If you're planning a major residential development in a developing area, you may need to tap into underground water sources to provide on-site supply. Yet you may need to take additional steps to access that available water due to underground obstructions, different geological features or other challenges. In this case, you may need to bring in specialist drilling companies with the equipment and expertise necessary to trace the water. But you will need to ensure that you proceed carefully and do a lot of research first to reveal what may be hidden below. What do you need to focus on in particular?
Distance and Direction
You may need to bring in a horizontal directional drilling operator in a situation like this. With the right amount of planning, they can access a body of water that may be a considerable distance away from your facility and not directly beneath it. These tools are remarkably accurate, and when the process is approached correctly, you can achieve your goal with a minimum of inconvenience.
What Lies Below?
However, you will need to be especially careful to avoid damage to other installations that may be out of sight below. Other utility companies may have water pipes, sewage, electricity lines or data cabling in the area, and you'll be ultimately responsible for their protection. In a worst-case scenario, your drilling operation could completely destroy an underground utility in the way leading to a massive disruption to others and associated cost.
Expect the Unexpected
Most utility companies have people on board who can identify any underground installation. However, it's not always easy to locate these companies, and plans are not always available in every location. Sometimes, underground utility lines are not in the place you may expect them, according to the plans. They may be buried at a depth that is inconsistent with the regulations. Alternatively, these installations may have shifted due to slight movement of some kind.
Potholing
It is best to dig exploratory holes (often known as potholes) at strategic locations along the projected path in all these situations. These holes should be to a depth consistent with your proposed drill path. You should be particularly careful in an area where ground structures (like an old maintenance hole cover) could suggest an underground utility is nearby.
The Proper Approach
Always work with a professional directional drilling contractor. Together, you should ensure that there are no risks below before you begin the necessary work.
For more information on directional drilling, contact a company near you.
