Renting equipment to safely and effectively remove excess water from work sites.
Water can be a big challenge on a construction site. Surface water, groundwater, rain, or flooding can create unsafe conditions for crews and damage equipment, quickly putting a project behind schedule. That’s why removing water, or dewatering, is such an important step. Understanding dewatering methods, relocation options, and equipment will help you work with the Cat Rentals℠ team, so you rent the right dewatering solution for your job and budget.
- Choose the right dewatering method based on your site's soil conditions and application.
- Use sump pumps or wellpoint systems for shallow excavations in permeable soils.
- Consider your budget, soil type, excavation depth, and water volume when selecting a dewatering solution.
- Plan for proper water disposal using ponds, basins, tanks, or approved discharge methods.
- Verify discharge permit requirements before releasing water into storm drains, rivers, or wetlands.
- Renting dewatering equipment helps reduce operating costs, expands equipment options, and provides expert advice for your project.
The best way to dewater depends on your site conditions and application. Different methods will be more effective depending on soil types, excavation depths, and the amount of water you’re dealing with. The most common dewatering methods are sump pumps and wellpoints.
Sump pumps are simple and affordable.
Crews dig pits (sumps) where water collects and pumps remove the water. This method works well for shallow excavations and soils with small amounts of surface water. However, sump pumps can cause collapse of unstable soil and don’t work as well with large amounts of water.
Wellpoint systems use a series of small wells connected to a header pipe and pump.
Wellpoints are effective for shallow excavations, especially in fine-grained or highly permeable soils where water flows easily. They are relatively easy and cost-effective to install.
The right method for your site depends on several job-specific factors. Know your project and application specifications, so your Cat Rentals team can help you find the best option.
Budget:
Sump Pumps and wellpoints are both cost effective.
Soil:
Soil permeability, how easily water can flow through it, is critical. For example, low-permeability soils suit sump pumps.
Excavation depth:
Shallower excavations (no more than about 15 feet) can use sump pumps or wellpoints.
Water volume:
Smaller amounts of water (50 to 1000 gallons) can usually be managed with sump pumps.
Once you've removed water from your job site, it has to go somewhere. You can do a few different things with the water once it's been displaced from your construction site, depending on your budget, project site specifications, water clarity, and state or federal laws.
Water removal options typically include:
Detention ponds or basins. You may be able to use these locations to relocate removed water, which can help reduce the transfer of contaminants and pollutants into other bodies of water. If you decide to use detention ponds or basins, check state and federal regulations for monitoring ponds or basins.
Boxes or tanks. Another option is storing the water you've removed in boxes or tanks, allowing easy transport from your site to another location. Like detention ponds and basins, you'll need to check state and federal regulations about the water you want to move and where you want to take it.
Release or redistribution. Release and redistribution allow you to return the water you've removed from the construction site to wetlands, rivers and lakes. The water you've removed from your construction site must be treated or filtered before you release it into the waterways, and you'll need permission from local or federal authorities.
Discharging water often requires permits, especially if the water goes into storm drains, rivers, or wetlands. Plans typically must include drawings and engineering details showing how the water will be treated. Local officials must approve these plans before work can begin. Contractors are responsible for testing and treating water before its release to ensure compliance with regulations.
If you have a work site disrupted by surface water or flooding, you need equipment and tools that help you with removal quickly and safely. With rentals you can get the equipment you need when you need it. With 70+ trusted brands, 1900+ worldwide locations and 24/7 online access, Cat Rentals gives you more flexibility as well as cost savings. Advantages include:
- Lower upfront costs compared to buying
- No maintenance or repair responsibilities
- Flexibility to meet project demands with the right size and type of equipment
- Reduced fleet size and management needs
- Access to more models and options than buying new
- Improved cash flow by avoiding surprise maintenance costs
- Ability to test equipment before buying
- Specialized dewatering equipment and expert advice
Cat Rentals carries the pumps, trailers, and trucks you need to manage water safely and efficiently, plus meet your job and budget requirements. More specialized dewatering systems are also available from Cat® dealers in some regions.
Pumps available usually include portable, towable, and submersible pumps. Browse pumping equipment rentals.
Water trailers and trucks. Trailers are available in sizes to match your work. Trucks carry up to 8,000 gallons for larger jobs. See water equipment rental options.
With flexible rental terms, on-site support, and well-maintained ready-to-work machines, we make sure you get what you need, when you need it most. Browse our full equipment inventory, request a quick quote or find a dealer near you today.
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