My name is Kelly, and welcome back to another episode of Gear up with Greggs.
Today were going to be covering the last ditch effort in sediment control.
BMP Supplies is a manufacturer and supplier of environmental products designed and developed
for the construction industry.
Their series of sediment control logs, donuts, sacks, and socks are the final line of defence
for keeping our water clean when land development occurs.
Builders use sediment control to eliminate having to clean the sewer system out after
debris is washed away.
But wait, what does it matter if a little dirt gets into the sewer system?
Well, first lets start by talking about how the dirt gets there, through erosion and sedimentation.
These naturally occurring processes involve the loosening, transport, and deposit of soil.
Erosion is when soil is worn away by natural forces (such as wind and water)
and then carried from one place to another.
Sedimentation is when soil particles that were previously suspended in flowing water
are deposited, or settled, elsewhere.
Construction activities can produce erosion at 200 to 400 times the natural rate,
thats a lot of moving soil!
Now imagine all that in our drinking water!
Inlet protection measures are considered the last line of defence for our waterways.
Sediment controls are installed on, around, or under them
to keep sediment and other pollutants from entering the waterways.
These products come in many different forms, from socks and donuts installed over catch basins
to sediment boxes and bags installed below.
Here at Greggs, we carry a variety of BMPs inlet control products.
First, lets talk about catch basin logs and donuts.
Whats a catch basin?
Thats a good question!
A catch basin is a type of drainage inlet designed to catch water and rain runoff.
Catch basins can be covered manholes or drainage sources at the curb or ground level,
generally covered by a slotted grate.
Under the grate or cover is a concrete structure, which allows trash and debris to settle at the bottom,
below an outlet pipe that allows water to flow out of the basin.
However, if the water is flowing into the catch basin too quickly, it can cause the
trash and debris to rise toward the outlet pipe and exit the structure.
Which is exactly what we don't want to happen.
Thats why its important to stop this debris from entering the catch basin in the first place.
This is where things like donuts and logs come in handy?
The donuts and logs are brightly coloured for high visibility in busy areas, like construction sites.
The external cover is made from a polyethylene fabric
which is filled with wood shavings for the log
and foam for the donuts.
But why wood shavings and foam?
Well, the donuts are made from a foam to keep their sturdy, circular shape,
whereas shape retention for the logs is less critical.
Installation of both the catch basin log and donut is easy.
For the log, remove the grate and surround the hole with the flap against the inside edge,
then reinsert the grate.
For the donut, remove the grate,
wrap the filter fabric around the grate and attach with the webbing and buckles,
then reinsert the grate.
Its that simple!
Longer term construction or landscaping sites need a sturdier solution,
and thats where the silt fence comes in.
This 3 foot high geotextile fence is designed to prevent the flow of sediment from leaving
the site and entering natural drainage ways or storm drainage systems.
Wait... whats a geotextile?
Well, geotextiles are permeable fabrics which, when used with soil, have the ability to separate,
filter, reinforce, protect, or drain.
In short, these durable fabrics let water out, but keep the soil and silt in.
To install the silt fence, dig a six inch deep trench either manually or with a trencher
and put the stakes in place.
Be sure to orient your silt fence properly!
The stakes should be on the opposite side of the fence from the onslaught of dirt and debris,
so if the fabric breaks, only one segment is broken through, not a whole chain of them.
Once you've got the stakes set, put the bottom flap in place and cover it with soil
to keep the fabric, and fence, from moving.
After all, a fence flapping in the wind is not properly installed!
Theres also biologs, or socks, which provide another barrier for soil and silt.
Much like the other geotextiles, the biologs allow water to pass through the wood filled
tube while restricting the movement of sediment.
Even better, these logs are made from biodegradable burlap
and will deteriorate within two years,
leaving behind a weed free, environmentally friendly mulch.
This means that if you forget the log and leave it behind, theres no worries!
Nature will take care of it.
BMPs line of inlet protection systems work together to keep our environment clean and
keep you from having to pay a hefty fine.
After all, no one wants to see our waterways filled with debris!
But, if you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to call us.
Or you can visit our website at greggdistributors.ca.
Again, Im Kelly and I want to thank you for watching another episode of Gear up with Greggs.