Construction stormwater best management practice – Constructing infiltration systems
Constructing infiltration systems
The final step when all contributing drainage areas have been stabilized
Noncompliant construction
In these pictures, inlets to the infiltration basin were not protected, and sediment enters the basin from exposed soils on the still active construction site. The basin was not protected from sedimentation, and sediment runs off the side slopes and is deposited in the basin.
Sediment entering the basin from exposed soils on the construction site and from the side slopes clogs the system.
Months later, the construction project is complete. The basin captures rainfall from a small rain event but it doesn’t infiltrate. Costly repairs are required in order for it to function properly.
Avoid using heavy equipment to construct infiltration systems. Heavy equipment will compact soils in the system and infiltration rates will decrease or stop altogether. Once at final grade, the infiltration system should be staked off and marked so that heavy vehicles or equipment do not compact the soils.