Typically, you want to avoid removing silt from around your turbidity curtains. Disturbing the surrounding soil and dirt may discharge even more sediment, increasing the turbidity further. However, in some cases, toxic build-up may mean that removing the build up silt is necessary.
If the isn’t curtain isn’t functioning properly, such as leaking sediment or has become covered by dirt on the bottom, it’s time to free the curtain before the fabric is damaged. Tears in your fabric may be repaired with vinyl repair kits, while more severe damage may require a new curtain altogether. In most cases, sediment can be removed by using a debris pump to pull it from within the containment area and deposit it in dewatering bags. These bags serve as filters, trapping sediment within and allowing clean water to flow out. These work best in a place where the clean water flows into the original body of water. If your curtain was trapped, make sure that it reaches no closer than 12” to the bottom of the waterway to prevent recurrence.
