Download - Imiesa July 2012
IMESAIMESAThe official magazine of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT • MAINTENANCE • SERVICE DELIVERY
Winner of the 2011 PICA Non-professional writer of the year
I S S N 0 2 5 7 1 9 7 8 V o l u m e 3 7 N o . 7 • J u l y 2 0 1 2 • R 4 0 . 0 0 ( i n c l V A T )
MEDIA
Blue DropReport card
Sol PlaatjeWWTW upgrade
Trenchless contract completed in Port Elizabethcompleted in Port Elizabeth p55p55
OpinionEngineering challenges
Excellence in motion
IMIESA JULY 2012 1
VOLUME 37 NO 7 JULY 2012CONTENTS
9Blue Blue DropDrop
36Reservoir Reservoir
constructionconstruction
KwaZulu-Natal-based multi-disciplinary group Aqua Transport & Plant Hire continues its national expansion strategy in the construction sector, adding to its extensive plant holding with the recent acquisition of a fleet of new Cat 140K motor graders, supplied and supported by Southern African Cat dealer Barloworld Equipment.
5525Kamfers Kamfers
DamDamTrenchless Trenchless technologytechnology
Regulars3 Editor’s comment5 President’s comment
Cover article6 Aqua’s civil excellence
News9 Blue Drop analysis for 2012
IMESAThe official magazine of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT MAINTENANCE SERVICE DELIVERY
Winner of the 2011 PICA Non-professional writer of the year
I S S N 0 2 5 7 1 9 7 8 V o l u m e 3 7 N o . 7 R 4 0 . 0 0 ( i n c l V A T )
MEDIA
Blue DropReport card
Sol PlaatjeWWTW upgrade
Trenchless contract completed in Port Elizabeth
OpinionEngineering challenges
Baarloowworrlld Eqquipmmeeennt
Excellence in motion
Government perspective12 Streamlining legislation
with development
Industry perspective13 In the footsteps of giants
Opinion15 How many degrees are there
in a half circle?
Water and waste water 19 Digging deep at De Hoop21 Automation innovation23 Hydroscrew introduced
to the market25 Water storage overhaul27 Zeekoegat WWTW update30 2012 National Water
Conservation Awards33 Managing the coastal zone
Water infrastructure34 KZN losing 40% of its water35 Innovations and best
practice boosted
Mangaung36 New Bloemfontein reservoir38 Andries Pretorious
Street upgraded
Sol Plaatje40 WWTW upgraded
Project news42 South African engineering in
Lesotho
Panel discussion43 Introduction: Blue and Green
Drop – what does it mean to you?
44 Department of Water Affairs: Leonardo Manus
47 ERWAT: Fortune Mabunda49 CSV Water Consulting
Engineers: Charl van der Walt 51 Grundfos: Albert de Vos53 BKS: Dr Gideon de Villiers
and Gerna Clifford
Pipes pumps and valves55 Port Elizabeth goes
trenchless62 SAPPMA releases revised
technical manual64 Name change for water group65 Protection for pipelines
Products and services67 Irrigation products for
all markets68 Lighting up Tzaneen
IMIESA JULY 2012 3
EDITOR'S COMMENT
Richard Jansen Van Vuuren
Infrastructure forums to be rolled out regionally
PUBLISHER Elizabeth ShortenEDITOR Richard Jansen van VuurenASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Ferdie PieterseHEAD OF DESIGN Frédérick DantonSENIOR DESIGNER Hayley MendelowSENIOR SUB-EDITOR Claire NozaicSUB-EDITOR Patience GumboCONTRIBUTORS Candice LandiePRODUCTION MANAGER Antois-Leigh BotmaPRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jaqueline ModiseFINANCIAL MANAGER Andrew Lobban (ACIS, FCIBM)MARKETING AND ONLINE MANAGER Martin HillerADMINISTRATION Tonya HebentonDISTRIBUTION MANAGER Nomsa MasinaDISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Asha PursothamSUBSCRIPTIONS [email protected] United Litho Johannesburg +27 (0)11 402 0571___________________________________________________
ADVERTISING SALESJenny Miller Tel: +27 (0)11 467 6223___________________________________________________
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ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: R480.00 (INCL VAT) ISSN 0257 1978 IMIESA, Inst.MUNIC. ENG. S. AFR.© Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.___________________________________________________
IMESA CONTACTSIMESA Administration Officer: Ingrid BottonP O Box 2190, Westville, 3630Tel: +27 (0)31 266 3263Fax: +27 (0)31 266 5094Email: [email protected]: www.imesa.org.za
BORDER BRANCHSecretary: Melanie MatroosTel: +27 (0)43 705 2401Fax: +27 (0)43 743 5266E-mail: [email protected]
EAST CAPE BRANCHElsabé KoenTel: +27 (0)41 505 8005Fax: +27 (0)41 581 2300E-mail: [email protected]
KWAZULU-NATAL BRANCHSecretary: Rita ZaaymanTel: +27(0)31 311 6382
NORTHERN PROVINCE BRANCHSecretary: Cornel TaljaardTel: +27 (0)82 899 8341Fax: +27 (0)11 675 1324E-mail: [email protected]
SOUTHERN CAPE KAROO BRANCHSecretary: Henrietta OliverTel: +27(0)79 390 7536Fax: 086 536 3725E-mail: [email protected]
WESTERN CAPE BRANCHSecretary: Erica van JaarsveldTel: +27 (0)21 938 8455Fax: +27 (0)21 938 8457E-mail: [email protected]
FREE STATE AND NORTHERN CAPE BRANCHSecretary: Wilma Van Der WaltTel: +27(0)83 457 4362Fax: 086 628 0468E-mail: [email protected]
REST OF SOUTHERN AFRICARepresentative: Andre MullerE-mail: [email protected]
All material herein IMIESA is copyright protected and may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the prior written permission of the publisher. The views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa or the publishers.
Cover opportunity In each issue, IMIESA offers advertisers the opportunity to get to the front of the line by placing a company, product or service on the front cover of the journal. Buying this position will afford the advertiser the cover story on pages and maximum exposure. For more information on cover bookings contact Jenny Miller on tel: +27 (0)11 467 6223.MERCEDES-BENZ
IMESA
The official magazine of the Institute
of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT • MAINTENANCE • SERVICE DELIVERY
Winner of the 2011 PICA
Non-professional writer of the year
Engineering
Job losses
Johannesburg
Flood
alleviation
InsightEngineering
prosperity
I S S N 0 2 5 7 1 9 7 8 V o l u m e 3 7 N o . 6 • J u n e 2 0 1 2 • R 4 0 . 0 0 ( i n c l V A T )
Peter Newmarch, president of SAGI: “There is huge scope for rapid
turnaround times and cost-effective solutions in infrastructure mapping”p18
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IMESAThe official magazine of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT MAINTENANCE SERVICE DELIVERY
Winner of the 2011 PICA Non-professional writer of the year
I S S N 0 2 5 7 1 9 7 8 V o l u m e 3 7 N o . 7 R 4 0 . 0 0 ( i n c l V A T )
MEDIA
Blue DropReport card
Sol PlaatjeWWTW upgrade
Trenchless contract completed in Port Elizabeth
OpinionEngineering challenges
Baarloowworrlld Eqquipmmeeennt
Excellence in motion
ON 21 AND 22 JUNE, 3S Media,
in conjunction with Akanya Media,
held the inaugural national Public-
Private Infrastructure Forum in
Johannesburg. Presentations were made by the
following people:
• Phumelele Motsoahae – executive manager
of group planning: Transnet
• Andrew Etzinger – senior general manager:
Eskom
• Chris Campbell – president: Engineering
Council of South Africa
• Manglin Pillay – CEO: The South African
Institution Of Civil Engineering
• Gregory Mofokeng – secretary: Black
Business Council Built Environment
• Sarah Rushmere – special projects manager:
Green Building Council of South Africa
• Neville Gurry – executive director: South African
Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors
• Mfezezko Gwazubue – acting COO: Public
Works (on behalf of Minister Thembelani
Nxesi)
• Ursula Ntsubane – CEO: Construction
Industry Development Board
• Tumi Dlamini – executive director: Master
Builders South Africa
• Frank Stevens – deputy president: IMESA
• Naren Bhojaram – president: Consulting
Engineers South Africa.
On the afternoon of the 22nd, delegates and
speakers were split up into groups to workshop
the following topics:
• job creation, transformation and empower-
ment in the construction industry
• unlocking infrastructure spend for new pro-
jects and for maintenance
• how the public and private sector can work
together to achieve infrastructure develop-
ment and maintenance goals, and how to
access funding.
Each group presented the problems they had
identified followed by proposed solutions –
these will be highlighted in the August edition of
IMIESA.
Following the suc-
cess of the inaugural
event, we will now be rolling the
event out on a regional level
beginning with Mpumalanga,
from 23 to 24 July, and Limpopo
in August.
As this is a water-focused
edition of IMIESA, we highlight
a massive challenge facing
KwaZulu-Natal. It is estimat-
ed that 9 000 Mℓ/month of water is being lost
in the Durban area alone.
Government statistics released by Water
Affairs Minister Edna Molewa indicate that more
than 50% of purified pipe water supplies go to
waste in most KwaZulu-Natal municipalities,
largely from burst pipes and leakages, thefts
or other unauthorised use. In the Newcastle
area, 76% of treated municipal water supplies
is considered “non-revenue water”, while more
than 65% of treated water in three other munici-
palities is also leaking away or used illegally.
Although the percentage of non-revenue water
in eThekwini is considerably lower at 36.8%, the
Durban area nevertheless accounts for the larg-
est waste by volume. The Blue Scorpions, the
special government unit set up to protect water
resources, is understaffed and did not lay a
single criminal charge against water thieves and
polluters last year, according to a new report by
the Centre for Environmental Rights.
The report, titled “Stop Treading Water”, says
there are between 14 and 21 specialist mem-
bers of the Blue Scorpions dealing full-time with
a wide variety of water law violations. Last year,
the Blue Scorpions were asked to investigate
more than 100 violations.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS
ABOVE Non-revenue water remains a significant challenge for municipalities
Theme: Engineering for Change
REGISTER & PAY BEFORE 31 JULY TO QUALIFY FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
2012 IMESACONFERENCE
24 - 26 October 2012
G E O R G E
031 2663263
Choose your Technical Tour from a selection of Award Winning projects or the rare opportunity to visit PetroSA:
Eco Project: Touw River
Re-use of Waste Water: George Ultra-Filtration Plant
New Water Sources: Mossel Bay Desalination Plant
Safety / Acquisitions:PetroSA
Share ideas and experiences with over 650 municipal engineers & stakeholders.
Discover the latest in technology with over 60 confirmed exhibitors!
Submit a paper extract for consideration to [email protected] to share knowledge, and gain exposure and recognition for your contribution to engineering.
Acknowledge the best in the industry by attending the Excellence Awards & Opening Function!
Network and socialise with suppliers and customers during the conference and at the informal Gala Function at De Vette Mossel.
Enjoy an extended weekend in the beautiful Garden Route with your partner– see website for details of the spectacular Companions Tour on offer!
To register or for comprehensive information visit www.imesa.org.za
IMIESA JULY 2012 5
PRESIDENT'S COMMENT
WE WERE PROUD when the
event went of f almost flaw-
lessly, and every person who
contributed to this great pro-
ject deserves a par t of the credit, including,
to no small extent, members of our institute.
In par ticular we have been left with a legacy
of magnificent stadiums. A question that
was often asked before the World Cup is
how successful these stadiums would be
after the FIFA caravan had folded its tents
and gone; and now, even more per tinently,
we are asking what we are left with: a monu-
ment to infrastructural planning or a collec-
tion of white elephants?
The various stadiums built for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup are assets for the future.
Utilising the legacy
by Jannie Pietersen, president of IMESA
IMESA and CESA 2012 Biennial Project Excellence Awards
I am pleased to confirm that entries are open for the IMESA and CESA 2012 Biennial Project Excellence Awards.
As advised on the institute’s website, the general objectives of the awards are to:• give recognition to well-engineered civil
engineering projects for infrastructure• portray the art and science of civil
engineering for infrastructure to the general public• illustrate how the profession finds
answers to challenging infrastructure engineering problems.
Award categories are:• structures and buildings• water/wastewater• roads/stormwater• environmental• community upliftment.
I encourage members to submit entries. These awards are the shop window not only of the entrants and winners, but of the institute as well. Entries and supporting documentation and material must be submitted by 31 July. Winners will be announced at the annual conference in October.
Towards the end of 2011, the minister
of sport was able to give an indication: the
answer is that we are left, it seems, with some
vibrant successes, but also a couple of large
pale pachyderms. Among the latter are the Ellis
Park and the Free State stadiums, which have
hosted 10 and 12 events respectively since the
World Cup (and this must be balanced against
the fact that both of them are South African
Rugby Football Union Test Venues that host
Currie Cup and Super Rugby franchises).
Apart from Royal Bafokeng and Cape Town
stadiums with 29 and 25 events respectively,
all the others, including Port Elizabeth, have
held between 12 and 19. At the other end
of the scale, the iconic Moses Mabhida
stadium in Durban, despite not landing the
Sharks rugby franchise, has hosted over
90 events, more than three times the next
best, Royal Bafokeng, thanks to an impres-
sive feat of marketing. Events have included
music concerts, political and religious rallies,
Twenty20 cricket and, of course, soccer.
