Changes

==Overview==

==Overview==

[[File:Screenshot 2025-07-29 102005.png|250px|thumb|right|Effective ESC starts before topsoil stripping begins. This flow chart shows the ESC process from construction project start to finish. Scroll through the wiki to read about each step of the process.]]

[[File:Screenshot 2025-07-29 102005.png|250px|thumb|right|Effective ESC starts before [[topsoil]] stripping begins. This flow chart shows the ESC process from construction project start to finish. Scroll through the wiki to read about each step of the process.]]

[[Erosion]] and [[Sedimentation|sediment]] controls (ESC) are technologies, practices and procedures that are applied to prevent the release of sediment from construction sites.

[[Erosion]] and [[Sedimentation|sediment]] controls (ESC) are technologies, practices and procedures that are applied to prevent the release of sediment from construction sites. Rapid urban expansion and associated construction activities are a significant source of stress to the natural environment. As construction processes involve the removal of [[vegetation]] and de-stabilization of soils, they can accelerate natural processes of [[erosion]] and [[sedimentation]], mobilizing more sediment and associated [[Water Quality|contaminants]] that can ultimately end up in downstream receiving water systems. ESC measures are essential to help reduce these sediment loads from active construction sites and protect downstream aquatic habitats from becoming impaired.

Rapid urban expansion and associated construction activities are a significant source of stress to the natural environment. As construction processes involve the removal of vegetation and de-stabilization of soils, they can accelerate natural processes of erosion and sedimentation, mobilizing more sediment and associated contaminants that can ultimately end up in downstream receiving water systems. ESC measures are essential to help reduce these sediment loads from active construction sites and protect downstream aquatic habitats from becoming impaired.

{{textbox|Inadequate ESC during construction can cause:

{{textbox|Inadequate ESC during construction can cause:

*fines from regulatory agencies.}}

*fines from regulatory agencies.}}

Implementing effective ESC practices throughout all stages of construction is essential to sustainable urban growth and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Implementing effective ESC practices throughout all stages of construction is essential to sustainable [[Urbanization|urban growth]] and ensuring regulatory compliance.

[[File:Screenshot 2025-11-07 105736.png|500px|thumb|center|link=http://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2020/01/ESC-Guide-for-Urban-Construction_FINAL.pdf|The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, through STEP, published the [http://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2020/01/ESC-Guide-for-Urban-Construction_FINAL.pdf Erosion and Sediment Control Guide for Urban Construction] in 2019. This wiki page summarizes key content from the guide and provides additional resources; however, readers should consult the full guide for comprehensive information. Click on the image to access the guide.]]

[[File:Screenshot 2025-11-07 105736.png|500px|thumb|center|link=http://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2020/01/ESC-Guide-for-Urban-Construction_FINAL.pdf|The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, through STEP, published the [http://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2020/01/ESC-Guide-for-Urban-Construction_FINAL.pdf Erosion and Sediment Control Guide for Urban Construction] in 2019. This wiki page summarizes key content from the guide and provides additional resources; however, readers should consult the full guide for comprehensive information. Click on the image to access the guide.]]