DEQ.utah.gov - Construction - Construction Operations & Maintenance

Section 3: Construction Operations & Maintenance

Site Stabilization
Vehicle & Equipment Management
Waste & Materials Management
Erosion & Run-off Control

It takes constant vigilance to make sure that BMP are maintained and operating correctly.

Site Stabilization

Dust Suppression and Controls

Erosion Control

Whenever the land is disturbed during construction activities, the potential exists for sediment to leave the construction site. The following BMPs can help with reducing or eliminating sediment loss.

Best Management Practices

Objectives:

Maintain healthy soil by holding moisture for plants, filtering run-off, and slowing run-off velocity and volume.
Minimize areas cleared, graded, or excavated.
Encourage infiltration and pollutant removal of storm water.

Practices:

Minimize impermeable surfaces that shed rainwater quickly.
Use permeable paving materials such as gravel or masonry blocks where practical.
Use grassy swales, porous filters made of compost, or managed stream corridors to intercept run-off.
Plan detention areas or ponds to hold water, release it slowly, reduce the volume and velocity of run-off, and allow water to percolate.
Locate detention ponds to provide natural filtration and cleaning.
Use oil-and-sediment-trap catch basins, infiltration trenches/basins, or biofilters in parking areas.
Design landscaping so that fallen leaves and debris can remain on the ground to regenerate soil and help maintain its ability to hold moisture.
Avoid placing storm drain outlets directly into streams, ponds, or wetlands. Non-degradation laws require some form of treatment for new or increased sources of storm water to state water.

Regulations & Contacts

See General Storm Water Permit in Section 1 under Environmental Compliance & Permitting Requirements.

Vehicle & Equipment Management

Washdown Areas

See Washdown Areas in Section 2 under Vehicle and Equipment Management.

Waste & Materials Management

Material Use and Recycling

See Recycling of Materials in Section 1 under Waste & Material Management.

Spill Clean-up

A critical step in following BMPs is recognizing when a problem arises and acting quickly. For example, a spill of a hazardous material can pollute the air, water, or soil. Therefore, several federal and state laws require you to report a spill or release of hazardous waste and then clean it up immediately. Requirements for cleaning spills or releases vary with the material. Cleanup might involve such steps as the removal of contaminated soil, the use of absorbent material to soak up spills, or the aeration of the soil. You should become familiar with spill and cleanup procedures for the materials you use. Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for product assistance.

Regulations

Congress passed the Emergency Planning and Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA) that was designated to help local communities protect public health, safety, and the environment from chemical hazards. For more information on EPCRA requirements, EPA issued a self-audit checklist on oil spill prevention for construction and development. Congress also passed the Clean Water Act (CWA) giving EPA the authority to set water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters.

The DERR is responsible for implementing EPCRA requirements in Utah. The Division of Water Quality (DWQ) is responsible for implementing the CWA in Utah.

For information on county specific regulations, see Contacts below.

Contacts

Utah State Emergency Response Commission (members include UDEQ, DERR, Utah Department of Public Safety, and the Division of Emergency Services & Homeland Security), (801) 536-4123 24 Hour Emergency Phone # for Incident Spills
In the case of emergencies, call 911 if the incident threatens public health or the environment and requires immediate action by local authorities
Utah Division of Emergency Response and Remediation, (801) 536-4100
Utah Division of Water Quality, (801) 538-6146
EPA’s Planning Guide for Construction and Development
Utah Local Health Districts

Solid Waste Containment and Disposal

Construction and demolition activities have the potential to generate large amounts of solid waste. The following BMPs will help avoid potential solid waste collection and storage problems.

Best Management Practices

Objectives:

Collect and store solid waste properly at construction sites.
Keep construction site clean and free of litter.

Practices:

Collect and store solid waste to prevent conditions for transmission of diseases to humans and animals, hazards to service or disposal workers or the public, or contamination of water or air.
Remove solid waste at regular intervals.
Keep storage bins watertight, rodent-proof, cleaned on a regular basis, and managed to minimize leaks or spills.
Keep site clean and free of litter.
Do not burn or bury solid waste.
When transporting solid waste on a public highway, make sure waste is secured and covered to prevent littering or creating a dangerous obstruction.

Regulations

Congress passed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) giving EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from the "cradle-to-grave." It regulates facilities that generate, transport, treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste. RCRA also includes the framework for the management of non-hazardous wastes or solid wastes. For more information on RCRA requirements, EPA issued a self-audit checklist on non-hazardous waste for construction and development.

The Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste (DSHW) is responsible for implementing RCRA requirements in Utah.

For county-specific regulations, see Contacts below.

Contacts

Hazardous Waste Management

Determining the type and quantity of hazardous waste you generate makes it easier to see where wastes can be minimized. Reducing the amount of hazardous waste you generate reduces your regulatory burden and saves you money.

The MSDS, published by the manufacturer for each product, can help you determine whether the waste produced could be hazardous. See the content under MSDS in Section 3-Employee Health & Safety for more information.

