Drainage Assessment and Design

Drainage in cemeteries is complex due to physical, environmental and practical constraints.  

CDS specialise in the drainage of cemeteries; designing bespoke solutions to surface and groundwater problems.  We designed and project managed the country’s first deep groundwater drainage system for cemeteries; leading the way with a new methodology which has since become established as best practice.                                                                                                                                                                                            

Our specialist technical services provide management of the following areas:

• Dewatering and lowering of groundwater levels through deep drainage techniques
• Surface water and catch-all drainage systems
• Spring line diversion and cut off
• Reed bed construction
• Grey water management (grave pumping and environmental wastewater management)
• Onsite water treatment systems                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

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CDS undertake a three staged approach to identifying the problem, define a solution and implement the drainage strategy:

Stage 1: Identifying the problem

Before any assumptions are made as to the causes of the drainage problem, our soil engineers and drainage specialists carry out a detailed site survey which includes some or all of the following:

• Topographic and hydro-topographic survey
• Hydro-geological investigation
• Deep core sampling
• Profile pit analysis
• Soil analysis
• Outfall design options
• Utility mapping

From the results of the desktop survey and intrusive site investigation, our team of engineers will determine:

• The water table levels both current and temporal
• The risk of leaching, eutrophication and attenuation
• The presence, and causes, of any impermeable layers in the soil profile
• The soil stability and suitability for excavations
• The drainage and surface water management options

A detailed report is then prepared with outline management options highlighting the nature of the drainage problem along with a summary of design recommendations and associated costs.

Stage 2: Define a solution

Once the budgets and type of drainage scheme have been agreed, CDS will progress with Stage 2 design work which would include:

• Production of detailed drainage design drawings
• Production of detailed specification documents
• Production of tender documents including bill of quantities
• Tender contract management

Stage 3: Implement the drainage strategy

Once a contractor has been appointed, the CDS team will ensure all aspects of the design are installed as per the detailed specification; that the project is finished on time and to budget. CDS achieves this by providing an ongoing client relationship package. Our engineers also ensure that the contractors are fully briefed on all required works so they are well placed to monitor the project meticulously from start to finish.