Erosion & Sediment Control Bylaw

The Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Bylaw sets forth mandatory standards for site ESC planning and the adoption of Best Management Practices during construction.

Sediment pollution entering storm water can cause a wide range of issues such as:

• Sediment fills up storm drains and catch basins which increases the potential for flooding.
• Cleaning out accumulated sediment from the municipal drainage system burdens taxpayers with a considerable preventable cost.
• Sediment in stream beds disrupts the natural food chain by destroying the habitat of small organisms.
• Sediment effects fish, it can clog their gills, reduce their resistance to disease, lower growth rates and affect their egg development.
• Sediment deposits in rivers can alter the flow of water and reduce water depth.

Erosion and Sediment Control Bylaw standards

Discharge standards

The ESC Bylaw specifies that no site can discharge water more than 75 milligrams per litre of Total Suspended Solids (TSS), above background or upstream levels.

TSS must be tested independently in a lab, but the turbidity (cloudiness) of the water can be monitored in the field using a hand held turbidity meter.

A sample measuring greater than 60 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) is usually the trigger point where the sample must also be sent to the lab for analysis.

Erosion and Sediment Control Permit requirements

All construction sites require the use of BMPs. You may also need to apply for an ESC Permit if your developable area is greater than 4000 square meters. Larger sites are more complex and require detailed plans and an ESC Supervisor to ensure that site discharge is managed.