Select the Right Dewatering Option for Your Construction Project
Dewatering is one of the major challenges faced by construction teams across Australia. Before work can begin on apartment blocks, holiday villas or commercial properties, every site needs to be drained and made safe for construction crews to start their work. At the same time, the water that is removed needs to be stored and disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner. It's an expensive process, making it vital to choose the right dewatering process.
The most important decision in this regard is the type of pump to be used. Water pumps used in dewatering processes will generally come in two forms - electric and diesel powered. Both have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and the appropriate type will depend on the site where it will be required.
Diesel Pumps Ensure Maximum Flexibility
Most of the time, smaller construction projects don't need elaborate dewatering equipment, but they do require minimal pumping capabilities. Even the smallest structural projects at ground level will involve draining groundwater and managing the water table.
Diesel powered pumps are the best option for companies that need to carry out small-scale work of this kind. That's because diesel pumps are mobile. They don't require long spools of cable and power generators. They don't have to be connected to the grid either. Construction teams can simply transport their pumps to the site location, set them up and carry out the drainage work required.
As dewatering tends to be a preparatory phase at the very start of construction projects, diesel generators can be hired for a few days and then returned, lowering the cost of securing equipment and keeping overheads as low as possible.
Use Electric Pumps to Boost Efficiency
However, if projects are more elaborate, electric pumps might be a better water management option. These pumps are usually quieter, so they work better in urban environments where disruption has to be kept low. They are also more energy efficient, keeping the cost of operation low over longer periods.
The drawback is that electric pumps require much more complex infrastructure to set them up and operate them. Cables, generators, transformers, weather protection, safety barriers all need to be installed. On larger projects, water storage tanks need to be connected to each pump and filtering and disposal processes need to be considered as well. This complexity makes electric pumps less attractive for short-term projects. On the other hand, they are an excellent option for relatively complex, long-term projects like housing developments.
Choosing the right water pump doesn't just save money. It also makes the excavation phases of construction projects safer and easier to complete. Both diesel and electric water pumps are solid options for dewatering applications, but whichever option is chosen, it must effectively remove both groundwater and surface water. When it can do so at low cost, that's a major economic bonus for any construction company. For more information about the process, contact a company like Tweed Coast Pumps & Irrigation.
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