What is dewatering?

Most people want to put water back into their gardens to keep them fertile so plants will grow and prosper, however, certain jobs call for dewatering. 

If you are planning on doing any excavation work, such as drilling, trenching, creating foundations or entry and exit pits, for example, you will need to do some dewatering.

What is dewatering?

This is the process of moving water away from the area you are working in using a pump and getting rid of it elsewhere.

They provide temporary restrictions for the amount of ground water present in areas where structures are going to be built that extend below groundwater level.

This can lower the water table so conditions become stable and dry. This will help to support the excavation process. 

Why do you need to dewater?

Most people know what a stormwater drain is, but what you might not be aware of is the amount of sediment that gets caught in these drains when work is undertaken on specific sites. Often debris can be caught leaving the environment and heading downstream in the stormwater catchpit or groundwater.

This can have a huge impact on sedimentation and water quality.

It can also affect waterlife, damaging the gills and other sensitive tissues of fish and suffocating plants, insects and fish in the water.

Sediment in the water from worksites can also stop plants and fish from growing since it reduces the amount of light that can reach the water.

Dewatering is an important process to take care of on any construction site - here are some tips to bear in mind before you start pulling out the submersible pumps.

Forward planning

Identifying any potential problems before they crop up can help you to mitigate any risks. This way you can make careful choices about the site practices and environmental controls you plan to use before you begin.

Remember an ounce of prevention is better than a cure.

Something to check ahead of time is the lay of the land so you can calculate which way the run-off is likely to go.

Steeper sites are more problematic and can be tricky to manage. Ensure you have a good level of control where these are concerned. One trick to make sure these issues are properly managed is to identify one person who can then be responsible for the environmental practices and controls.

It may also be a good idea to set up a plan to help you deal with any incidents and emergencies as they arise.