Heavy Equipment & Earth Moving Activities
Heavy Equipment Operation Problems
Soil excavation and grading operations
often contribute to urban runoff pollution. By loosening large
amounts of soil and sediment, earth-moving activities can
cause sediment to flow into gutters, storm drains and the
Oostanuala Creek and its tributaries.
Sediment is the most common pollutant
washed from work sites, creating multiple problems once it
leaves the work site. Sediment clogs the gills of fish, blocks
light transmission and increases water temperature, all which
harm aquatic life. Sediment also blocks gutters and storm
drains increasing the risk of flooding in areas downstream
of the work site.
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 at the construction site also contribute
to storm water pollution.
Land Disturbance (Grading) Permits
Athens requires that commercial
development obtain a grading permit
before beginning work. This permit requires site developers
to develop and implement an erosion control plan. For more
information, contact Public Works at (423) 744-2745.
Solutions
Best Management Practices, such
as handling, storing and disposing of materials properly can
prevent excavation site pollutants from entering storm drains.
1. General
Business Practices
2. Clean
up Spills
-
Never hose down "dirty"
pavement or impermeable surfaces where fluids have spilled.
Use dry cleanup methods (saw dust, cat litter, and/or
rags).
-
Sweep up dry materials
immediately. Never attempt to bury them or "wash
them away" with water.
-
Clean up spills on dirt
areas by digging up and properly disposing of contaminated
soil.
-
Report significant spills
to the appropriate spill response agencies immediately.
3. Vehicle
and Equipment Maintenance
-
Maintain all vehicles
and heavy equipment. Inspect frequently for leaks.
-
Conduct all vehicle/equipment
maintenance and refueling at one location--away from storm
drains.
-
Perform major maintenance,
repair jobs off-site.
-
Designate a washing site
where water drains to the sewer system. Contact the Athens
Utility Board (423) 745-4501 for requirements for connecting
to the sanitary sewer.
-
Use and maintain gravel
construction entrances where truck traffic is frequent
to reduce soil compaction and limit tracking of sediment
into streets.
-
Use drip pans or drop cloths
to catch drips and spills, if you drain and replace motor
oil, radiator coolant or other fluids on site. Collect
all used fluids, store in separate containers and recycle
whenever possible.
-
Do not use diesel fuel
to lubricate equipment or parts.
4. Erosion
Prevention
The following control measures
should be used as a minimum for erosion control:
-
The smallest practical
area of land should be exposed at any one time during
development. Mulching or other protective measures should
be used to protect exposed areas.
-
Areas that will be exposed
for more than three (3) months shall be seeded and mulched
or landscaped.
-
Temporary furrows, terraces,
sediment or debris basins should be installed to prevent
washing and erosion during construction.
-
In areas where soil may
wash onto the roadway or into a drainage basin, the developer
will be required to install and maintain a silt fence,
hay bales, or both.
-
Final vegetation should
be installed as soon as practical in the development after
the land is exposed.
-
A gravel construction entrance
shall be constructed prior to any site work. This construction
entrance will be maintained by the owner or his/her contractor
throughout the construction process.
-
Sediment washed onto roadways
or into drainage ditches or basins, and soil tracked onto
roadways by construction equipment/vehicles or daily ingress
and egress onto the site shall be removed at the end of
each working day by the contractor, developer, or property
owner.
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