Application of Water Abstraction Well to Reduce Water Level

Abstract

This study presents a structured and environmentally sustainable methodology to investigate the effects of Water Abstraction well to reduce water level. Aimed to resolve the water table issue which become hindrance & safety hazard in excavation and construction activities, the methodology integrates controlled water abstraction from ground for faster & safe excavation, for carrying out construction activities and to protect nearby structures. As continuous seepage of water is filling the excavation area and Manual or existing pumping is insufficient to maintain a dry working condition, resulted to soil Instability. This is because of Saturated soil becomes loose & prone to collapse and Excavated slopes & trench walls are at risk of caving in, posing safety hazards. This leads to work Disruption, which delays in excavation and foundation laying due to the need for constant dewatering and equipment & labour efficiency significantly reduced under wet & unstable conditions. In Wet conditions make it difficult to maintain dry, compacted base layers for concrete placement and also risk of poor curing and long-term durability issues in concrete foundations. It Increased Project Costs as well. To overcome this issue, Series of water abstraction wells are connected to a header pipe for water abstraction from ground. After review of all the possible methods for lowering the ground water level, We had applied water abstraction well, As it is Cost effective, Time saving, and reliable method. It also provides Enhanced Safety, Improved Excavation Stability, Faster Progress, Equipment Efficiency & Protects Nearby Structures. Properly managed wells have a lower ecological footprint than large-scale surface water interventions like dams, which can disrupt ecosystems & displace communities and controlled dewatering prevents hydraulic uplift or ground movement, which can damage adjacent foundations or utilities.

Introduction

I. Groundwater Issues in Construction

• Groundwater poses serious risks during deep excavations at construction sites.

• Problems include:

  • Water inflow weakening excavation walls.

  • Soil erosion, uplift pressure, and risk to neighboring buildings.

• Understanding soil type, groundwater levels, and water flow is key to safe and cost-effective construction.

II. Groundwater Management Techniques

1. Dewatering Methods:

   • Open Sump Method: Simple and low-cost; effective for small projects.

   • Well Point System: Suitable for large excavations; involves small wells with pumps.

   • Progressive & Ring Systems: Used for trench and rectangular excavations.

   • Bored Well System: For deeper dewatering (up to 8 meters).

   • Electro-Osmosis: Moves water through fine soils using electric current.

2. Reducing Water Flow:

   • Grouting Techniques:

     • Cement Grouting: Strengthens coarse soil and reduces permeability.

     • Clay Grouting: Blocks water in loose soils.

     • Chemical Grouting: Binds sandy soils using chemical reactions.

3. Soil Stabilization:

   • Includes compaction, chemical grouting, and geotextiles to strengthen the ground.

III. Foundation Design Modifications

• Adapt foundation types for high water table areas:

  • Floating Foundations: Balance the building’s weight with displaced water.

  • Pile/Caisson Foundations: Transfer loads to deeper, stable layers.

  • Diaphragm Walls: Create continuous barriers; used in basements, dams, marine, and nuclear projects.

IV. Groundwater Identification & Well Construction

• Surveys assess aquifers, water table depth, and soil permeability.

• Well drilling includes PVC casings and filters to extract clean groundwater.

• Pumps (e.g., submersible) and telemetry systems are installed for monitoring.

V. Impacts on Project Cost & Timeline

• High water tables lead to:

  • Increased costs for labor, equipment, and materials.

  • Longer project durations due to added dewatering and foundation work.

  • Need for long-term monitoring of groundwater systems.

VI. Broader Groundwater Management Challenges

• India’s Overuse Crisis:

  • Many regions over-extract groundwater beyond natural recharge rates.

  • 85% of rural water, 45% of urban water, and 60% of agriculture rely on groundwater.

• Key Concerns:

  • Pollution, irregular rainfall, and urbanization exacerbate scarcity.

  • Over-extraction effects:

    • Saltwater intrusion near coasts.

    • Land subsidence, damaging infrastructure.

    • Aquifer contamination (e.g., arsenic, salinity).

    • Drying rivers and lowering water tables.

Conclusion

1) Achieved dry condition by dewatering through water abstraction well for construction of Basement activities like Base Plain Cement Concrete, Raft /Foundation- reinforced cement concrete etc. 2) Possible time saving is 6 months across the project phases 3) Provides a safe and stable environment for both workers and equipment. 4) Faster project completion and significant cost savings of 4-5% of total project cost. 5) Water Abstraction: Taking water from natural sources is important for drinking, farming, factories, and making electricity. But if not done carefully, it can harm nature. We need to use water wisely to make sure there\'s enough for future generations. 6) Protecting Nature: Taking water from rivers and lakes can affect the flow and health of the environment. That\'s why we need plans to measure how much water is available, how much is needed in the future, and what could happen during dry seasons. This helps us manage water better.

References

[1] Chaddha, D.K. (2006)- Development and management of ground water resources of India: an Overview. In Groundwater Modelling and Management, edited by N.C. Ghosh and K.D.Sharma, Capital Publishing Company, New Delhi. [2] CPCB (1999) -Water Quality Status and Statistics 1996 & 1997. Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi, 403 pp. [3] National Water Policy (2002)- Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, New Delhi. [4] Central Ground Water Authority Ministry of Water Resources, Guidelines /Criteria for evaluation of proposals /requests for ground water abstraction (With effect from 16.11.2015) [5] IS 3764 : 1992- Excavation work- Code of Safety [6] IS 1904:1986- Code of practice for Design and Construction of Foundations in Soil: General Requirements. [7] Book: Ground Water Abstraction Structures (Springer Briefs in Water Science and Technology) by Divya A.S. (Author), Joji V.S. (Author) [8] Water abstraction works- By Prof. Konstantinos Mattas & Dr. Christos Mattas (January 2018)

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Brij Mohan, Anshul Yamuna. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.