Moses Mabhida has also successfully hosted
the Top Gear Festival, a spin-off of the world-
renowned BBC TV series. A track was laid
inside the stadium, and adjacent streets were
closed to form a circuit on which Top Gear dis-
played a range of events and cars, including
Formula 1 demonstrations.
It is this sor t of imaginative coopera-
tion between municipalities, marketers and
promoters that will ensure the success of
these stadiums.
Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban, despite not landing the Sharks rugby franchise, has hosted over 90 events... thanks to an impressive feat of marketing
6 IMIESA JULY 2012
COVER STORY
KWAZULU-NATAL-BASED multi-disci-
plinary group Aqua Transport &
Plant Hire continues its national
expansion strategy in the construc-
tion sector, adding to its extensive plant
holding with the recent acquisition of a fleet
of new Cat 140K motor graders, supplied
and supported by Southern African Cat dealer
Barloworld Equipment.
These units join Aqua’s extensive and diver-
sified plant holding of over 1 000 units in sup-
port of the company’s Plant Hire division and
rapidly growing Civil Contracting arm. Aqua’s
Plant Hire division is one of the largest in the
country, serving a broad range of industrial,
construction, civil engineering and quarrying
clients, many of whom have been customers
since Aqua’s inception in 1986.
A privately owned company and a BBBEE
contributor, Aqua has an 8 CE PE grading
from the Construction Industry Development
Board, with plans in place to position the
group for a move into the 9 CEP bracket soon.
This will provide unlimited scope for project
activity nationally.
“Historically, the group started out as a plant
hire business with a focus on bulk water tank-
ers for downstream delivery to industry and
communities, hence the name ‘Aqua’, Latin
for water, in our company name,” explains
Kevin Naicker, CEO of Aqua Transport &
Plant Hire. “Today this remains an important
business activity.”
“Alongside our other business activities,
Aqua has built a solid reputation in the civils
industry based on our ability to successfully
complete end-to-end projects,” adds Naicker.
The civils project scope includes bulk earth-
works, road construction, municipal storm- and
wastewater, and structural concrete works
such as bridges, reservoirs and water treat-
ment plants.
“Our ongoing capital equipment modernisa-
tion programme keeps pace with our capacity
to tender on new projects,” says Naicker.
In its home base of KwaZulu-Natal, Aqua has
been involved in creating new road infrastruc-
ture, as well as maintaining and repairing sur-
faces for major municipalities for many years.
Work in progress includes a major reha-
bilitation and upgrade contract awarded in
November 2011 by the South African National
Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) on a section
of the N11, in joint venture with Stefanutti
Stocks, while work on the John Ross Highway
Aqua’s civil excellence Solid foundations lay the groundwork for ongoing expansion of roads, municipal infrastructure and plant hire.
ABOVE Standard on all K-Series models, the variable horsepower feature increases machine productivity by matching power to ground speeds
IMIESA JULY 2012 7
COVER STORY
in Richards Bay for the KwaZulu-Natal
Department of Transport is at an advanced
stage of completion. Aqua has also recently
been awarded the N2/KwaMashu Interchange
project by SANRAL.
Growth in the roads business was fur-
ther strengthened in 2010 following Aqua’s
acquisition of Sanyati’s Asphalt Division. The
amalgamation of these technical skills and
plant assets within the Aqua Group, together
with a comprehensive equipment modernisa-
tion programme, has subsequently led to the
formation of an asphalt manufacturing and
surfacing entity branded as the Aqua Road
Rehabilitation Division.
Aqua’s Asphalt Division provides a turnkey
black top surfacing solution, from asphalt
manufacturing to truck delivery, laying and
finishing, backed by the company’s milling,
recycling and paving fleet. Current capacity is
around 1 200 t of asphalt daily.
Supporting Aqua’s market growth, Naicker
says that the Cat 140K was determined as the
optimum grader choice for its construction and
plant hire businesses.
“The Cat 140K builds on the excellent
track record of the previous generation 140H
model with noticeable improvements in terms
of overall operator productivity,” comments
Naicker. “This is a machine that’s designed
to keep on delivering, providing a good return
on investment.”
Compared to the 140H’s Cat 3306 engine,
the 140K’s C7 ACERT power plant provides a
torque increase of 8 to 10%, depending on the
application. Additionally, customised torque
curves increase
peak torque
for improved
lugging per formance and responsiveness.
“The torque rise on the Cat 140K is around
47% in contrast to 33% on the previous
generation H-Series,” points out Barloworld
Equipment Cat sales professional, Sanjeev
Rampersadh, based at the Durban branch.
“Standard on all K-Series models, the vari-
able horsepower feature increases machine
productivity by matching power to ground
speeds,” Rampersadh continues, highlighting
key features. “For example, in the lower gears
where the machine is traction-limited, engine
horsepower is automatically reduced, and this
helps to lower fuel consumption while minimis-
ing tyre slippage.”
These features help to keep owning and
operating costs down, which are important
considerations from both contracting and plant
hire perspectives.
Aqua’s Plant Hire division plays a key role
in major South African infrastructure projects,
which in the recent past included the Gautrain
Rapid Rail Link development and the Gauteng
Freeway Improvement Project. For the
Gautrain project, for example,
Aqua supplied more than
in motion
Naicker. “This is a machine that’s designed
to keep on delivering, providing a good return
on investment.”
Compared to the 140H’s Cat 3306 engine,
the 140K’s C7 ACERT power plant provides a
torque increase of 8 to 10%, depending on the
application. Additionally, customised torque
curves increase
peak torque
for improved
Freeway Improvement Project. For the
Gautrain project, for example,
Aqua supplied more than
60 items of plant, including 14 readymix
trucks. Longer-term plant hire contracts were
also recently completed for various consortium
contractors at Eskom’s Medupi and Kusile
power station developments.
“Going forward, we continue to refine our
capabilities in civil construction, plant hire, as
well as the supply of asphalt products, ensur-
ing that we have the expertise and technolo-
gies in place to meet current and future project
requirements,” concludes Naicker.
ABOVE Aqua Transport & Plant Hire recently added to its extensive plant holding with the acquisition of a fleet of new Cat 140K motor graders
IMIESA offers advertisers an ideal platform to ensure maximum exposure of their brand. Companies are afforded the opportunity of publishing a two-page cover story and a cover picture to promote their products to an appropriate audience. Please call Jenny Miller on +27(0)11 467 6223 to secure your booking.
“Aqua has built a solid reputation in the civils industry based on our ability to successfully complete end-to-end projects”
BELOW In its home base of KwaZulu-Natal, Aqua Transport & Plant Hire
has been involved in creating new road infrastructure, as
well as maintaining and repairing surfaces
for major municipalities for many years
IME
SA
AFF
ILIA
TE M
EM
BE
RS
Afri-Infra [email protected]
AJ Broom Road Products [email protected]
Arup SA [email protected]
Aurecon [email protected]
Bigen Group Africa [email protected]
BKS Consulting Engineers [email protected]
BMK Consulting [email protected]
Bosch Stemele [email protected]
Bosch Munitech [email protected]
BVI Consulting Engineers [email protected]
CBI Consulting Engineers [email protected]
Civilconsult Consulting Engineers [email protected]
Civil & Blasting Solutions [email protected]
Concrete Manufacturers [email protected]
Corrosion Institute of Southern Africa [email protected]
CSIR Built Environment [email protected]
Davies Lynn & Partners [email protected]
Development Bank of SA [email protected]
DPI Plastics [email protected]
EFG Engineers [email protected]
Elster Kent Metering [email protected]
EnviroServ Waste Management [email protected]
Geotechnologies [email protected]
GLS Consulting [email protected]
Goba [email protected]
Hidrostal SA [email protected]
Huber Technology [email protected]
Hydro-comp Enterprises [email protected]
I@Consulting [email protected]
Iliso Consulting [email protected]
Infraset [email protected]
Jeffares and Green [email protected]
Johannesburg Water [email protected]
Kgatelopele Consulting [email protected]
Knowledge Base [email protected]
Lektratek Water [email protected]
Makhaotse Narasimulu & Associates [email protected]
Maragela Consulting Engineers [email protected]
Much Asphalt [email protected]
Nyeleti Consulting [email protected]
Odour Engineering Systems [email protected]
PD Naidoo & Associates Consulting Engineers [email protected]
Power Construction [email protected]
Pumptron [email protected]
Pragma Africa [email protected]
Rocla [email protected]
SBS Water Systems [email protected]
Sektor Consulting [email protected]
Sight Lines [email protected]
SiVEST SA [email protected]
SNA Inc [email protected]
Siza Water Company [email protected]
SRK Consulting [email protected]
Sulzer Pumps Wastewater [email protected]
Syntell [email protected]
Thm Engineers East London [email protected]
TPA Consulting [email protected]
UWP Consulting [email protected]
Vela VKE [email protected]
WorleyParsons [email protected]
WSP Group Africa [email protected]
WSSA [email protected]
Zebra Surfacing [email protected]
IMESAIMESA
IMIESA JULY 2012 9
NEWS
BLUE DROP ACCREDITATION and
the annual Blue Drop report and
awards have had a significant
impact on the water sector during
the last four years. The report is prompted
by the desire to be transparent and ensure
that credible information is communicated
between municipalities, the Department of
Water Affairs (DWA) and the end user.
This year, the DWA has clarified that:
• Blue Drop certification goes beyond the
quality of drinking water alone; it ventures
into other spheres such as risk manage-
ment, operations and asset management.
• If a small town does not have Blue Drop cer-
tification, this does not necessarily indicate
that the water is unsafe to drink.
• The 2012 report provides information on
the drinking water quality management
performance of all South African water
services authorities for the period: January
to December 2011.
• The certification programme is a non-volun-
tary, incentive-based regulatory initiative.
National overview• Limpopo: 79.4%
• North West: 78.7%
• Gauteng: 98.1%
• Mpumalanga: 60.9%
• KwaZulu-Natal: 92.1%
• Eastern Cape: 82.1%
• Western Cape: 94.2%
• Northern Cape: 68.2%
Eastern CapeBuffalo City Metropolitan Municipality is the
best performing municipality in the Eastern
Cape with support from Amatole Water Board
as its water service provider.
Free StateMatjhabeng Local Municipality is the best
performing municipality in the Free State with
support from Sedibeng Water Board as its
water service provider.
GautengEkurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality is the
best per forming municipality in Gauteng
with support from Rand Water as its water
service provider.
KwaZulu-NataleThekwini Metropolitan Municipality is the
best performing municipality in KwaZulu-Natal
Blue Drop analysis for 2012This year saw the fourth Blue Drop accreditation process come to fruition at the Blue Drop Awards, which was held in conjunction with the WISA 2012 conference and Exhibition. by Richard Jansen van Vuuren
BLUE DROP ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS (NATIONAL)Category 2009 2010 2011 2012
Municipalities audited 107 153 162 153
Water systems audited 402 787 914 931
Number of Blue Drop awards 25 38 66 98
National Blue Drop score 51.4% 67.2% 72.9% 87.6%
The Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA) and Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) have pleasure in inviting local, provincial and government/semi-government authorities and / or
their engineering consultants to submit entries for the 2012 biennial Project Excellence Awards competition.
Entry forms can be downloaded at: www.imesa.org.za/2012-excellence-awards/
Completed entries must be sent to Debbie Anderson at [email protected] before 31 July 2012
C ompleted entry forms must be submitted together with the hard copy submission and CD by 31 July 2012 to:
IMESA House, 2 Derby Place, WESTVILLE, 3629Tel: +27 (0)31 266 3263 for more information
IMESA
IMESA/CESA Excellence AwardsCALL FOR ENTRIES
IMIESA JULY 2012 11
NEWS
with support from Umgeni Water as its water
service provider.
LimpopoLephalale Local Municipality is the best per-
forming municipality in Limpopo with private
sector support from Exxaro and Eskom as its
water service providers.
MpumalangaSteve tshwete Local Municipality is the best
per forming municipality in Mpumalanga
with support from Eskom as its water
service provider.
North West Tlokwe City Council is the best performing
municipality in the North West.
Northern Cape Hantam Local Municipality is the best perform-
ing municipality in the Northern Cape.
Western CapeCity of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality
is the best performing municipality in the
Western Cape.
Speaking at the release of the National Blue
Drop Water Quality Assessment Report, the
Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs,
Edna Molewa, stated that water quality in the
country is a key priority for the DWA.
“We take our mandate as custodian of the
nation’s water resources very seriously and
we have, over the years, sought to perfect our
strategies and planning initiatives to ensure
only the best water is supplied to citizens,”
she stated.
Molewa highlighted that she is pleased that
South Africa’s tap water remains among the
best in the world, pointing out that South Africa
is one of only a handful of countries where
people can drink water directly from the tap.
“We are therefore committed to doing eve-
rything in our power to ensure this does not
change but instead improves further. The Blue
Drop certification programme is the depart-
ment’s own innovative means of regulation,
designed and implemented with the objective
of improving tap water quality management.
