Stormwater Management Systems
In agricultural areas underdrains have historically been used for this purpose. Hydrotechs patented horizontal well delivery system can provide the same benefit of rapid removal of unwanted water as underdrains. However, because they are typically constructed deeper and have larger diameters than underdrains, more water can be removed in a shorter period of time. Horizontal wells also provide a means of filtration of water, thus the water ultimately discharged from a horizontal well to a surface water body is of much better quality than if discharged directly.
The filtration provided by horizontal wells reduces many undesirable chemical compounds in the subsurface. In addition to removal or reduction of some undesirable chemical compounds, horizontal wells can remove undesirable biological agents such as coliform bacteria and Cryptosporidia and Giardia. The added filtration can substantially expedite the permitting process and reduce the need for construction of costly treatment systems.
Hydrotech can provide a single 8″ horizontal well system 500 feet long, which can typically produce at a sustainable rate of up to 1,000,000 gallons per day. Larger yields can be obtained with larger diameter HDPE pipe and/or longer horizontal well runs.
Thus, the advantages of horizontal wells as a component for stormwater management systems are substantial.