Agricultural Land Drainage
Case study
Agricultural Land Drainage
Agricultural land drainage systems designed and installed to protect cropped and grassed areas from waterlogging and improve water management.
Scope
Land drainage is the term used to describe the system used for the drainage of large arable/grassed areas. It is heavily utilised in agriculture, sports fields and golf courses to move rainwater from sitting on the surface of the grass/cropped area thereby preventing waterlogging or deterioration to playing surfaces.
Correctly designed and installed land drainage protects playing surfaces, maximizes cropping/growth and assists with removing and storing rainwater at times of high precipitation.
Historical drainage systems designed using hand-drawn plans overlaid on maps date back 100s of years are still found today and feature a variety of clay tiles and pipes.
Surveying of existing systems and plans are increasingly digitised using state-of-the-art software where GPS positioning is utilised to plot and design entire systems across hectares of land using differing pipe diameters laid at varying depths.
Key Aspects
DESIGN
Initially existing land drainage plans and outfall positions are located with topographical surveys then being carried out to understand the condition of the existing system. These are developed to understand the extent of works necessary and designs are developed for new carrier drains, runs of lateral pipework and outfalls laid to appropriate depths to comprehensively drain the area.
ARCHAEOLOGY, BURIED SERVICES & UXO
In some instances investigations are also undertaken alongside archaeological works to expose anomalies, protect existing services such as utilities and locate any unexploded ordnance or buried artefacts.
INSTALLATION
Sweeting Bros Ltd have invested in 5 bespoke GPS enabled trenching machines which automatically cut a slice into the ground, lay pipe and backfill with stone using geo-documentation software to accurately position both depth and location.
All junctions and outfalls are photographed and added to the geo-positioning log for installation evidencing and accuracy.
Land drainage design/installation plans together with outfall positions are documented and retained by ourselves and the land-owner. It is envisaged most land drainage works will not need to be revisited to amend or upgrade for 25 years.
Typical Cross Section and Final Plan Designs
Challenges
Health & Safety
All workings are carried out compliantly under CDM 2015 protocols which require comprehensive assessment of all risks and method statements to minimise risks for all work elements.
Sweeting Bros Ltd are unique in that we have invested in mountain rescue sleds and equipment to facilitate patient evacuation in the event of an accident. Our work is often in secluded, inaccessible areas with very poor ground conditions.
Buried Services/Overhead Powerlines/UXO
Certain areas we work in were prevalent to bombing in WWII or have utility services nearby, both above and below ground. Surveys may be necessary to understand any risks associated with excavating or trenching.
Biosecurity
Inter-site moves across multiple land-owner properties often requires biosecurity and environmental protocols to minimise transfer of contaminants or non-native invasive species such as black grass. This can require washing down time for machinery prior to moving to be included as part of programming works. Pollution protocols are also utilised given the risks posed by heavy machinery and live watercourses, together with hygiene protocols for personnel.
Working with Water
Working in or around water poses hazards for employees arising from the natural environment. The presence of vermin and exposure to leptospirosis twinned with the possibility of drowning, all add to the normal risks involving accidents concerning heavy machinery and moving parts.
Works taking place in/around live watercourses also pose problems arising from adverse weather and increased rainfall leading to poor ground conditions, waterlogging, mud and flooding. It is necessary to monitor and adjust programmes to accommodate and minimise risks. Pumping out of accumulating / rising ground water on certain projects/locations may be necessary to ensure safe working conditions.
Cooperation
As with any large project where multiple stakeholders are involved, co-operation is the key factor in success. Sweeting Bros Ltd are adept at managing/working with multi-agency stakeholders such as land-owners, IDB’s, main contractors, Environment Agency and Clients Representatives.
Planning a land drainage project?
Speak to Sweeting Bros about agricultural land drainage and water management projects.