This is a flagship innovation of the department
and it has been embraced by the majority of
our municipalities over the past four years.
This is borne out by the marked improvement
in the submission of performance portfolios
by municipalities.
“I must however stress that a town or city
whose water is not given a Blue Drop cer-
tificate is not necessarily unsafe for human
consumption. The certificate is awarded as
an acknowledgement of excellent drinking
water quality management that surpasses the
requirements of national norms and standards
by a significant margin. In fact there are a num-
ber of water systems in many towns where the
water complies well with set standards, but
there are certain shortcomings identified with
the overall risk management aspect,” pointed
out Molewa.
The report of 2012 shows significant
improvements, which serves as evidence
of the positive impact this incentive-based
regulation approach is having on the South
African water sector. The first Blue Drop
report of 2009 indicated that the national
microbiological compliance for South African
tap water was measured at 93.3% against the
National Standard (SANS 241). Notably this
has increased to 97.3% in the 2012 reporting
cycle. The overall national drinking water com-
pliance figure is recorded at 98.93% (based
upon microbiological, chemical, physical and
organoleptic data).
Molewa has since drawn attention to what
has become a key performance area in the
Blue Drop assessment process: Water safety
planning. This is a fundamental component of
the Blue Drop certification programme; it was
introduced by the World Health Organisation
and first implemented in South Africa country
in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
PERFORMANCE LOG OF THE MUNICIPAL BLUE DROP SCORES FOR 2012 AND 2011Water services authority Province 2012 national log position Blue Drop score 2012 2011 national log position Blue Drop score 2011
Ekurhuleni Gauteng 1 98.95% 4 97.44%
City of Johannesburg Gauteng 2 98.92% 1 97.69%
Mogale City Gauteng 3 98.79% 8 96.19%
eThekwini KwaZulu-Natal 4 98.77% 13 95.71%
Tlokwe North West 5 98.45% 5 96.87%
City of Cape Town Western Cape 6 98.14% 2 97.61%
Bitou Western Cape 7 97.74% 9 96.12%
Witzenburg Western Cape 8 97.63% 3 97.56%
Randfontein Gauteng 9 97.54% 17 95.24%
George Western Cape 10 97.41% 7 96.26%
In 2011, it was reported that 154 systems
have water safety plans in place, while during
the 2012 audits it was confirmed that 579
water supply systems had water safety plans
in place.
The significance of water safety planning
is that it is a safety net to ensure people’s
lives are not placed at risk when issues of
contamination occur in the drinking water sup-
ply. An example of this is when contamination
of water occurred at Diepsloot in Gauteng;
because safety planning was in place, authori-
ties were able to shut down the water supply
until they were satisfied the water was again
safe to drink.
The department is measuring per formance
of municipalities on the key per formance
indicators of the Regulatory Per formance
Measurement System. This year, the depart-
ment released the Municipal Water Services
Per formance Assessment repor t together
with the Blue Drop report to allow the pub-
lic a view on the status of municipal water
services and allow the authorities to com-
pare their per formance with other similar
sized municipalities.
12 IMIESA JULY 2012
GOVERNMENT PERSPECTIVE
THE BACKLOG NOW STANDS at 5.3%,
or some 710 000 households, com-
pared to the 3.9 million households in
1994. This trend illustrates that the
government’s performance is on an upward
trend. In spite of this, there are still many
rural areas and informal settlements close
to our urban areas without water. Even more
worrying is the fact that there are areas where
post-1994 infrastructural deficiencies are still
characterised by taps that have run dry due
to poor maintenance or operational problems.
Such an unacceptable state of affairs dictates
that functional water infrastructure and quality
services to the remaining 5.3% of the popula-
tion become a task to be undertaken with a
sense of urgency. It is critical that our water
policies should support and act in unison with
the goals of a democratic developmental state.
We are conducting a policy review during this
financial year, in parallel with a review of the
three pieces of legislation that fall under our
jurisdiction: the National Water Act, the Water
Services Act and the Water Research Act.
The streamlining of these three pieces of
legislation will ensure that they too serve
the purposes of the developmental state
effectively and enable us to meet the needs
Streamlining legislation with developmentIn 1994, only 59% of the population had access to clean and safe drinking water. Eighteen years later, we have progressed to a national average of 94.7% with access to basic water services for all South Africans – an increase of 35.7%. By Edna Molewa, minister of water and environmental affairs
REJOICE MABUDAFHASI, the deputy minister of water and
environmental affairs, received the Global Award for Women
Leadership in Sustainable Development at the recently held
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil.
The award ceremony aimed to capture the spirit
and momentum of women’s and gender champions’
efforts toward equality and sustainability over the last
10 years.
The award is awarded for esteem work and dedica-
tion, and is bestowed in memoriam of Marie Aminata
Khan – previous executive head of the Convention on
Biological Diversity and human rights activist.
“In recognition of your extraordinary effort and contri-
bution towards equality and sustainability, we request
you to accept this award, as our gesture of appreciation
and inspiration,” said Cate Owren, executive director of
Women Environment and Development Organisation,
which jointly hosted the awards with the International Union of the
Conservation of Nation and Global Gender and Climate Alliance.
In her acceptance of the award, Mabudafhasi stated that she had
never seen her contribution to women empowerment and environmen-
tal protection as an award-seeking activity, for
her it simply pushes her to do more for the
plight of other women.
The award comes amidst mounting pres-
sures from gender and women’s group on
the negotiating and developing partners to
increase and scale up interventions aimed
at the emancipation of women, including the
‘women’ Millennium Development Goals of
water and sanitation.
of our people in relation to water services,
economic growth and development. Flowing
from this review, the effective involvement of
all stakeholders – particularly the poor and the
marginalised – in decision making processes
is one of the indispensable and critical com-
ponents that will ensure that we manage our
water in a way that supports the purposes of a
developmental state. To this end, we are find-
ing innovative ways to incorporate the inclusive
consultative and participatory mechanisms
in the law. Together, we owe it to future gen-
erations of our country to find viable ways to
ensure water security.
GLOBAL AWARD FOR DEPUTY MINISTER
LEFT Rejoice Mabudafhasi, the deputy minister of water and environmental Affairs
IMIESA JULY 2012 13
INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
THE AUTHOR of the book, Lani van
Vuuren, who is the editor of The Water
Wheel magazine, says her research
took her on a nationwide tour to meet
the people involved in the construction of
South Africa’s dams.
The book launch, held on 30 May, was
attended by many of the country’s most
experienced engineers who have first-hand
knowledge of South Africa’s largest and most
innovative dam projects.
The glossy, full-colour 340-page publica-
tion takes the reader on a journey through
the history of South Africa’s largest dams,
starting with the traditional attitudes and
indigenous knowledge around water resources
prior to European settlement and ending with
a glimpse into the future of dam building in
the country.
The vast majority of the population of this
country get its drinking water from dams, and
water from dams is used to generate electric-
ity, power industries and grow food. In fact,
South Africa has the largest number of dams
in Africa (over 500 large dams) and was at one
time one of the leading dam-building countries
in the world. Yet, few of us know which dams
serve us, how they got there and who built
them. The aim of the book is to educate and
raise awareness about the country’s dams.
The big era of dam construction is now over
and, apart from a few more projects, such as
the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands
Water Project, we are unlikely to see any new
large dam projects in future. They form an
important part of our national water heritage,
and just like other water infrastructure, such
as water and wastewater treatment works,
they need to be maintained and looked after.
We also need to use the water from the dams
wisely – to make sure the people who toiled
hard in the sun and extreme weather to build
them did not do so in vain.
“South Africa has developed a large per-
centage of its water resources and there will
be limited dam developments in the future.
However, we need to look after our multibil-
lion rand dam assets by way of maintenance
and rehabilitation,” says Danie Badenhorst,
chairperson of the South African National
Committee on Large Dams (SANCOLD).
“Dam safety is cardinal in this respect. Highly
developed skills are required for rehabilitation,
which is often more difficult than constructing
a new dam. SANCOLD and the International
Committee on Large Dams resources are in
place to assist with such skills and information
transfer,” explains Badenhorst.
“The book actually started as a series of
water history articles in The Water Wheel. I
first wanted to see how people would react to
the articles, and what the demand for such a
book would be. My first history article was on
the Hartbeespoort Dam, which was originally
completed in 1924, and it appeared in the
May/June 2008 edition of the magazine. I
have been researching dam-related history for
four years,” explains Van Vuuren.
On a lighter note, she points out that she
realised she had been working too long on
the book when the staff at the national library
began greeting her by her first name every time
she walked through the door!
“The book has confirmed to me that, like
other people working in the water sector, engi-
neers are hard-working, passionate people.
Every dam project they tackle they do so in
the hope that it will make a real difference to
people on the ground. Without our extremely
sophisticated water resources infrastructure
network, this country would not have been able
to develop. And for that we owe our engineers
a great deal,” maintains Van Vuuren.
Following four years of painstaking research, a comprehensive book about dams in South Africa, In the Footsteps of Giants – Exploring the History of South Africa’s large dams, is available from the Water Research Commission.
The history behind South Africa’s large dams
RIGHT Dr Theo von Robbroeck (honorary president: ICOLD); Dora Ndaba (board member: WRC); Lani van Vuuren; Dhesigen Naidoo (CEO: WRC); Drinie van Rensburg (multimedia publisher: WRC); and Danie Badenhorst (chairman: SANCOLD) at the launch of the book
ABOVE The cover of In the Footsteps of Giants – Exploring the History of South Africa’s large dams
IMIESA JULY 2012 15
OPINION
SIMULTANEOUSLY, SOUTH AFRICA
is losing qualified engineers to
other countries and disciplines.
And Sanral (South African National
Roads Agency Limited) almost lost a
valuable asset.
The loss of competent professionals is dam-
aging to South Africa, whether through a lack
of project roll-out, economic downturn, greener
pastures within and outside the country, or
personal frustration with inadequately quali-
fied government officials in charge of procure-
ment procedures. A concerted effort should
be made to avoid further loss of this scarce
resource. For South Africa to meet the needs
of service delivery to communities, it will be
imperative for all tiers of government to make
use of the existing resource, which primarily
consists of pale, ageing males with loads of
knowledge, experience and wisdom. The much
sought-after turnaround strategies, which have
been tried in recent years, can only come to
fruition with the application of this wisdom
through direct intervention, knowledge trans-
fer to young engineers through the ENERGYS
programme of the South African Institution
of Civil Engineering (SAICE) – this will affect
adequate and appropriate service delivery well
into the future.
What lies at the heart of producing civil
engineers with the professional expertise,
managerial competencies, experience and wis-
dom to start a world-class business/venture?
What is the impetus that would activate this
process? Where does the responsibility belong
– home, school, university or the industry? Are
mentoring and coaching the links to creating
this ‘creature’?
How does it work?Manglin Pillay, CEO of SAICE, sketches a scary
scenario: At a university of technology, the lec-
turer asks the cream of the crop of first year
civil engineering students: “How many degrees
in a half circle?” He points to a youngster
sitting in the third row. The student whispers
something; the lecturer draws closer and says:
“Louder please.” The student mumbles: “Sir, it
depends on the size of the half circle.”
In 2011, about 495 000 learners sat for
their matric examinations. Only 12% passed
both core maths and physical science with
more than 40%. This is the pool from where
all professions come to drink. According to
Allyson Lawless’ research document, Numbers
and Needs, about 1% of those who write this
examination will enter into tertiary engineering
programmes. However, if we think that the
threat to engineering sustainability is limited to
core maths and science performances and a
floundering education system, we are mislead-
ing ourselves.
“Engineers operate within a balance of group
work and focused independent work. Written,
spoken and visual communication is critical,
as are group dynamics. Asking questions and
challenging ideas are part of what we do. We
are professionally obliged to provide creative
and cost-effective solutions in a well thought
through process, in an ethical manner. It is not
up for debate – core maths, science, accuracy,
excellent general knowledge and appreciation
for local and national political and business
environments are absolute requirements. But
there are also those uncomfortable compo-
nents associated with emotional awareness:
respect, ethics and interdependent profes-
sional human relations. These are the people
issues – being able to effectively communicate
with the boss, other seniors, contemporaries
We are constantly confronted with the news that civil engineering is one of the priority scarce skills that South Africa needs to ensure the creation, maintenance and development of infrastructure that would lead to social and economic growth.
How many degrees in a half circle?
Only 12% passed both core maths and physical science with more than 40%
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IMIESA JULY 2012 17
and subordinates, under all circumstances,”
explains Pillay.
“I am not sure that the university can teach
coming to work on time, respecting com-
pany resources, having regard for seniors,
colleagues and clients, dressing appropriately
and such like. This used to emanate from
being part of a wholesome community, which
includes healthy family units, involvement in
faith-based organisations, schools and other
community-related avenues. Engineering sen-
iors need to take into account that many
engineering graduates come from single- or
no-parent homes. The challenge is enhanced
by the cultural differences that South Africa so
richly enjoys.
“Furthermore, learners are starting to suf-
fer serious written and spoken impediments.
Thanks to instant communication devices,
the English language, which is the dominant
engineering language in South Africa, is being
reduced to phonetic and guttural sounds.
