Support & Response
Our engineering team is available to answer questions about subsurface flow modeling, salinity mapping, and drainage system maintenance. Reach out through the channel that suits your project stage.
Best for detailed technical questions, sharing field data, or requesting a review of drainage plans.
info@becclafi.comFor urgent issues like unexpected waterlogging or salinity spikes during the growing season.
034 843 0346Prefer discussing your drainage network in person? Our office is open for scheduled meetings.
8432 Andries Ford Suite 031
North Andile, LP 4914
We acknowledge every inquiry within one business day. Detailed technical responses are typically sent within two to three business days, depending on the complexity of the drainage question.
Straight answers about groundwater modeling, soil salinity mapping, and gravity-fed drainage design.
We start with soil texture, hydraulic conductivity, and the depth to a restrictive layer. Then we run steady-state and transient flow calculations to match drain spacing with the expected water table drop. For heavy clay fields, spacing often narrows significantly compared to sandy loam, and we verify assumptions with a few test pits before finalizing the layout.
We combine electromagnetic induction scans with targeted soil sampling at different depths. The scans give a broad picture of where salts accumulate, while lab analysis confirms the specific ions and saturation percentages. The result is a salinity map that shows hotspots and guides where drainage or leaching will have the most impact.
Yes, but it requires careful grading and sometimes a slightly deeper main collector to maintain a positive slope. We calculate the minimum grade needed to keep water moving without silting, and we design ditch profiles that fit the natural topography. In very flat areas, we may recommend a shallow sump or a controlled outlet to manage low-flow periods.
We use a combination of auger-hole tests, piezometer readings, and infiltration rings to measure how fast water moves through the soil profile. These numbers feed directly into our drainage models, so we can predict how quickly a field will shed excess water after a heavy rain or an irrigation cycle.
Ditches should be inspected at least twice a year for sediment buildup, vegetation encroachment, and bank erosion. We design profiles with gentle side slopes to reduce slumping, but regular clearing of the invert is still necessary. We also recommend checking outlet structures after major storms to ensure they are not blocked by debris.
A single-field assessment usually takes two to three weeks from the initial site visit to the final design report. Larger estates with multiple fields and complex salinity issues can take six to eight weeks, depending on how much field data we need to collect. We provide interim findings as we go, so you are not waiting blind for the final document.
Client Feedback
Field results from projects where subsurface flow modeling and salinity control changed how the land behaves.
"The water table maps Becclafi prepared for our 200-hectare estate showed exactly where the clay lens was holding water. We relocated three drain lines based on their infiltration calculations, and the winter wheat crop stopped showing yellow patches in the low areas."
Hendrik van der Merwe
Farm Manager, Northern Irrigation Block
"Their salinity survey found a hotspot we had missed for three seasons. The electromagnetic induction data was clear, and the leaching schedule they designed cut our salt load in the topsoil by nearly half within a year. The drainage ditches they profiled now handle a 24-hour storm without ponding."
Thandi Nkosi
Agronomist, Riverside Cooperative
"We needed a gravity-fed system that worked without pumps across uneven terrain. Becclafi calculated the ditch gradients and outlet positions so precisely that the whole network flows by gravity alone. The soil aeration in the root zone improved noticeably by the second season."
Pieter Botha
Owner, Botha Family Farms
"The monitoring plan they set up with piezometers gave us weekly data on groundwater levels. We now irrigate based on actual saturation rather than guesswork, and the drainage system only runs when it needs to. Water usage dropped by a third."
Maria Ferreira
Operations Lead, Green Valley Estates
"Their ditch profile design solved a recurring flooding issue along our southern boundary. The new cross-section handles the runoff from the adjacent road without eroding the banks. It has held up through two wet seasons with minimal maintenance."
Sipho Dlamini
Field Supervisor, Umfolozi Sugar Plantation
"The salinity control plan was practical from day one. They mapped the affected zones, specified the gypsum application rates, and designed the leaching drains to match our existing layout. The maize yield on the treated blocks improved by 18% in the first season."
Johan Kruger
Crop Consultant, Highveld Grain Association