Getting the Job Done with Construction Contractors

Factors that Marine Contractors Must Consider before Beginning a Dredging Project

29 March 2019 by Audrey Ramos

If you are planning to extend your waterfront property into a lake, then you need the services of a marine contractor. The contractors are well-equipped to handle construction projects in marine areas. As two of the primary activities in marine construction, dredging and disposal need to be conducted using the most economical and environmentally compatible techniques. Since only qualified professional marine contractors can guarantee this, it is critical to observe care when choosing a marine contractor. That said, dredging and disposal processes are not as straightforward, even for experienced contractors. Notably, certain factors must be observed before commencing a dredging project.

Location and Quantity of Dredging

Knowing the exact location of a dredging project helps contractors to make the right decisions from the onset. For instance, if dredging is supposed to take place in the middle of a lake, then contractors need a pontoon dredger for the project. On the other hand, if the dredging is along the banks, then a pontoon is not necessary since a dredging crane can operate on land along the bank. Additionally, knowing the amount of dredge material to be disposed of is essential since it allows a marine contractor to estimate the duration of a project. Most importantly, information on the location and estimation of the quantity of dredged material enables a contractor to prepare accordingly.

Physical Property of Dredged Material

What is the physical properties of the sediment in a project site? It is a fundamental question that contractors must ascertain before starting a dredging project, and the query can only be answered by conducting tests. Therefore, a contractor has to take sediment samples from the project site to a lab to determine the sediment composition. If there are any dangerous chemical elements in the samples, then the tests will confirm that. Therefore, a contractor can make the right disposal plans in light of the chemical composition of the sediment. Moreover, the test results help contractors to choose the right dredging equipment.  

Disposal Options

Dredged waste in the form of sediment must be disposed of in accordance to set standards and guidelines. However, the disposal option that a contractor chooses is affected by the economics of the disposal process and the environmental impact. For example, if the waste does not contain chemicals, then it is economical and environmentally acceptable to dispose of the sediment in another section of the lake using a suction hopper dredger. However, if there are traces of chemicals, then contractors have to find environmentally safe ways to dispose of the waste.

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