Groundwater is a significant consideration for any construction or engineering undertaking. Water tables can affect both the settling of a structure’s foundation and the action of the soil surrounding the building. Since natural groundwater reserves are a valuable resource to many public and private concerns, the preliminary analysis of any land development project must include a thorough examination of the groundwater systems present in the prospective build site. Our team has worked on many important engineering projects throughout Sonoma County. 

Consequences of Poor Groundwater Studies
A thorough analysis of a potential build site is an essential part of project development. In addition to studying the character of soil and other geologic features, groundwater systems must also be carefully inspected. Failing to do so can have some complex outcomes that are potentially expensive and difficult to fix. For example:

• Individual sources of groundwater can be contaminated when disrupted by build activities.
• Aquifers already affected by abstraction are further disrupted.
• The contamination or disruption of groundwater resources affects agricultural, industrial, and commercial activities.
• Environmental features that rely on the presence and action of ground water systems are significantly disturbed.
• Structure foundations placed below the water table may require basement drainage systems and other solutions to cope with the presence of water.

Groundwater Does Not Have to Be a Problem
Traditionally, groundwater has been regarded as an obstacle that engineering solutions were required to solve. While strategies such as the creation of aquifer cut-off walls and the use of water removal pumps are still important, early identification of the presence of groundwater and the potential obstacles presented by it allow for more effective problem solving. 
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​Your Engineering Partner
Atterbury & Associates excels at developing the reports required for effective build planning. Contact us today to discuss your next project.

One of the very first steps to any development project is land planning. This is the process of designing and planning the layout of buildings, open areas, sidewalks, streets and more for a specific area according to the needs of a developer. Although anyone can claim to be a land planner, quality planners and engineers such as those at Atterbury & Associates take into account the developer’s needs, as well as regulations regarding development in Sonoma County and the state of California.

Why Is It Important?

Planning is an essential step to understanding what you can and cannot do with a particular property. Land planning services help developers to understand how many buildings, streets, sidewalks, and other features can occupy a specific amount of space, as well as how best to put project funds to use and maximize property profitability. Land planners are also instrumental in subdivision, adjusting, and merging of properties. Certain plots of land may also be reserved for designated uses, something the land planner should know.

A Collaborative Effort

Although an important initial step, there are many other aspects to developing a piece of land in addition to designs and input from a land planner. The use of technology and working with a variety of consultants is the best way to ensure a development project reaches its maximum potential. When selecting a land planner for your project, be sure to choose someone knowledgeable, experienced, and who will work well with the others involved in your project.

We Can Help

Atterbury & Associates provides land planning and a variety of other civil engineering services. Start learning how to get the most out of your development property by contacting our office us at 707-433-0134.