Biomass filled Silt Socks/Fibre Rolls Norm Richardson, Domenic - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Biomass filled Silt Socks/Fibre Rolls

Norm Richardson, Domenic Cavallo & Mike Baldesarra OPBC AGM – March 7, 2019

A focus on Erosion and Sediment Control

 Construction industry is experiencing a continuously increased focus on the

importance of erosion and sediment control measures (ESC) in construction projects

 The implementation of ESC measures is an integral part of the permit process

for project approvals

 Conservation Authorities and municipalities want to see the reduction of

erosion as an important element, coupled with the control of sediment runoff

 Examples of erosion control – flat slopes, seeding, limiting disturbance  Examples of sediment control – sediment control ponds, fences, silt socks

 Most measures are intended to slow flow to allow settling of particles before

discharge, or to provide some level of filtration before discharge.

Silt Socks in current industry

 Silt socks are increasing prevalence in the industry in two main areas

 As a replacement for traditional silt control fence  As ‘check dam’ used perpendicular to ditch flow

 All are considered as temporary measures, and are removed following

construction

 Ontario Provincial Standards (OPS) outline construction specification for

temporary erosion and sediment control measures, OPSS 805. Excerpts

 Fibre Roll means an assembled or commercially available flexible, tubular

structure that provides sediment control and may provide run-off filtration and includes wattles, filter socks and filter berms.

 Fibre rolls shall be of a consistent internal thickness with even fibre distribution

throughout the roll. Fibre rolls shall be covered on the outside with an open- weave, biodegradable and photodegradable mesh or netting that securely contains the fibres within the rolls. Fibre rolls shall be filled with 100% organic, biodegradable material such as shredded straw, wood fibres or compost and may contain seed.

Typical Installation Detail - OPSD

Current Test Project – AJAX Lakeview Boulevard Reconstruction

 Complete realignment of Lakeview

Boulevard through Paradise Park, one of Ajax’s lakefront parks

 Project includes watermain construction,

new concrete box culverts, new permeable parking areas and new road construction

 Cooperation with park contractor for new

playground

 Located in TRCA regulated lands  Completion – November 2018

Current Swithgrass Socks in use AJAX

Feedback so far – Contractor’s Perspective

 Switchgrass socks are lightweight and easy

to maneuver

 Can be easily installed in the same way as

socks filled with other organic media

 Socks remain lightweight through usage  Socks, and switchgrass media are durable

enough to be repositioned through the project

Next Steps

 Leverage our current alliance with OPBC to supply fill material for silt

socks/fibre rolls.

 Continue our ongoing product development, and integration in the Ontario

construction market

 Work with educational/research institutions and government agencies on

product testing and development

 Discussions with conservation authorities and municipalities about the use of

silt socks/fibre rolls as erosion protection

 Current construction projects are specifying the use of fibre rolls, in

accordance with OPS standards.