Dewatering dredged silts is readily undertaken using geotextile tubes which provides an efficient and environmentally friendly process which not only minimises the risks of loss of materials but also manages the risks posed by odours emanating from the silts. The geotextile tubes can be fabricated in a variety of lengths and diameters to suite the site storage requirements. The material when cleaned at the end of the process can be recycled to minimise the environmental impact. Alternatively in cases where geotextile tubes are used to proved a structural member the tubes remain in situ and can be landscaped into an area. The geotextile tubes can also be used to build embankments either above or below the waterline.