Roadwork & Paving

Safe Environment Practices and Procedures

  • Construction Inspectors
  • Driveway/Sidewalk/Parking Lot/Road Construction Crews
  • General Contractors
  • Operators of grading equipment, paving machines, dump trucks and cement mixers
  • Seal Coat Contractors

Roadwork and Paving Problems

Road paving, surfacing and pavement removal activities contribute to stormwater/urban runoff pollution. This is because they take place right in the street, where urban runoff contamination can result from asphalt, saw-cut slurry or excavated material being washed into storm drains.

Rain or runoff then carries these toxic substances to the ocean through the storm drain system, posing a hazard to human and sea life.

Extra planning is required to store and dispose of materials properly and guard against stormwater and ocean pollution.

Solutions

Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as handling, storing and disposing of materials properly can prevent pollutants from entering the storm drains.

General Business Practices:

  • Keep materials out of the rain. Store them under cover, with temporary roofs or plastic sheets, protected from rainfall, runoff and the wind.
  • Schedule excavation and grading work for dry weather.
  • Develop and implement erosion and sediment control plans for embankments.
  • Recycle used oil, concrete, broken asphalt, etc.

Equipment Maintenance

  • Keep all vehicles and heavy equipment in good working order and inspect frequently for leaks.
  • Conduct all vehicle/equipment maintenance and refueling at one location--away from storm drains.
  • Perform major equipment/vehicle repairs and washing off site.
  • Do not use diesel oil to lubricate equipment or parts.

Asphalt & Concrete Removal

  • After breaking up paving, be sure to remove all chunks and pieces. Recycle them at a crushing company.
  • Dispose of small amounts of dry concrete in the trash.
  • Make sure broken pavement does not come in contact with rainfall or runoff.
  • Shovel or vacuum saw-cut slurry and remove from the site.
  • Cover or barricade storm drain openings during saw-cutting.

Asphalt & Concrete Disposal Options

Consider using a crushing company to recycle cement, asphalt and porcelain. For a list of facilities that accept construction and demolition debris, please visit Smart Business Recycling.

During Construction

  • Cover catch basins and maintenance holes when applying seal coat, slurry seal, fog seal, etc.
  • Use check dams, ditches or berms to divert runoff around excavations.
  • Never wash materials from exposed aggregate concrete, asphalt or similar treatments into a street, gutter or storm drain. Collect and recycle, or legally dispose of all such material.
  • Collect and recycle excess abrasive gravel or sand.
  • Avoid over-application by water trucks for dust control.

Spills

  • Never hose down "dirty" pavement or surfaces. Clean up all spills and leaks using "dry" methods (with absorbent materials and/or rags), or dig up and remove contaminated soil.
  • Catch drips from paver with drip pans or absorbent material (cloth, rags, etc.) placed under the machine when not in use.