Well drilling in many variations

In more than seventy years, Henk van Tongeren has grown into an (inter)national leader in well dewatering, drilling and innovative groundwater techniques. During the widening of the A1 motorway, the specialist has already provided drainage for Heijmans at more than twenty locations. In many variations. The filters were even used for extensive munitions research. And the end is not yet in sight. 

Henk van Tongeren Water & Techniek has been active for Heijmans on the A1 for many years. "We also provided the drainage for the first phase," says Piet Bouwmeester, Eibergen branch manager at Henk van Tongeren Water & Techniek. "The project is right in our backyard. Heijmans only has to call and we are coming." In advance, Piet says it is not equally clear at every location whether drainage needs to be applied. "It depends on the groundwater level at the time of execution. And then it's nice for a party like Heijmans if they can rely on a specialist around the corner, ready when they need you."

Broad scope

Henk van Tongeren Water & Techniek's specialty is well drainage. "On this project, our scope is quite broad," Piet acknowledges. "For example, we install PE pressure pipes, but also place dewatering at locations where Heijmans has to extend culverts, for realizing foundations for new or widened structures, for pumping over waterways, etc. Earlier this year, we also installed pumps on the project to drain excess rainwater. In addition, for the relocation of a noise barrier, we turned horizontal drains with drainage on them and last year we drilled wells for working water, delivered ready-to-use with pump, at five locations. These wells are intended to provide the new plantings with sufficient water during dry periods. And so something is constantly being added without being noticed. Heijmans asks, we turn."

Ammunition Survey

The versatility of Henk van Tongeren Water & Techniek is also evident in the installation of longer filters for the purpose of soil research at the beginning of the A1 project. "In this area there are still many remnants of leftover ammunition from World War II. However, a ground penetrating radar only has a limited depth. We then installed longer drainage filters so that yet another branch of Heijmans could conduct extensive munitions research here. That too is no stranger to us. So we are dealing with three to four divisions of Heijmans on this project. They all know where to find us and the cooperation is excellent." 

At the moment, Henk van Tongeren Water & Techniek still has drainage running at three locations, but that could just be expanded again. "Everything runs on HVO fuel and where possible we deploy electric pumps. The same goes for the deployment of our electric sprayer. However, it is not possible in all places, because in a meadow you don't easily find an electrical outlet."