We ensure safe and efficient construction through expert groundwater control solutions.
Groundwater control is essential for lowering the water table and creating dry working conditions on both the surface and subsurface – especially when site conditions, remedial performance, or project requirements demand it. This process ensures safe and efficient excavation and construction in areas where water presence would otherwise pose significant challenges.
At Forgen, we excel in groundwater control by capturing and rerouting surface water, groundwater, and rivers to achieve dry excavation conditions. Our expertise spans a wide range of projects, including traditional excavation, excavation using specialty equipment, and mechanical and hydraulic dredging.
We utilize two primary methods of groundwater control: pumping and exclusion. Pumping involves actively removing water from the site, while exclusion prevents water from entering the excavation area. For detailed information on our groundwater exclusion services, please refer to our page on cutoff and barrier walls.
Our approach emphasizes early contractor involvement (ECI), where we engage with owners and engineers from the outset. This early collaboration allows us to assess site conditions, evaluate intended outcomes, and recommend the most suitable groundwater control methods. By doing so, we optimize cost and schedule, streamline decision-making, and deliver tailored solutions that address project complexities effectively.
For more information on the benefits of early involvement and our alternative delivery methods, please refer to our page on alternative delivery.
Groundwater Control Capabilities
Forgen implements effective stormwater management techniques to ensure proper soil absorption and filtration of stormwater, aiding in the recharge of aquifers or its flow into streams and rivers. This process is essential for maintaining or improving water quality. Forgen addresses challenges where heavy rainfall creates excess moisture, which could interfere with environmental remediation processes. Through our management strategies, we reduce runoff and sediment migration, thus minimizing environmental impacts during storm events.
On construction sites, Forgen helps prevent the transport of debris, chemicals, bacteria, sediment, and other pollutants into natural water bodies, mitigating severe environmental threats. We ensure compliance with environmental standards and reduce the risk of pollution, maintaining the integrity of natural water systems.
Featured Project Experience
Cutoff and barrier walls, or slurry walls, are low-permeability barriers designed to contain or treat subsurface groundwater. These walls are crucial for controlling contaminated groundwater and mitigating seepage through critical infrastructure like levees and dams. Installing these walls involves excavating a vertical trench under a slurry (bentonite or bio-polymer) and backfilling it with low-permeability or reactive materials. These walls can be placed upgradient to divert water, downgradient to capture contamination, or circumferentially to encircle and contain it, depending on environmental needs. Successful construction requires precise excavation, careful preparation of slurry and backfill materials, and meticulous attention to trench stability and nearby structures.
Forgen has constructed over 110 million square feet of slurry cutoff walls, establishing itself as a leader in the industry. We assist in the design and perform the construction of these walls using various methods and materials. Our expertise allows us to address the specific needs of each project, whether it involves hydraulic control of contaminated groundwater, seepage mitigation in critical infrastructure, or environmental containment. Forgen ensures meticulous execution from excavation to backfilling, prioritizing safety and efficiency to prevent damage to nearby structures and maintain trench stability. For more detailed information on the materials and methods we employ, refer to the cutoff and barrier wall section of our documentation.
Featured Project Experience
Forgen provides groundwater treatment services to address contaminated groundwater and surface water on project sites. These services ensure that water is adequately treated before discharge into local storm or sanitary sewers, a municipality’s publicly owned treatment works (POTW), or under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. We design, mobilize, and operate temporary and mobile water treatment systems on-site to keep project sites dry and compliant with permits and local regulations.
Our groundwater treatment services are crucial for managing contaminated water effectively, ensuring environmental compliance, and supporting the sustainability of our construction activities. By implementing these services, we maintain strict adherence to local regulations and permit requirements while promoting environmentally responsible practices on all our projects.
Featured Project Experience
Forgen installs a wide range of water control structures for restoration projects, including planned irrigation and drainage systems. These structures include flashboard risers, check dams, division boxes, water measurement devices, and pipe drop inlets. Additionally, we support wildlife projects by modifying water flow with chutes or cold-water releases. We also use earthen cofferdams, sheet piling, portadams, and bladder dams to isolate excavation areas and divert surface water flows effectively.
In various environments such as marshlands, major waterways, and tidal estuaries, Forgen installs collection trenches, underdrains, wells, well points, and sumps. We use gravity or pumping operations to divert groundwater flows, pump groundwater from excavations, and place surcharge loads on sediments to increase shear strength through consolidation. Our projects also include installing sluices for silt management, debris screens for pipeline protection, and tide gates to prevent backflow into channels.
Forgen constructs bridges, culverts, flumes, inverted siphons, and long-span pipes to convey water over, under, or along obstacles like ditches, canals, roads, and railroads, ensuring long-term functionality. We provide an operation and maintenance plan that outlines water level management requirements, with semiannual maintenance tasks including component inspections and debris removal, especially considering frequent extreme weather events.
Featured Project Experience
Alternative Delivery
We specialize in delivering projects through alternative contracting methods, aiming to improve quality, reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and manage risks.
Our expertise in heavy civil, geotechnical construction, and environmental remediation allows us to provide innovative solutions with agility. Early stakeholder engagement ensures alignment of project goals, fostering transparency and accountability. By combining technical expertise with innovative problem-solving and strong client communication, we tailor our services to meet each project’s unique challenges, ensuring successful outcomes.
