Reducing Non-Revenue of Water Using Non-Return Valves in Ground Based Water Retaining Reservoir and Its Bottom Treatment : A Field Study from Jal Jeevan Mission, Maharashtra, India

This paper has documented the groundwater-induced structural failure of the bottom treatment system of a 37 ML RCC balancing tank under the Jal Jeevan Mission at Sarade Village, Satara District, Maharashtra, and demonstrated the successful remediation using a perforated PVC pipe grid network integrated with Non-Return Valves. The following conclusions are drawn: 1. Seepage from adjacent unlined irrigation canals can raise groundwater tables to levels capable of generating structural uplift failures in empty or partially-filled balancing tanks. 2. The composite bottom treatment (soil + geomembrane + sand boxing + Shahabad tile) is vulnerable to delamination under net uplift conditions; the geomembrane is particularly susceptible to ballooning and puncture. 3. The NRV-integrated perforated PVC underdrain system provides passive, automatic pressure relief that prevents sub-slab pressure build-up without requiring active pumping during normal operation. 4. Post-remediation field monitoring confirmed zero recurrence of buoyancy-induced structural distress, validating the NRV system's effectiveness. 5. Compared to conventional countermeasures (ground anchors, slab thickening, dewatering wells), the NRV underdrain system offers superior cost-effectiveness, passive operation, and retrofit suitability. 6. Adoption of this system as a standard design element in JJM and CPHEEO guidelines for canal-adjacent balancing tanks is strongly recommended.

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