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Interceptor Trenches for Positive Ground Water Control
Author(s) -
Gilbert Seward G.,
Gress James J.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
groundwater monitoring and remediation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1745-6592
pISSN - 1069-3629
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6592.1987.tb01042.x
Subject(s) - sump (aquarium) , trench , drainage , groundwater , geotechnical engineering , engineering , geology , mining engineering , waste management , ecology , chemistry , organic chemistry , layer (electronics) , biology
Interceptor trenches are an effective ground water control method at waste management sites. Trenches may be installed without disturbing the wastes, and the withdrawal of ground water recovers contaminants that have left the waste management perimeter. The rapid and steep depression of the piezometric surface on both sides of the trench is positive proof of a barrier to horizontal flow across the trench in the affected permeable units. Historically, the construction of interceptor trenches has been very difficult. A new and efficient installation method has been developed and successfully utilized for several applications at a petrochemical facility on the Texas coastal plain. Rapid and cost‐effective installation is made possible by innovations in sump and trench construction and the tie‐in between the two. The sump is constructed first using standard well construction techniques to drill a 96‐inch diameter hole to contain the 42‐inch diameter polyethylene pipe sump. A European designed and fabricated trenching machine then excavates the trench, inserts the drainage pipe and backfills with sand and/or gravel in one operation. A specially designed perforated pipe entry door built into the side of the sump barrel provides for efficient and safe connection of the drainage pipe to the specially designed collection sump. The effectiveness of interceptor trenches has been confirmed in full scale applications through the reversal of flow gradients and the prevention of continued horizontal migration of ground water contaminants.