COMANCO Performs Specialized Piezometer Abandonment to Restore Containment Integrity
Containment systems on gyp stacks rely on more than liner installation alone. Every penetration through the liner system creates a potential risk if it is not properly maintained or abandoned when no longer needed.
Piezometers play an important role in monitoring water levels and conditions within containment structures. However, older or inactive piezometers can become long-term liabilities if operators leave them in place without proper abandonment procedures. Poorly abandoned penetrations may allow seepage pathways to develop beneath the liner system, increasing environmental and operational risks.
COMANCO recently completed piezometer abandonment work at a Central Florida phosphate facility. The project required crews to safely abandon five piezometers located along the center dike of an old gyp stack while protecting the integrity of the existing containment system.
Managing Long-Term Risks
Piezometers are commonly installed within gyp stacks and containment structures to monitor groundwater and internal conditions. Over time, some monitoring points become inactive or unnecessary as facilities evolve or closure activities progress.
Removing or abandoning these structures requires careful planning. Improper abandonment can compromise containment performance and create future maintenance concerns. Open or poorly sealed penetrations may allow process water migration beneath the liner system.
Facilities operating phosphate stacks must manage these risks carefully. Even small defects in containment systems can become larger problems if operators fail to address them early.
Proper abandonment procedures help eliminate unnecessary penetrations while maintaining liner integrity. The process also supports ongoing environmental compliance and helps facilities maintain reliable containment performance.
Working Safely in Difficult Field Conditions
This project presented several difficult working conditions for the COMANCO crew. The piezometers were located on a narrow divider dike that is typically submerged during normal operations.
Crews worked on steep slopes while managing equipment, grout mixing activities, and liner repairs within a confined work area. Access remained limited throughout the project, requiring constant communication between crew members and supervisors.
Safety remained the top priority from start to finish. The crew used a dedicated boat spotter while personnel worked along the slopes and dike. This added visibility and communication support throughout operations.
Despite the demanding conditions, the team completed this project safely with no incidents or near misses.
Executing Piezometer Abandonment
COMANCO crews abandoned all five piezometers using grout and tremie pipe installation methods. The tremie pipe allowed crews to place grout properly within the existing piezometer structures while minimizing voids and maintaining consistent grout placement.
After grouting operations, crews removed each piezometer to a minimum depth of 5 feet below liner grade. This step helped eliminate future interference with the containment system and allowed the team to properly restore the liner system.
Once removal activities were complete, the crew repaired the liner penetrations using 60 mil textured liner. Proper patching procedures helped restore containment integrity across each repair location.
The work required close coordination between field personnel throughout every phase of construction. Superintendent Josh Philhower and Master Seamer Carlos Granados Cruz managed the project while maintaining quality control and safe execution in difficult field conditions.
Safe Operations Backed by Experience
Piezometer abandonment projects often appear simple at first glance. In reality, they require experienced crews that understand containment systems, liner repair procedures, and safe work practices around water management structures.
Steep slopes, submerged work areas, and confined access points create additional operational challenges that demand careful execution. Small mistakes during abandonment or liner restoration can create future maintenance concerns for facility operators.
COMANCO’s crews approached this work with a strong focus on containment protection and safe field execution. By completing the work safely and properly restoring the liner system, the project helped maintain process water containment within the gyp stack.
Supporting Reliable Containment Systems
Containment systems require ongoing maintenance and attention throughout the life of a facility. Proper abandonment of inactive penetrations is important for protecting liner performance and reducing future environmental risks.
Projects like this demonstrate the importance of experienced field crews, proper repair procedures, and safe execution in demanding conditions. Addressing these issues correctly the first time helps facilities avoid larger operational problems later.
COMANCO continues supporting phosphate and industrial facilities with environmental construction services focused on safety, containment integrity, and reliable field performance.
SAFETY ★ QUALITY ★ SERVICE
COMANCO is an environmental, commercial, and civil construction company specializing in constructing containment facilities.
Proper abandonment of piezometers helps protect containment systems and reduce future environmental risks. Projects involving steep slopes, submerged work areas, and liner penetrations require experienced crews that understand safe field execution and containment restoration. COMANCO continues supporting phosphate and industrial facilities with environmental construction services focused on safety, quality, and reliable performance.
Contact COMANCO to discuss how our team can support your next project.
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🌐 www.comanco.com