KWA to conduct safety audit of all water storage tanks in Kochi

The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has decided to carry out a safety audit of all water storage tanks within the Kochi Corporation limits. The move comes in the wake of the recent incident at Thammanam, where a 1.35-crore-litre water tank burst, leading to water supply disruption and significant damage to nearby properties.

At present, there are 14 water storage tanks within the Kochi corporation limits, which include overhead storage tanks as well as ground-level tanks. While initial findings indicate that the collapse of the storage tank at Thammanam was not the result of structural damage, the KWA is carrying out the safety assessment as a precautionary measure in the aftermath of the accident.

“A thorough check and cleaning of all storage tanks were carried out just two months ago. We are just conducting this check following the accident,” KWA sources said.

Drinking water supply to 30% of areas in the Corporation and nearby local bodies was affected after the sidewall of one of the chambers of the twin-chambered water storage tank collapsed.

The tank, which was commissioned in 1985, partially collapsed after the foundation sank into the soil. According to sources, there were no visible signs indicating that the structure was facing problems. “There was no warning. Further, checks were being conducted daily at all storage tanks by operators, but there were no visible cracks. Normally, we get warning signs such as leaks and cracks, which were absent in this case. There could be more issues at play here, other than the foundation sinking into the soil,” they said.

According to KWA sources, soil subsidence and sinking of the foundation led to the partial collapse of the tank. “The storage tank in question has a peculiar design. But none of the other tanks are likely to face issues in the foundation as piling has been done,” sources said.