How can construction projects minimize surface runoff?

Minimizing surface runoff during construction projects is crucial for preventing erosion, sedimentation, and water pollution. The correct approach involves preserving existing vegetation and implementing phased grading approaches.

Preserving existing vegetation is essential because plants and their root systems help to absorb and slow down rainfall, allowing water to infiltrate into the soil rather than run off into nearby waterways. Root systems also help bind the soil together, reducing erosion. Implementing phased grading approaches allows construction to occur in stages, minimizing the amount of disturbed soil present at one time. This strategy helps reduce the overall impact on the landscape, as it limits the exposed soil area and enhances natural water absorption into the ground.

The other options, while possibly well-intentioned, do not effectively address surface runoff reduction. Maximizing soil compaction can sometimes reduce pore space in the soil, limiting its ability to absorb water. Paving over areas with existing vegetation eliminates the natural absorbent capacity of the soil and the plants, leading to increased runoff. Installing temporary drainage systems may be necessary for site management, but these systems typically collect and direct the runoff, rather than addressing its source or reducing it effectively. Thus, preserving vegetation and employing phased grading are the most effective strategies for minimizing surface runoff.