It's a prerequisite, which means it must be met prior to achieving certification. It is intended to control pollution from construction activities (i.e. dirt and debris running off of the site during rain storms and dust blowing onto our streets and surrounding areas). Most construction codes will require contractors to follow this guideline; therefore most are aware that good housekeeping before and during construction is necessary.
Why?
Simply put...SS prerequisite 1 is intended to keep our streets and surrounding areas clear of dirt and trash thus keeping it away from our sewers, receiving streams, and other bodies of water.
How?
USGBC recommends using several methods in controlling site runoffs and here are some examples:
Plant fast growing grass to temporarily keep the soil in place and preventing it from running off during storms.
Spreading hay, grass wood chips, straw, or gravel to contain the dirt.
In controlling the dust:
Have you ever driven by a construction site and noticed a big water tanker spraying water and wondered what and why it is doing that? The strategy is to keep the dust from blowing into the air during demolition and construction.
SS Prerequisite 1
