Port Hope Canadian Nuclear Laboratory Project
Marathon Underground completed marine grouting, sheet piling, and grout curtain installation for the Port Hope nuclear remediation project.
Environmental & Geotechnical Drilling
Canada-Wide Solutions
Marathon Underground provides comprehensive environmental and geotechnical drilling services to support site investigations, engineering design, monitoring, remediation, and well decommissioning projects across Canada.
Using advanced auger, sonic, rotary, and direct-push drilling technologies, our teams collect precise subsurface data, install monitoring systems, and perform environmental drilling in virtually any ground condition. From remote resource sites to dense urban environments, we deliver accurate drilling, dependable sampling, and reliable project execution.
Our fleet includes truck-mounted, track-mounted, limited-access, and specialized drilling rigs capable of operating in difficult terrain, confined spaces, and environmentally sensitive locations.
Our Environmental & Geotechnical Drilling Capabilities
Geotechnical Investigation Drilling
Geotechnical drilling provides the subsurface information required for engineering design and infrastructure development. Our drilling teams obtain soil, rock, and groundwater samples that allow engineers to assess ground conditions before construction begins.
Using hollow stem augers, rotary drilling, and wireline coring systems, we can drill vertical or angled boreholes and recover high-quality samples for laboratory testing.
Common Applications
- Foundation and infrastructure design investigations
- Soil and rock sampling
- Standard penetration testing (SPT)
- Rock coring and subsurface profiling
- Boreholes for engineering and geotechnical studies
Environmental Site Investigation & Sampling
Environmental drilling supports site assessments, contamination investigations, and remediation planning. Our drilling methods allow for accurate soil and groundwater sampling while minimizing disturbance to surrounding environments.
Using direct-push and sonic drilling systems, we collect high-quality environmental samples that help consultants identify contamination, evaluate environmental risk, and develop remediation strategies.
Common Applications
- Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments
- Soil and groundwater sampling
- Contaminant plume delineation
- Brownfield redevelopment projects
- Environmental monitoring programs
Instrumentation Drilling, Monitoring Wells & Environmental Monitoring Services
Marathon Underground provides specialized instrumentation drilling and monitoring well installation services to support geotechnical, environmental, and infrastructure projects across Canada. Our experienced drilling teams work closely with engineers, environmental consultants, and project managers to deliver accurate installations that support long-term monitoring and data collection.
Instrumentation drilling is used to install geotechnical monitoring systems designed to measure ground movement, groundwater pressure, settlement, and subsurface conditions. Boreholes are carefully drilled to allow the precise placement of monitoring instruments within soil or rock formations, ensuring accurate and reliable performance throughout the life of the project.
We install a wide range of monitoring devices, including piezometers, inclinometers, and settlement monitoring instrumentation used to evaluate ground performance during and after construction activities.
Monitoring wells are also critical for tracking groundwater levels, sampling water quality, and assessing environmental conditions over time. Our drilling teams install groundwater monitoring wells with precision and ensure proper well development to support dependable long-term environmental monitoring programs.
In addition to new installations, Marathon Underground performs monitoring well decommissioning and abandonment in accordance with environmental regulations, properly sealing wells that are no longer required.
Common Applications
- Piezometer installation for groundwater pressure monitoring
- Inclinometer installation for slope stability monitoring
- Settlement monitoring instrumentation
- Infrastructure and excavation monitoring programs
- Long-term geotechnical monitoring systems
- Groundwater monitoring networks
- Environmental remediation monitoring
- Industrial and municipal site monitoring
- Water table monitoring and hydrogeological studies
- Monitoring well decommissioning and abandonment
Limited Access & Specialty Drilling
Limited access drilling is used when conventional drilling equipment cannot reach the required work area due to physical restrictions, confined spaces, or structural limitations. Marathon deploys compact and modular drilling rigs that can be transported through buildings, narrow corridors, and restricted urban environments.
These specialized systems allow our crews to perform environmental and geotechnical investigations in locations that would otherwise be inaccessible. Despite their compact size, these rigs maintain the capability to collect reliable soil and groundwater samples and install monitoring infrastructure.
Common Applications
- Urban and confined-space drilling projects
- Interior building investigations
- Basement and underground structure investigations
- Drilling in areas with restricted equipment access
- Environmental sampling in tight urban environments
Remote Access & Fly-in Drilling
Remote access drilling supports environmental and geotechnical investigations in locations that cannot be reached by conventional road transportation. Marathon operates track-mounted and helicopter-portable drilling systems designed for deployment in isolated or difficult terrain.
These systems allow our teams to conduct drilling operations in remote regions while maintaining high standards for sampling quality and data collection. Careful planning and logistics ensure efficient mobilization and reliable project execution in challenging environments.
Common Applications
- Remote mining and resource development sites
- Northern and fly-in environmental investigations
- Pipeline and linear infrastructure projects
- Hydroelectric and energy development studies
- Remote geotechnical site assessments
On Water Drilling
On water drilling allows environmental and geotechnical investigations to be performed from floating platforms, barges, or specialized marine drilling equipment. These systems enable boreholes to be drilled through water bodies to investigate subsurface conditions below lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.
