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[[File:Sediment entering the basin clogs the system.PNG |right|thumb|300 px|alt=This photo shows Sediment entering the basin clogs the system|<font size=3>Sediment entering the basin clogs the system</font size>]]
 
[[File:Sediment entering the basin clogs the system.PNG |right|thumb|300 px|alt=This photo shows Sediment entering the basin clogs the system|<font size=3>Sediment entering the basin clogs the system</font size>]]
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[[File:Basin captures rainfall from a small rain event but it doesn’t infiltrate.PNG  |right|thumb|300 px|alt=This photo shows Basin captures rainfall from a small rain event but it doesn’t infiltrate|<font size=3>Basin captures rainfall from a small rain event but it doesn’t infiltrate</font size>]]
  
 
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.
 
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.

Revision as of 20:38, 29 February 2016

Constructing infiltration systems

The final step when all contributing drainage areas have been stabilized

Noncompliant construction

This photo shows inlets to the infiltration basin were not protected.
inlets to the infiltration basin were not protected
This photo shows Sediment entering the basin clogs the system
Sediment entering the basin clogs the system
This photo shows Basin captures rainfall from a small rain event but it doesn’t infiltrate
Basin captures rainfall from a small rain event but it doesn’t infiltrate

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.