Sending stormwater down the drain should be simple. With the combination of gravity and smart infrastructure design, the process usually is. But on an excavation area, site operators have a responsibility – and legal obligation – to manage the flow of storm water and look after the local environment.
Many excavation projects take place below the local groundwater, and the site itself is confined to the limitations of the very pit that has been dug up. Without a way for water to reach the drain outlets, the water ponding on the excavation surface has no choice but to rise and overflow into the surrounding area.
Even worse, if the excavated site is made up of rocks with very fine particles, those little fragments will contaminate the storm water runoff and contribute to the forming of sediment, sludge and other solids.
Of course, storm water treatment systems do catch most types of pollutants, but the ones that slip through can seriously harm the environment, such as:
- Contamination of public drinking water due to the introduction of bacteria and other viruses;
- Spread of green waste decay in waterways, which takes away vital oxygen from plants, fish and other animal marine life;
- Increased risk of flooding due to the blockage of waterways from sediments, sludge and other solids; and
- Reduced visual appeal of our beautiful lakes, rivers and creeks.
If the threat of damage to the eco system isn’t bad enough, companies who fail to comply with EPA regulations in the management of wastewater face hefty fines. For example, in August 2017, a waste facility in Kemps Creek was fined $15,000 by the EPA for storm water discharge.
But how can site operators effectively manage storm water in excavated areas?
Benefits of a Storm Water Pump Station
A storm water pump station serves as an intermediate collection tank for storm water.
When the levels in the pump station tank rises, it turns on and provides the added pressure needed to pump the storm water out to the nearest discharge point. When installed correctly, the pump station prevents water ponding on the excavated surface and the contamination of storm water runoff.
Australian company Cleanawater offers a plug-and-play storm water pump station that is pre-plumbed and easy to install at a moment’s notice. Available in capacities between 100L and 30,000L, the storm water pump station can be fully customised to suit the exact needs of a small trench or large excavation pit.
Made from durable, high-quality polyurethane or fibreglass, the Cleanawater storm water pump station can effectively discharge water to one or multiple site sewer outlets – even if the outlets are above where the pump station is installed.
Also, the pump station can be installed with remote monitoring and notification capabilities. If the system fails, an automated SMS notification is sent to the relevant site operator so the problem can be resolved quickly.
With a flexible range of easy-to-install pumping stations ideal for commercial, industrial and regional settings, Cleanawater is leading the way towards a safer, more efficient and eco-friendly approach to excavation.
Cleanawater proudly services Australia-wide and can deliver straight to any location. To ensure the pump station provides decades of optimal performance, the Cleanawater team can perform regular maintenance for lasting peace of mind.
Article provided by Cleanawater.