Construction Site Runoff Control

The 5 Pillars of Construction Management


In order to effectively manage construction stormwater, one must manage:

  1. Communication - The BEST management practice; effectiveness focused
  2. Work - implementation focused
    • A contractor will properly manage a site if compensated appropriately and if the owner's and inspector's expectations are presented up front. Regulatory personnel should "inspect what you expect".
  3. Water - cause focused
    • Diversions and conveyances direct runoff around and away from disturbed areas so construction site superintendents only have to manage the precipitation that falls on the site.
  4. Erosion - source focused
    • Erosion control limits exposed soil making it less susceptible to wind or rain transport.
  5. Sediment - symptom focused (least effective)
    • Sediment control uses BMPs designed to capture moving sediment and stop it from leaving construction sites.
...in that order!

The Power of Water

Doubling the velocity of water, increases:
  • Its erosive energy by 4 times
  • The mass of soil being transported by 32 times
  • The size of the particle being carried 62 times

Sediment Impact

The sediment leaving construction sites impacts drainage systems and ultimately pollutes streams and rivers. Major impacts include:
  • Addition of harmful nutrients, bacteria, heavy metals
  • Decreased water clarity and available oxygen levels needed to sustain aquatic life
  • Degradation of stream bank habitats and stream stability

How You Can Help

You can help protect streams and rivers by reporting erosion and sediment concerns before they become a problem for the environment.

City Inspection Form

This is the form that the City of Edmond's Water Quality Specialists use when inspecting OKR10-permitted construction sites:
Download the Inspection Form.

Permittee Inspection Form


Construction sites greater than or equal to one acre require a OKR10 Construction General Permit from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) (2017 version). The permit requires inspections at least once every 14 days or within 24 hours of a 0.5'' of rainfall. If your site is covered under the OKR10, ODEQ has developed an Inspection Report Template to assist you in creating a customized inspection report specific to your project that complies with the minimum reporting requirements of OKR10 Part 4.3.13. Note that the use of this template is optional; you may use your own inspection report form provided it includes the minimum information required by OKR10 Part 4.3.13.
Download the Permittee Inspection Form.