Erosion Control Measures (Pictures)

One requirement for LEED for Homes Certification is that all projects implement erosion controls during construction. This is required because construction can result in considerable runoff, leading to soil erosion and alteration of natural drainage patterns. Soil can be lost from the site in this way, and this runoff carries pollutants and debris to water bodies (in our case, the Connecticut River). To prevent these environmental impacts, all LEED for Homes projects are required to take measures to limit soil erosion at the building site.


In consultation with Josy, our LEED Rater at the Center for EcoTechnology, we determined that silt socks should be used to minimize sediment runoff from the site and protect the storm drain on the street at at the base of the site. Silt socks are made of a filter fabric sock that is filled with wood chips or compost (we used cedar wood chips). Silt socks allow water to flow through them at a controlled rate while trapping sediment. The sock is in contact with the ground, preventing water from flowing underneath.


Installation of Silt Sock Around Storm Drain at Base of Site

Silt Sock After Several Days (Note Trapped Sediments)

We also installed a silt sock across the driveway to prevent sediments in stormwater runoff from the dumpster area from running down the driveway and leaving the site (View From House):

View of Both Silt Socks from Street 

Close-Up of Driveway Silt Sock (View from Street)

Unfortunately the driveway silt sock shown here was run over by the dumpster driver when our last dumspter was changed out. This broke the silt sock and it needed to be repaired. The new silt sock runs across only the paved portion of the driveway, and a shorter silt sock now runs across the paved walkway to the right.