29 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Dewatering Methods and Benefits Adapted from Information by Triflo International, Inc. Dewatering, otherwise known as water control or solids control, involves the process of draining rainwater or groundwater from an excavated area before construction begins. This process separates liquids from solid material such as drilling mud, dredged slurry, and more. Dewatering is typically carried out by pumping from wells to lower groundwater levels, allowing excavations to be made in stable and dry conditions. Selecting a suitable dewatering method is crucial for the success of a construction project. Some common dewatering methods include: Well points - This inexpensive, flexible, and easy-to-install dewatering method is effective under a range of soil and hydrological conditions. It involves drilling wells around the construction area and installing submersible pumps in the well shaft. Pumps are then attached to a header pipe, enabling the groundwater to be drawn up into the well points, then discharged. Deep wells - Dewatering by deep wells is the ideal method when a large quantity of groundwater needs to be removed. It involves drilling one or several individual wells then placing submersible pumps in each shaft to pump out groundwater. Deep well dewatering systems have the potential to drain out water up to about 80 feet in depth. Dewatering offers several benefits which can guarantee a construction project is operating safely, on time, and within regulation. These benefits include: 2 Stable work area. Dewatering removes excess water from the work area to prevent hazards such as mudslides and equipment failure due to bogging and unstable foundations. 2 Worker safety. Dewatering helps your crew stay healthy and safe. Standing water can become contaminated, which poses health risks for site managers, crews, and the surrounding community. Excess water also increases the risk of injuries due to slips and falls. 2 Keeping the project on schedule. Dewatering helps keep your project on schedule. Incorporating an efficient dewatering strategy ensures you quickly resolve unexpected adversities which could delay your projects, such as flooding from rain and unexpected storms. 2 Protection of valuable equipment. Construction equipment is quite costly. Standing water can impact your equipment’s working conditions and lead to massive damages. Preventative dewatering systems keep your worksite equipment free from excess water. 2 Less impact on the surrounding environment. Standing water can cause significant damage to the environment, including erosion and contamination. Proper dewatering techniques allow the removal of toxic water from sites to prevent it from impacting the surrounding environment. 2 Other advantages of dewatering include a smaller footprint on the worksite and replacement of geotubes or sandbags. This process can also provide water for injection wells, enable the reuse of water, and allow wastewater to be discharged to stormwater drains. Many applications and industries rely on dewatering techniques to effectively separate liquids and solids. Some of these applications and industries are: Construction Wastewater treatment Mining Environmental Agriculture Oil and energy Flowback water Pits from produced water Drilling muds Open water drainage Emergency pumping Hydrovac dewatering The dewatering process is essential to ensuring safe working conditions, preventing contamination of the surrounding environment, and keeping a project on schedule. ENV
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