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Horizontal Remediation Wells Offer Environmental Remediation Benefits
According to the US EPA, about 75 percent of soil and groundwater pollution is a result of petroleum hydrocarbon spills. Most of that contamination occurs within 50 feet of the surface. Depending on site conditions, contaminants migrate down to an impermeable layer in the soil, such as bedrock or the water table. Contamination of this type is often found in horizontal planes of contamination in thin layers. Horizontal remediation wells offer benefits for remediation:
They enhance remediation of a greater volume of contaminated media per well than vertical wells
Vertical wells, a typical tactic for remediating planar contamination, only intersect the plume at one point in the plane. It takes many points of intersection to achieve effective coverage for a given plane as vertical wells can only influence a limited distance.
Fewer wells may be required for successful remediation
For instance, at a petrochemical site in the Southeast, 256 vertical wells were initially installed to capture a plume. Later, just seven horizontal wells were installed to replace the 256 vertical wells.
Horizontal wells can be drilled under buildings, roads and other sites with limited disruptions
Previously, contamination under buildings and highways was considered too difficult to remediate due to the disruptions it would cause to business operations. Horizontal wells up to 3,000 feet long and 250 feet deep can be installed under these obstructions.
They minimize contaminated waste and disposal costs
Horizontal wells generally create significantly less spoils than vertical wells. This results in a lower volume of contaminated soil for paid disposal and lower overall project cost.
Maintenance, setup and replacement costs may be lower
A single horizontal extraction well can eliminate the number of pumps required for the treatment system and a single biosparge well can eliminate the treatment system altogether. At sites where minimal remediation is required, horizontal biosparge wells can be a good, low-cost solution.
Contact us at 919.854.9700 to resolve your environmental remediation issues.
According to the US EPA, about 75 percent of soil and groundwater pollution is a result of petroleum hydrocarbon spills. Most of that contamination occurs within 50 feet of the surface. Depending on site conditions, contaminants migrate down to an impermeable layer in the soil, such as bedrock or the water table. Contamination of this type is often found in horizontal planes of contamination in thin layers. Horizontal remediation wells offer benefits for remediation:
They enhance remediation of a greater volume of contaminated media per well than vertical wells
Vertical wells, a typical tactic for remediating planar contamination, only intersect the plume at one point in the plane. It takes many points of intersection to achieve effective coverage for a given plane as vertical wells can only influence a limited distance.
Fewer wells may be required for successful remediation
For instance, at a petrochemical site in the Southeast, 256 vertical wells were initially installed to capture a plume. Later, just seven horizontal wells were installed to replace the 256 vertical wells.
Horizontal wells can be drilled under buildings, roads and other sites with limited disruptions
Previously, contamination under buildings and highways was considered too difficult to remediate due to the disruptions it would cause to business operations. Horizontal wells up to 3,000 feet long and 250 feet deep can be installed under these obstructions.
They minimize contaminated waste and disposal costs
Horizontal wells generally create significantly less spoils than vertical wells. This results in a lower volume of contaminated soil for paid disposal and lower overall project cost.
Maintenance, setup and replacement costs may be lower
A single horizontal extraction well can eliminate the number of pumps required for the treatment system and a single biosparge well can eliminate the treatment system altogether. At sites where minimal remediation is required, horizontal biosparge wells can be a good, low-cost solution.
Contact us at 919.854.9700 to resolve your environmental remediation issues.
