Perimeter Control Systems and Sediment Containment

Understanding How Construction Sites Keep Sediment On-Site Before Stormwater Enters the Drainage System

Before stormwater reaches a catch basin, storm sewer, detention pond, or water quality treatment system, it first moves across the construction site. During that movement, runoff can detach soil, transport sediment, damage slopes, clog drainage systems, and carry pollutants beyond the limits of construction.

This module explores the perimeter control systems used to manage runoff and sediment before stormwater enters the engineered drainage system. Topics include commercial silt fence, TDOT silt fence, wire-backed systems, SmartFence, Silt Saver, silt fence outlets, sediment tubes, straw wattles, filter sock, Siltworm, Erosion Eels, coir logs, compost berms, mulch berms, DuraWattle, construction entrances, and specialty BMPs.

Using practical field-based examples, this module explains the difference between sheet flow and  concentrated flow, why drainage area and slope length matter, how slope interruption works, why installation and maintenance are critical, and how BMP selection should be based on site conditions rather than product familiarity.

Rather than treating erosion control products as interchangeable materials, this module explains the field logic that guides successful perimeter control selection. Students learn why most BMP failures are not product failures, but application, installation, or maintenance failures.

Whether you're an engineer, contractor, superintendent, erosion control specialist, inspector, estimator,  Developer, municipal official, utility contractor, highway contractor, distributor, property owner, or student of civil infrastructure, this module provides a practical understanding of how construction sites manage runoff and sediment before stormwater becomes a downstream problem.