When accidents such as oil spills occur, or other materials spill and are threaten to contaminate, having a practical, usable barrier or curtain can help in the clean up or maintenance of the area. Turbidity barriers, also known as turbidity curtains, silt barriers, and silt curtains in the industry are made to contain and control the dispersion of floating turbidity and silt in a water body related to marine construction, pile driving, site work and dredging activities.
Turbidity curtains are used during bridge construction, dam removal, marina or harbor maintenance or restoration, port and terminal projects, ferry landings, pipeline crossings, coastal and shoreline restoration and rehabilitation and intake construction.
The process of controlling turbidity and silt or oil at a site might involve silt or oil containment booms, oil skimmers and oil spill response equipment.
Turbidity curtains are available in three different types depending directly on water conditions and project location. When choosing the right curtain for the job, its important to understand the function and intended use for each barrier. The user will want to assess the hydrodynamic conditions, project duration, site plan, ease of use and the requirement of the statement of work in order to make an educated recommendation that is both economical and cost effective for the project.
Barriers include staked silt barrier, good for construction sites, swales and ditches.
The first barrier is good for calm water locations such as disturbed soil on construction sites, ponds or canals. The next barrier is perfect for medium water conditions such as rivers and the Great Lakes. The turbidity curtain is great for rough water conditions such as bays, falls, rivers, lakes, or water with wave conditions.
It’s important for the barrier user to understand all regulations and requirements that might apply to a project, including the Clean Water Act, National Pollution Discharge Elimination System, and state and local regulations.