Construction & Remodeling

• Erosion and Sediment Control: Schedule grading and excavation projects during dry weather.
• Cover excavated material and stockpiles of asphalt and sand with plastic tarps.
• Prevent erosion by planting fast-growing annual and perennial grasses.
• Recycle: Use a crushing company to recycle cement, asphalt, and porcelain rather than taking these substances to a landfill.
• Painting: Paints and solvents contain chemicals that are harmful to sea life. The chemicals come from liquid or solid products or from cleaning residues on rags. It is important to prevent these chemicals from entering storm drains.
• Paint Clean-Up: Never clean brushes or rinse paint containers into a street, gutter, or storm drain. For brushes and tools used with oil-based paints, clean brushes with thinner and then filter and reuse thinner or contain it and dispose at a Household Hazardous Waste facility. Latex-based paint brushes and tools should be cleaned in a sink that drains into the sewer. When dry, used brushes, empty paint cans (lids off), rags, and drop cloths may be disposed of in the trash.
• Paint Removal: Chemical paint stripping residue should be taken to a household hazardous waste collection site.
• Paint Recycling: Reuse leftover paint for touch-ups or recycle it at a local household hazardous waste collection site.
• Concrete and Masonry: Fresh concrete and mortar application materials can wash down or blow into the street, gutter, or storm drain, posing a hazard to wildlife habitats and humans. Do not mix up more fresh concrete or cement than you need. Store bags of cement and plaster under a cover. Protect these materials from rainfall, runoff, and wind, away from gutters and storm drains. Never dispose of cement washout or concrete dust onto driveways, streets, gutters, or storm drains.

View the Best Management Practices Guide for preventing erosion (PDF)