Construction Sites: Stormwater Impacts from Runoff Water

Abstract Construction sites can use industry best management practices (BMPs) to reduce turbidity in the stormwater runoff water which, if left untreated, can affect surface water. Groundwater can also be impacted from contaminated runoff water which infiltrates into the subsurface reaching shallow aquifers. Besides total suspended solids (TSS), runoff water from construction sites can solubilize petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, agricultural chemicals (such as pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides), nitrates, metals, as well as other contaminants. Fortunately, erosion control designs, employee training, and stormwater runoff prevention by BMPs can reduce the environmental impacts from water derived from construction sites. Snow and ice melting can create stormwater impacts by transporting sand, grit, and other traction compounds. Commonly used deicing compounds and the ubiquitous road salt are toxic to most freshwater aquatic life, and the impacts for shallow groundwater resources can be large. The rate of snow and ice melt can increase greatly on a warm day well above freezing, creating surface flooding and rapid subsurface infiltration. This article is an updated version of an earlier article from 2005.