Marathon coordinates marine drilling operations with appropriate anchoring systems and drilling platforms to maintain stability and accurate borehole positioning. This approach allows consultants and engineers to obtain critical subsurface data in locations where land-based drilling is not possible.
Common Applications
- Bridge and marine infrastructure investigations
- Subsurface investigations beneath lakes and rivers
- Pipeline and utility crossings under water bodies
- Harbour and port development studies
- Environmental sediment and subsurface sampling
Sonic Drilling
Sonic drilling uses high-frequency vibrations combined with rotational force to advance a drill casing through soil and unconsolidated materials. This technique allows continuous sampling with minimal disturbance to the surrounding ground.
The sonic drilling process produces high-quality core samples and maintains borehole stability in challenging soil conditions such as sands, gravels, and mixed overburden. It is widely used for both environmental investigations and geotechnical sampling where sample integrity is critical.
Common Applications
- Continuous soil and overburden sampling
- Environmental site investigations
- Monitoring well installation in difficult soil conditions
- Contaminated site investigations
- Geotechnical sampling in mixed ground conditions
Dewatering Wells & Pump Testing
Dewatering wells are installed to control groundwater during construction or to evaluate aquifer characteristics for engineering design. Boreholes are drilled to the required depth and completed with properly screened well casings to allow groundwater extraction.
Pump testing is then conducted to measure groundwater flow rates, aquifer permeability, and hydraulic characteristics. These tests provide engineers with the data required to design effective dewatering systems and assess groundwater conditions on site.
Common Applications
- Construction dewatering system design
- Aquifer and groundwater flow testing
- Infrastructure excavation groundwater control
- Hydrogeological site investigations
- Water supply and groundwater studies
Packer Testing
Packer testing is used to evaluate the permeability and hydraulic characteristics of rock formations. Inflatable packers are placed within a borehole to isolate a specific section of the rock mass for controlled water injection or pressure testing.
These tests allow engineers to determine how water flows through fractures and rock formations. The results help inform foundation design, grouting programs, and groundwater control strategies for infrastructure and mining projects.
Common Applications
- Rock permeability testing
- Hydrogeological investigations in bedrock
- Dam and tunnel foundation studies
- Grouting program design
- Groundwater flow analysis in fractured rock
Horizontal Geotechnical & Environmental Drilling
Horizontal geotechnical and environmental drilling is used to investigate subsurface conditions beneath existing infrastructure, roadways, rail corridors, or sensitive environments where vertical drilling is not feasible.
Directional drilling techniques allow boreholes to be advanced horizontally or along controlled paths while collecting soil and groundwater samples or installing monitoring systems. This approach enables subsurface investigations while minimizing disruption to surface infrastructure.
Common Applications
- Subsurface investigations beneath roads and railways
- Environmental sampling beneath infrastructure
- Groundwater monitoring installation in restricted areas
- Utility corridor investigations
- Geotechnical studies in sensitive or developed areas
Trusted Across Canada
With decades of drilling experience, Marathon Underground provides reliable environmental and geotechnical drilling services for engineering firms, environmental consultants, municipalities, and infrastructure developers.
Our teams operate across Canada with specialized equipment, experienced drill crews, and a strong commitment to safety, accuracy, and environmental responsibility.
Featured Environmental & Geotechnical Drilling Projects
Precision Drilling. Reliable Subsurface Data.
Marathon Underground has completed environmental and geotechnical drilling projects across Canada, supporting engineers, environmental consultants, municipalities, and infrastructure teams with accurate subsurface investigation and monitoring solutions. From soil sampling and groundwater monitoring wells to geotechnical boreholes and instrumentation installation, our projects demonstrate a commitment to safety, technical precision, and dependable field execution in challenging ground conditions. Explore a selection of projects that showcase our expertise in delivering critical environmental and geotechnical drilling services for infrastructure, development, and remediation projects.
Environmental & Geotechnical Drilling Projects
Marathon Underground delivers environmental and geotechnical drilling projects across Canada using modular drilling systems for remote and restricted-access sites.
Why choose Marathon Underground?
National Reach & Local Knowledge
Our drilling teams operate across Canada with a strong understanding of regional geology, site conditions, and environmental regulations. This local knowledge allows us to adapt drilling methods and equipment to match the specific ground conditions of each project.
Advanced Drilling Technology
Our fleet includes auger, sonic, rotary, and direct-push drilling systems designed to collect accurate subsurface data in virtually any soil or rock condition. With specialized rigs for standard sites, restricted access, and difficult terrain, we can mobilize the right equipment for every investigation.
Precision Data Collection
Accurate geotechnical and environmental data is critical for engineering and environmental decision-making. Our experienced drill crews work closely with engineers and environmental consultants to ensure boreholes, sampling, and instrumentation are completed to precise specifications.
Safety-Driven Operations
Marathon maintains strict safety protocols, comprehensive training programs, and rigorous operational procedures to ensure every drilling project is completed safely, efficiently, and responsibly.
Contact Us and Let’s Talk Drilling
Marathon Underground Constructors Corporation has been a trusted leader in industrial drilling services for over four decades.
Our environmental and geotechnical drilling teams support projects from early-stage investigation through construction and monitoring, providing the critical subsurface data needed to move projects forward with confidence.
Contact Marathon Underground