‘Lrnrs cum ot of skol spelng lik dis… ROTFL’
[Learners come out of school spelling like
this… rolling on the floor laughing]. The inability
to converse or write is pervading young peo-
ple like a transmitted disease – what with
Facebook, SMSing, tweeting and other simi-
lar e-communication products available. The
instant information age is upon us, like a thief
in the night. I recently interviewed a young lady
and requested an essay on a pertinent civil
engineering issue. Chunks of the essay were
copied verbatim from online articles – Google
helped us both,” says Pillay. “Previously the
paradigm differences between the youth, the
middle-aged and seniors were limited to differ-
ences in appreciation of music, hobbies and
taste in clothing. But the youth and young engi-
neers think and communicate differently from,
say, 10 years ago. I have noticed, however, that
our training and development methods in the
engineering environment have remained almost
unchanged over the past 30 years – review the
report or drawing over and over again, write the
same lengthy compilations, advance the intel-
ligent engineering graduate, marginalise the
misfit and misunderstood graduates until they
leave,” asserts Pillay.
Being civil engineering professionals who
boast about being solution-oriented, finding
solutions for these complex issues should sure-
ly be a priority if South Africa intends on hav-
ing home-grown civil engineering professionals
answer the call for service delivery in future.
“While some wrestle the education system,
perhaps it’s time we recreated ourselves,
revised our operations and started accommo-
dating new succession planning methods for
sustainable civil engineering,” concludes Pillay.
Perhaps then the question: “How many
degrees in half a circle?” would not be
as daunting.
OPINION
Finding solutions for these complex issues should surely be a priority if South Africa intends on having home-grown civil engineering professionals
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IMIESA JULY 2012 19
WATER AND WASTEWATER
THE DAM, which has a planned capac-
ity of 300 million cubic metres, is the
14th largest in South Africa, and the
project – which began in 2008 and
was concluded in 2011 – was the second-
biggest in the company’s history.
According to Royden Webster, B&E
International’s director of operations, the task
was not without its challenges, especially
in light of the complex geology prevalent in
the region.
“The topography was very brown and soft,
and we had to remove more than 1.2 million
cubic metres of overburden to a depth of 17 m
to expose the material required for aggregate
production. To do the job in the shortest
possible time we brought in a 385 excavator
and four B40s to remove the overburden and
poorer quality material, and by November we
were able to assemble and commission the
crushing plant,” says Webster.
With construction poised to begin, the timing
was perfect for B&E International to com-
mence the production of 120 000 tpm.
The plant included nine crushers, three
Hydrasander washers, three washing screens
and five dry screens, all linked by a complex
but efficient network of conveyors.
Local geological conditions again caused
some initial production problems owing to
the variable quality of feed coming from
the quarry.
“We had to constantly change crusher set-
tings and alternate screens to stay within spec-
ification. However as our production increased
we were soon able to grow stockpiles to take
the pressure off,” explains Webster.
The urgency may have eased, but output was
prodigious. During the project life cycle, B&E
International produced nearly two million tonnes
Digging deep at the De Hoop Dam projectB&E International is continuing its long-standing relationship with the Department of Water Affairs after winning the contract for the supply of all aggregates to the De Hoop Dam scheme.
of aggregate and over a million tonnes of high
specification <4 mm washed sand, all of which
went into the construction of the dam wall.
In addition, its quarry supplied a further
87 000 t of G1 material for the construction of
the R555 by-pass around the dam. By the end
of the operation, the quarry footprint, which
will soon be under water, extended a massive
400 x 250 m.
This high level of productivity also helped the
national water regulator to stake its own claim
to fame by pouring over 133 000 m³ of con-
crete in 28 days, a new South African record.
“B&E International was one of our most
reliable and honest subcontractors, with a
‘first-time right’ approach. Aggregate was
delivered on time and within specification,”
says Department of Water Affairs’ design rep-
resentative, Jaco van Niekerk.
The dam is located near Steelpoort in the
water-stressed Sekhukhune region of the
Limpopo province.
ABOVE De Hoop Dam Primary Crushing Station RIGHT De Hoop Primary Screening Station
The task was not without its challenges, especially in light of the complex geology prevalent in the region
IMIESA JULY 2012 21
WATER AND WASTEWATER
THE MEULWATER WTW is a newly
constructed purification plant locat-
ed in the ecologically sensitive Paarl
Mountain Nature Reserve.
The plant, capable of treating 8 Mℓ of potable
water per day, is situated beneath the Paarl
Rock overlooking the Paarl valley below. To
ensure that the beauty of the surrounding land-
scape remains undisturbed, Meulwater WTW
required a system that would be both aestheti-
cally pleasing, and environmentally friendly.
“We supplied and installed automation equip-
ment for the plant filtration and backwash
recovery systems. The components form part
of a concept that ensures the plant can use a
hybrid centralised and decentralised approach
to control, implementing a ‘best of both worlds’
approach,” explains Brian Abbott, Festo prod-
uct manager.
The pneumatic equipment boasts a quiet
operation and uses clean compressed air
technology. The valve actuators are simple
in construction, with few moving parts, and
have a long life expectancy. The system also
features low energy requirements, all of which
contribute significantly to the ‘green’ aspect of
the system.
“Festo installed key products due to their
reliability and ability to minimise long-term
maintenance,” notes Abbott.
The system comprises polyimide air reticula-
tion piping from compressors to valve termi-
nals, to minimise air leaks, simplify installa-
tion and increase longevity through its high
corrosion resistance, as well as MPA valve
terminal technology from Festo that ensures
that all pilot valves controlling compressed air
to the actuators are centralised and protected
from the harmful elements of the environ-
ment – weather, UV lights and moisture, for
example. Festo PLN flexible tubing from the
valve terminals to the actuators also offers
high resistance to UV sunlight, thus increas-
ing durability even more. Service units and
automatic moisture purge valves were installed
at key locations to maintain instrument air qual-
ity at all times.
“The Meulwater WTW installation is another
example of the type of complete automation
solutions that Festo is proud to offer custom-
ers in addition to our traditional pneumatic
products,” maintains Abbott.
Innovative automation equipment for purifi cation plantFesto South Africa was subcontracted by Bateman Engineering Technologies to supply and install a state-of-the-art pneumatic system for Meulwater Water Treatment Works (WTW).
RIGHT The state-of-the-art pneumatic system in the Meulwater Water Treatment Works
FAR RIGHT The pneumatic equipment boasts a quiet operation, uses clean compressed air technology and the valve actuators are simple in construction, with a long life expectancy. The system has low energy requirements
ABOVE The automation equipment for the plant filtration and backwash recovery systems form part of a hybrid centralised and decentralised approach to control
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IMIESA JULY 2012 23
WATER AND WASTEWATER
HYDROSCREW IS manufactured by
WAMGROUP’s Italian sister com-
pany Roncuzzi and is an environ-
mentally-friendly and cost-effective
reversible volumetric machine designed for
the production of electrical energy by con-
verting hydro energy into mechanical energy.
WAM South Africa general manager, Emilie
Marchand, explains that the Hydroscrew is
ideal for numerous applications, including
the replacement of damaged water-wheels,
clean water discharge in wastewater treatment
plants, utilisation of water power in channels
and for process water in paper and water mill-
ing applications.
“The operation of the machine is based on
the difference in potential energy between two
varying points in a water flow. Thanks to the
drop from the highest point of its natural flow,
the water is used by
the rotor to transform
the energy, before
flowing back to its
bed,” she explains.
“The Hydroscrew is
fed by the weight of the water, which moves
from top to bottom by force of gravity. The
mechanical energy generated by the liquid
Hydroscrew introduced to SAA new hydrodynamic screw has been introduced to the South African market by WAMGROUP, an internationally recognised specialist in the manufacture of screw conveyors and various bulk material handling and processing equipment.
ABOVE Hydroscrew is placed into a river or stream with a minimum decline of 1 m and a weir is built to divert water into the screw
moving the rotor is transformed into electric
energy by a power generator, which is connect-
ed through a panel to the local power network.”
Marchand notes that the Hydroscrew can be
placed into a river or stream with a minimum
decline of 1 m and a weir is built to divert water
into the screw.
“While one single machine is able to produce
up to 300 kW of renewable energy and can
handle a head of up to 6 m and a flow rate of
up to 7 000 ℓ/s, several machines can be com-
bined to handle more water or higher heads”
she continues.
“The operation of the machine is based on the difference in potential energy between two varying points in a water fl ow”
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IMIESA JULY 2012 25
WATER AND WASTEWATER
A WATER QUALITY STUDY, conducted
by Dr Jan Roos from Water Quality
Consultants in Bloemfontein, has
found that Kamfers Dam’s water
quality has deteriorated significantly. According
to Roos, the Kamfers Dam aquatic system is
under severe pressure because of a massive
cyanobacterial (algal) bloom and extreme oscil-
lations in oxygen concentrations driven by poor
water quality.
Not only is the water quality the worst it
has ever been, the water is reported to be at
its highest level. More than two-thirds of the
Lesser Flamingos’ breeding island remains
flooded and two important railway lines are
at risk. “This is a disaster,” explained Jahn
Hohne, chairman of the Save the Flamingo
Association. “Kimberley is about to lose one
of its most important assets and tourist attrac-
tions and the massive displays of thousands of
flamingos which greet visitors as they arrive in
Kimberley may soon be gone forever.”
Water qualityAccording to Roos, the nitrogen, ammonium,
fluoride and phosphates of the inflowing sew-
age water are exceptionally high and way
above the Department of Water Affairs’ allow-
able standards. The non-compliance to treat-
ment standards by the Homevale sewerage
treatment works is still the biggest problem
to ensure an acceptable water quality in
Kamfers Dam.
Kamfers Dam is a nutrient-enriched system
because of an excessive inflow of nutrients
(sewage) and consequent high algal biomass.
The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), for
example, in the discharge water is very high
(206 mg/ℓ) and above the maximum allowable
limit of 75 mg/ℓ. The composition of algae
is changing from mainly blue green algae,
Spirulina platensis, which is the dominant food
of the Lesser Flamingos, to Chlorella, one of
The rising levels of the Kamfers Dam have been flooding a major railway line in the Northern Cape, affecting its stability. The rising levels have also begun flooding the Lesser Flamingos’ breeding island in the dam, causing a deterioration of the water quality.
New rising main, pipelines and pump station for Kamfers Dam
the green algae – leaving room for concern that
toxin-producing algae, such as Microcystis, may
also soon be present in this polluted wetland.
Of further concern is that faecal coliform
bacteria in the outflow water were unacceptably
high (>241 900 cfu/100 mℓ) and too numer-
ous to count at the Institute for Ground Water
Studies laboratory in Bloemfontein. The gen-
eral limit for faecal coliform in sewage effluent
is 1 000 cfu/100 mℓ. These bacteria are often
an indication of human pathogens in the water,
so people who come into contact with the water
could be in danger of being infected with sev-
eral diseases. The E coli concentrations were
also too numerous to count.
WWTW upgradeThe rising water level resulted in the flooding
of the island and thousands of chicks drowned
and eggs were lost. The Homevale WWTW has
been fixed at a cost of R60 million, hence water
of a significantly improved quality will be flowing
into Kamfers Dam. The pipeline, which will be
used to pump excess treated water away from
Kamfers Dam, is currently undergoing reha-
bilitation. The dam’s water level will therefore
be maintained at an acceptable level, which
means no flooding of the flamingo breeding
island and surrounding railway lines.
Project overviewThe rising main, pump station and gravity south
and north pipelines was a combined effort of
Sol Plaatjes Municipality and Transnet. The
contractor, Entsha Henra Construction, was
commissioned to carry out the installation, and
it purchased the pipes from Fiberpipe.
Fiberpipe supplied the physical pipes and fit-
tings for all the phases as well as trained the
contractors’ staff on the proper installation of
the glass reinforced pipes (GRP). In addition,
the company provided a monitoring service
to ensure that installation procedures were
correctly adhered to and provided technical
assistance to the contractor.
For the performance required from the pipe-
line, GRP was decided upon as the best
material – complying with technical and design
requirements – and was the rated the most
economical. The installation of GRP is also
much quicker. The cost of the pipes for this
project was R35 million.
IMIESA JULY 2012 27
WATER AND WASTEWATER
WWTW UPGRADE AND EXPANSION ON TRACK
Zeekoegat WWTW complete by year endThe construction and commissioning of Stage 1 of the upgrading and expansion of Tshwane’s Zeekoegat Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) is on schedule for completion in November this year.
BELOW An aerial view of the construction of Zeekoegat Wastewater Treatment Works
28 IMIESA JULY 2012
WATER AND WASTEWATER
THIS IS ACCORDING to Pierre van
Vuuren, Concor Civils’ contracts man-
ager responsible for this contract,
which is being carried out in joint
venture with Power Construction. Concor Civils
forms part of Murray & Roberts Construction.
“Completion will be two years from project
start-up in October 2010, which is six months
ahead of the scheduled contract period,” Van
Vuuren says.
Work on the stressed 30 Mℓ/d plant has
been split into four stages for budgetary
reasons. Stage 1 comprises the construction
of a new 40 Mℓ/d biological nutrient removal
activated sludge module.
