Best Management Practices for Dust Suppression

Follow these standard best management practices that apply to all roadwork projects.

• Apply dust suppression in a uniform manner to avoid run off, ponding, drifting, or tracking beyond the area of application.
• When applying water for dust suppression, apply at a rate that does not wash away surface contaminants. Apply frequently enough to be effective, as water can evaporate quickly during dry weather conditions. Use water that is free of contaminants.

• Do not draw water for dust suppression from wetland communities, streams less than five metres wide at the surface, or a lake with less than one hectare surface area. Avoid withdrawing water from the shallow nearshore area where water is typically two to five metres deep. Limit total water withdrawal from a single source to under 5 consecutive days and no more than 10 days within any 30-day period.
• When drawing water for dust suppression from a waterbody, screen intakes according to the species present and intake flow rates.

Apply chemical dust suppressants sparingly and only in necessary areas. Avoid applying suppressants to wet surfaces. Apply only during dry weather conditions and stop during rainfall or when wet conditions are forecasted.