Leak Sealing at Kissir Dam – Jijel, Algeria

Water Ingress Threatening Dam Integrity

Kissir Dam, an essential water infrastructure in Algeria’s Jijel Province, was experiencing persistent leakage through critical galleries and construction joints below the waterline. The infiltration was:

• Continuous and under high hydrostatic pressure,
• Leading to progressive deterioration of concrete surfaces,
• Increasing maintenance costs and operational risks,
• Difficult to access and seal using traditional cement grouts.

Due to the dam’s importance for water supply and irrigation, it was vital to address the leaks without lowering reservoir levels or shutting down operations.

EURAS® Gel Type B – High-Pressure Injection Under Saturated Conditions

After a technical assessment, EURAS® Gel Type B was selected for its:

• Ability to penetrate and expand inside fine cracks and capillaries,
• Exceptional hydroscopic action, which displaces water from the structure,
• Elastic properties maintaining watertightness during pressure fluctuations,
• Compatibility with saturated, aged concrete and old sealing attempts,

The sealing operation was executed with the following steps:

1. Identification and mapping of all infiltration pathways along the galleries and joints,
2. Preparation of injection ports targeting the most critical leakage points,
3. High-pressure injection of EURAS Gel Type B under pressures up to 200 bar to ensure deep, uniform distribution,
4. Visual and flow monitoring to confirm effective displacement of water and gel propagation,
5. Verification testing for watertightness post-application.

Despite the high reservoir pressure, the intervention was performed without reducing water levels.