Addressing Water Scarcity: Integrated Strategies for Sustainable Water Use
Temporary Water Management for On-Site Applications
Across construction sites, infrastructure maintenance projects and environmental remediation work, water-related challenges need temporary control solutions that deploy quickly and adapt to site-specific conditions. Construction in or near waterways, flood perimeter protection and emergency storage also require barriers that can scale to project specifications.
Portable water-filled barrier systems address a range of temporary water management needs through a single platform.
Temporary Water Management Across Project Types
On a project-specific basis, temporary water management controls flow, contains water or isolates areas. Construction activity, infrastructure maintenance, flood protection and environmental work all apply these principles.
Project requirements vary by water depth, flow rate, site geometry, regulatory environment and removal timeline. No two sites present identical conditions.
Water-filled barrier systems address a wide range of project types within a single deployable solution and eliminate some of the challenges associated with other methods, including:
- Steel sheet pile installation requires cranes and substantial labor while generating noise and vibration.
- Earthen fill cofferdams rely on imported materials, generate turbidity plumes and are only partially removable once a project concludes.
- Sandbag systems require considerable labor to deploy and remove.
Using Water-Filled Barriers in Temporary Water Management Applications
A portable water-filled barrier system can be configured to meet diverse needs. On-site water fills the system, eliminating the need to import fill materials. The barrier conforms to most surfaces across varied site conditions to minimize seepage.
Work Area Isolation for Dewatering Support
Water-filled cofferdams isolate work areas to support dewatering during construction and maintenance projects conducted in or near active waterways, canals, rivers and tidal areas. Applicable project types include the following:
- Bridge pier construction
- Pipeline crossings
- Boat ramp repair and construction
- Pump station maintenance
- Canal bank restoration
Within or alongside a body of water, projects require a contained, manageable work environment. Before filling begins, crews position the barrier around the perimeter of the work area. Water is pumped into the inner tubes until the weight and hydraulic pressure stabilize the system against lateral water pressure.
The Environmental Protection Agency requires turbidity benchmark monitoring (50 Nephelometric Turbidity Units) for dewatering discharges to specific sensitive waters. Water-filled barriers using on-site water with no fill discharge support compliance with this benchmark.
Depending on barrier height and configuration, installation can proceed with reduced crew and equipment requirements compared to traditional alternatives. Portable water management systems provide work area isolation for dewatering support in construction.
Temporary Flood Control Barriers
For infrastructure, commercial properties and residential structures, water-filled barriers provide protection when rising water levels call for a rapid response. Protected infrastructure may include:
- Electrical substations
- Water treatment plants
- Hospitals
- Police and fire stations
- Emergency vehicle access corridors
- Critical transportation infrastructure
The flood control barriers must start and end at elevations greater than the controlled floodwater level. As one tool within a broader flood response plan, the barrier functions in coordination with other measures. Effective flood control pairs barrier deployment with seepage control and stormwater management.
When installed and filled to capacity, the flood barrier controls up to three-quarters of its height in floodwater depth. Compared to sandbag dike construction, the system deploys faster and with fewer personnel. For infrastructure protection and emergency response, flood protection barriers offer a strong shield against floodwater.
Portable Temporary Water Storage
When a project or emergency operation requires on-site water retention, water-filled barriers can serve as temporary water-storage containment systems. Use cases include:
- Emergency response operations requiring on-site water reserves
- Fire suppression water storage
- Testing and commissioning of water systems
- Industrial project water needs
- Temporary containment during facility maintenance or tank cleaning operations
At capacity, a standard 4-foot water-filled barrier measuring 9 feet wide and 100 feet long holds approximately 21,000 gallons of water. In any given layout, this configuration holds more water than the same area filled with cylindrical tanks. The system performs optimally on flat ground, and installation on slopes reduces internal volume.
Environmental Containment and Remediation Support
In and near waterways, water-filled barriers isolate contaminated areas, contain hazardous materials and chemical spills, and support environmental remediation work. Use cases include the following:
- Isolating a river or channel from upstream contamination during remediation
- Containing hazardous material spills at industrial or refinery sites
- Partitioning sections of sanitation or settling ponds
- Supporting wetland restoration projects for sustainable water use
Manufactured using virgin-resin high-grade polyethylene and polypropylene, the barrier does not generate turbidity. The system is well-suited to regulated areas where environmental sensitivity is a concern. The AquaDam® is designed to comply with all Clean Water Act requirements and serves as an acceptable protective device for environmental purposes.
Kilisut Harbor provided insight into how these portable systems can be used for temporary water management. A combination of AquaDam® units provided work area isolation in a sensitive tidal environment to support both construction activity and estuary restoration.
Stormwater Management
Where temporary flow control is necessary to section off a work area or manage sediment and runoff during construction, water-filled barriers support stormwater management applications. In ecological and environmental project contexts, the system provides work area isolation to enable work in dry conditions. Applicable project types include:
- Irrigation check dam installation
- Stream bank restoration
- Fish habitat improvement
To allow work in dry conditions, each application requires temporary flow control around the work area. The barriers can be configured in straight lines, arcs and with angles to create the exact size and shape needed to contain the space.
At Jacoby Creek, crews deployed a 4-foot water-filled barrier in an active creek to plug an eroded bank section. The barrier effectively stopped flow and enabled stabilization work to proceed.
The AquaDam® Portable Water-Filled Barrier System
Two watertight inner polyethylene tubes, contained side by side within a woven outer polypropylene sleeve, form the AquaDam® system construction. This patented design is what allows the system to stabilize under load and effectively contain water.
During deployment, the barrier is unrolled around the perimeter of the target area before filling begins. Standard units come in heights from 1-28 feet when filled and can be created at custom lengths up to 1,200 feet. The patented coupling collar connection allows multiple units to join together to form a barrier of the necessary length for any application.
AquaDam® works with each customer to determine the appropriate barrier configuration for the specific application. By eliminating imported fill materials and generating no turbidity, deployment minimizes environmental impact.
Get Started With AquaDam®
Temporary water management calls for integrated strategies and flexible solutions that don’t leave semipermanent structures behind. AquaDam® is versatile enough for multiple applications, deploys quickly using on-site water and can be removed without leaving any permanent structures behind.
When your project calls for temporary water management, get a custom quote from AquaDam®. The system supports work area isolation, flood control, water storage and environmental containment.
