When a significant leak occurs in a reservoir, the priority is to respond very quickly with reliable and high-capacity pumping systems. In South Tyrol (Northern Italy), an artificial lake experienced a sudden drop in level due to a failure in an underground tunnel: a critical situation that required immediate drainage and securing action to protect the surrounding area and the dam.
This case study describes a real emergency dewatering intervention and shows how a high flow rate pump solution can quickly stabilize scenarios of uncontrolled water loss.
Application Context
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Artificial lake in South Tyrol
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Water loss linked to damage to underground infrastructure (tunnel)
The Challenge: Massive Leak and Erosion Risk
The issue was caused by a damaged section of a tunnel under the lake, with water leaking out at up to 15,000 liters per second. In a short time, the basin lost about one-third of its volume, increasing the risk of:
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soil erosion in nearby areas;
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further damage to the infrastructure;
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operational stress on the dam and containment system.
In such a context, pumps capable of working "under pressure," continuously and with very high flow rates are needed.
The Aquageo Solution: High Flow Rate Pumping System with Vacuum-Assisted Self-Priming Pumps
To manage the emergency, a configuration with 4 high flow rate pumps (model PAS 300HF 440), each paired with 100 meters of piping, was adopted to create a temporary system capable of moving large volumes of water.
Key features of the solution:
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vacuum-assisted self-priming pumps, designed to start quickly even with suction heights of several meters;
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total capacity up to 8,000 m³/h;
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system built with piping and accessories to reduce head losses and maximize flow rate;
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remote monitoring of operating parameters (pump and motor performance) to maintain operational control even as the emergency evolves.
Result: Leak Under Control and Basin Stabilized
The speed of installation and the high pumping capacity allowed to:
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stabilize the situation in a short time;
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contain the erosion phenomenon and potential damage;
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keep operations under control thanks to continuous monitoring.
Benefits for the Client
The intervention highlights the advantages of an emergency drainage solution based on high flow rate pumps:
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rapid response times in case of sudden and uncontrolled leaks;
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high flow rates for critical scenarios (up to 8,000 m³/h total);
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operational reliability even with challenging suction conditions thanks to vacuum assistance;
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flexibility of setup with dedicated piping and accessories;
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control and continuity of service through real-time monitoring (also remotely).