Putri Lynna A. Luthan, Nathanael Sitanggang, Muhammad Qarinur, Putri Mentari, Muammar Qadafi
Construction activities are major sources of stormwater pollution, generating elevated levels of sediments, nutrients, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and alkaline wash water that degrade receiving waters and increase treatment burdens. Green building certification systems increasingly incorporate construction-phase stormwater credits; however, their actual effectiveness in improving runoff quality and reducing runoff quantity remains fragmented. This review synthesizes international evidence on erosion and sediment control (ESC), best management practices (BMPs), and low-impact development (LID) strategies applied during construction. Reported sediment reductions typically range from 40 to 95% (median: 74.5%, IQR: 62.0–86.5%), accompanied by substantial declines in turbidity and particulate-bound metals such as Zn and Cu. Nutrient concentrations such as total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphate (TP) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) are also reduced where vegetated buffers, bioretention, and material controls are properly implemented. In addition to water-quality improvements, green construction practices decrease runoff volumes by 15–60% and attenuate peak flows by up to 58% through infiltration-based measures, temporary basins, and permeable surfaces. Nevertheless, performance varies with rainfall intensity, soil conditions, contractor compliance, and monitoring rigor. The review highlights the need for standardized performance indicators linking certification requirements to measurable improvements in both runoff quality and hydrological response. © 2026 European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Construction Management Study Program, Universitas Negeri Medan, Medan, 20221, Indonesia; Building Engineering Education Study Program, Universitas Negeri Medan, Medan, 20221, Indonesia; Civil Engineering Study Program, Universitas Negeri Medan, Medan, 20221, Indonesia; Management Study Program, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi Eka Prasetya, Medan, 20212, Indonesia; Research Center for Environmental and Clean Technologies, National Research and Innovation Agency, Bandung, 40135, Indonesia
