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CBU ZERO – LEAKAGE PRECAST
CHAMBER – TYPE WATERGATE
A most innovative and sophisticated precast and transportable water control unit, weighing 4-15 tons depending on the version chosen.
A product of in-depth and critical study by a broad-based expert group, it practically addresses all the problems and shortcomings associated with the design, siting, construction, operation and maintenance of traditional watergates.
Intended for use in coastal oil palm estates, both at terminal water discharge points and in-field, the design criterion is one of warding off the ingress of sea water at high tide, so it is more appropriately called a Tidegate.
The use of the new watergate will mean that:
- within a relatively short period all existing or defective watergates and water-retaining weirs can be replaced and at reduced costs;
- this will have the effect of jump-starting and leap-frogging all current efforts aimed of arresting, even reversing, the adverse affects on fib yield on coastal oil palm estates caused by the intrusion of saline water and the lack of proper means for water conservation;
- even in a hypothetical 'gateless' water drainage system, these new watergate structures when located strategically over vast areas, are foremost water barriers against high tides river overflow and flood waters, and which can maintain water tables at both localized fields and the overall estate to minimise the adverse effects on the health and productivity of the oil palm due to moisture stress and water deficit;
- Even if the main outlet drain were to be closed up in a 'gateless' system, this chamber-type watergate would become a perfect terminal suction man-hole for obstruction-free pumping of excess water over the bund or to any other water body;
- In its simpler form it can be rapidly installed to replace all existing crude and cumbersome methods of water control, such as flash-flood weirs, sand bags or earth mounds and other make-shill water-retaining structures.
A great advantage offered is that the new watergate can be put in place first, then other earthworks, drainage, bund and road construction can be carried out around and leading to and connecting to it. This is a superior concept which may be adopted for new land clearing and development work. Even creeks, which provide a natural outlet to the sea, may now be considered. Peat soils are also suitable for the new chamber-type prefabricated watergate.
If it is the intention to provide a culvert(s) upfront or downstream of the proposed watergate, the rigid chamber provides an innovative anchorage for the terminal culvert (s) and helps to keep the entire underground culvert in proper place and alignment.
The new breakthrough in the conceptualization and design of the new watergate provides the basis for a holistic approach in water management in plantations, in place of the largely reactive approach, where the focus of water management is restricted to the management of available and/or surplus water.
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