Chetwynd Water Reservoir, Cork

Project Overview

This water reservoir plays a crucial role in providing water to Cork city due to the vast number of homes and businesses it supplies. Over time, the structure exhibited signs of weathering, structural wear, loss of water and required essential repairs to maintain its integrity. Adrian Queally Ltd (AQL) was engaged to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment to the water reservoirs, addressing both external and internal deterioration while applying protective coatings to prolong the structure’s lifespan

client objectives

Ensure the longevity and structural integrity of the water reservoir. Prevent any water ingress or egress Ensure compliance with potable water safety standards for internal surfaces. Prevent water from ponding in the roof drainage system

Scope of works

Surface Preparation Works – All external and internal surfaces were subjected to a high-pressure clean-down to remove contaminants, debris, and surface deterioration. Crack Injection- Crack Injection took place at the wall to floor joint to stop water egress. Roof Joint Filling- All roof joint filler was removed, joints were prepped and new movement mastic was installed to stop any water ingress Screed- A Screed was installed in the roof drainage system, which was part of the concrete roof slab, to form a fall allowing effective drainage. Internal Joints- All internal joints were removed, solid filled and a movement bandage system was install to floor, walls and wall to floor joints.

Challenges

Surface Contaminants & Deterioration: The presence of accumulated grime, biofilm, and pollutants on concrete surfaces necessitated a thorough high-pressure clean-down before coatings and repairs could be applied. Potable Water Safety Compliance: The interior of the reservoir required the application of a fully compliant, potable water-approved surface waterproofing system to meet regulatory standards. Access- Due to the height of the tank, an MEWP was supplied to allow for access to the tank. A frame with a winch to lower/ remove materials and equipment from the tank was also used. Water ingress- Due to water ingress through the roof it meant that the roof joints had to be sealed before work inside could be done. Scale- Due to the size of the tank, a large crew of specialised operatives, along with a large quantity of material was needed to complete the project. As well as this, due to the height of the wall joints, a scaffolding team was building a working platform in front of the AQL team at all times.

Results

Regulatory Compliance: The potable water-approved waterproofing system ensured the interior met the highest safety and hygiene standards for water storage. No Contamination/ Loss of Water- Due to the crack injecting and joint sealing, there is no longer any water ingress/ egress resulting in the treated water not leaking out or being contaminated by ground water or rainwater. Flooding Eliminated- Due to the volume of water being lost before the refurbishment, the surrounding area of the tank was flooding. Thankfully, after sealing the tank this was eliminated.

Conclusion

The successful completion of the water reservoir refurbishment highlights AQL’s expertise in structural water infrastructure repairs. Through meticulous planning, industry-leading materials, and specialist application techniques, AQL delivered a high-quality, long-lasting solution that ensures the water reservoir remains operational and compliant for years to come.

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