Preene Groundwater Consulting - Specialists in dewatering and groundwater control design

Preene Groundwater Consulting are specialists in the design of dewatering and groundwater control systems. We provide specialist advice and design services in the fields of dewatering and groundwater engineering for clients in the construction and mining industries.

The practice was established by Dr Martin Preene, who has more than 30 years’ experience on projects worldwide in the investigation, design, installation and operation of groundwater control and dewatering systems for temporary works purposes. We integrate hydrogeology and geotechnical engineering skills to provide innovative, cost-effective and safe solutions to groundwater problems on construction and mining projects. A short CV for Dr Preene can be downloaded here. Dr Preene is also a past Chairman of the British Geotechnical Association (BGA).

Please download our Practice Profile.

Dewatering and groundwater control is an essential part of many construction and mining projects, where excavations extend below groundwater level. When designed and installed to high standards, groundwater control can allow excavation and construction to proceed more rapidly, more safely and more cheaply. Conversely, poorly planned control of groundwater can lead to significant delays and cost increases during excavation, or can lead to operational or maintenance problems during the lifetime of a particular project.

There are two main groups of groundwater control techniques:

• Methods that use low permeability cut-off walls and other barriers to exclude water from the excavation (known as exclusion techniques).
• Methods that control groundwater by pumping from sumps or wells (known as construction dewatering techniques).

Dr Martin Preene leads our work. He has experience on projects worldwide in the investigation, design, installation and operation of groundwater control and dewatering systems. He is qualified as:

• UK Registered Ground Engineering Adviser
• Chartered Engineer (CEng)
• Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE)
• Chartered Geologist (CGeol)
• Fellow of the Geological Society (FGS)
• Chartered Scientist (CSci)
• Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)
• Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (FCIWEM)
• Member of the British Geotechnical Association
• Member of the International Association of Hydrogeologists
• Member of the International Mine Water Association