Underground tank leak detection in Al Alya, Riyadh: emergency

Prepared by the technical team · editorial review · last updated 13 November 2026 · Sources

Before we start: what we know about Al Alya

The centre of Al Alya is at 24.6931, 46.6845, about 2.5 km from the centre of Riyadh, with an approximate radius of 3 km. The service-area circle on the map below is drawn from this point. Main roads in or near Al Alya: King Fahd Road, Makkah Road, Al Olaya Street.

The centre of Al Alya sits about 622 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data). Al Alya is largely commercial, with shops and offices.

Al Alya sits at 24.6931, 46.6845, about 2.5 km from the centre of Riyadh, with an approximate radius of 3 km. That places it close to the city core, where underground tanks serve shops, offices and older buildings packed closely together. Our emergency crews plan routes and equipment around this compact footprint, so a leak call in the district can usually be reached quickly, and we bring the right tools for a fast first inspection.

Al Alya is largely commercial, with shops and offices. For a business, a suspected leak is rarely a small matter: fuel, water or chemical storage can affect trading hours, staff access and nearby property. Because the district runs on daily activity, our technicians aim to work around opening hours and arrange access to basements, car parks and service yards with the premises manager. The centre of Al Alya sits about 622 m above sea level, so ground conditions and groundwater behaviour should be read with that elevation in mind when assessing how a leak may be spreading. Our team records the local setting on every call so the findings can be explained clearly to the owner.

Owners in Al Alya often make the same mistakes, and avoiding them saves time and money. Many wait until a fuel smell or a drop in stock becomes obvious before calling for help, when the leak has already spread. Others assume that a repair alone is enough and skip checking the tank's internal condition; the cost of coating work, which runs at SAR 25–70 per m², is far lower than replacing a damaged tank. Some also move or cover the surface area before inspection, which hides the signs crews need to read. Call early, keep the area clear, and let the inspection guide the next step.

If water is flowing, close the main valve first, then call or message with photos.

Signs worth paying attention to

If you notice one of these signs in Al Alya, it is a good moment to talk to the team:

• The pump runs for longer periods
• A noticeable drop in the water level overnight
• Damp or salt marks on the tiles above the tank

Causes we see in the field

• A float valve that does not close, so water is wasted — we check this before anything else.
• Cracks in the concrete tank walls or floor.
• A common cause: construction joints and corners.

How we choose the tool in Al Alya

How the work is done, step by step

1. Safety first: Tank lids and confined spaces are handled with ventilation and a second person on site.
2. Documented level test: Filling and use are stopped and the level is recorded against time.
3. Isolating the tank from the network: This tells us whether the loss is from the tank body or from the supply line.
4. Checking the body and connections: Inlet, outlet and overflow connections are inspected.
5. Recommendation: You get the next step in writing: repair, waterproofing or a line test.

Facts and costs — Al Alya

Short answers for Al Alya

What we advise against

• Ignoring the float valve
• Waterproofing the tank before confirming the loss is from the tank and not the line

The written outputs

The written output: the written level-test result and the recommended next step. The report is numbered and can be checked with its verification code.