A Quick Guide to Construction Dewatering

July, 31 2021
A Quick Guide to Construction  Dewatering

It is critical to have a good construction dewatering strategy in place if you want to finish the
project within budget and on time. While dewatering a building site is both expensive and time-
consuming, it is essential to reduce and eliminate groundwater.
Groundwater removal from construction sites is critical because it keeps the workplace safe
while protecting the materials. Therefore, a well-prepared dewatering strategy is essential, as it
may be used to demonstrate compliance with the best practices.
Here, we provide an understanding of construction dewatering, its main methods, and the
importance of consulting hydrology experts and water infrastructure engineers for its
implementation.

 

What Is Construction Dewatering and Why Is It Important?

The act of draining groundwater from a building site is referred to as construction dewatering.
Dewatering is usually accomplished by evaporation or pumping and is performed before
excavation for footings or to reduce the water table that might cause problems during this
operation.
Due to the stored water in excavations and ditches, construction dewatering is a vital process.
Accumulated water can also be found in areas with a low water table or an inadequate slope.
You have to remove this accumulated water from any building projects to ensure worker safety.

The Main Methods for Construction Dewatering

Drainage risk and mitigation necessitates using the correct construction dewatering method for
your construction project. One way to ensure this is by hiring or consulting a Geotech consultant
that employs experienced hydrology experts and water infrastructure engineers.
However, you can get more from their advice if you have prior knowledge of the following four
methods for construction dewatering.

1. Open Sump Pumping

It’s a dependable option in a variety of settings and is also regarded as the easiest, most
affordable, and most successful dewatering approach. A sump is a pit or place in the earth (with
greater depth than the basement floor) where water is stored and pumped away to be disposed
of.

2. WellPoint System

This solution is simple to install, economical, and adaptable, making it useful and successful for
a wide range of soil and hydrologic environments. In this method, professionals dig are dug
around the building site and install pumps in them.

3. Deep Well Construction

When a deep excavation is necessary and a considerable amount of groundwater must be
evacuated, dewatering can be accomplished by drilling deep wells in soils or rocks with
permeability ranging from moderate (e.g. sands) to high (e.g. stones).

4. The Eductor System

The eductor system (also referred to as the ejector system) is a specialized method for low
permeability soils, including clays, silts, and silty sands. Eductors are generally employed to
stabilize the digging area’s side slopes and soil.

Construction managers must address dewatering to adequately manage drainage risk and
mitigation requirements, particularly during the digging and foundation stages. Groundwater that
is not controlled can flood excavation sites, causing damage to building materials and
equipment.

At G3Soilworks, we provide consultancy services for construction sites that can help you to
successfully cope with dewatering issues at your site by using the most appropriate method for
it based on your needs. Contact us today for more information on our construction dewatering
consultancy.

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350 Fischer Avenue Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Tel. 714-707-3155
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