La Soledad Dam leak repair expected to finish in 15 days

Authorities in Guanajuato are working to repair a leak at the La Soledad Dam that has been active for approximately 45 days. The leak, located in a 14-inch diameter pipe roughly 40 meters below the water level, is causing a loss of five liters per second.

Juan Andrés Balderas Torres, director of the Municipal Drinking Water and Sewerage System (SIMAPAG), stated that the repair is complicated by the age of the infrastructure, which is approximately 70 years old, and the high water pressure. To facilitate the work, officials plan to drain the reservoir over the coming week to reduce pressure and create safer conditions for divers and technicians.

Repair efforts involve the use of a custom-made stainless steel clamp with a neoprene seal to accommodate the irregular surface of the aging pipe. CONAGUA specialists are assisting in the process. Once the reservoir is drained and the sealing begins, officials expect the repairs to be completed within 15 days.