Common ESC Product and Installation Tips: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding erosion and sediment control (ESC) is critical to protecting soil, waterways, and project timelines. In a recent Zoom presentation, Grant from BMP Supplies, bringing over 16 years of experience in civil construction and hydroelectric facilities, shared practical, field-tested insights to help contractors get the most from their ESC strategies.

This guide expands on those insights with additional best practices and supporting resources.

The ESC Triangle: A Foundation for Success

Effective erosion and sediment control comes down to managing three core elements:

• Energy – Slope steepness and water velocity

• Water – Precipitation impact and surface runoff

• Sediment – Exposed, erodible soil

Erosion occurs when all three elements are present. Remove or reduce any one of them, and you significantly lower the risk of sediment loss and downstream impacts.

For example:

• Reduce energy by shortening slope length or adding check structures.

• Manage water with diversion swales or temporary drainage.

• Limit sediment by covering exposed soils quickly.

This framework aligns with guidance from the International Erosion Control Association and standards developed by ASTM International for erosion control materials and performance testing.

Erosion Control Blankets (ECBs)

Erosion Control Blankets are one of the most versatile tools in your ESC toolkit. They address all three sides of the ESC triangle:

• Prevent rain splash erosion

• Slow surface water velocity

• Protect exposed soil to support vegetation establishment
  

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Field and manufacturer data commonly show vegetation establishment improvements of 200–300% compared to bare soil when properly installed.

Types of Erosion Control Blankets

1. Straw-Filled Blankets

• Longevity: 3–12 months

• Ideal for short-term stabilization and quick vegetation establishment
  

2. Straw-Coconut Blend Blankets

• Longevity: 12–24 months

• Suitable for medium-term slopes and moderate flow conditions
  

3. 100% Coconut (Coir) Blankets

• Longevity: 24–36+ months

• Designed for long-term or permanent slope stabilization and higher-flow environments
  

  

Installation Best Practices

Proper installation is the difference between success and failure.

• Install from top to bottom, overlapping like roof shingles

• Key in the top edge into a trench to prevent undermining

• Increase staple density on steeper slopes and in high-flow areas

• Ensure firm soil contact, no bridging or air gaps

• Hand-seed and apply fertilizer (if specified) before installation

• Backfill and compact trenches securely
  

Pro Tip: Most failures occur due to improper anchoring or insufficient overlap—not product quality.

Catch Basin Protection

Catch basin protection is critical in urban and municipal construction. These devices reduce sediment discharge into storm systems, helping projects meet regulatory requirements.

Properly installed and maintained systems can achieve sediment filtration efficiencies approaching 90% under ideal conditions.

Types of Catch Basin Protection

1. Catch Basin Donut (Above-Grate)

• Install upside down, secure to the grate, then flip into place

• Ensure overflow window is positioned away from curb inlet filters

• Good for retrofit situations
  

  

2. Catch Basin Sack (Below-Grate)

• Insert beneath grate before replacement

• Designed with lifting straps for easy removal

• Higher sediment capacity compared to above-grate systems
  

  

3. Curb Inlet Filter

• Straps directly to curb openings

• Ideal for roadways and urban developments
  

  

Critical Maintenance

Maintenance determines effectiveness:

• Inspect before and after rain events

• Clean when sediment reaches one-third to one-half capacity

• Never allow ponding that creates traffic or flooding hazards

• Replace damaged units immediately
  

Improper maintenance can reduce effectiveness and increase flood risk, see here:

Straw Wattles

Straw Wattles (also known as sediment logs) provide up to 90% sediment filtration when installed correctly and used under appropriate flow conditions. They serve two primary purposes:

1. Erosion Control

• Installed along contour lines

• Break up long slopes

• Reduce runoff velocity
  

2. Sediment Control

• Installed along site perimeters

• Capture sediment before leaving the site
  

Key Installation Tips

• Excavate a 1–3 inch trench prior to placement

• Embed the wattle firmly into the trench

• Backfill and compact soil on the upslope side

• Stake securely at recommended spacing

• Avoid installing directly in concentrated flow channels unless specified
  

Water flowing underneath a wattle is the most common installation mistake. Trenching is non-negotiable for performance.

Regulatory and Environmental Considerations

In many regions, ESC measures are required to comply with stormwater regulations and environmental protection standards. In Canada, guidance often aligns with federal and provincial stormwater management requirements overseen by agencies such as Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Municipal specifications and project contracts frequently reference ASTM performance standards for erosion control materials. Always confirm local compliance requirements before product selection and installation.

Inspection and Lifecycle Management

ESC is not “install and forget.”

Best practice includes:

• Pre-rain inspections

• Post-rain inspections

• Weekly documented site walks

• Immediate repair of undermined or displaced controls

• Seasonal reassessment for long-term projects

Products perform as designed only when properly installed, inspected, and maintained.

Final Thoughts

Successful erosion and sediment control comes down to three principles:

1. Understand the ESC Triangle

2. Install products correctly

3. Maintain them consistently
   

Whether you’re stabilizing a slope, protecting a catch basin, or securing a project perimeter, proper planning and execution protect not just your site—but downstream infrastructure and the environment.

Well-installed ESC measures reduce liability, protect timelines, and support regulatory compliance, making them an essential part of every construction project.