Groundwater
So that your building project does not fall into the water
Support for your construction project
An often underestimated problem in construction projects is water in the subsoil. We support you in correctly assessing the subsoil situation for your construction project.
A large part of our drinking water supply is fed by groundwater resources. Conflicts of interest therefore often arise in construction projects. Future uses, for example, must be adapted and dimensioned so that they comply with the legal requirements for the applicable groundwater protection measures.
We support you in taking the right precautions and measures to consider influences on the structure (stability, groundwater subsidence) and groundwater quality.
Our services
Our environmental professionals can assist you with the following services:
- Groundwater exploration / assessment of hydrogeological conditions
- Water protection and protection zone designation for groundwater and spring catchments
- Planning of dewatering measures for construction projects
- Setting up groundwater measuring points (piezometers)
- Measurement and monitoring of the groundwater level (spot measurement by hand or continuous recording with data logger)
- Execution and evaluation of field tests (e.g. pump tests, dyeing tests, etc.)
- Assessment of the infiltration potential of the subsoil
- Planning and implementation of remediation measures in groundwater in connection with pollutant contamination
Protection zone designation
In the summer of 2021, we carried out a dyeing test near Fribourg to define protection zones S1-S3.
Contact
Benjamin Zürcher
Head of Department Geothermal Energy and Groundwater Utilization
Our references
Slide renovation, Plasselb
Protected zone eliminations, Plasselb
Testing source Stierenberg
Groundwater collection Pfütziacker, Etzwilen
Slide renovation, Plasselb
Heavy precipitation triggered a landslide at the Müllera spring water intake. Due to the slipped surface layers, runoff surface water could quickly reach the Müllera spring water intake and impaired the drinking water quality. In addition, it could not be ruled out that the landslide surface extended further up the slope due to erosion. In order to prevent further extension of the slide surface and to ensure that the spring water intake was not affected by surface water runoff, the rock surface exposed by the slide was sealed with an approx. 0.2 m thick layer of clay, which was covered with bentonite mats. Drainage pipes were laid over the clay/bentonite mat cover to drain off surface water runoff in the immediate catchment area. With the rehabilitation measures implemented, the spring can continue to be used for drinking water. more >>
Protected zone eliminations, Plasselb
The two spring catchments Laupers Bärgli and Görtscheggli with a total average yield of 400 l/min are located at 1,294 m and 1,170 m above sea level, respectively, in the forest area south of Plasselb. Up to now, no legally binding protection zones existed for the spring catchments. For this reason, Ecosens was commissioned by the municipality of Plasselb to define the protection zones for these springs. more >>
Testing source Stierenberg
The spring Stierenberg, is located in the lower part of the Euscheltal between Schwarzsee and Jaun. In connection with current water supply projects in the neighboring Breccaschlund, in the Euschel valley as well as for the village of Schwarzsee, the community of Plaffeien decided to supplement the investigations carried out in 1977 to check whether the Stierenberg spring could be used for drinking water. more >>
Groundwater collection Pfütziacker, Etzwilen
The groundwater catchment "Pfütziacker" between the villages of Bleuelhusen and Etzwilen has been in operation since 1929. In 2022, the old intake was renewed with two new vertical filter wells. The aim of this work was to optimize the capacity of the catchment as well as the protection zone situation. more >>
