Why it pays to be Rain Ready

Discover how being Rain Ready® can help construction companies manage water quality more effectively

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In the News Pollution Avoidance & Mitigation Silt Control

What does it mean for a site to be Rain Ready®?

Here at Frog Environmental, our Rain Ready® philosophy provides a smarter way to approach water quality for construction sites. It means preparing sites in advance so silt control systems are always primed – waiting to function when rain falls – rather than relying on reactive measures after damaging pollution occurs.

This is about more than compliance. It’s about protecting the environment, safeguarding your reputation, reducing long-term costs, and ensuring projects progress without unexpected disruption.

Surface water management should be considered from a construction site's pre-planning phase

The principles of Rain Ready®

At its core, the Rain Ready® approach is built on five principles:

Site preparation: Advance planning and training staff lower the chances of fines, reputational harm, and regulatory action.
Protection of the environment: By being Rain Ready®, sites prevent sediment‑laden water from escaping into watercourses, thus reducing pollution, habitat damage, and legal risk.
Saves time and cost: Rain Ready® systems require minimal labour, no hired plant, and activate only when needed, saving delays and unexpected costs.
Low‑carbon, efficient solutions: Our gravity‑fed or Gel Flocculant-based systems avoid reliance on fuel‑powered pumps, reducing emissions and operating costs.
Risk reduction for businesses: Rain Ready® practices can easily be incorporated into Surface Water Management Plans to control risk and manage cost throughout a construction project.

Silt polishing channels developed for the site's individual needs

Why being Rain Ready matters for construction sites

Turning weather unpredictability into a non-event
UK weather is notoriously difficult to predict. Reactive silt management often leaves sites vulnerable, with teams rushing costly machinery into place after damage has already occurred. By contrast, Rain Ready® silt control products treat silt as a 365-day risk, working consistently in all weathers.
Meeting regulatory compliance
Regulators are placing increasing pressure on the construction sector to protect rivers and habitats from pollution. Early adoption of Rain Ready® silt control measures demonstrates compliance and reduces the risk of enforcement action.
Supporting sustainability goals
Frog’s low-carbon Rain Ready® silt control products align with industry-wide commitments to reduce emissions and waste. Being Rain Ready® not only avoids harm, it actively supports a more sustainable way of working.
Reducing long-term costs
Rain Ready® solutions reduce the reliance on fuel-powered pumps, heavy machinery, and costly clean-ups. Instead, projects can progress with minimal disruption, saving both time and money.

Innovative Rain Ready® products

Frog Environmental has developed a range of innovative Rain Ready® silt control products designed specifically for managing water quality in construction, including:

Biodegradable Silt Mats®: simple yet effective, these 2kg heavy duty mats, designed by Frog for longevity and long term silt capture, trap silt and sediment at source while allowing clean water to pass through. Unlike synthetic alternatives, they naturally break down over time, leaving no waste to remove.
Gel Flocculant systems: an advanced but low-maintenance way to settle suspended solids in water, ensuring discharge meets regulatory standards.
Silt Capture Channels: these standalone or integrated natural water treatment systems help clean the water and prevent the risk of polluting nearby watercourses and causing harm to aquatic life.

By integrating these Rain Ready® silt control products into the project from the start, sites achieve cost-effective, environmentally responsible water management that scales with the project’s needs.

Large construction site with exposed soils and silt

Pre-construction preparation: the critical phase

The best time to manage water pollution risk is before ground is broken. We encourage all contractors and developers to build Rain Ready® thinking into their pre-construction planning. The value of being rain ready at this stage of a project can be seen in our work with the Rochdale and Littleborough Flood Risk Management Scheme, where we estimate that the company saved in the region of £50k – £128k over 12 months.

A structured Rain Ready® approach should include:

Early risk assessment: laboratory settlement testing to evaluate soil behaviour and pollution risk.
Review of regulatory requirements: ensuring full legal compliance before work begins..
Surface water management strategy: mapping how water will be received, stored, treated, and discharged throughout the project lifecycle.
Budget planning: factoring in treatment costs from the outset ensures more accurate project costing.
Monitoring and maintenance plans: building in water quality monitoring and inspection regimes.
Team handover and training: ensuring responsibility for pollution control is shared from day one.

By embedding Rain Ready® processes into Surface Water Management Plans, companies mitigate risk, control costs, and demonstrate a proactive commitment to best practice.

How Frog Environmental supports clients in the pre-construction phase

We provide more than just products – we partner with companies to offer a complete service:

Free 30-minute consultation – helping contractors understand their site’s unique risks and explore cost-effective solutions.
Settlement testing – laboratory analysis of subsoil to tailor precise treatment solutions.
Full silt control service – from technical support and surface water management plans to product specification, supply, installation guidance, and maintenance.
Training – targeted sessions for technical teams that focus on prevention rather than cure, embedding knowledge that drives long-term efficiency.

You can find out more about the importance of preparing your site and how we can help implement the most effective measures in our Silt Control Timeline.

Need help to get your site RainReady®?

The question for contractors is not if it will rain during a project, but when. By being Rain Ready®, construction companies transform that inevitability into a manageable, low-cost, environmentally responsible event.

With our knowledge-led products and expertise, teams can take control at the earliest stage, safeguarding both the environment and their bottom line. For a tailored solution to effective water quality management on your site, contact us to discuss the scope of your project.