By making inspection a part of your routine, you can help prevent big issues from occurring.
Remember, even if the site is inactive due to freezing conditions, it still must be inspected every seven days as required by law. Even frozen soil may become problematic if there is a quick warm-up during the late winter-early spring.
To inspect the property, you should cover the following;
- All Distributed, Stockpile, Material, and Waste Storage Areas
- Perimeter of the Site
- Entrances and Exists to the Site
- Discharge Locations, including Drainage, Dewatering, and Adjacent Receiving Waters
Inspection Requirements: You will need to ensure that all areas of the site are properly inspected and that any issue will be addressed. This includes all areas that are listed above, plus that the ESC measures are still intact. You will need to conduct inspections at least every seven days, but if a significant runoff has occurred, you’ll want to inspect after that to ensure everything is still intact.
Any damage or deficiencies noticed during the inspection will need to be properly documented and addressed within 72 hours. Updates should be provided to the City of Calgary, so their erosion and sediment control inspector can be properly notified.
Proper Maintenance: Even the best erosion and sediment control can give way under certain circumstances. Because this can happen at any time, you should be prepared to deal with it and to inform the City of Calgary as per the requirements. By being open with them, you can better handle issues that may arise unexpectedly and deal with the consequences more efficiently.
- Take Photos and Document All Erosion and Sediment Control Issues
- Check Permits and Authorizations
- Inspection and Maintenance of All Erosion and Sediment Control Practices
- Include Discharge Points, Watch for Pollutants
- Secure Perimeter Controls
There are additional requirements as well, including what to do when the project is complete. By ensuring the maintenance of the erosion and sediment controls, the removal of temporary features, and inspection to ensure that what is present still maintains the land.
The good news is that you can receive professional assistance with your ESC implementation, inspection, and maintenance duties under the law. Having a knowledgeable, experienced company working by your side ensure that any potential issues are addressed, and the proper documentation performed. If you have any questions, please call Alberta Erosion and Sediment Control at (403) 460-0022 and find out more about our services.
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