Updating the construction stormwater permit to prevent pollution from concrete

Clipart by eternaltyro

To help prevent pollution and protect water quality, the Washington Department of Ecology is updating its construction stormwater permit that it issues to developers.

Updates to the permit clarify the threshold for how much recycled concrete on a site requires stormwater monitoring. Rainwater runoff from recycled concrete can be corrosive and harmful to aquatic life.

There are also new specifics about areas where wet, unhardened concrete may be washed from equipment. Concrete drums cannot be washed over soils and concrete washout must be kept away from low-impact development areas, which are designed to keep stormwater from leaving a site.

Before the permit changes become official, the public has the opportunity to review and comment through Feb. 10, 2017. Ecology will hold an online workshop and public hearing at 1pm, February 6. 

The permit covers approximately 2,300 construction sites across Washington. The changes settle an appeal of the permit by interest groups from the building and concrete industries.

For more information and to join the online meeting, visit Ecology’s website or contact Amy Moon.