The cost of pollution: How construction sites can avoid heavy fines and bad press

For contractors, the risk isn’t only environmental. It’s financial, reputational, and operational too.

In this article, we explore how construction sites can avoid costly pollution fines through better planning, permitting and silt-control measures.

When the cap on civil penalties was removed in 2023, regulators gained the power to issue unlimited fines, depending on the severity of the incident. Environment Secretary at the time, Steve Barclay, said:

“By lifting the cap on these sanctions, we are simultaneously toughening our enforcement tools and expanding where regulators can use them. These changes will deliver a proportionate punishment for operators that breach their permits and cause pollution.”

This doesn’t mean that fines are automatically higher but it does mean the potential exposure is now much greater.

Regulators across the UK – the Environment Agency (EA), Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and SEPA – continue to prioritise water quality and enforce against incidents involving:

• uncontrolled runoff
• silt-laden water entering drains or watercourses
• unpermitted water discharge
• poorly managed temporary works near rivers

This means that even a seemingly minor pollution event can now trigger substantial penalties. 

1. Plan water and silt management early

Early engagement enables better design and helps identify low-carbon, passive solutions. This means adopting what we call a ‘Rain Ready ®’ approach – by taking proactive action and building in silt control measures at the initial stages of a project, construction companies can reduce pollution, fine risks and costs. Read more about ‘Why it pays to be Rain Ready’ in our recent article.

2. Know if you need a water discharge permit

If water is discharged into a river, ditch, drain or soakaway, a permit may be needed. We cover these requirements in more detail in our blog, Environmental Permitting: A Guide to Discharging Water From Site. We also provide tailored support and training to help contractors understand permitting requirements and prepare applications correctly. 

To find out more about your permitting requirements, join our free lunchtime webinar on 22 January 2026: Environmental Permitting: a Guide to Discharging Water from Sites in England & Wales 

Reserve your place → [Join the Environmental Permitting webinar]

3. Use the right silt-control system

Effective silt control treatment depends on the specifics of the site. Options include:

• Settlement tanks
• Passive filtration systems
• Gel-based flocculants
• Silt bubble curtains for in-water works
• Gravity-assisted separation
• Closed-loop treatment where discharge is not permitted

At Frog Environmental, we will assess your site at the earliest opportunity – preferably before work has begun – so we can recommend the right silt control solutions to ensure that you remain compliant from day one of your project.

4. Monitor, record and adapt

Checking turbidity, recording flow rates, and adjusting systems help ensure compliance throughout the project. At Frog Environmental, we can support and guide your teams through the process with a free 30-minute consultation and bespoke training sessions.

 Contact us → [Book a free pollution prevention consultation]

5. Train the site team

Many pollution incidents occur when site teams improvise under pressure. Training reduces risk and strengthens compliance. We run bespoke training and CPD sessions, specifically to help the construction industry understand how to manage silt pollution. Book your team onto a bespoke Silt Control and Surface Water Management training session or join us for our free 1-hour Silt Pollution Prevention: Lunch & Learn CPD.

UK rivers are under intense scrutiny. Every pollution story – whether related to agriculture, construction or utilities – increases public pressure on regulators to act quickly and decisively. Contractors who manage water correctly gain trust from clients, regulators and communities.

Construction sites must demonstrate:

• Clear planning
• Effective silt treatment
• Accurate monitoring
• Proper permitting

1. How can construction sites prevent silt pollution in a cost-effective way?

Silt pollution is one of the most common causes of enforcement action – but also one of the easiest to prevent cost-effectively. The most efficient approach is to tackle the issue before water accumulates by using good site design, material management and passive silt-control systems. Gravity-fed treatment, low-maintenance silt control products, such as Silt Mats and Silt Nets and Flocculants can significantly reduce costs compared to reactive, last-minute solutions. Choosing the right system for the size and flow of your site prevents pollution at source and avoids unnecessary hire or labour costs.

2. When do I need a temporary water discharge permit?

You may need a water discharge permit if you are releasing water – even clean-looking water – into a river, stream, drain, ditch or soakaway. This applies to surface water, pumped groundwater, trench water and rainwater runoff. The key question is not how clean it looks, but where the water is going. Obtaining the correct permit before discharge protects your project from pollution fines, delays and unexpected enforcement. If you’re unsure, we can review the discharge route and advise on whether permitting is required.

3. What is the simplest way to avoid pollution fines on construction or development sites?

The most reliable way to avoid pollution fines is through early planning and effective silt treatment. Most incidents investigated by regulators occur when water management is left until the last minute or when improvised solutions are used under pressure. By planning your silt pollution controls early, selecting an appropriate treatment system, and monitoring turbidity before discharge, you can stay compliant and avoid enforcement action. Training the site team and documenting checks also demonstrates competence during inspections.

4. Are there low-carbon or low-maintenance options for managing water discharge on site?

Yes. Many contractors are now choosing passive silt treatment systems that rely on gravity rather than pumps. These systems reduce carbon footprint, energy use and operational costs – while delivering reliable turbidity reduction. Gel-based flocculants can also speed up settlement without introducing hazardous chemicals. Selecting a low-maintenance system not only helps prevent silt pollution, but also reduces manpower requirements and cost over the life of the project. Frog Environmental can recommend the most efficient option based on site footprint, flow rates and regulatory needs – get in touch with our expert team for a free 30-minute consultation.

Disclaimer: This article is correct at the time of writing and while we endeavour to update annually, legislation may change over time. We pride ourselves on providing site-specific advice. Please contact us about your situation; we’d be delighted to help.