With current strict erosion and sediment control regulations, sediment still is the main source of water pollution. Some of the main contributors to sediment pollution are the poor restoration techniques utilized in storm water discharge channels on many construction sites.
Effective slope stabilization techniques are utilized on many construction sites, such as erosion control blanket installation on slopes. Most channel restorations involve installing several check dams without a channel liner. During rain events, these channels are faced with a high runoff rate and need durable channel liners. In addition, intermittent shallow check dams are needed to break the runoff flow rate. Using tall check dams in channel restoration creates threats during heavy storms. Heavy flows can be blocked by tall check dams causing water to find alternative routes; this leads to erosion and sediment pollution. Establishing sustainable mature vegetation is the best long-term solution for storm water discharge channel restoration.
A visible, eroded, roadside storm water discharge channel successfully was stabilized using BioD-Mat 70 semi-permanent woven coir erosion blanket as a channel liner and the 9-in.-diameter BioD-Watl 9 coir wattle as check dams. This restored the channel and effectively filtered sediment with coir wattles. These natural and biodegradable products restored the channels and reduced sediment pollution. Strong and durable woven coir blankets provide protection from rainwater and support vegetation establishment. Synthetic check dams are required to be removed from the site upon establishing the vegetation. These 100% biodegradable coir wattles were left at the site. Not only did they effectively filter the sediment, but they also became mulch, which improve soil conditions. The completely restored channel had mature vegetation. It is an easy-to-maintain, aesthetically pleasing vegetated channel that used biodegradable erosion blankets to completely stop sediment pollution.
