|
Thursday, 10 December 2009 13:36 |
It's no secret that the clearing, excavating, and grading involved in construction disrupts the natural functions of landscapes, but what many people may not completely understand is the impact such environmental upset can have on the quality of nearby bodies of water.
Construction activities contribute to increased stormwater runoff and site erosion, allowing sediments to pollute surface waters such as lakes and streams, and they also can unearth more toxic pollutants embedded in a site or introduce new pollutants from construction equipment. All this degrades the quality of the water that humans and animals alike depend on. There are methods for managing construction site soils that minimize damaging runoff and discharges, but while every state and local government establishes requirements for managing stormwater discharges, some are more stringent than others and water quality varies widely around the country.
|