The elements of the first stage comprise
additional screens and degritting chambers
at the existing inlet works; three primary
settling tanks; 10 000 m³ balancing tank;
30 000 m³ biological nutrient removal reactor
with associated air blowers, diffusers and pipe
work; four secondary settling tanks; chlorine
contact tank; various small pump stations
and sumps; all interconnecting pipework and
valves; and the upgrading of the bulk electrical
and reticulation systems.
“The project started on 21 October 2010
and from November to March 2011 we record-
ed 476 mm of rain, causing a delay as a result
of the works being flooded.”
A challenge of a more technical nature com-
prised setting up the formwork to allow for the
varying angles of walls to accommodate the
design shape of the bioreactor. One side of
the wall is vertical, while the other side is at
an angle. In addition, the angles are different
where walls cross. A total of 46 572 m² of
formwork is required for Stage 1.
The Concor Civils/Power Construction JV
has set up a batch plant on site to produce
the 14 239 m³ of concrete required for stage
one of the project. Concrete mix designs were
finalised with the assistance of Cyril Atwell,
concrete and research manager at Murray &
ABOVE Concor Civils is constructing two identical biological reactors, each capable of handling 20 Mℓ/day. The reactors are being configured to incorporate several different process configurations. A diffused aeration system will be installed because it is more energy efficient
LEFT Concor chlorine contact channels at Zeekoegat. The new chlorine contact tank will have the capacity to handle total flow of 85 Mℓ/d and has been split in two separate units to allow disinfection to take place when one unit is out of operation for maintenance
IMIESA JULY 2012 29
WATER AND WASTEWATER
WINNING TEAM FOR THE ZEEKOEGAT PROJECT
BAKV3 joint venture is the professional service provider
appointed by the City of Tshwane for the design and
supervision of the Zeekoegat Wastewater Treatment
Works.
The joint venture consists of the following:
- Bigen Africa Services (Pty) Ltd;
- Worley Parsons (formerly KV3 Engineers); with
- DJJ Conradie as electrical and electronic subconsultant
The appointed contractor is a joint venture of Murray and
Roberts and Power Construction as the main contractor,
and they are supported by Lektratek (as mechanical
subcontractors) and EDSE (electrical).
The team is proud to be responsible for
of Tshwane.
Enquiries: Mr Corrie Marx
012 842 8786
Roberts Group. AfriSam’s high-strength cement from the company’s
Roodepoort blending plant is used for the concrete mix and aggre-
gates are supplied from its Olifantsfontein quarry.
Van Vuuren points out that the concrete mix design is stipulated
at 35 MPa. An average strength of between 45 and 48 MPa is being
achieved after 28 days.
The Concor Civils/Power Construction JV has overall respon-
sibility for all aspects of the first stage of the project, including
electrical and electronic
(subcontracted to EDSE) and
mechanical (subcontracted to
Lektratek Water). The plant
will be fully automated with
a SCADA system controlling
operational parameters.
The consulting engineers,
BAKV3 – a joint venture com-
prising Bigen Africa, KV3 (the
latter now part of the interna-
tional Worley Parsons Group)
and DJJ Conradie as specialist
electrical consultant – were briefed to plan the project to ensure there
was an overlap of work on each of the stages.
David Turner, divisional director responsible for water and waste-
water treatment at Worley Parsons, says the overall objectives of the
four-part project are to increase plant capacity from 30 to 85 Mℓ/d,
improve the quality of effluent entering the Roodeplaat Dam to meet
more stringent phosphate limits of 0.035 mg/ℓ in order to better
manage the treatment of raw water into potable water and to upgrade
sludge handling capabilities at Zeekoegat to comply with the latest leg-
islation. The contract also specifies the creation of job opportunities.
“The BAKV3 JV was appointed to undertake the detailed design and
supervision of the entire upgrading and extension of the Zeekoegat
plant. The completion of the overall project is set for 2015/16,”
he explains.
The plant will be fully automated with a SCADA system controlling operational parameters
ABOVE One of the four 35 m diameter secondary settling tanks being constructed at the Zeekoegat Wastewater Treatment Works by Concor Civils
ABOVE One of three new primary settling tanks measuring 25 m in diameter. The tanks will be equipped with rotating bridges and scrapers
30 IMIESA JULY 2012
WATER AND WASTEWATER
EARLIER THIS YEAR the deputy min-
ister of Water and Environmental
Af fairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi,
announced the 2012 winners
of the Water Conservation and
Water Demand Management
Sector Awards.
Through the awards, the
department seeks to create
a platform and an enabling
environment for all role play-
ers and stakeholders from all
sectors to start appreciating
and understanding the impor-
tance of conserving water.
This is the third event of its type that rec-
ognises excellence in the field of water con-
servation and demand management, and this
year 44 nominations were received across
four categories, namely:
• agriculture
• industry, mining and power
• domestic or local government
• business.
In the local government category, 15 entries
were received and the top three received
awards on the evening. Johan Vorster and
Slindokuhle Habede from Ekurhuleni were
2012 National Water Conservation The Department of Water Affairs has a vision of a South Africa that has an embedded and actively applied culture of water conservation and water demand management in which all sectors share water resources in an equitable and sustainable manner.
AR the deputy min-
and Environmental
ce Mabudafhasi,
e 2012 winners
on and
ment
e
e
g
y-
all
ng
or-The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng was named the overall winner in the Local Government Sector
IMIESA JULY 2012 31
WATER AND WASTEWATER
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Kerbs Dry-casting means no exposed aggregate or blowholes on the
surface of our kerbs. present to receive the top honour in the most competitive category
of the annual Water Demand Management (WDM)awards. The award
was presented in recognition of its revenue meter enhancement
project involving the investigation and consolidation of the Top
500 consumers.
This project is one of the largest industrial meter auditing projects
undertaken to date in Africa as it involves the main industrial areas
of Ekurhuleni, which in turn includes some of the largest industries
in South Africa.
The project has been highly successful in identifying the numerous
broken or missing water meters which have since been replaced
or repaired where necessary. In this manner, Ekurhuleni intends to
ensure that all water supplied to its large consumers is properly
measured and billed each month. The increase in revenue from this
exercise is such that it has a pay-back period of between six months
and a year, making it one of the most effective water demand man-
agement interventions in the overall WDM programme.
Tshwane Metro came second in the local government category
after finishing first in the previous award event, held two years ago,
Awards
LEFT The City of Tshwane, came 2nd in the Local Government Sector. Pictured are Trevor Westman, Nico Schmulian and Darryl Cassell from City of Tshwane, together with some of the WRP team members who supported Tshwane on its WDM efforts
ABOVE The Drakenstein Municipality in the Western Cape received recognition for its implementation of an indigent leak-repair programme to save water and promote efficient use among households in the town of Saron, located in Paarl. Pictured are Andre Kowalewski and Raymond Vermeulen
This project is one of the largest industrial meter auditing projects undertaken to date
WATER AND WASTEWATER
32 IMIESA JULY 2012
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and was recognised for its continued WDM
interventions that have helped to reduce
its water losses and non-revenue water to
approximately 25%, which is one of the low-
est for any major city in South Africa. Trevor
Westman from the City of Tshwane was pre-
sent to receive the award on behalf of the
city, and it was the first time that any city has
been recognised in consecutive years for its
WDM effor ts. Tshwane is aiming to reduce its
leakage levels even fur ther in years to come
and has created an internal unit dedicated to
the efficient use of water throughout the city.
The third award was presented to Andre
Kowalewski from the Drakenstein Municipality
in the Western Cape. This was the first time
that Drakenstein received recognition for its
effor ts in the WDM field, having beaten many
of the large municipalities and metros such
as City of Cape Town. Kowalewski has been
actively involved in reducing water wastage
for many years, with his municipality being
one of the first in the Western Cape to
introduce pressure management on a large
scale using some of the most advanced
equipment available, imported from Europe.
Drakenstein has driven its non-revenue water
down to approximately 10%, making it one
of the lowest levels in South Africa. The
award was presented in recognition of the
municipality’s recent effor ts to lower leak-
ages even fur ther in specific areas that expe-
rienced very high levels of plumbing leakage
within the households. This is a problem
issue in many par ts of South Africa and the
effor ts of Kowalewski demonstrate that pro-
gress can be made on a sustainable basis if
properly implemented.
In summary it was a very positive outcome,
par ticularly for Tshwane with its second place
overall. In addition, all three winners are
being supported by the Pretoria-based WRP
Consulting Engineers and its local subsidiary
4Water in the case of Klein Drakenstein. This
is the third time in a row that a project sup-
por ted by WRP has taken the top honours in
the national awards with previous recipients
being Emfuleni Local Municipality and the City
of Tshwane. The awards are becoming more
prestigious each year and cer tainly one of the
top accolades in the Water Conservation and
Water Demand Management arena.
Drakenstein has driven its non-revenue water down to approximately 10%, making it one of the lowest levels in South Africa
IMIESA JULY 2012 33
WATER AND WASTEWATER
TO ASSIST WITH the task, the West
Coast District Municipality (WCDM)
has appointed leading consult-
ing engineers and scientists SRK
Consulting to assess the current situation and
propose a strategy going forward, in keeping
with the National Environmental Management
Integrated Coastal Management Act (No 24
of 2008).
The work, which focuses on preparing and
adopting a municipal coastal management
programme, will involve the local municipalities
of Bergrivier, Cederberg, Matzikama, Saldanha
Bay and Swartland.
According to Scott Masson, environmental
consultant for SRK in the Cape Town office,
the status quo assessment is the first phase
of the project and will investigate aspects
such as coastal livelihoods, the management
of marine living resources, sustainable and
unsustainable coastal development, sources
of pollution and waste management, and
Managing the coastal zone The West Coast District Municipality is getting to grips with the management of the coastal zone in a sustainable and integrated way.
access to the coast. “This will include look-
ing at aspects of coastal management pro-
grammes within and outside South Africa and
practices and procedures at municipal and
provincial level,” says Masson. “We will also
be evaluating the capacity of the five local
municipalities and the district municipality to
address the requirements of the Act.”
Input from the private sector, parastatals
and civil society has already been gleaned
through a series of stakeholder workshops,
to identify key areas of concern and start
building a common vision to manage the
coastal zone.
In the second phase of the project, a strat-
egy will be developed to address the priority
issues, clarify the roles and responsibilities of
various relevant state agencies, and consider
the costs and benefits of priority options. It
will also lead to the establishment of a
Municipal Coastal Committee to help imple-
ment the strategy.
“In the third and final stage of the work, the
current by-laws governing the management of
the coast will be evaluated and a new coastal
management by-law will be drafted to address
priority issues,” explains Masson.
ABOVE Stakeholders provide input at a series of workshops held along the coast
BELOW Main beach at Yzerfontein
BOTTOM Illegal coastal access between Doringbaai and Standfontein
34 IMIESA JULY 2012
WATER INFRASTRUCTURENo need for Maintenance
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Meter complies with (SABS) now NRCS approval for billing
KROHNE – Water engineering is our world.
THIS CAME TO LIGHT after the minister of Water Affairs, Edna
Molewa, replied in writing to a parliamentary question. In it she
stated that the 14 water service authorities in the province
had lost, in total, more than 22 million cubic metres of water
each month in the past financial year.
This was out of the 55.5 million cubic metres of water that were
pumped into the province’s supply systems each month during the
period 1 July 2011 to the end of April 2012.
The term “lost” includes pipe leakage and illegal abstraction, as well
as water not billed for by the authority.
According to an annexure attached to Molewa’s reply, the authority
with the highest loss was the Newcastle Local Municipality, which lost,
on average, about 70% of its input a month. Of the 1.83 million cubic
metres put into its water system each month, 1.28 million was lost.
The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality lost 9.39 million cubic
metres of the 26.15 million cubic metres put into its system each
month (35%).
Annualising the total of the monthly averages for all 14 of the authori-
ties gives a total loss for the year of about 266.4 million cubic metres.
In comparison, the capacity of the province’s Midmar Dam is 235 mil-
lion cubic metres. The water losses are also almost twice as large as
the gross storage volume of the new Spring Grove Dam, which is being
built on the Mooi River and expected to be completed next year.
Water authorities in the province are also looking to the desalination
of sea water to help augment supply in what they describe as a “very
stressed” system.
It has been revealed that 40% of KwaZulu-Natal’s water supply water is being lost.
KZN losing 40% of its water
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
IMIESA JULY 2012 35
THE CENTRE OF Expertise is hosted by eThekwini Water and
Sanitation (EWS), the water utility for the greater Durban
area, and will introduce innovations and best practices to the
Southern African water and sanitation sector. It is an initiative
by EWS and Dutch parties Vitens-Evides International, World Waternet,
Wateropleidingen and Your Man on Site.
Through the centre, a series of pilot projects will be executed to show-
case the implementation of new technologies and facilitate knowledge
transfer. For the individual pilot projects, contributions and support
from various partners will be combined. The Centre of Expertise, which
aims to unlock innovative solutions for the benefit of the Southern
African water sector, is partly funded by the Dutch government through
the Transition Facility.
Targets for the centre include improving the performance of Southern
Africa’s peer utilities and assist in implementing innovations, best prac-
tices and technologies.
