Dewatering Techniques & Solutions for Construction projects. - Rainy Days are here!

Dewatering and Construction Dewatering.

Its raining… its raining a lot! Thats why we thought we’d put a little more clarity and information out there, what happens to a your construction site when it pours with rain like this?

If you are having a home extension thats currently in the early stages of construction, the chances are that you are currently looking into the garden to see a very wet looking picture!

But how do you resolve the situation? Concrete foundations need to be poured in relatively dry conditions after all.

Why?

Dewatering & Construction dewatering are terms that are used to describe the action or removing groundwater or surface water from a construction site. Normally the dewatering process is done by pumping or evaporation with the aim to lower the water table and make construction as easy as possible.

Construction dewatering is used on most construction sites due to the accumulation of water in trenches and excavations or in places with an inadequate slope or high water table. In construction projects, this water needs to be removed to keep the site safe and maintain the working schedule.

Dewatering Precautions.

To avoid erosion of the surrounding soil, dewatering activities must be completed properly. Choosing the best location for discharge is also really important, even when you are far away from streams, lakes or other bodies of water that could be effected by construction sediment. There are lots of dewatering products that can be used to remove sediment, such as dewatering bags. When choosing discharge areas from a dewatering process, its important to remember:

• Never discharge water that has been contaminated with oil or other chemical products. In this case an oil separator may be requited.

• Its important to pay attention to the area as dewatering takes place, discontinue if signs of instability or erosion persist.

• Water should not be pumped directly onto slopes.

• Dewatering activities should be directed to a wooded area if available.

• Its important to understand the water table conditions in the area.

How to use Dewatering Bags.

Made from geo-textile fabrics, dewatering bags work to separate / filter out sediment from discharging water. These filtration products are used in many different areas, such as dredging, construction sites or places with a high water table. These bags should be sized accordingly and based upon the pump flow rate and level of sediment in the water.

Dewatering Methods.

Dewatering from open excavations and trenches can be done by several methods. The most simple and often most effective method is the gravity drain, however in tight areas this is often not feasible.

Other methods include water pumping, siphoning or using large construction machinery to scoop and dump water into the discharge point.