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General guidelines for preventing non-point source pollution on construction sites

Erosion controls that aren't maintained can cause excessive amounts of sediment and debris to be carried into the stormwater system.  Construction vehicles can leak fuel, oil, and other harmful fluids that can be picked up by stormwater and deposited into local water bodies.

Divert stormwater away from disturbed or exposed areas of the construction site.

Install silt fences, vehicle mud removal areas, vegetative cover, and other sediment and erosion controls and properly maintain them, especially after rainstorms.

Prevent soil erosion by minimizing disturbed areas during construction projects, and seed and mulch bare areas as soon as possible.

Protect Natural Features

Minimize clearing 

Minimize the amount of exposed soil. 

Identify and protect areas where existing vegetation, such as trees, will not be disturbed by construction activity. 

Protect streams, stream buffers, wild woodlands, wetlands, or other sensitive areas from any disturbance or construction activity by fencing or otherwise clearly marking these areas.

Construction Phasing

Sequence construction activities so that the soil is not exposed for long periods of time.

Schedule or limit grading to small areas.

Install key sediment control practices before site grading begins.

Schedule site stabilization activities, such as landscaping, to be completed immediately after the land has been graded to its final contour.

Vegetative Buffers

Protect and install vegetative buffers along waterbodies to slow and filter stormwater runoff. 
Maintain buffers by mowing or replanting periodically to ensure their effectiveness.

Site Stabilization

Vegetate, mulch, or otherwise stabilize all exposed areas as soon as land alterations have been completed.

Storm Drain Inlet Protection

Use rock or other appropriate material to cover the storm drain inlet to filter out trash and debris. 
Make sure the rock size is appropriate (usually 1 to 2 inches in diameter). 
If you use inlet filters, maintain them regularly.

Dirt Stockpiles

Cover or seed all dirt piles

Slopes

Rough grade or terrace slopes. 
Break up long slopes with with sediment barriers, or under drain, or divert stormwater away from slopes. 

Construction Entrances

Remove mud and dirt from the tires of construction vehicles before they enter a paved roadway. 
Properly size entrance BMPs for all anticipated vehicles. 
Make sure that the construction entrance does not become buried in soil.

Silt Fencing

Inspect and maintain silt fences after each rainstorm. 
Make sure the bottom of the silt fence is buried in the ground. 
Securely attach the material to the stakes. 
Don't place silt fences in the middle of a waterway or use them as a check dam. 
Make sure stormwater is not flowing around the silt fence.