Compost as a Stormwater Management Tool
The U.S. EPA's Office of Water recently posted three new compost-based BMPs on its National Menu of BMPs for Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control.
The three new BMPs include compost blankets, compost filter berms, and compost socks. Compost Blankets are a layer of loosely applied composted material that is placed on the soil in disturbed areas to control erosion. It can be used in place of traditional sediment and erosion control tools such as mulch, netting, or chemical stabilization. A Compost Filter Berm is a “dike” of compost placed perpendicular to sheet flow runoff to control erosion in disturbed areas and retain sediment. It can be used in place of a silt fence or straw bale barrier. A Compost Filter Sock is a contained filter berm in a mesh sock that is placed perpendicular to sheet-flow runoff to control erosion and sediment in disturbed areas. The sock provides a three-dimensional filter that retains sediment and other pollutants while allowing clean water to flow through. It can be used in place of silt fences or straw bale barriers and has a greater surface area contact with soil than typical sediment control devices. The compost used in these stormwater BMPs can be made from a variety of feedstocks, including municipal yard trimmings, food residuals, separated municipal solid waste, biosolids and manure. http://www.stormwaterauthority.org/library/view_article.aspx?id=399
Compost Blanket
Photos: US EPA Menu of BMPs