New works at the Paltinu dam. The conditions under which water will be supplied to the population
Problems at the Paltinu dam. Photo source: Prahova County Council
The technical procedures scheduled for the restart of the Hidroelectrica hydro units at the base of the Paltinu Dam begin in the night from Monday to Tuesday, the authorities announcing that the intervention is essential for the stability and safety of the water supply from the system served by the Paltinu Dam, in the medium and long term, informs Agerpres.
“Tonight, controlled technical procedures will be started at the Paltinu Dam, to attempt to unblock the Hidroelectrica hydro units. The purpose of these operations is to ensure a flow of water delivery through this shallow outlet and the phased transition from the medium-depth outlet through which water is currently supplied to the population. This intervention is essential for the stability and safety of the water supply from the system served by the Paltinu Dam, in the medium and long term,” informs the County Council (CJ) Prahova and Prahova Prefecture in a press release.
According to the cited sources, when starting the low-depth hydro aggregates of the Hidroelectrica plant, the water currently has a high turbidity, and in order to avoid repeating the situations that occurred two weeks ago, the maneuvers will take place exclusively at night, controlled and staged.
Reduced water flow during the night
“Water with high turbidity will not enter the ESZ pipeline, through which drinking water reaches the Hidro Prahova distribution network. The evacuation of this water will be done through the private infrastructure of Elsid SA, a company that voluntarily joined this effort, providing the necessary infrastructure and human resources, so that the population can benefit from safe water without interruption”, the statement states.
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The authorities say that the supply of water to the population will not stop, and the water will not be rationed, but during the night it is possible that the pressure will be slightly reduced, strictly to allow the technical procedures to be carried out safely.
The water delivered to the population remains separated from the discharge flow of water with high turbidity, resulting from the procedures at the Paltinu Dam, the authorities also say.
According to them, it is not necessary to establish additional water reserves. “We appeal to the population not to panic and to treat this information as a measure of transparency and communication,” the document also states.
The action at the Paltinu Dam will be coordinated and supervised by the “Romanian Waters” National Administration, according to the details established in the technical meetings at the level of the Prefecture and the Prahova County Council.
“These procedures will be carried out regularly, only during the night, until the Hidroelectrica hydro aggregates are put into operation and a constant source of water with reduced turbidity is obtained. The common objective of all the institutions involved is the continuity of the supply of drinking water and its maintenance in safe conditions for the population”, the CJ and Prahova Prefecture also convey.
