Anyone in the construction industry knows a project’s impact on the surrounding environment. Between waste, energy consumption, and more, construction jobs aren’t always the most environmentally friendly. Fortunately, there are multiple ways construction crews can keep their environmental impact to a minimum. A few simple steps include efficient energy usage, time optimization, and taking advantage of reusable equipment. As one of the most durable and essential pieces of reusable equipment for a construction crew, the inflatable cofferdam is perhaps one of your best resources for reducing the environmental impact of construction projects.
Traditional Cofferdam Types
Cofferdams have been around for decades, but in the modern era, they are typically used for construction site dewatering. A traditional cofferdam is a temporary structure usually made of sheet metal, concrete, wood, and sometimes double-walled with a filler. They withstand high pressure to keep a particular area dry, but the installation and workforce required to assemble and dismantle these devices are often not worth the labor costs and time.
Traditional Cofferdams Are Not Meant to be Reusable
The significant difference between traditional cofferdams and inflatable cofferdams is that inflatable cofferdams are reusable. The only ‘removal solution’ for a traditional cofferdam is for it to be demolished. An inflatable cofferdam can just be deflated, cleaned, removed, and then placed into storage, ready to be used when it is next required.
Traditional Methods Have an Impact on the Environment
A construction site is not typically an environmentally friendly place. Once the site has been finished and all tools, machines, and construction removed, it can take years for nature to replace the damage caused by the construction process. Waste too typically ends up at landfill sites, which further impacts the environment. Traditional damming methods, such as sandbags, cause much disruption. Transportation is required to get the sandbags to where they need to be, and then there is the need to move dozens of individual sandbags into position. With a water-inflated cofferdam, the resource you need to complete the inflation – water – is already present! This cuts down on transportation and saves you time and money!
Reusable Cofferdams: An Economical and Effective Way to Handle Water
Reusable cofferdams are also better for the environment because they neither require installing foreign materials nor disturbing the landscape to create a barrier using nearby earthen materials. There is no need for permanent dam construction when choosing reusable cofferdams. Instead, reusable cofferdams feature straightforward and quick installation through pumping on-site water into the two inner fill tubes. As the cofferdam’s chambers slowly and evenly inflate, a strong barrier keeps the unwanted water at bay until the cofferdam is drained. As an easily expandable option, reusable cofferdams can be pieced together from end to end to create a barrier of any length and shape. Another popular option is to pile sandbags; however, reusable cofferdams are superior to sandbags as they are much less labor-intensive and even more effective.
Water-filled Cofferdams’ Environmental Advantages
Water-filled cofferdams are designed to work in tune with the local environment. A cofferdam creates a temporary and effective water barrier that does not leave a sizable footprint behind. Our dams are energy-efficient, too; once they have been inflated, they require absolute zero power to maintain them. When their need has been fulfilled, it is simply a case of deflating them, packing them away, and storing them for their subsequent use. This means that our cofferdams can be re-used repeatedly, making them wholly recyclable and environmentally friendly.
If you would like to learn more about the re-usability and environmental friendliness of water-inflated cofferdams, contact the team at Dam-It Dams today! Contact (810) 695-1695 or use our online contact form.