Silt curtains, also known as silt barriers, are used to control pollution caused by suspended sediments in waterways. They come in floating and staked designs, with Type I for calm waters, Type II for medium waters, and Type III for rough waters. Spiked silt barriers and silt fences are used in areas of extremely shallow water. They are mandated by governments to control pollution, such as the Clean Water Act in the United States.
Silt curtains are protective barriers used in the marine environment to control pollution caused by suspended sediments, such as silty soil or stone dust. When water runoff or construction activity creates sediment in streams, silt curtains are used to contain this suspended sediment. By confining the sediment to a specific area, the rest of the stream is protected from the harmful effects of pollution.
In many areas of the world, the use of silt screens is mandated by governments to control the pollution of waterways. In the United States, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Clean Water Act were developed to control the pollution of natural resources, including waterways. The Clean Water Act specifically provides for the use of silt screens as a barrier to contain and reduce pollution from construction activities and shoreline stabilization procedures.
Silt curtains are also called silt barriers. These protective barriers are available in floating and staked designs. Floating silt tents come in three types.
A Type I floating silt curtain is designed for use in calm waters. Still water applications could include small ponds or inland lakes and channels. This type of silt curtain is particularly suitable for controlling sediment pollution caused by rainwater runoff associated with nearby construction or agricultural activity.
Type II floating silt tents are designed for use in medium waters. This type of silt curtain is sturdier than Type I silt curtain. It is used in rivers and streams with more noticeable current and surface activity. Type II floating silt screen is commonly used during bridge construction or demolition and to control sediment created during shoreline stabilization efforts.
A Type III floating silt curtain is constructed for use in rough water and intercostal waterways. These silt tents are designed for use in areas with high currents and heavy surface activity. Commonly found in areas where there is a large building construction near the waterway or in cases of environmental disaster, Type III silt curtain is suitable for industrial spill remediation and heavy metal runoff control . Custom designed Type III silt barriers are commonly used in oil spill cleanup and containment.
Spiked silt barriers and silt fences are designed for sediment control in areas of extremely shallow water with very limited currents and no surface activity. This type of silt screen is commonly used in roadside ditches or very shallow channels to control runoff from road construction or erosion. It is designed to confine sediment to one location, but is not built to withstand the current and surface activity of floating silt curtains.
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