Leak detection on Underground Reservoir

[eps1lon]

Hello,
How can we manually test underground RCC water reservoir for leakage?

Thanks, Regards

 

[oldestguy]

This is darn difficult. My attempts at similar projects have not done well. I tried to use a dye that is very strong, a little going enuff to dye a lake and with slow leaks, not good. I tried to release small amounts of dye from a tube next to the bottom and from a boat and a viewer (blocks out side light) watched to see if it was leaving into the liners. No luck.

I suppose one might try the reverse. Empty the tank. Install some well points around the tank. Dose the area with dyed water. Look inside to see if it shows up. I'd not be too confident that it works.

 

[cvg]

for larger leaks:
fill it up
start your timer
measure the drop in water level after a certain time interval

for smaller leaks, this may not be feasible

https://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=295929

 

[GeoEnvGuy]

Ideas that come to mind.

Perimeter monitoring well to see what the gw table is relative to the tank. Adjust tank level and monitor response.

Fill it up and seal it and use a pressure transducer to track water levels for specific time.

If you can pressurize the tank and monitor the pressure drop just like a water main test.

Tracer dye

 

[SoiloftheMonth]

http://www.nthconsultants.com/performance-assessment-of-environmenal.html

 

[bimr]

This is one of the reasons that the use of buried tanks is discouraged.