Importance of Inspecting Reservoirs

Inspecting Reservoirs - what is the importance of them, why they are inspected, and how ROVs help pave the way for low-cost, regular maintenance.

What is a Reservoir?

Deriving from the French word réservoir meaning “storehouse,” a reservoir is exactly that - a storage place for water. More often than not, these bodies of water are manufactured for a desired use such as energy, drinking water, and flood control. They are created by diverting the flow of existing rivers and streams with a dam; accumulating the water, and filling it up to be similar to a lake.

The Many Uses

If you have ever gazed upon a dam such as the iconic Hoover Dam, you might find yourself captivated by it by its vastness; however, have you ever thought about what it’s all for?

Drinking Water

Reservoirs, similar to the one at the Hoover Dam, act as the initial supply of water to treatment plants; here they begin the process to create clean drinking water. They can even naturally act as their own water purifier. While it is being held in the reservoir, contaminants settle to the bottom; algae and bacteria instinctively aid in a natural distillation process.

Energy

Another use for dammed river reservoirs is to produce electricity to power our homes, businesses (and to constantly charge our phones). Water flows from the accumulated fluid atop the reservoir, passes through a turbine, and then continues to the river below. The turbine blades are driven by water forcing its way around them; which brings about power to a generator. The energy is then harvested from the generator and is fed through power lines.

Flood Control

Reservoirs can be used to manage the flow of water - keeping a perfect balance throughout the year. Taking in water during high rain seasons and slowly releasing it during low seasons. The controlled current can then be guided downstream - directed to aid in irrigation or to manipulate flood control.

Inspecting Reservoirs

Regular inspection and maintenance of a reservoir is important to ensure the storage regulations are followed, the reservoir stays online, and there is no contamination of the population’s drinking water. Traditionally, these inspections are completed by a hired commercial SCUBA diver. These individuals would inspect the integrity of the overall structure, ensure there are no leaks, and also investigate the condition of the equipment under the water; such as pipes, ladders, and valves. If issues are identified during the inspection, another specialized diver must conduct the maintenance or repairs.

Hiring a diver to conduct regular, routine inspections could become quite costly and in some instances, it can be dangerous - a Deep Trekker remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can greatly reduce the cost of completing the initial analysis and on-going inspection of a reservoir.

Inspecting Reservoirs with Underwater Drones

Deep Trekker’s affordable DTG2 Smart package with auxiliary lights is the ideal tool to conduct this operation. The ROV has no topside power and runs off of self-contained batteries. The portable design allows the underwater drone to be transported throughout the facility and deployed from anywhere. The robust and compact construction permits the operator to maneuver through any confined areas or obstacles in the reservoir. Equipped with an onboard camera, the ROV sends a live HD video feed to the handheld controller on the surface, which can then be recorded for documentation and future comparison.

https://www.deeptrekker.com/dam-inspection/