What Does
Groundwater Mean?
Groundwater is water that is below the surface of the earth, as opposed to surface water. It exists in many forms, including underground streams, lakes and aquifers, as well as ice and frost in colder regions. Groundwater can cause considerable problems for any underground construction projects, and often presents a major challenge in trenchless construction.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Groundwater
We depend upon groundwater to supply much of the water that is essential to life. In the U.S., 40% of the water we use for bathing, irrigation, and drinking comes from groundwater.
In trenchless construction, the presence of groundwater can make operations more difficult. An assessment of soil composition and groundwater level is an important step prior to start of the project. It will influence which equipment and methods are best for a particular job. Groundwater may create the need for dewatering or the use of drilling equipment that can complete the work despite the wet conditions.
Infiltration of groundwater into underground pipes can be repaired with trenchless rehabilitation. Fixing these defective joints or cracks in pipes can be accomplished through sliplining or other trenchless methods.