General Construction & Site Supervision

As a contractor, site supervisor, owner or operator of a site, you may be held responsible for the environmental damage caused by your subcontractors or employees. If your site is greater than one acre, you will be required to secure a Stormwater NPDES Permit addressing water quality issues related to storm run-off and a Dust Control Permit with the Washoe County District Health Department Air Quality Management Division.

• Download entire Construction Site BMP Handbook (PDF, 5.19mb)
• Table of Contents
• Section 1: Introduction
• Section 2: Storm Water Quality Management
• Section 3: The Truckee Meadows Construction Site Discharge
• Section 4: Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans
• Section 5: Best Management Practices
• Section 6: Planning Best Management Practices
• Section 7: Runoff Control Best Management Practices
• Section 8: Erosion Control Best Management Practices
• Section 9: Sediment Control Best Management Practices
• Section 10: Drainageway Protection Best Management Practices
• Section 11: General Site and Materials Best Management Practices
• Appendix A: General Construction Permit NVR100000
• Appendix B: Notice of Termination (NOT) and EPA Fact Sheet for the Construction Rainfall Erosivity Waiver
• Appendix C: Regional Program Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) - June 2008 Update
• Appendix D : Regional Program Checklists - June 2008 Update

The Storm Water Permit Coordinating Committee periodically reviews new BMPs for inclusion in the handbook. Upon approval by the Committee, the approved BMP is posted here. When the handbook is formally updated the "new" BMPs will be included. But in the mean time, the approved BMPs are: Synthetic Sediment Control Rolls (SC-11)

Here's a good tool to prepare your SWPPPs....Our standard SWPPP format in a Microsoft Word format WITH expandable text boxes! Finally, a SWPPP ready for your use!!!! Please note that to use this document the user must set the macro security level in WORD on their computer to medium (select Tools ­ Macro ­ Security Level ­ Medium). If you don't have WORD, the model SWPPP is in a PDF format within the Truckee Meadows BMP Handbook Appendix C.

Contact the Bureau of Water Pollution Control, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection for further information, specifically you may email Cliff Lawson at clawson@govmail.state.nv.us, or call him at 775-687-9429.

The Problem

Sediment is the most common pollutant washed from construction work sites, creating multiple problems once it enters the storm drain system. Sediment deposited in the storm drain system increases the risk of flooding by clogging gutters and catch basins. Sediment also carries with it other work site pollutants such as pesticides, cleaning solvents, cement wash, asphalt and car fluids like motor oil, grease and fuel. Thus, poorly maintained vehicles and heavy equipment leaking fuel and oil on construction sites also contribute to water pollution.

Solutions

• The Nevada Materials Exchange is a free service designed to help organizations find markets for materials they have traditionally discarded.
• Keep pollutants off exposed surfaces. Place trash cans and recycling receptacles around the site.
• Cover and maintain dumpsters. Check frequently for leaks. Place dumpsters under a roof or cover with tarps or plastic sheeting.
• Never clean a dumpster by hosing it down on-site!
• Keep materials out of the rain. Cover exposed piles of soil or construction materials with plastic sheeting or temporary roofs.
• Designate one area for auto parking, vehicle refueling and routine equipment maintenance. The designated area should be well away from gutters or storm drains. Make all major repairs off-site.
• Make sure portable toilets are in good working order. Check frequently for leaks.
  Use as little water as possible for dust control.

Cleaning Up

• Clean up leaks, drips and other spills immediately. This will prevent contaminated soil or residue on paved surfaces.
• Never hose down "dirty" pavement or surfaces where materials have spilled.
• Use dry cleanup methods whenever possible.
• Report significant oil or fuel spills to the appropriate spill response agencies immediately. Use the telephone numbers provided here to report significant spills, illegal dumping, or clogged catch basins.

Advanced Planning to Prevent Pollution

• An erosion control program, worked out before construction begins, prevents or minimizes most erosion and sedimentation problems. Click here to view the Washoe-Storey Conservation District checklist for erosion control for construction sites.
• Train your employees and subcontractors. Inform subcontractors about requirements and their own responsibilities.
• Schedule excavation and grading activities for dry weather periods.
• Control surface runoff to reduce erosion, especially during excavation.
• Use drainage ditches to divert water flow.
• Use gravel approaches to reduce soil compaction and limit the tracking of sediments into streets, where truck traffic is frequent.
• Prevent erosion by planting fast-growing annual and perennial grasses. These will shield and bind the soil.
• Do not remove trees or shrubs unnecessarily. They help decrease erosion.

Handling Materials & Wastes

• Practice Source Reduction - minimize waste when ordering materials. Order only the amounts needed to complete the job. Use recycled and recyclable materials whenever possible. For more information, call the Recycling Hotline at 800-597-5865 or visit the Bureau of Waste Management website.
• Never bury waste materials or leave them in the street.
• Dispose of all waste properly. Many construction materials, including solvents, water-based paints, vehicle fluids, broken asphalt and concrete, wood, and cleared vegetation can be recycled.
• Non-recyclable materials must be taken to an appropriate landfill or disposed of as hazardous waste. For disposal instructions, call the Nevada Small Business Development Center, Business Environmental Program at 1-800-882-3233 or visit their website at www.nsbdcbep.org.