Well Point Dewatering: Three Important Guidelines for Your Construction Worksite
The accumulation of water above or beneath the ground on a construction site can be hazardous. In simple terms, the employees could experience falls due to slippage while working. Moreover, the equipment could experience operational problems from strain or even get stuck due to the waterlogged soil. Additionally, the productivity of a construction site with ground or surface water could lead to higher costs and extended timelines. Therefore, you should plan for dewatering to promote safety and efficiency. One of the most reliable approaches to dewatering is a wellpoint system. The wellpoint system uses a series of specialised wells and a vacuum pump for suction to eliminate water from the ground. This design allows for the coverage of a wide area, so it is perfect for construction sites. Here are some essential guidelines to consider when planning for wellpoint dewatering.
Understand the Site You should evaluate the characteristics of the construction site before initiating the installation of the wellpoint dewatering system. In general, this setup is suitable for the removal of shallow water. Therefore, understand the maximum depth for dewatering. If you are only concerned about surface water during excavation or shallow groundwater, you should use the wellpoint approach. Moreover, determine the optimal placement for the specialised well points for maximum efficiency.
Evaluate the Soil Dewatering is beneficial for stabilising the ground during construction. However, you will need to understand the soil conditions before excavation for the best outcome. Keep in mind that the type of soil on your site will determine the drainage and accumulation of water. For instance, if the area is clayey, water will build up easily, so you will need to increase the capacity of the dewatering system. Therefore, collect soil samples and conduct laboratory analysis to understand the ground conditions. Additionally, consider the factors that could increase water on the site such as rainy weather conditions.
Set Up the System The setup of a wellpoint dewatering system requires specialised expertise. Therefore, you should choose an experienced consultant for the development of a customised solution for your construction site. This type of equipment is often modular, so you can lease the components and still have a perfect dewatering unit to match the water volume, depth requirements and site topography. However, you should not only look into the technical demands of the system. When acquiring and establishing your dewatering equipment, think about environmental protection requirements. Ensure you can safely dispose of the suctioned water from your property, especially if site contamination is a potential threat.
For more information on a wellpoint dewatering system, contact a company near you.
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