Structural stability assessment of KWA reservoirs in Kochi begins

The strength and structural stability assessment of Kerala Water Authority’s (KWA) reservoirs and infrastructure within the Kochi Corporation limits has begun. The French firm SUEZ, which took over the operation and maintenance of water distribution in Kochi a few months ago, began non-destructive testing of the water utility’s reservoirs, pump houses, and other infrastructure a week ago.

The assessment is under way on the infrastructure at the Thammanam pumping station.

“The tests are being carried out on all structures constructed more than five years ago. Most of these reservoirs are old, and their structural stability needs to be assessed. The tanks built under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) are excluded as they are new,” said a KWA source.

The exercise covers structures within the Kochi Corporation limits, he added. It is learnt that the entire process will take around two months to complete.

“A large percentage of the reservoirs are over 30 years old. It is crucial to carry out these tests to detect any leaks or cracks, especially in the wake of the Thammanam tank burst,” said another KWA source. The 1.35-crore-litre twin-chamber water tank of the KWA at Thammanam burst in November last year, disrupting water supply in the city for several days.

According to a senior functionary of the French firm, the tests will provide information on the condition of the tanks and help determine the measures needed to reinforce them or plan new structures, if required.

“The work at the Thammanam pumping station began a week ago. Our project focusses on building sustainable and self-reliant water supply infrastructure. We need to assess whether these structures are stable enough to last for the next 30 years. While the structures are old, we cannot reject them outright. We need to assess their structural stability, the demand they can meet and the pressure they can withstand before deciding whether new structures are required,” he said.

Multiple tests, including pulse velocity, rebound hammer and Resipod tests, are being carried out on KWA’s infrastructure, he said. The assessment is being conducted at six pumping stations, five overhead tanks and eight ground-level tanks of the KWA within the Kochi Corporation limits.