Reverse-circulation piling operation supported from a marine barge

Slurry treatment for marine piling and waterfront cleanups

S3S treats marine piling slurry for reuse, helping contain drilling waste and protect surrounding waters. For waterfront remediation, our systems dewater dredged sediment into effluent and stackable solids for efficient hauling and disposal.

Contact an equipment specialist See dredging and sediment dewatering

Marine and waterfront work we support

Working in and around water demands rigorous environmental controls to protect aquatic habitats and water quality. Slurry must be contained, sediment releases controlled, and effluent managed to meet project permit conditions and applicable discharge limits.

Marine piling

Drilled shafts and bored piles for bridges, piers, and wharves often rely on bentonite slurry, polymer slurry, or water to support the excavation. These fluids must meet specified sand content limits before concrete placement. S3S desands bentonite slurry and uses tanks and centrifuges to process polymer slurry for reuse between shafts, then dewaters spent fluid into effluent and stackable solids. Driven piles and sheet piles typically generate no drilling slurry and rarely require this treatment.

Waterfront remediation

S3S screens debris, separates sand, and dewaters contaminated waterfront sediment, with on-site effluent testing before discharge. Recovering sand that meets reuse or disposal criteria can reduce the volume requiring contaminated-material disposal.

Vancouver Island CA Diaphragm Wall — S3S photo 12

How a marine or waterfront job runs

Space at the water's edge is tight, so we plan the layout first.

Aerial view of barges moored for a marine piling job, with the piling crane and S3S treatment equipment on deck

Plan the layout

We survey the site and design the equipment layout for the quay, shoreline or laydown area next to the work.

Laboratory jar tests showing floc formation and settling below clearer liquid

Test the water

We can set up a field lab to test water before it is reused or discharged.

Dredged material being handled beside onsite separation equipment

Haul the solids

Dewatered solids leave by truck, and LoadScan can measure each load.

Common questions about marine and waterfront work

It depends on the spec. FHWA guidance lists typical limits of 4% for bentonite and 1% for polymer, and some agencies are stricter.

Only where your permits allow it, and only after it is tested against the discharge limits. Used drilling slurry can't be released into the water.

Slurry tanks and spoil handling can be set up on barges during drilled shaft work. Where the full dewatering setup goes depends on deck space and load limits, so we plan it for each project.

Talk to an equipment specialist about your marine project

We're here to solve any marine construction slurry or sediment challenge.

What happens next

An equipment specialist reviews the details with you.
We recommend the equipment and layout.
You get a scope you can price.

Contact an equipment specialist