05/06/2026
LESSONS FROM THE FIELD | JUNE 2026 - link is in our bio.
One of the most common issues we see on earthworks projects isn't poor installation – it's selecting the wrong sediment control for the site conditions.
Sometimes we see silt fences installed where runoff can never reach them.
Other times we see standard silt fences expected to manage catchments that really require diversion bunds, clean water cut-off drains, or sediment retention ponds.
We also regularly see Super Silt Fence specified where a standard silt fence would achieve the same outcome at a lower cost.
The lesson?
✅ More control isn't always better.
✅ Less control isn't always enough.
✅ The right control, in the right place, for the right reason.
Since 2014, ESCS has been working alongside contractors, developers, engineers and environmental teams across New Zealand. Through *Lessons From The Field*, we're sharing practical observations from real projects to help improve compliance, reduce risk, and keep sediment on site.
What are some common sediment control issues you've seen on site?