EWS and the Dutch partners are aiming to establish a long-lasting
cooperation. The partnership program will run for a four-year term,
which will act as a general framework for the individual activities,
projects and pilots. The initial focus is on non-revenue water, asset
management, sanitation and the reduction of energy consumption. Four
pilot projects have already started for 2012 and more exciting develop-
ments are waiting to be explored.
The ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Andre Haspels, and the head of eThekwini Water and Sanitation, Neil Macleod, have launched a Centre of Expertise.
Innovations and best practices boosted
TOP RIGHT Neil Macleod, head of EWS, and Andre Haspels, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
BELOW Neil Macleod, head of EWS; Hugo von Meijenfeldt, deputy director general and special envoy for climate change within the Dutch ministry of environment and ministry of foreign affairs; and Andre Haspels, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, at the launch of the centre
MANGAUNG
36 IMIESA JULY 2012
THE MANGAUNG CITY council identi-
fied the need for additional storage
capacity in the south of Bloemfontein.
Funded by the Development Bank of
Southern Africa and the Urban Settlement
Development Grant of Mangaung Municipality,
construction of the new Longbridge Reservoir
rings in at a total cost of R61 million.
The scope of works includes:
• the erection of a large 45 Mℓ prestressed
concrete reservoir
• bulk earthworks (excavation and backfilling)
Construction of the 45 Mℓ Longbridge Reservoir, with pipeline links to neighbouring suburbs, is currently under way.
New reservoir for Bloemfontein
MANGAUNG
IMIESA JULY 2012 37
Tel: 082 6777 469 / 487 • E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.corestruc.co.za
Design and construction of precast concrete structures
Corestruc is the industry leader in South Africa at providing more cost effective design and construction methods in shorter time schedules. Associated companies Coreslab precast concrete manufacturing and Twin Structures steel construction allows Corestruc the opportunity to provide clients with a total structural solution. The experienced and extremely innovative and competent design team combined with the precast concrete and structural steel factories allows Corestruc the opportunity to construct the most economical structure for clients who in the past only had the option in South Africa of the conventional in-situ concrete method.
• sub-reservoir drains
• inlet and outlet structures
• valve chambers and linking pipelines
• automatic level control valves
• a portion of a decommissioned existing
700 mm Ø cement mortar lined steel pipe-
line will be excavated and relaid as part of
the works
• provision has been made for a concrete
block paving access road, utilising local
labour where possible.
Project designThe proposed reservoir is a 45 Mℓ circular
reservoir with an internal diameter of 76.3 m
measured at the base of the wall. The wall
height is 11.3 m, with the internal face sloping
from a 700 mm thickness at the bottom to a
350 mm thickness at the top of the wall. The
wall is designed as a prestressed concrete
wall with a sliding base on elastomeric bearing
at the bottom and the roof slab supported on
elastomeric bearings at the top.
The roof will be a precast structure includ-
ing columns, beams and roof slabs. The floor
slab is 200 mm thick and is divided into 10 m
x 10 m reinforced concrete panels centred
on column positions, with expansion joints
between the panels. The wall, on the other
hand, is founded on a circular foundation on
dolerite, which is expected to be found at a
depth varying between 1.4 and 1.7 m. The floor
is to be founded on engineered layer works onto
dolerite rock.
Corestruc became involved in the project
after an alternative design to the roof structure
was proposed to Ruwacon, the main contrac-
tors on the project. The alternative design
proposed a precast prestressed concrete roof
structure instead of the proposed in situ roof
structure. Ruwacon found it financially viable to
appoint Corestruc as a subcontractor as it was
competitive in both direct costs and timesaving.
The bases, foundations, walls and floors of the
reservoir are done in situ. The roof structure
(columns, beams and roof slabs) of the reser-
voir is a precast structure done by Corestruc.
The roof slab consists of 4 750 m2 prestressed
250 mm hollow core slabs with a span of 11 m
between the beam centres. The roof structure
was designed by Corestruc’s engineers and
approved by VBL Engineers and Bigen Africa.
The dominating materials used in the construc-
tion are in situ concrete for the foundation and
walls, precast cement for the columns, beams
and roof slabs, stainless steel for all the internal
pipework, and steel for all the external pipework.
Construction commenced on 27 October
2011 and the estimated completion date is 27
August 2013.
PROJECT TEAMClient Mangaung Local Municipality
Civil engineer Bigen Africa
Contractor Ruwacon
ABOVE AND RIGHT Construction of the new R61 million Longbridge Reservoir in Mangaung
MANGAUNG
38 IMIESA JULY 2012
ANDRIES PRETORIUS STREET is cur-
rently one of the main arterial streets
in Mangaung, Bloemfontein. It pro-
vides access between the city centre
and the N1, the north-western outskirts of
Bloemfontein, Noordhoek residential area and
the Hilton industrial area, and traffic volumes
are high on this four-lane street. The project
includes the rehabilitation and upgrading of
2.2 km of the street, redesigning and construc-
tion of the traffic circle at the intersection with
Willcocks Street, as well as the upgrading
of the Alexandra Avenue intersection. Various
other intersections with turning lanes will also
be upgraded.
Commissioned by the Mangaung Metropolitan
Municipality and funded by the Urban Settlement
Development Grant, the project mainly includes
limited excavation of unsuitable pavement
layers, in situ reconstruction of the existing
layers, construction of a new base layer, and
asphalt surfacing. Concrete block paving will
be constructed at the traffic circle. Ancillary
works include stormwater kerb-inlets and
pipes, concrete kerbing and channeling, road
signs, the relocation of traffic signal lights and
underground services.
Andries Pretorius Street backgroundRiding quality of the existing street is exception-
ally poor due to pavement failures and numerous
patches, making it clear that the pavement has
reached the end of its design life. The rounded
shape of the existing street creates an undesir-
able large cross slope on the outside lanes,
High traffic volumes in Andries Pretorius Street, Mangaung, resulted in the
rehabilitation of 2.2 km of road network, including intersections.
R29.6 million upgrade ANDRIES PRETORIUS STREET
ABOVE Completed G1 base layer in Section 1
IMIESA JULY 2012 39
MANGAUNG
which will also be improved with the upgrading of
the street. The current geometrical layout of the
traffic circle is not suitable for large trucks and
high traffic volumes, and requires upgrading to
facilitate smooth traffic flow during peak hours.
Traffic impact during constructionConstruction commenced on 13 February 2012
and will continue for approximately 12 months.
Although a concerted effort is being made by
the contractor to keep traffic disruptions to a
minimum, construction work has to be carried
out on half of the street while traffic is accommo-
dated on the other half. Two of the existing four
lanes of the street will thus have to be closed for
construction purposes. The remaining two lanes
will be used to accommodate the traffic in both
directions. Construction will be carried out in sec-
tions, meaning that only a portion of the road will
be partially closed for traffic at any given time.
Challenges experiencedAs with the most urban construction projects,
the relocation of municipal and other services
poses a major challenge. Numerous shallow
copper pipe house connections need to be
lowered before major construction of the layer
works can commence. Other services include
the relocation of fibre optic cables, a main water
pipe and electrical high mast lights.
It is also interesting to note that the pres-
ence of a rock layer on one side of the road,
approximately 200 mm below the existing sur-
facing, suggests that it could have been the
foundation of an old tramline. The rock layer
is being removed where it is too shallow and
encroaches into the new in situ reconstructed
sub-base layer.
Construction materialsThe pavement design makes
provision for the existing
base and sub-base layers
to be in situ reconstructed
and stabilised with cement
as the new sub-base. Where
unsuitable in situ materials
are encountered, these will be excavated and
replaced with imported natural G5-G6 gravel
material. A new base layer of imported G1
crushed stone will be constructed on the recy-
cled sub-base. Continuously graded asphalt will
be constructed as the final surfacing layer.
Concrete paving blocks, which have to com-
ply with a high durability specification, will be
installed at the traffic circle. Significant quanti-
ties of concrete are being used in the kerbing
and stormwater channeling along the recon-
structed street.
PROJECT TEAMClient Mangaung Local Municipality
Civil engineer Vela VKE
Contractor Q-Civils/Jodan Construction JV
RIGHT Preparation for cement stabilisation of sub-base layer in Section 2 (traffic accommodated on inbound lanes)
FAR RIGHT Indication of the condition of the existing road to be rehabilitated
www.velavke.co.zawww.smec.com
40 IMIESA JULY 2012
SOL PLAATJE
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Sol Plaatje Municipality commissioned the upgrade of
the Ritchie WWTW as it was hydraulically overloaded
and only running at a capacity of 0.5 Mℓ/d.
Hydraulic capacity increase
KIMBERLEY WWTW
VELA VKE’S BLOEMFONTEIN office
is currently responsible for the
design and site supervision of
the Ritchie Wastewater Treatment
Works (WWTW) upgrading, which forms part
of the infrastructure upgrade by Sol Plaatje
Municipality – initialised by the executive
director of Infrastructure and Services, Boy
Dhluwayo. Situated on the town of Ritchie in
the Northern Cape, the WWTW currently con-
sists of only oxidation dams, which are being
used with a capacity of 0.5 Mℓ/d and was in
need of an urgent upgrade. It was therefore
necessary for the hydraulic capacity of the
WWTW to be increased to 2 Mℓ/d.
Project overviewThe current inflow at Ritchie WWTW consists
of mainly residential sewerage that enters
the works from a pump station – no gravity
inflows take place.The WWTW was designed
and constructed in a cost-effective manner
without compromising quality or construction
standards – to comply with national govern-
ment’s obligation to uplift community hygiene
standards andother general expectations.
The current works consist of:
• a primary pond of 13 000 kℓ and 1.3 m deep
• a secondary pond of 19 500 kℓ and 1.3 m deep
• two tertiary ponds, each 800 kℓ and
1.3 m deep
• three tertiary ponds of 2 300 kl, 1.3 m deep.
• two anaerobic ponds, each 1 450 kℓ and
4.3 m deep
The upgrading of Ritchie WWTW comprises of
the following three sections:
1. WWTW design and constructionThe works are currently being upgraded ade-
quately to treat an average dry weather flow of
2 Mℓ/d. The proposed Ritchie upgrade entails
the following process elements:
• construction of a truck dump facility
• construction of new inlet works complete with
mechanical screen and manual standby screen
• two duty/standby horizontal flow grit channels
• inlet flow measuring station based on
BS3680 flume
• upgrading of the two existing anaerobic
ponds to 1 450 kℓ concrete activated sludge
reactors, complete with mixing, surface aera-
tion, mixed liquor and sludge recirculation
• construction of a new 16-diameter clarifier
downstream of the two reactors for effluent
clarification, settling and return of sludge
from the clarifier to the anoxic reactor
• use of primary ponds as contact tank and
maturation ponds after chlorine dosing
• flow from the last chlorination/maturation
pond will be released to the adjacent vlei area
BELOW Excavation of existing anaerobic ponds for upgrade to concrete-lined activated sludge reactors
SOL PLAATJE
IMIESA JULY 2012 41
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• a new measuring station
• last three ponds will be reconstructed and used as sludge lagoons
• electrical infrastructure complete with office buildings
• new 200 KVA, with a supply voltage of 400 V – Eskom line was built to
supply the works.
2. Erection of a security fence around the WWTWA security fence is being constructed to prevent unauthorised access
to the works site, while at the same time to protect the community of
Ritchie from injuries associated with the treatment works. Flat razor
mesh security fences (1.8 m high) with access gates are being installed.
A new guardhouse consisting of a store room and operators control
room was also newly build at the entrance gate.
3. Construction of a 2 km gravel access road to the WWTWThe need to upgrade the access road to the WWTW was also identified.
Construction is currently under way and once complete will accommo-
date heavy vehicle traffic (sewer tanker trucks and waste compactor
trucks), which travel to the WWTW and landfill site on a daily basis. The
road consists of three layers with a final layer of 150 mm, C4 material
compacted to 98% MOD AASHTO. A section of road of about 140 m
starts adjacent to the current township and will be constructed with
kerbs and channelling. The road also includes two stormwater culverts
consisting of three 900 x 450 mm box culverts.
Project fundingThe project is funded from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, and a
community project steering committee was formed to liaise with the
contractor. This committee represents the interests of the community
during the course of the construction and takes decisions on its behalf.
Another objective identified by the client was to identify suitable local
residents during construction for transferred skills training (in the vari-
ous aspects of the construction) and to be trained as operators on the
new plant. The estimate full construction amount will be R17.82 million
(excluding VAT).
ProgressConstruction is currently on track with 36% of the work complete and
an anticipated final completion date of 31 August 2012. Although Vela
PROJECT TEAMClient Sol Plaatje Local Municipality
Civil engineer Vela VKE
Contractor WEC Projects
VKE still envisages several engineering challenges ahead, the biggest
concern is the time frame and unruly community problems, which the
contractor is encountering. The company is, however, confident that the
project will be completed on time and within budget.
ABOVE New clarifier construction under way
42 IMIESA JULY 2012
PROJECT NEWS
GIBB-CC JV IS responsible for the
design of the dam, the intake
tower, outlet works and raw water
pump station, which are the work-
ing elements of the dam.
