When you think of water you probably think about the water coming from you faucet or perhaps the calming waves of the ocean. But did you know there is water flowing right underneath your feet that you can’t even see? This unseen force plays an important part in the health of the public and can be a disaster if it becomes contaminated. We will take a deeper look into what groundwater is, how to remediate groundwater, and the different types of groundwater remediation.
Image from USGS
Groundwater is water held underground that resides in cracks, spaces, and crevices in soil or rock. Groundwater can resurface by being withdrawn from the ground by a well, intersect with nearby bodies of water, or seep out of a rock formation or hillside. If groundwater becomes contaminated, it needs to be immediately remediated to prevent further harm.
Groundwater remediation is the process of treating polluted groundwater by removing the pollutants. Most groundwater is clean, but groundwater can become contaminated as a result of over-application of fertilizer or pesticides, spills from industrial operations, runoff, or leaking from landfills. Contaminated groundwater causes hazards to public health, which is why groundwater remediation is needed to address these issues.
There are two types of groundwater remediation: in-situ and ex-situ. In-situ means in place or on-site, while ex-situ means off-site. In-situ involves cleaning the groundwater where it is currently situated, whereas ex-situ involves having the groundwater excavated and then taken off-site. In-situ is a more cost-effective solution, as it doesn’t require the use of excavation. But, while ex-situ might be more expensive and extend the length of the process, it allows for no further damage to be done at the current site.
There are many different methods and techniques when it comes to groundwater remediation. The three most common groundwater remediation methods are categorized into biological, chemical, and physical.
Factors such as type of contaminant, its location and concentration, and its chemical and physical composition go into the process of deciding which technique is right for a project site. At Handex we start by surveying and collecting samples from a site, which allows us to come up with the best groundwater remediation strategy for your project.
As groundwater remediation experts, we will service your needs in a cost-effective manner utilizing the knowledge obtained through our extensive track record of working on a wide variety of sites with site-specific conditions, systems, and regulations. We have the necessary experience to evaluate and assess an existing system on-site and provide recommendations and implementation for system optimization.
For more information about groundwater remediation services, request a free quote today, or contact us here.