Posted by Albert Berenguel - 15 June, 2023
Ensuring Water Safety and Preserving a Landmark
Nestled in central Poland, the Słupca Water Tower has served as a vital lifeline for the city's residents, ensuring a stable water supply for decades. In 2016, faced with the need to renovate the tower's internal surface, the Municipal Water and Sewage Company in Słupca faced a significant challenge.
This blog post delves into the solution employed by DUKO Engineering, highlighting the use of MasterSeal M 689. In rehabilitating the water tower, this project has safeguarded a community’s water supply and quality while preserving one of its most iconic structures.
Water tower Słupca (Poland)
Preserving a Landmark
The Słupca Water Tower, constructed in the 1990s, has not only resolved water scarcity issues during peak demand but has also become a recognizable landmark within the city. Standing at nearly 38 meters tall, it graces the skyline and is visible from various vantage points. However, the tower's internal surface required renovation to ensure the continuous supply of clean, safe drinking water to the residents of Słupca.
The Challenge
The Municipal Water and Sewage Company in Słupca faced the crucial task of refurbishing the tower's internal surface while maintaining the highest standards of water safety. The project required a contractor capable of providing a reliable and safe solution, given the height and dimensions of the structure.
Interior of the water tower before surface preparation
Waterproofing with sprayed polyurea membrane
MasterSeal M 689
DUKO Engineering, the chosen contractor, implemented a solution which combined several MasterSeal products:
- After mechanical preparation of the surface, MasterSeal P 684 primer was applied to ensure optimal adhesion.
- The highly elastic and chemically resistant MasterSeal M 689 polyurea membrane was then spray-applied to create a durable and impermeable coating, effectively sealing the steel structure.
- In addition, to protect smaller elements such as the ladder, polyurethane membrane MasterSeal M 808 was hand applied.
MasterSeal M 689 sprayed on the surface, covering all complex geometries
MasterSeal M 689
A polyurea membrane which forms a uniform and tight coating, providing reliable waterproofing for the coated surface. This is particularly important for structures exposed to water, such as the interior of the water tower.
Here is a summary of the key features of MasterSeal M 689:
- High Chemical Resistance: MasterSeal M 689 offers excellent resistance to a wide range of chemicals, ensuring long-term durability and protection for the coated surface.
- Exceptional Elasticity: The polyurea membrane is highly elastic, allowing it to accommodate structural movements without compromising its integrity. This property is crucial for structures like the water tower, which may experience strong movements and deformations.
- Static Crack-Bridging Ability: MasterSeal M 689 demonstrates the highest static crack-bridging ability (class A5 according to EN 1062-7) with a crack width of 2.5 mm. This means that it can effectively bridge and seal cracks in the substrate, maintaining a watertight barrier.
- Dynamic Crack-Bridging Ability: The polyurea membrane also possesses excellent dynamic crack-bridging ability (class B4.2 according to EN 1062-7). It can withstand crack widths of 0.2 to 0.5 mm during 20,000 cycles with a frequency of 1 Hz, ensuring long-term durability and flexibility.
By selecting the MasterSeal M 689 polyurea technology, the Municipal Water and Sewage Company in Słupca resolved their concerns regarding the protection of the internal surface of the water tower.
MasterSeal M 689 has valid National Hygiene Institute (Państwowy Zakład Higieny, PZH) certificate for use in drinking water tanks. This ensures that the polyurea membrane meets the necessary health and safety regulations for maintaining water quality.
In addition, to secure the quality of water, after applying the polyurea membrane in the water tower, the tank was rinsed and disinfected, followed by bacteriological water tests, the results of which raised no objections.
This project exemplifies the significance of employing cutting-edge technologies and solutions to preserve vital infrastructure while prioritizing water quality and public health. The Słupca Water Tower will now continue to serve as a symbol of progress and reliability for generations to come.
Another view of the interior of the tower waterproofed and protected with MasterSeal M 689
