Construction Site Erosion & Sediment Control

Construction Guidelines

The City of Mansfield is committed to working with the Construction and Development Industry regarding Stormwater compliance issues. Sediments from construction sites can cause flooding, decrease fish populations and fill in lakes and ponds. Trash and Debris from construction sites can cause drainage system blockages leading to flooding and are unsightly.

Other Pollutants entering our local waterways from construction site runoff can be harmful or deadly to aquatic life, and people who enter polluted waters. It is important the City and the Construction and Development Industry work together to identify proper practices to protect our waterways.

The City of Mansfield has been holding annual Builder/Developer Workshops. Presentations at these workshops change from year to year depending on needs identified during inspections. The workshops provide the opportunity for the city to communicate our expectations and for the development community to ask any questions in a relaxed setting.

Site Categories

  • Unregulated Sites - Sites that disturb less than one acre and are not part of a larger common plan of development that will disturb more than 1 acre do not have permit requirements.
  • Small Sites - Sites that will disturb more than 1, but less than 5 acres, or are part of a common plan of development that will disturb more than 1 but less than 5 acres, are considered small construction sites.
  • Large Sites - Sites that will disturb more than 5 acres of land, or are part of a common plan of development that will disturb more than 5 acres, are considered large construction sites.
  • Home Builders - Homebuilders can find themselves in situations where they are building on unregulated, small or large construction sites. They must follow the guidelines for whatever site classification they are building in.

State Permit

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulates construction activities under permit TXR150000. The City’s Stormwater Quality Protection Ordinance has similar requirements to the State’s permit.

Site Compliance

The City uses the North Central Texas Council of Government Integrated Stormwater Management (iSWM) Construction Controls Technical Manual as the manual to design erosion and sediment controls for construction sites.

A well-prepared and properly implemented Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) will reduce or eliminate many of these common problems. The City has prepared a SWPPP template that can be used as an example for homebuilders. The City makes no claim that this SWPPP template (DOC) will meet all State permit requirements, or that completing the example template will prevent State or local enforcement if an inspection should occur.**

The TCEQ has prepared SWPPP worksheets (PDF) as well. Visit the STEERS electronic filing homepage.

Common Problems

  • Wind blown litter and debris leave the construction site clogging storm drains and channels causing localized flooding and presenting aesthetic problems
  • Dirt tracked from the site onto local roadways entering storm drain systems and presenting hazards to residents
  • Sediments leave the site covering healthy vegetation and causing water quality problems
  • Lot grading changed after builders begin activities resulting in changes from the approved grading plan and local flooding problems
  • Leaking portable restrooms on road surfaces or near storm drains allow human waste into storm drain system

City Expectations

The City of Mansfield expects all operators of construction activities to comply with the TCEQ Permit regulations and City Ordinances.

As part of the Storm Water Management Program for the City, a construction site inspection program is in place with the goal of reducing pollutants from construction sites into public right of ways and local waterways. This inspection program is independent of TCEQ requirements for construction site inspections. Construction site operators will be required to develop an inspection program for their site in accordance with the TCEQ Permit.

Deficiencies noted by City inspectors should be addressed as soon as possible. Most deficiencies will have a maximum of 7 days to be addressed. Major deficiencies will require immediate attention. If a BMP fails and sediment or other pollutants are released from the construction, it will be the responsibility of the operator to remove the pollutant and perform any cleanup of the area. Failure to do so will result in fines, billing if the City has to clean the area, or stop work orders for serious or repeat offenders.