What is a rain event? Why does a rain event impact so much on your worksite? What does a rain event mean for your construction project? Every contractor has run into rain events while on the job, but not many know the importance and impact that rain event has or even why it is an element that gets regulated.
Rain events are found in every swppp and are necessary for keeping our waters clean and our environment healthy. Rain events can also be some of the most complex aspects when dealing with swppp and your construction site.
The reality of rain events
A rain event is defined as .5 inches of rain over a 24-hour period that falls on your construction site. This stormwater can carry all the different pollutants found on construction sites into our water ecosystem. These pollutants significantly impact the water we use, causing many issues like the cyanobacteria that have poisoned Utah lake and moved up the Jordan River towards the great Salt Lake. When These pollutants have already contaminated water sources, it is called “Impaired water source.” Additional measures must be taken around impaired water sources to ensure the water source does not increase in pollutants.
That is why it is essential to follow your swppp, implementing measures to ensure that hazardous materials are correctly stored on-site and having the correct BMPs in places like Silt fencing, straw wattle, erosion blankets, and inlet bags to catch settlement from entering our water system. Here at Erosion control services, we are experts in the implementation and continuation of Your BMP and swppp needs, with rain events included in our inspections price; you don’t have to worry when a surprise rainstorm hits.
Rain events and drought
How does a drought affect rain events? The drought that has gripped Utah and Idaho over these past few years is primarily caused by the increased heat and lack of water preservation. The drought increases the need to plan for rain events; with less water in the ecosystem, pollutants can significantly increase the impact on our water system. The severe threat of lower water levels increases the contaminants found in Utah’s water sources affecting everything from the water our wildlife drinks to the water our children play in.
swppp inspections
Utah requires a swppp assessment of your BMPs within 24 hours of the end of a storm event (.5 inches of precipitation if 24 hours). These additional inspections are essential to assess if other steps are needed to keep our stormwater clean. Sometimes rain events can cause a significant jump in sentiment being moved from your construction site. BMPs can often get filled above 75% capacity, dramatically reducing the BMP’s effect in preventing these pollutants from entering our water system.
Erosion control services are at the ready for a rain event; with our team’s dedication to improving our waters ecosystem, we want to make sure all your BMPs are working accurately and efficiently. with rain events included in our inspections price; you don’t have to worry, come rain or shine ECS has you covered.
