Passive dewatering
Dewatering refers to the removal of groundwater and/or surface water from a site before construction work commences. Passive dewatering occurs when groundwater is discharged to the surface under the influence of gravity. It is classed as a form of water abstraction (the act of taking water from a source of supply).
Most passive dewatering schemes are small and do not pose a risk to the environment or water table. In these instances, it may not be necessary to obtain a water abstraction licence from the Environment Agency.
Additional guidance on passive dewatering is available from the Environment Agency, [[w/index.php?title=W/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DRef_https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/passive-dewatering-regulatory-position-statement/passive-dewatering-regulatory-position-statement%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1&action=edit&redlink=1|Passive dewatering: regulatory position statement]] (RPS). This guidance states that an RPS only applies to abstractions that were exempt under section 29(1) of the Water Resources Act 1991 (before section 5 of the Water Act 2003 was published). This includes passive dewatering, for example to:
- Prevent flooding to roads and railway cuttings.
- Prevent interference with mining, quarrying, engineering or building operations.
- Provide back wall drainage at landfill sites.
Ref [[w/index.php?title=W/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DRef_https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/passive-dewatering-regulatory-position-statement/passive-dewatering-regulatory-position-statement%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1&action=edit&redlink=1|https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/passive-dewatering-regulatory-position-statement/passive-dewatering-regulatory-position-statement]]
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Dewatering construction sites.
- Environment Agency.
- Groundwater.
- Raising awareness of dewatering regulation.
- Water abstraction licence.
- Water engineering.
- Water impoundment licence.
- Water management.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
The current and future global market dynamics of boilers
Significant challenges but adaptation to sustain for longer.
Designing sustainability and performance into buildings
Specifying and selecting sustainable resilient timber products.
Modifying wood to improve resistance to decay and movement.
A last minute, long look for built environment professionals.
The architecture of creative reuse. Book review.
Installing solar panels on listed structures.
Sustainable development global goals, history in progress?
"Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been."
Mike Kagioglou FCIOB named CIOB President
'Sustainable Development Goals must be focus for construction'
BSRIA training; a look at what's on offer
From energy management to compliance training.
TESP video warns to beware of rogue trainers.
Highlighting the slippery tactics of non-approved providers.
New Building Safety Wiki launched
Boosting awareness and understanding of the new fire safety regime.
New playbook on AI in construction published by CIOB
How to get to grips with, and the best from AI.
Digital Construction Report NBS
BIM, cloud, off-site, immersive tech, AI, twins and sustainability.