Penetron Crystalline Technology Helps Deliver Drinking Water to Remote Chile

Christmas came early for a remote village in southern Chile, where construction on an overhaul of the Los Rios region's drinking water storage and supply system was completed in December 2020. The Penetron System was specified to ensure waterproof and durable concrete infrastructure.

EAST SETAUKET, N.Y. (PRWEB) March 02, 2021

Christmas came early for a remote village in southern Chile, where construction on an overhaul of the Los Rios region's drinking water storage and supply system was completed in December 2020. The Penetron System was specified to ensure waterproof and durable concrete infrastructure.

Pelchuquín is a small, remote village of around 600 people in the commune of Mariquina, in the Los Ríos region of southern Chile, about 50 km (30 miles) northeast of the regional and provincial capital city of Valdivia. Commissioned and financed by the Los Rios Ministry of Public Works, the $1.5 million project expanded and improved accessibility to clean drinking water for the 500 families living in and around the Pelchuquín village.

Construction was carried out by Harcha Construction Company, the general contractor. The scope of work included concrete repairs and waterproofing of the water storage tanks and construction of almost nine kilometers (six miles) of new pipelines.

Delivering Value and Durability
"Penetron was chosen to treat the Pelchuquín water storage tanks thanks to lower waterproofing costs and a more robust guarantee of permeability reduction and sealing of cracks throughout the design life of the concrete structure," remarks Domingo Lema, Managing Director of Penetron Chile.

The Penetron System of crystalline waterproofing materials was applied to waterproof the Pelchuquín project's drinking water storage tank. A combination of PENETRON, a topically applied crystalline material, and PENECRETE MORTAR was used to patch and fill out cracks larger than 0.5 mm. PENETRON was surface applied to seal hairline cracks in the concrete water storage tanks and pipes. PENEBAR SW swellable waterstop strips were also used to seal construction joints.

Making Concrete Impermeable
Penetron products are formulated to react with the moisture in concrete to produce an integral crystalline formation throughout the concrete matrix. This process results in impermeable concrete that will prevent water, liquids and waterborne elements from penetrating the concrete matrix, even under the hydrostatic pressure – on both the negative and positive sides of the concrete tanks and pipelines – encountered in the below-grade water storage tanks of the Pelchuquín project. This crystalline formation significantly increases the concrete's lifespan and provides self-healing capabilities that stay active for the life of the concrete.

"The Pelchuquín project was recently tested and commissioned," adds Domingo Lema. "Penetron crystalline technology has been used successfully in many drinking water storage applications around the world. It's an invaluable solution to reduce concrete permeability and enhance the durability of concrete infrastructure."

The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives and distribution channels.

For more information on Penetron crystalline technology solutions, please visit http://www.penetron.com, email: CRDept@penetron.com or contact our Corporate Relations Department at 631-941-9700.

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