Leakage of Song Tranh 2 hydropower dam due to design error

After examining the scene of the Song Tranh hydroelectric dam 2, on the afternoon of March 21, the mission of the State Inspection Department of construction quality (Ministry of Construction) affirmed that water leakage at this dam was due to design error.

Dr. Bui Trung Dung, Deputy Director of State Inspection of construction work quality (Ministry of Construction), head of the task of monitoring Song Tranh 2, affirmed, water leakage in Song Tranh hydroelectric dam 2 owners Weakness due to design error has forgotten the drainage pipe connecting from the left basement range to the right array leading downstream. Therefore, this standing water freely flows through the expansion joint without the omega gasket, penetrating through the dam body.

Workers have treated the leak but the main dam
Song Tranh 2 hydropower continues to penetrate
water, gush out strong flow. (Photo: Tri Tin)

According to Mr. Dung, the design examination and supervision consultant also has errors. The pipe design has no standing water, but when there is a water leak, the patrol unit detects and processes it too slowly every day. On the other hand, the project is still in the warranty period of 2 years but contractors lack active coordination of investors to overcome. By the time the press spoke up, the public opinion was pressing, the new contractor "frantic" went to fill, cover the leak points.

Experts say that the amount of water penetrated through the main dam body of Song Tranh 2 hydropower plant is 30 liters per second. Therefore, during this dry season, when the water level drops, the contractor needs to organize a general inspection to seal, seal with asphalt and cement .

Meanwhile, on the morning of March 21, the hydropower project management unit 3 - the investor of Song Tranh 2 hydropower project explained to the inspection team of Quang Nam province : "The cause of water leakage in the body The main dam is due to the sewer pipes being blocked ".

Workers are using connection pipes to handle the leaked water
Song Tranh 2 main dam body (Photo: Tri Tin)

Chairing the meeting with the delegation, Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Duc Hai emphasized that the most important issue now is the people. If errors occur, incidents in Song Tranh 2 hydropower project are not only the responsibility of the investor but also the responsibility of the whole Party Committee and Quang Nam provincial authorities.

Secretary Hai suggested ministries and central agencies need to solve the problem. If necessary, it is possible to reduce the water level of Song Tranh 2 hydropower reservoir to handle the cracks, ensuring absolute safety for people in the downstream area.

Quang Nam province also proposed that the State Expertise Bureau on the quality of construction works should soon have a conclusion document to relieve concerns for people. The mission of the Department of State Expertise of Quality of Construction Works has required investors and contractors to thoroughly deal with leaks at the dam body from now until the end of the upcoming dry season.