The engineers turned disaster to triumph coming up with a drainage system that could take anything the weather chucked at it. This system now collects all the water coming onto site including rainwater, Biome run off and water from the numerous springs. A layer of matting under the landfill in the pit directs water into the drains and acts like a giant tea strainer - removing the sediment. By the time the water gets to the 22 metre deep sump, it is as clear as crystal. We are really glad we've put this system in, it's been coping with all the rain brilliantly.
Nothing is wasted.
Rainwater that falls on the Biomes is used inside to create the misty atmosphere of the rainforest. It really does feel like the real thing in there. Back to top Heaving and oozing Over the years as the weight was lifted out of the pit during china clay extraction, the floor heaved upwards leaving massive holes beneath the ground, holes which soon filled with water. As the pit was being partially refilled, it followed that the water would be slowly squeezed out causing the holes to collapse. Ideally the water needed to be removed before compaction.