Contractors were invited by the Government to submit quotations for the inspection of an ageing reservoir in Devonshire.

A notice published on the government procurement website said that bids were sought for a site investigation and structural assessment of the reservoir at Fort Prospect on Fort Hill Road.

“The existing reservoir is 225ft long, 33ft wide, 26ft deep,” the notice said. “All work is to be carried out under the supervision of a registered engineer.

“This work involves the wet core sampling of the concrete floor and walls to determine the existence of possible voids.

“Subsequent to the cores, trenches are to be cut into the floor as directed by the ministry engineer.”

The document added that concrete support beams for the roof structure would also need to be inspected by “sounding or alternative means” to ensure the concrete is sound and the reinforcement cover is fully intact.

The deadline for submissions is 3pm on July 25.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works said in February that engineers had identified a “major leak” in the Prospect reservoirs, which had “deteriorated structurally” since they were built in the 1950s.

“The reservoirs are unable to hold a sustainable water volume, severely limiting distribution capacity,” the spokesman said.