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Construction Site Runoff Control

Construction Site Runoff Control

Vanderburgh County and IDEM regulate construction projects that disturb one acre or more of land. Storm water runoff from construction sites picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, and lakes. To protect these resources, communities, construction companies, industries, and others, use storm water controls, known as best management practices (BMPs). These BMPs filter out pollutants and/or prevent pollution by controlling them at their source. Refer to the County Codes for more information:

Vanderburgh County Construction Forms:

Construction Stormwater Plan Review Checklist
Self Inspection Form
IDEM Rule 5 Notice of Intent
IDEM Rule 5 Notice of Termination
IDEM Regulatory ePortal
Why is construction site runoff control necessary?

According to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s “Indiana Storm Water Quality Manual,” sediment is the number one water quality pollutant by volume in Indiana. As erosion causes off-site sedimentation, it can deposit in storm sewers and reduce their efficiency and capacity, thereby causing flooding. As sediment is deposited in stream channels, it decreases the channel’s capacity and can also lead to flooding, as well as increase the possibility of erosion and scour on the banks of the stream. This negatively affects the recreational and aesthetic values of waterways.

Failed Erosion Control Measures

Due to the nature of land development, it is a leading cause of off-site sedimentation. As vegetative cover is removed from a site during construction activities, erosion and sedimentation can take place if the construction activities are not managed properly. To attempt to reduce these erosion and sedimentation problems, regulations that require erosion and sediment controls and storm water pollution prevention plans are required by IDEM’s Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSGP), formerly called a Rule 5 Permit.

Contractor Training

A part of Vanderburgh County’s MS4 Program is to provide training to contractors on erosion and sediment control best management practices (BMPs). Storm water runoff from construction sites picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, and lakes. To protect these resources, communities, construction companies, industries, and others, use BMPs. These BMPs control pollutants and/or prevent pollution by controlling them at their source.

Contractor Training Videos:

The inspections of ongoing construction sites are completed locally by the Vanderburgh County Engineering Department.  Any questions regarding inspections, or any requests for inspections due to failed erosion control measures, should be directed to the County Engineering Department at 812-435-5773 or by email to engineer@vanderburghgov.org.