A Better Way to Dewater Coal Ash

With Ellingson’s patented horizontal drilling methodology, just a few strategically placed wells can dewater your coal ash basin faster, safer, and more cost-effectively than hundreds of vertical wells. Horizontal wells can be used to contain and control groundwater at CCR sites and to install instrumentation, such as vibrating wire piezometers.

Hundreds of Wells. Millions of Dollars. Years of Work.

The EPA requires utilities to safely manage Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) to protect human health and the environment. That means removing pore water and transitioning ash from wet storage to dry landfills or closing the landfills in place. Contaminated groundwater must be monitored, controlled, and contained at CCR sites.

Historically, this meant:

Drilling hundreds of vertical wells
Running dozens of pumps around the clock
Building miles of piping and infrastructure across already sensitive sites

The result? Projects that were costly, disruptive, and slow—leaving utilities, contractors, and engineers frustrated.

But Ellingson changed the game. Over a decade ago, we pioneered and patented a horizontal drilling approach that dewaters coal ash with a fraction of the wells without sacrificing performance.

Horizontal Wells Deliver What Vertical Wells Can’t

Horizontal installations span up to 3,000’, capturing and draining water beneath ash basins and ponds with unmatched efficiency. Additionally, horizontal wells can be completed in ash basins to remove and control pore water within the basin.

Safer

Fewer wells and pumps minimize site risk

Faster

Rapid pore water removal with far less equipment

Accessible

Drilled from the perimeter, keeping ash basins intact

Cost-Efficient

Less infrastructure, less labor, lower overall cost

Unmatched Experience. Proven Results.

In 2016, Ellingson partnered with a major utility to solve their coal ash dewatering challenge. Drawing on over 30 years of experience in horizontal directional drilling (HDD), our geological engineers, environmental scientists, and drillers have engineered the patented tools and methodology that set today’s industry standard.

Since then, we’ve completed dozens of projects across multiple states, totaling more than 63,000 feet of horizontal wells in CCR sites. Simply put no one has more experience in coal ash dewatering than Ellingson.

1

Specialized HDD Equipment

Custom-engineered exclusively for coal ash environments

2

More Than Drillers

A Geological Engineer, Geologist, or Environmental Scientist oversees each project

3

Turnkey Service

From planning to execution to closeout, we handle the entire process

Years of HDD Experience

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Feet of Horizontal Wells in CCR Site

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Environmental HDD Projects

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faq

Coal Ash Dewatering Made Feasible

Moving coal ash from wet to dry storage no longer requires astronomical budgets or timelines. Here’s how we make it happen:

Schedule an information meeting to discuss your site challenges and compliance requirements.

Plan & Drill

Our team develops a tailored scope and executes using our patented horizontal drilling process.

Complete

Once dewatered, your ash can be safely transferred to dry storage or sealed in place for long-term storage.

The Leader in Horizontal Coal Ash Dewatering

Managing groundwater and pore water doesn’t have to mean endless wells, pumps, and costs. Ellingson’s patented horizontal drilling method makes dewatering faster, safer, and more affordable-helping utilities, engineers, and contractors move ash from wet storage to compliant dry landfills with confidence.

With over 30 years of HDD expertise and more than 63,000 feet of coal ash wells installed, we deliver proven results that simplify compliance and protect communities.

If you’re ready for a more innovative approach to coal ash dewatering, Ellingson is the partner who can get it done.