Wet weather preparation – always be prepared

During dry periods we can become complacent (both civil contractors and consultants). We understand that when it is dry, earthworks get done (often very quickly) and sometimes your erosion and sediment controls become redundant or removed. The best advice we can provide is be prepared and have a wet weather strategy!

• Some of the questions you should routinely ask yourself, and have answers to include:

• Where do you need to install or reinstate drainage?

• What areas can you close up with erosion control?

• Are your sediment controls still in place and adequate?

• What resources do I need to implement the wet weather strategy?

If you can’t answer the above, then you will have little chance to get things sorted if (or when) rain does come. Although the best approach is to always have your controls in, if earthworks have progressed rapidly and weather conditions have been favourable it may have been assessed based on risk that the best outcome is to work towards the permanent stormwater controls and landscaping, in lieu of ESC. Whilst this approach sounds reasonable, given the appropriate forward planning and continuous assessment of weather forecasts, you should always have an action plan and be ready to act. Rain will come (typically at the worst time when you’re working onsite!) and although it might be shaping up as a drier than typical start to the wet season, many areas are still likely to receive 100’s of millimetres of rainfall in the coming months.