Success Snapshot: Distance Excavation at Reservoir

A new customer approached us with a long-standing issue at their reservoir. Over 10 years, a significant build-up of hardened silt had accumulated across the base, drastically reducing the reservoir’s storage capacity. This loss of volume was beginning to impact their ability to reliably supply water for crop irrigation, particularly during peak summer months.

Key Challenge:

The main challenge lay in the condition of the reservoir itself. It was lined with a delicate membrane which needed to remain intact. Any aggressive excavation or removal method risked puncturing or damaging the liner, which would have led to costly repairs and extended downtime. The only alternative was labour-intensive manual handling to remove the material by hand.

Solution:

To overcome this, our team conducted site visits and developed a tailored solution using a controlled suction excavation approach. We deployed a combination of 250mm rigid and flexible pipework, supported by smaller 150mm lines for targeted removal. This setup allowed us to carefully break up and extract the dense, compacted silt without applying excessive force or pressure to the reservoir lining. The flexibility of the system also enabled access to difficult areas while maintaining a steady and controlled flow of material.

Results:

The results were highly successful. We removed over 100 tonnes of compacted silt, restoring the reservoir to its original capacity. With full capability reinstated, the client can now operate at maximum efficiency, ensuring a reliable water supply for their agricultural needs.