Necessity of Dewatering and Water Treatment in Construction
Dewatering (pumping to draw down the water table) is commonly required to keep the construction site dry and pour foundations when the depth of the proposed structures extends to the groundwater table. In urban areas, dewatering wells and/or sump systems typically discharge to stormwater or sanitary sewer systems. Local governments typically require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination system (NPDES) permit for stormwater sewers, or a temporary discharge authorization (TDA) permit for sanitary systems. If groundwater is contaminated, chemical treatment may become necessary.
