Structural Stability Tests Begin on Aging Kochi Water Reservoirs After Burst
The Kerala Water Authority (KWA), in collaboration with French firm SUEZ, has commenced a comprehensive structural stability assessment of its reservoirs and water infrastructure within the Kochi Corporation limits. The non-destructive testing, which began a week ago, covers reservoirs, pump houses, and other facilities constructed over five years ago.
The assessment is being carried out at the Thammanam pumping station and other locations. According to a KWA source, the tests exclude tanks built under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) as they are newer. The exercise is expected to take approximately two months.
The urgency stems from the November 2023 burst of a 1.35-crore-litre twin-chamber water tank at Thammanam, which disrupted water supply across the city for several days. A KWA official noted that a large percentage of reservoirs are over 30 years old, making it crucial to detect leaks or cracks to prevent future failures.
A senior SUEZ official explained that the tests will provide data on tank conditions and guide decisions on reinforcing existing structures or building new ones. The assessment employs multiple techniques, including pulse velocity, rebound hammer, and Resipod tests, to evaluate structural integrity, pressure tolerance, and demand capacity.
The initiative covers six pumping stations, five overhead tanks, and eight ground-level tanks within the Kochi Corporation limits. The goal is to ensure sustainable and self-reliant water supply infrastructure that can last for the next three decades.
