Flood Awareness Week is March 12-18 in Fairfax County. There is no better time to issue this important reminder. Storms have the potential to produce heavy rains that could lead to localized flooding, so it is vital for construction site workers to check their erosion and sediment controls before a storm.

Here are some vital steps to take:

• Know where drainage patterns cross your site. Flooding may occur where drainageways cross your site.
• Ensure that all erosion and sediment controls are properly installed and rid of any damages to lessen the impact of erosion runoff that could impact nearby properties, roadways and adjacent waterways.
• Thoroughly inspect your sites to ensure that silt fences are properly entrenched, sediment traps and basins have adequate storage, trash containers are covered, and chemicals and other potential pollutants are stored in a protected area.

After the weather system has moved out of the area:

• Inspect your site’s erosion and sediment controls for any damages.
• Make repairs if necessary.
• Clean up any offsite contamination immediately with the advisement of your site inspector.

• Fairfax County Stormwater Management Ordinance
• Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations
• The Public Facilities Manual