Dewatering is the process of removing unwanted water, often required for excavation purposes in construction and civil engineering projects. Hiring pumps to carry out dewatering is a quick and easy solution that can be arranged through a pump hire specialist without putting a dent in a large project’s budget.

Renting pumps for the removal or draining of groundwater at construction and civil engineering sites can be common and may be implemented before subsurface excavation for foundations, shoring, cellar space, or to lower the water table. The water table is the underground depth at which point the ground is totally saturated with water.

Pumping in severe weather

Heavy consistent rain can mean groundwater dewatering has to temporarily stop, although in cases when water-logging occurs, work can usually continue with the use of tracked machines. Also, if the ground freezes in winter when there has been heavy snow, groundwork may halt; but this can be dependant upon temperature…

Often in a British winter it is only the first 20-30mm of ground that is hard, so groundwork can often continue; more than 150mm of snow is a different proposition.

When the temperature increases, the water table can rise provisionally, as the ground has retained more moisture than normal, or snow melting rapidly has boosted the water table level. This can also be problematic, particularly at higher ground.

An established pump rental specialist will be experienced in providing the right pump models for dewatering purposes at any time of year. Delays to dewatering pumping during winter will be kept to a minimum, so that projects can remain on budget as far as possible.

More about pump types used

The type of pumping units an equipment specialist would specify varies depending on the size of a particular project. If noise levels have to be minimised, super silent diesel pumps will be used, whereas standard diesel pumps would be more suitable if noise was not a potential issue. If there is electric power available on site, drainer electric submersible pumps could be recommended.

A large pump hire company would also be able to provide generator hire among their range of services, so on-site power supply would not usually be a problem. For the exact specifications a project may need, the equipment hire company would perform a site survey.

About site surveys

When carrying out a site survey, the pump expert will gather facts about the construction or civil engineering site including: the duty required flow, distance, length of hire, how often the pumps will run and any possible stand-by units requirement. This is so that the most appropriate pumps and related equipment can be provided from the specialist’s depot located closest to the site.

Essential back-up provision in case of breakdown

Whatever the size and scope of the pumping requirements at a construction or civil engineering site where there is the need for dewatering to take place, a pump hire expert will be able to punctually deliver the most dependable equipment.

A pump hire specialist will also provide a 24/7 emergency response service, which means that support will be offered in the case of any problems or equipment failure. Having a emergency response service in place should help ensure that a project stills runs to deadline, with no completion fines being incurred.