
We’re lucky enough to be able to take running water for granted. We might complain about the rain, we rarely give much thought to what happens before we turn the tap on. We’re confident that the furthest we will have to walk to wash our hands or fill the kettle, is just a few steps to the nearest tap. Of course, not everyone is this fortunate. While the global access to safe water is increasing there are still more than 884 million people who do not have safe drinking water and at least 785 million who do not have access to basic water services, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Discover how Soprema's solutions were applied in the Stillorgan drinking water reservoir upgrade project.
Stillorgan Water Reservoir Modernisation
But like many things that we take for granted a lot has to happen to make it possible. As with any infrastructure, water systems are designed to have a lifespan of multiple decades. After 150 years of serving the people of South Dublin, the reservoir in Stillorgan, Co. Dublin is undergoing a huge modernisation upgrade. Originally built in the 1860s, it was an impressive engineering structure for its day, transporting safe drinking water from a reservoir in Vartry, Co. Wicklow. It transformed the conditions and public health in Victorian Dublin. To this day it still provides drinking water to about 15% of the Greater Dublin Region.
However, after such a long period, a modern upgrade was needed. Irish Water began constructing a new covered reservoir at the site and modified the associated pipelines in 2018. The covered reservoir is now complete and is expected to be fully operational in late 2021.
Soprema - A Key Partner
With three enclosed cells it will ensure a sustainable supply of water to over 200,000 people in south Dublin with Soprema materials being a key part of the internal workings of the reservoirs. Niall Troy, Managing Director of Geoline Ltd was responsible for manufacturing and installing the 1.5km of baffle curtains that run inside each of the three cells.
Baffle curtains are designed to direct the flow of water so that there are no stagnant areas of water. The curtains create a system of channels for the water to flow through between the inflow and outflow pipes. Picture the zig-zag queuing systems in popular tourist sites and you’ll get the idea of how it works. The water travels from one end of a corridor to the other, turns a corner and is directed back in the opposite direction in the next channel. This creates a longer path between where the water enters the cell and where it leaves it. It ensures that any chemicals that are added to treat the water are sufficiently mixed with the water, making it safe for use.
Flagon Synthetic Waterproofing Solution
Because of the importance of compliance and regulations, Geoline only uses Soprema’s materials on these types of projects, including the Stillorgan drinking water reservoir upgrade project. Soprema’s Flagon GEO P/AT TPO membranes meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), the water standards body for drinking water. The baffle curtains need to be strong enough to withstand the water pressure and flow, while also having a certain amount of give to accommodate different currents of water. The Flagon GEO P/AT TPO membranes used won’t leach any chemicals or other substances into the water and won’t affect the taste or safety of the water.
The membrane Soprema supplied in roll form was fabricated into larger panels at the Geoline’s premises in Co. Waterford. In addition, taking into account the dimensions of the cells, the Geoline team typically considers factors such as the manhole access dimensions and the health and safety of the installers – how much weight and size can the team handle safely on site. The panels are cut, welded together and transported to the site for installation. Fabrication took approximately one month and installation two months.
The baffle curtains were designed to rise 150mm above the water level and were fitted with a gap of 150mm at the base. Even in covered reservoirs, there will be some silt and sediment in the water which collects on the floor of the cell. The 150mm gap at the bottom makes it possible to power-wash the sediment away periodically without removing the baffle curtains. Because there are three cells, each cell can be maintained independently without disrupting the water supply to the 200,000 people in south Dublin.
So next time you turn on a tap, whether to wash something or get a drink, instead of taking it for granted think about the feats of engineering that keep safe water flowing.