The main objective of the Metolong Dam
Water Supply Programme (MDWSP) is to sup-
ply potable water for domestic and industrial
use, to Maseru and the neighbouring towns
of Roma, Mazenod, Morija and Teyateyaneng.
The construction of the dam and associated
infrastructure forms a significant component
in the achievement of this goal.
According to Colin Logan, director of Dams,
Hydropower and Underground Works at GIBB,
the dam will be built on the South Phuthiatsana
River about 35 km from Maseru, adjacent to
the villages of Ha Seeiso and Ha Makotoko.
“The project forms part of the Lowlands
Bulk Water Supply Scheme, which will improve
access to water in the lowlands areas of
Lesotho and support economic growth. The
83 m high, straight roller compacted concrete
(RCC) dam with a crest length of 270 m, will
have a storage capacity of 63.7 million cubic
metres. The site is very steep, and one of
the challenges will be to ensure access to
the proposed dam wall to do the foundation
excavations and the RCC placing. The blasting
and excavation of the river diversion works on
the left bank will also be challenging as it will
take place during the wet season when flood-
ing could be a problem,” says Logan.
The MDWSP is a five-year project managed
by the Metolong Authority. It began in 2008
and is expected to be completed in 2013.
Impoundment of the Metolong Dam is expect-
ed over the 2012/13 wet season.
Sinohydro Corporation is the contractor for
the construction of the Metolong Dam and raw
water pump station. The contractor is currently
under way with the site establishment.
South African engineering behind LesothoGIBB, in a joint venture with Consolidated Consultants of Jordan (GIBB-CC JV), has been awarded the contract for detailed design and construction supervision for Lesotho’s Metolong Dam, which is part of the Water Supply Programme.
Cape Town’s optic fibre projectThrough the recent successful implementation of its broadband
infrastructure project, the City of Cape Town has invested in its own
telecommunications infrastructure network. This will reduce costs
and contribute towards the economic growth of Cape Town. Leading
consulting engineering company GIBB led the project management
and undertook the civil engineering design and construction
monitoring of the R125 million, 500 km optic fibre network project.
Currently, the city spends about R70 million a year on
telecommunications costs for telephonic and data services at
municipal offices. The project in its entirety included laying a
network of optic fibre cables across
Cape Town with sufficient capacity
to meet the City’s current and
future needs. Thereby ensuring
that the city has access to low-cost
broadband services to support the
delivery of municipal services and
have spare capacity available to
third-party network users.
Certain elements of the project
needed to be completed in time for
the World Cup to ensure there was
a network service available to the
disaster management and traffic
management team, to minimise disruption to traffic and prevent
congestion in the city. The most challenges arose where the project
runs through Cape Town CBD, which is an area of historic and
congested services.
GIBB managed the process of coordinating the contractor’s
activities to ensure that deadlines were met and challenges were
averted or addressed.
On the outset of the project, GIBB was informed that the project
needs to be completed using trenchless excavations to ensure
minimal disruption to surface traffic, business and other activities.
This was not possible due to the maze of existing services under the
roads and sidewalks. GIBB then engaged meetings with various road
managers to resolve a way forward in
undertaking open excavations.
Municipal fibre networks have
the potential to reduce operational
costs for cities, increase competition
and improve services in the
telecommunications sector. In
the long run, it will also benefit
community organisations, and
GIBB was happy to be part of the
success story.
LEFT A total of 500 km of optic fibre cables have been installed in Cape Town
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LET YOUR BRAND STAND OUT WITH 3S MEDIAIMIESA JULY 2012 43
BLUE AND GREEN DROP STATUS
What does it mean to you?by Candice Landie
THE 2012 BLUE DROP REPORT
showed significant improvements,
which serve as evidence of the posi-
tive impact this incentive-based regu-
lation approach is having on the South African
water sector. The first Blue Drop Report in
2009 indicated that the national microbiologi-
cal compliance for South African tap water was
measured at 93.3% against the national stand-
ard (SANS 241). Notably this has increased
to 97.3% in the 2012 reporting cycle. Overall,
municipalities are taking their Blue Drop sta-
tus seriously, with Ekurhuleni and City of
Joh annesburg dominating the charts, followed
closely by eThekwini and the City of Cape Town.
On the other hand, the Green Drop certifica-
tion programme for wastewater is an initiative
to ensure that these treatment works progres-
sively improve their operations, so as not to
impact negatively on the water bodies into
which they discharge their product. The pro-
posed system aims at awarding water servic-
es authorities with Green Drop Status if they
comply with wastewater legislation and other
best practices required by the Department of
Water Affairs. This incentive-based regulatory
approach is a first for South Africa, and is
internationally regarded as unique in the water
regulatory domain. But as a supplier/consult-
ant to these municipal water utilities, what do
Blue/Green Drop accreditations mean to you?
What are your thoughts on the judging and
awards process? Are the qualifying criteria fair
to all parties or has the Department of Water
Affairs set unrealistic targets for municipali-
ties? Has Blue Drop status truly aided in the
delivery of safe drinking water? How have
your products and services contributed to the
overall improvement of water and wastewater
quality in South Africa?
Candice Landie facilitates this panel discus-
sion, which looks at the suppliers and con-
sultants’ opinions on acquiring Blue/Green
Drop status and the products and services
on offer.
PANEL INTRO
44 IMIESA JULY 2012
PANEL DISCUSSION
Q. What is the core function of the Department of Water Affairs?LM The Department of Water
Affairs (DWA) performs various
functions as part of its sector
leadership responsibilities, but
the driving force behind the Blue
Drop and Green Drop certifica-
tion programmes is regulation.
The results of these programmes
assist other functions such as
support and sector development
since credible information is gen-
erated to inform on shortcom-
ings within specific municipalities.
Nevertheless these programmes
are not voluntary, but are part
of the incentive-based regulation
initiative that necessitates access
to information to determine water
services' per formance in the
drinking water quality and waste-
water services domains.
Can you give me some background information on the Blue and Green Drop programmes? Why were they started?LM Drinking water quality regula-
tion in South Africa commenced
in 2004 and at a rapid pace
the department got municipalities
to commence with monitoring of
tap water quality. Information was
forthcoming but not necessarily
with the level of credibility that left
the department confident on the
efficacy levels of drinking water
treatment and management oper-
ations in general. The principle
according to which drinking water
globally was regulated depended
on water quality results alone. The
occurrence of major outbreaks
in Delmas (2005 and 2007)
as well as Ukhahlamba (2008)
necessitated a rapid rethink in
the approach to drinking water
quality regulation. The judgment of
Judge O’Connor in the Walkerton
case in Canada (2000) was stud-
ied to note his recommendations
and together with the aforemen-
tioned local incidents, planted
the seed for a unique approach
to regulation.
It was also identified that inad-
equate wastewater management
played a role in all four incidents
used to shape the incentive-based
regulation concept and that was
where the Green Drop concept
was stimulated. It is accepted that
wastewater is the first and most
important barrier in a multi-barrier
concept for the supply of safe
drinking water and this is why the
wastewater element was linked to
this concept as well. The concept
was approved and launched in
September 2008 and the first
report was released in May 2009.
With regard to Blue and Green Drop accreditations, what criteria is each judged on? LM All risk elements to the sup-
ply of safe drinking water were
considered in the case of Blue
Drop certification and extensive
criteria were developed and incre-
mentally introduced to the sector.
This included various sub-require-
ments under each of the main key
performance areas listed, the key
ones being: Water Safety Planning
(risk management), Process
Control (skills), Drinking Water
Quality Compliance (SANS 241),
Management and Local Regulation
and Asset Management. On the
wastewater side, Green Drop
requires a high level of efficiency
in the following: Process Control
and Maintenance, Monitoring
Programmes, Submission of Results,
Effluent Quality Compliance, Risk
Management, Local Regulation and
Asset Management.
These requirements are not all
minimum requirements set by leg-
islation, but include international
best practices that form part of
the incentive-based concept. The
DWA expects much, and recogni-
tion in form of certification is given
to those who achieve 95% (Blue
Drop) and 90% (Green Drop). It is
regarded as unfortunate that the
Blue and Green Drop programmes
are sometimes mentioned without
comprehending the constant high
volume of work required through-
out the period (within the assess-
ment cycle), to ensure impressive
performance during the audits.
Municipalities that do well (not
only those achieving Blue Drop
or Green Drop) must be saluted
for their efforts since the man-
ner in which municipal officials
embraced these programmes is
most impressive.
From a government perspective, how do you feel the Blue and Green Drop Awards have improved water and wastewater standards within municipalities?LM Note the results in the last
reports and see that it is surely
having an effect of improvement
that surpasses my expecta-
tions. No one individual can take
credit for this huge improvement
since it has to be noted that
the manner in which these con-
cepts were embraced by women
and men in the sector, is reason
for the improvement. Most nota-
ble would be the pride that was
restored in those taking respon-
sibility for water and wastewa-
ter treatment. They now have
something to aspire to and that
is in line with the objectives of
incentive-based regulation.
It also made inroads in restoring
the trust of the general public in
the manner water quality is being
managed, but we are cognisant of
the fact that we have more work to
do in this regard. But after all these
two programmes were designed to
inspire people to greater heights
and that was achieved to a large
extent. But there are also those
who are lagging behind and the
BLUE AND GREEN DROP STATUS – What does it mean to you?LEONARDO MANUS – director , Water Services Regulation (also acting chief
director: Infrastructure Operations) – DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS
The driving force behind the Blue Drop and Green Drop Certifi cation
programmes is regulation
department is giving attention to
those municipalities through both
support and regulation initiatives
where appropriate.
In the last five years, what have been the biggest challenges facing the DWA either from a national, provincial or municipal level, and what has been the way forward on these issues?LM Lack of resources to imple-
ment the requirements of drinking
water and wastewater concepts is
the biggest challenge. But instead
of sitting idly waiting for something
to happen, these two programmes
allow for an incremental approach
towards improvement. Therefore
it would be better not to judge
municipal per formance based
upon whether they achieved Blue
Drop or Green Drop but rather
to note improvement and to give
acknowledgement for that. You
can be assured behind each case
of improvement is a municipal
or water board official who did
their best in spite of the lack
of resources.
As part of the way forward,
the department introduced a joint
operation between Economic
and Technical Regulation.
The Regulatory Per formance
Measurement System (RPMS)
audits are done jointly with the
Blue and Green Drop to ensure
that the required mechanisms are
in place to enhance institutional
financial viability. RPMS is current-
ly being re-engineered to ensure
that the risk-based element is
introduced to the benefit of munic-
ipal financial management as it
links to the relevant water ser-
vices technical functions.
What are your comments on the results from the 2012 Blue Drop Awards?LM Mostly encouraging, but also
disappointing when considering
that there are a few municipali-
ties that just show no desire
to improve. Yet one is not in
a state of despair because the
rapid rate of overall improvement
suggests that incentive-based
regulation is a successful for-
mula to stimulate excellence.
Improvement over such a large
spectrum would not be possible if
the department solely depended
on conventional regulation.
But it has its work cut out to go
beyond incentive-based regulation
where there is an evident reluc-
tance or inability to improve.
Taking into consideration the 2011 Green Drop Awards, what are your expectations from the 2013 entrants?LM It is expected that all water ser-
vices authorities will show improve-
ment regardless of the challenges
faced. There is no such thing as
a Green Drop entrant – all are
required to be subjected to audits.
The department is in the process
of gearing itself for wholescale
wastewater services audits at all
municipalities and water boards.
How does the state of South Africa’s drinking water compare to other African (and some international) countries?LM Internationally, only overall fig-
ures are reported while we break
it down into categories to expose
risk areas. Yet we are confident
that our cities and bigger towns,
as well as most of the smaller
municipalities are comparing very
well with international standards.
Note that it is also true that
drinking water quality is not regu-
lated in all countries, which make
wide-scale comparison a bit more
difficult. The standard used in
South Africa for drinking water
quality (SANS 241) compares very
well with the guidelines set by
the World Health Organisation.
This implies that should water
comply with the standard it should
also comply well with internation-
al standards. Every citizen has
access to information on the qual-
ity of water in their area of resi-
dence or interest in South Africa
at www.dwa.gov.za/mywater or on
cell phone at my-water.mobi.
PANEL DISCUSSION
IMIESA JULY 2012 45
ABOVE An on-site audit in progress
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IMIESA JULY 2012 47
BLUE AND GREEN DROP STATUS – What does it mean to you?
PANEL DISCUSSION
FORTUNE MABUNDA – district manager (special projects) – ERWAT
Q.With regard to water and wastewater applications, what is ERWAT’s core business function?FM ERWAT currently manages
19 wastewater treatment works
(WWTWs) and specialises in the
treatment of wastewater, both
domestic and industrial. ERWAT
also has a SANAS (South African
National Accreditation System)
accredited laboratory where bac-
teriological, biological and chemi-
cal analysis is done and industrial
wastewater management services
are rendered.
How is ERWAT involved in the Green Drop Awards, i.e. the readiness process from all sites? FM ERWAT has been participating
in the Green Drop Certification
programme since its inception
in 2009, when it received an
Excellence Award for large sys-
tems. A collaborative approach
is required, from Ekurhuleni
Metro Municipality (EMM) as a
water services authority (WSA)
and ERWAT as a water services
provider (WSP), to prepare for the
Green Drop Assessments.
