Field evaluation of sediment perimeter barrier products under sheet flow conditions

Abstract

Construction activities often involve topsoil disturbance, leading to substantial soil erosion and offsite sedimentation. Dozens of sediment perimeter barrier products (SPBs) designed to prevent offsite sedimentation due to sheet erosion have been developed over the past few decades. However, many of the SPBs have yet to be tested under standardized, field-scale conditions. A standardized testing protocol was utilized at the Erosion Control Research and Training Center (ECRTC) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to evaluate SPBs. The testing protocol simulated sheet flow erosion from the construction sites in Illinois during a 10-year, 6-hour storm event. The silt fence was tested as a standard. The four SPBs evaluated during the study were (1) Filtrexx Siltsoxx, (2) ERTEC ProWattle, (3) Curlex sediment log, and (4) coconut coir log. Product effectiveness was evaluated based on structural performance, downstream water quality, and sediment retention efficiency.

Water quality data for each product were statistically compared to results of the silt fence by Welch’s t-test. Filtrexx Siltsoxx and ERTEC ProWattle were the most effective in retaining sediment upstream of the product and improving downstream water quality. Sediment log and coconut coir log exhibited similar results to that of the silt fence. This study demonstrates that several novel technologies for sediment perimeter barriers are equal to, or exceed, the relative effectiveness of the industry standard at retaining sediment in standardized sheet flow conditions. These newer products have the potential to reduce sediment-related infractions and violations, and to prevent further sediment-related pollution in waterways downstream.