Universal Wastes are hazardous wastes destined for recycling not disposal. You may encounter Universal Wastes during remodeling. See Section 1, Special Considerations, for more information.

Examples of C & D materials that can be managed as universal wastes include:

Spent, hazardous waste batteries other than lead-acid batteries
Suspended or canceled hazardous waste pesticides that are subject to a recall or are part of a waste pesticide collection program
Mercury-containing thermostats

The following BMPs can help you properly manage your hazardous wastes.

Best Management Practices

Objective:

Properly manage hazardous wastes.

Practices:

Oil- and water-based paints - Leave excess paint with the property owner for touch-ups. Let small amounts of paint solidify, then take to a licensed Class II landfill.
Used oils - Recycle if possible. It is illegal to spill or apply oil on the ground (as for dust or weed suppression). Waste oil is different from used oil, which has been refined from crude oil and used. Waste oil is basically crude oil, the by-product of an oil field operation, and has not been used. As a contractor or designer, you should not come in contact with waste oil. Never place used oil in a dumpster or pour it on the ground. Never bury used oil or mix it with solvents or water. Never pour it down a sink, sanitary sewer, septic system, or storm drain.
Sealers - Use leftover sealer at another site. Determine if waste is hazardous.
Degreasers (such as mineral spirits, paint thinners, and chlorinated solvents) - Allow paint thinners to settle, then strain and reuse the liquid. Store the solids in a leak-proof container. When the solvent can no longer be reused, dispose of it through a hazardous waste management facility. Both the solvent and solids may be hazardous wastes. Water-based degreasers may also be hazardous waste due to the metals they may have collected.
Pesticides and herbicides - Unless the product has been banned, use up according to the directions. Triple-rinse containers before disposal and apply the rinse water as you would apply the product. Otherwise, dispose of it through a hazardous waste management facility. If the product has been banned, it is illegal to use and may require being disposed of as a hazardous waste. Some pesticide and herbicide manufacturers will take back the banned product for proper disposal.
Vehicle batteries - Recycle if possible. If not, they must be managed as a hazardous waste. Take batteries to a retailer that sells lead-acid batteries, a solid waste facility that accepts auto batteries, or to a licensed recycler. Contact DEQ for more information. Do not dispose of vehicle batteries in the trash.
Petroleum products (such as waste gasoline, diesel, or kerosene) - If it has been determined to be hazardous, then reuse, recycle, or manage it as a hazardous waste. Can possibly use in equipment such as lawnmowers.

Regulations

Congress passed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) giving EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from the "cradle-to-grave." This includes the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.

The Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste (DSHW) is responsible for implementing RCRA requirements in Utah. DSHW rules vary depending on the quantity of hazardous waste generated per month. Conditionally exempt small quantity generators are businesses that generate less than 220 pounds per month. Small quantity generators are businesses that generate between 220 pounds and 2,200 pounds per month. Large quantity generators are businesses that generate more than 2,200 pounds per month. EPA has published a document titled Managing Your Hazardous Waste: A Guide for Small Businesses to help businesses determine what category applies to them. Also, the Hazardous Waste Management section with DSHW has developed an outreach program for small quantity generators to help business understand hazardous waste requirements. Businesses are required to dispose of hazardous wastes through a reliable hazardous waste management company or a Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) facility.

EPA has issued a self-audit checklist on hazardous waste requirements for construction and development.

Individuals who generate used oil must protect the environment from contamination caused by the improper treatment, storage and disposal of used oil. The DSHW is responsible, under the Used Oil Management Act, for establishing regulations to ensure that used oil is treated, stored, and disposed of properly.

For county-specific regulations, see Contacts below.

Contacts

Erosion & Run-off Control

Erosion Control Techniques

Erosion can carry pollutants (asphalt, fertilizer, sealants, oil, gasoline, pesticides, and other toxic or hazardous materials) from the construction site into surface water, groundwater, or other waters.

Preserving existing vegetation is one of the best ways to prevent soil erosion. Controlling erosion and its associated pollutants at the source is more cost-effective than trying to remove sediment and pollution from storm water runoff.

Best Management Practices

Objectives:

Minimize loss of topsoil during construction.
Minimize the erosion of sediment and pollutants to waterways.
Enable future landscaping to flourish.

Practices:

Minimize exposed soil by reducing graded areas.
Save and spread topsoil removed during grading.
Fence exposed areas with appropriate silt fencing to intercept eroded soil.
Inspect and maintain erosion control facilities after every storm.
Grade streets across slopes.
Finish grade to slopes of less than 2:1.
Terrace cuts and fills by placing concrete, masonry, or environmentally-safe outdoor wood across slopes.
Replant exposed areas as soon as practical. Seed grass or place geo-fabric on sites exposed for long periods of time.
Maintain trees, shrubs, and perennial grasses on steep slopes, along drainage channels or ditches, and around bodies of water.

Regulations & Contacts

See Preservation of Existing Vegetation in Section 2 under Site Stabilization.

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Section 3: Construction Operations & Maintenance

Site Stabilization

Vehicle & Equipment Management

Waste & Materials Management

Erosion & Run-off Control