Published at 6.36pm
LIVORNO – Il Cisternone opens its doors to the city with guided tours free but upon reservation. A unique opportunity to admire the interior of this monumental tank built in the first half of the 19th century by the architect Pasquale Pocciantiand normally not accessible.
How to visit the Cisternone
From 15th to 21st April (free) visits will be held to the Cisternone pool and the rooms in front of the pool from 3pm to 8pm. Duration of the visit: 20 minutes.
Reservation required starting from 8 April and until 14 April, by calling 0586-894563, from 9.00 to 13.00, or by directly using theEventbrite App under Cisternone, Location: Livorno.
The walls in front of the tub will welcome some panels with focus under the title “The protagonists of the integrated water cycle” or: The Cisternone and the Rivellino between history and modernity; From the production and distribution of drinking water to its return to the environment (sea) in an eco-friendly manner; Integration of volumes and security of supply given by the new Tin tank on the distribution front and, on the purification front, greater functional capacity, coverage and technological innovation guaranteed by the new purifier which will replace the Rivellino by 2030.
“The program of visits to the Cisternone – stated the mayor Luca Salvetti – happens after a impressive work and gives everyone the opportunity to see a monument of particular beauty. The tanks will be practically almost empty and the flooring will also be visible. We will also have the opportunity to appreciate the basis of the structure, as well as the illustration of the integrated water cycle and historical information. A real opportunity to visit it, since the cisterns had not been emptied for about fifteen years.”
Work on the Cisternone began in 2016 with the gradual program of strengthening of supply networks. On the tanks, however, the interventions began in 2020, had a total duration of approximately two years and took place in different phases, at a distance from each other.
The Cisternone remained closed (not in operation) for approximately 40 days, while the Setti tank remained closed for 15 days at the end of 2023.
Jobs
The first planned work was the construction of a new and independent Dn 630 polyethylene pipe connection between the old tank and the new one, integrated by a further double connection between this and the final lifting station which supplies the entire central part of the City of Livorno, up to the Margherita barrier to the south. This new suction pipe for the pumps made it possible to replace and partially integrate the section valves of the new tank, complete with emptying and reclamation of the tank itself.
Once this interconnection was achieved, it was possible heal the Dn 800 pipe in new Cisternone by-pass steel. This was restored using Relining technology which involves the insertion of a thermosetting sock inside the pipe which, once hardened, becomes the new pipe, without excavations, which in this case were impossible to carry out due to the presence of massive reinforced concrete blockages.
After these activities, the interventions continued with the replacement of the inlet and outlet pipes of the old tank and the related old valves, all guaranteeing the service, even in conditions of hydraulic stress such as during the simultaneous sudden failure of the important “Mortaiolo Livorno” supply line, only marginally felt by the city for a short period at night. During these phases it was possible to progressively proceed to the reclamation, maintenance and subsequent disinfection of the tanksfirst the new and then the old.
This is because, to replace the inlet and outlet pipes of the monumental tank and related valves, it was necessary to empty it and, taking advantage of this, complete reclamation, cleaning and disinfection was carried out, as well as replacement of the old submerged lighting system with modern programmable multi-chromatic LED projectors. In order not to damage the historic masonry, the old inlet and outlet pipes from the tank were transformed into passage jackets, into which the new ones were inserted. To ensure the hydraulic seal between them, modern hydraulic joint systems were used.
© Reproduction prohibited
