MEDIA RELEASE
NO. 619 / 2010
23 AUGUST 2010



The implosion of the two Athlone cooling towers yesterday at 11:56:23 was a great success as the towers fell precisely as planned, with no damage caused to the infrastructure on site. As seen in the photograph, taken this morning, the towers literally fell in on themselves and the surrounding area and grass suffered no visible damage. There was also minimal debris on the N2 after the implosion. The contractors started clearing the rubble yesterday immediately after the site was declared safe and all the rubble should be removed within a month.

The blast was also not as loud as it was expected to be and measured 118.9 decibels. Measuring was done from the safe zone east of the towers. The test blast of Saturday 07 August 2010 was measured at 130.5 decibels, measured from gate to the safe zone, also east of the towers. The decrease in noise levels could be due to a number of reasons, such as the measuring point, the placement position of explosives (height and orientation), as well as the wet and windy weather.


A high resolution version of the photo is available on request from media@capetown.gov.za

END

ISSUED BY:
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT, CITY OF CAPE TOWN

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
PIETER CRONJE
DIRECTOR: COMMUNICATION
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
CELL: 082 465 4965