Budapest Waterworks Reveals Most Severe Pipe Burst in Decades Through Video Footage
Budapest Waterworks has shared dramatic footage on their Facebook page of what is being described as the most severe pipe burst witnessed in decades.
Even the most experienced professionals were astounded by the sight, which was hard to believe was caused by a mere pipe failure rather than being a natural waterfall.
"Our water loss analysts have stated that in the 22 years since the establishment of their team, they have never seen anything quite like this," the utility provider reported regarding the pipe burst which occurred on January 22nd at the Citadella Promenade.
According to the report by Budapest Waterworks, the water burst originated from a 110-year-old cast iron pipeline. The escaping water carved a new cave-like hollow in the underground beneath the hill, without causing surface water flow, making the detection of the problem a significant challenge.
Dispatchers were perplexed as to where 100 cubic meters of water were disappearing every hour around the area of Kelenhegyi road and Somló street. The team of experts used acoustic devices, contact microphones, ground microphones, cameras, and network segment isolations to successfully locate the fault. They managed to repair it within 24 hours an outstanding performance considering the nature and location of the pipe burst.
"The isolation of the pipeline section finally yielded results: a 3-meter-long segment of the 110-year-old, 200 mm diameter cast iron pipe burst in two pieces. The unleashed 2,400 cubic meters of water washed into a suspected cavern, carrying with it 140 cubic meters of rocky subsoil, creating a crater 6 meters deep and extending 6 meters under the road," the post read.
Budapest Waterworks highlighted the fortunate circumstances, as no road collapse occurred despite heavily loaded trucks passing overhead daily due to ongoing construction at the Citadella. Only luck spared these vehicles from becoming victims of the potential collapse.
"Our water loss analysts have stated that in the 22 years since the establishment of their team, they have never seen anything quite like this," the utility provider reported regarding the pipe burst which occurred on January 22nd at the Citadella Promenade.
According to the report by Budapest Waterworks, the water burst originated from a 110-year-old cast iron pipeline. The escaping water carved a new cave-like hollow in the underground beneath the hill, without causing surface water flow, making the detection of the problem a significant challenge.
Dispatchers were perplexed as to where 100 cubic meters of water were disappearing every hour around the area of Kelenhegyi road and Somló street. The team of experts used acoustic devices, contact microphones, ground microphones, cameras, and network segment isolations to successfully locate the fault. They managed to repair it within 24 hours an outstanding performance considering the nature and location of the pipe burst.
"The isolation of the pipeline section finally yielded results: a 3-meter-long segment of the 110-year-old, 200 mm diameter cast iron pipe burst in two pieces. The unleashed 2,400 cubic meters of water washed into a suspected cavern, carrying with it 140 cubic meters of rocky subsoil, creating a crater 6 meters deep and extending 6 meters under the road," the post read.
Budapest Waterworks highlighted the fortunate circumstances, as no road collapse occurred despite heavily loaded trucks passing overhead daily due to ongoing construction at the Citadella. Only luck spared these vehicles from becoming victims of the potential collapse.
