Roadside Guide to Clean Water: Sediment Barriers

Sediment Barriers

Sediment Barriers at a Glance

Sediment barriers, sometimes also called sediment filters, are temporary structures that are typically used around the edge of construction sites or other locations with bare soil. They are meant to separate any potential sediment pollution from stormwater that might flow off the site. They allow the stormwater to flow through while trapping sediment behind or inside them.

How Sediment Barriers Work

"Sediment" is a word used to describe soil that has been detached from the land by a process called erosion. The force of a rain drop falling from the sky is powerful enough to dislodge soil particles when they are bare or uncovered. This is common on construction sites and other disturbed areas. Rain that does not soak into the ground will flow downhill, carrying that loose soil with it. Unless stopped, this now dirty water will eventually reach our lakes, rivers, and streams. Many different materials are used as sediment barriers, such as fabric, compost, straw bales, or rocks. Each of these materials can act like a filter, allowing water to pass through pore spaces but capturing the soil. This filtering cleans the water leaving a construction site, therefore reducing pollution to our waterways. Typically, sediment barriers and filters are temporary; they are removed once grass or other plants start to grow and cover the bare soil.

Community Benefits of Sediment Barriers

• Pollution: Reduces pollution

You can expect to find sediment barriers in urban, suburban, and rural settings.

How to Recognize Sediment Barriers

A compost filter sock is a mesh tube filled with a special compost material. It is a highly effective sediment barrier proven to remove many pollutants. Photo by Craig Palmer, Erie Water Works

Inlet filter bags are installed  inside storm drains. The mesh fabric traps sediment, but it needs to be cleaned periodically. Photo by Crai Palmer, Erie Water Works

Silt fencing is a filter fabric attached to stakes and installed in a trench along the edge of a construction site. Photo by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Straw bales can be sediment barriers on small disturbed areas for short periods of time. Photo by City of Meadville

Rock filters will slow water down to remove any sediment as the water flows through constructed channels during a temporary disturbance. Photo by Danielle Rhea

Construction site entrances can be stabilized with rock to prevent erosion and prevent sediment from leaving the site on equipment tires.