A Green Drop Working
Committee has been estab-
lished, which comprises of EMM
officials and ERWAT employees
from different disciplines, to
ensure that all requirements
for the Green Drop assessment
are met, using the six Green
Drop Criteria. The committee
meets every month and an
action plan has been drawn
to allocate tasks, responsibili-
ties and timeframes to ensure
readiness for the Green Drop
assessment for all 19 WWTWs.
A Green Drop Acceleration Plan
has also been developed, in line
with ERWAT’s strategic objective
to fast track the implementation
of projects, which will ensure
compliance with the Green Drop
Requirements for all 19 WWTW’s
for now and the future.
What is your view on the Blue and Green Drop certification process? Are the regulations set by the DWA within reason? How has this certification improved water and wastewater networks within municipalities? FM The Green Drop certification
programme is a long awaited and
welcome initiative. Because it
is an incentive-based regulation
approach, it provides a sense of
reward as opposed to enforce-
ment and promotes a spirit of
excellence. It would be ideal to
compare every aspect of the
same calibre and size of the
municipalities against their fellow
counterparts. It is, for example,
difficult to measure ‘excellence’
if one municipality monitors their
effluent once a month and has a
Green Drop while another moni-
tors its effluent daily, but does
not have a Green Drop. However,
the certification programme is still
too much in its embryonic stage
to be criticised for fairness. The
regulations set by DWA are within
reason, since they represent
everything that needs to be
done by municipalities to ensure
protection of public health and
the environment.
The 90% limit set as a minimum
requirement to achieve a Green
Drop status is very much within
reason, considering that 95% is,
in actual fact, the limit imposed
on many water use authorisa-
tions. The Green Drop certifica-
tion programme has brought back
the passion required in manag-
ing our most valuable resource:
water. The programme has invig-
orated some of the most forgot-
ten fundamentals of wastewater
treatment principles and objec-
tives. In ERWAT, from the Board
of Directors to the general work-
ers, everybody speaks the same
language, namely Green Drop!
In the last five years, what have been ERWAT’s biggest projects?
FM ERWAT has completed and
initiated a few projects in the last
five years, such as the construc-
tion of a sludge digestion and
dewatering facility at Waterval
WWTW, ERWAT’s biggest plant
and located near the Klip River, at
a cost of R47 million.
The mechanical, electrical and
electronic equipment and instal-
lation will amount to another
R58 million and is expected to
be completed by March 2013. A
new module, namely Module 4,
was constructed at the Waterval
WWTW at a cost of R86 million.
The Hartebeestfontein WWTW
was rehabilitated at a cost of
almost R72 million.
The inlet works at ERWAT’s
Daveyton WWTW was also
upgraded, while some R4 mil-
lion was spent to modify the
Heidelberg WWTW.
The Green Drop certifi cation programme has brought back the passion required
in managing water
TOP A new module and a sludge handling facility have recently been built at ERWAT’s Waterval WWTW
RIGHT Extensive refurbishments were done at Hartebeestfontein WWTW
IMIESA JULY 2012 49
BLUE AND GREEN DROP STATUS – What does it mean to you?
Q. With regard to water and wastewater applications, what is CSVwater’s core business function?CvdW CSVwater Consulting
Engineers is a company of engi-
neers and other professionals who
focus on the science and engi-
neering of water. Specific areas of
focus are water and wastewater
treatment, bulk services includ-
ing pipelines and pump stations,
civil services including water and
sewage reticulation systems, and
operation of water and wastewater
infrastructure, and institutional
support such as Blue/Green Drop
related services. CSV delivers full
civil, mechanical and electrical
consulting engineering services
in its areas of focus ranging from
the traditional feasibility studies,
design, tender compilation and
project management, to specialist
studies and audits. In addition,
we are able to assist our clients
with the development of opera-
tions and maintenance plans for
their plants and infrastructure. We
focus on the design and optimisa-
tion of treatment processes, reac-
tors, pump stations, pipelines and
distribution networks. CSV has
developed a number of partner-
ships to assist it with expertise
outside of its focus areas.
How is CSV involved in the Blue and/or Green Drop Awards? CvdW Five of our personnel
did the training offered by the
Department of Water Affairs
(DWA) and are accredited to act
as assessors. Being in contact
with the various municipalities dur-
ing the audits, we meet a number
of key people and get to physically
assess plants, which in some way
impress the assessors on various
levels. Apart from the points allo-
cated to the water service authori-
ties (WSAs) and providers as per
the Blue/Green Drop scorecards,
PANEL DISCUSSION
CHARL VAN DER WALT – director – CSVWATER CONSULTING ENGINEERS
which forms the core of the Blue/
Green Drop Awards, these out-
standing people and plants are
also nominated for other catego-
ries in the awards by the asses-
sors. It is very satisfying to see
the hard work done by the WSAs
being valued in this manner.
Briefly explain the work undertaken with regard to these awards. CvdW Our responsibility as lead
assessors for the Blue/Green
Drop process is to ensure that
we are familiar with the criteria
against which the municipalities
are measured, and to maintain
an objective view in assessing
the performance against these
criteria. We subsequently provide
feedback to these municipalities
on areas where they can improve.
Depending on the number of sys-
tems managed by a municipality,
and its preparedness, an initial
assessment can take up to a
day in sieving through all avail-
able data. This process is hugely
aided by the internet-based Blue/
Green drop system designed
by DWA that captures available
information from the municipali-
ties. Following the desktop-based
study, we visit some of the plants
to physically do a check on the
operations and design of the
works, while also providing a
score to these plants based on
a checklist. Consolidation of all
the data and scoring of the audit
panel members is then done after
the score sheets are provided
to DWA for moderation. These
moderated score sheets are
later sent to the municipalities to
prepare them for the final assess-
ment during which the focus of
the assessment team will only
be on issues not resolved or
requiring attention.
What is your view on the Blue and Green Drop Certification process? Are the regulations set by the DWA within reason? How has this certification improved water and wastewater networks?CvdW I think it is an excellent
tool to measure the commitment
of municipalities to providing
water and sanitation services to
their communities. It creates a
baseline against which all munici-
palities in our country are able to
measure themselves. The munici-
palities are awarded sufficient
time to rectify aspects identified
in the first round that required
attention. If you closely look at all
the criteria, it is fair to expect any
municipality to have a water safety
plan in place, monitor its final
water quality, and measure that
against permit and/or regulation
requirements. It is fair to expect
a municipality to employ suitably
qualified personnel to conduct
the work at site and to manage
high capital assets according to
business principles such as hav-
ing an operational and capital
budget and knowing the status
of its assets. None of the criteria
is unfair, although scoring full
points at all of them is tough and
this is where excellence and com-
mitment is awarded. Scoring full
points for final water quality is not
something that comes automati-
cally, but only achieved as a result
of the ground work being done at
the institution, such as having the
right people, the right resources
and the right attitude in place.
How has this certification improved water and wastewater networks within municipalities? CvdW Over the past four years,
we as assessors have seen the
improvement that the Blue/Green
Drop programme has had on
water and sanitation systems. It
created awareness among indi-
viduals in municipalities on why
water quality is so important as
well as a general understanding
on how to better manage resourc-
es in operating systems.
In the last three years, who have been CSV’s biggest clients in the water sector?CvdW CSV is very fortunate to
serve the wide water fraternity
in South Africa and is currently
engaged in doing projects for the
following institutions: Midvaal
Water, Magalies Water, Umgeni
Water, Bloem Water, Lepele Water,
Sedibeng Water, DWA, Exxarro and
other consulting firms such as
Proplan, and a number of munici-
palities such as Westonaria, Steve
Tswethe, JS Maroka, Tzaneen, City
of Tshwane and Alfred Nzo where
Blue/Green Drop related work
such as process audits, water
safety plans and risk abatement
plans were conducted.
LEFT A municipal Blue Drop Team undertaking a site inspection
90%of pump motors could
2/3of all pumps could save up to 60%
GRUNDFOS (PTY) Ltd
PO BOX 14682WADEVILLE 1422HEAD OFFICETEL: 011 579 4800 WATER TREATMENTTEL 012 665 2077
MEET THE ENERGY CHALLENGE NOW
SWITCH TO BLUEFLUX
IMIESA JULY 2012 51
PANEL DISCUSSION
BLUE AND GREEN DROP STATUS – What does it mean to you?ALBERT DE VOS – GRUNDFOS
Q. With regard to water and wastewater applications, what is Grundfos’ core business function?AdV Grundfos is involved in the
supply of a range of equipment
used by the water treatment indus-
try. This includes pumps, disinfec-
tion and dosing equipment, as well
as some of the instrumentation
that is used to monitor and control
the processes.
• Pumps: Our range includes vari-
ous types of centrifugal pumps,
ranging from submersible
pumps and self-priming pumps
designed to handle large solids
to high-pressure pumps that are
used to deliver treated water
over long distances to remote
areas. In cases where the
final outflow water has to be
treated by reverse osmosis, the
Grundfos CR range of pumps is
a common sight.
• Dosing equipment: As part of
the treatment process, certain
chemicals have to be dosed
into the treatment process.
Grundfos offers a range of
tested and proven equipment
that can dose chemicals as:
– dry product (powder/granules),
e.g. lime for pH adjustment
– liquid chemicals products,
e.g. ferric chloride that is
used to improve phosphate
removal and acts as a coagu-
lant of suspended particles in
sewage treatment
– chlorine gas (and other gasses)
that is dosed into the final out-
flow (wastewater, for example) to
prevent the release of harmful
bacteria into our rivers and dams.
Grundfos also has ready-built
plants that prepare chemicals on
site. These include:
– the Grundfos “Polidos”, which
has become more popular in
recent years and is used to
make up the polyelectrolyte
from dry powder on site
– a range of chlorine dioxide dos-
ing systems to be used as an
alternative disinfectant
– in cases where the logistics
of transporting chlorine gas
to site is a problem, Grundfos
can offer a range of hypochlo-
rite dosing systems ranging
from on-site generation from
salt, to the dosing of a chlo-
rine solution based on HTH or
sodium hypochlorite.
• Instrumentation: A range of
instruments to monitor and
control pH and chlorine residu-
al, as well as monitor the plant
for chlorine gas leaks are avail-
able from Grundfos.
How has Grundfos been involved in the Blue and/or Green Drop awards? Were you suppliers to water/wastewater treatment works?AdV One of the critical criteria
when the Green Drop awards are
done is the disinfection of the
final effluent. It is found that the
larger centres have the equip-
ment and expertise to operate
and maintain the dosing of chlo-
rine into the final effluent before
leaving the treatment works. It
mostly at the smaller treatment
works where this function is sub-
standard – or not happening at
all! Grundfos’s water treatment
division is stocking equipment
as an ‘installation kit’ to enable
a municipal authority to set-up a
safe chlorine dosing facility in a
relative short time. The benefits
of this service have been demon-
strated when a crisis took place
and remedial action was taken
with a short deadline.
What is your view on the Blue and Green Drop certification process? Are the regulations set by the Department of Water
Affairs within reason? How has this certification improved water and wastewater networks within municipalities? AdV We are of the opinion that
the Blue and Green Drop certi-
fication system has had a posi-
tive effect. We often have calls
from municipalities and even
from the plant operators stat-
ing: “We need equipment or a
service urgently to maintain/or
upgrade our Green Drop status.”
The effect is that the industry
and the customer have become
partners in providing a better
quality effluent. Grundfos is
proud to be able to support the
water treatment industry with the
selection/design and supply of
equipment. The company is also
very instrumental in the design
and supply of equipment to the
water industry.
In the past three years, who have been Grundfos’s biggest clients in the water and wastewater industry?AdV A large portion of the
Grundfos equipment supplied
to the industry is via the main
contractors that specialise in the
supply and installation of the
mechanical equipment at water
treatment works. The equipment
is supplied either directly to
these contractors or indirectly via
the Grundfos network of agents
throughout Africa.
At present, Grundfos Water
Treatment division is executing
various orders to Rand Water
Board and Johannesburg Water
for factory preassembled equip-
ment as ‘dosing stations’.
This equipment is factory tested
and can easily be deployed
on site.
What groundwater supply products does Grundfos have on offer?AdV As a matter of interest, it
is now 50 years since Grundfos
sold its first pumps into Africa.
Since then the Grundfos SP
range of borehole pumps have
become a well-respected prod-
uct in the groundwater industry.
Due to the increasing risk of
groundwater contamination with
bacteria, Grundfos offers a cus-
tomised dosing system to sani-
tise the water as it leaves the
borehole so that safe water can
be provided for consumption.
BELOW Chlorine gas supply system consisting of two manifolds, each with two 70 kg chlorine cylinders that are configured as a duty stand-by system for 1 500 g/h chlorine – typically used at 3 to 5 Mℓ/day wastewater treatment works
www.bks.co.za
Proud Level 2
BBBEE Contributor Tel
Address
l
l
l
+27 (0)12 421 3500
Block D, Hatfield Gardens, 333 Grosvenor Street
Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083, SOUTH AFRICA
BKS is a leading multi-disciplinary empowered consulting engineering and management
company that has over 46 years of experience. The company provides consulting engineering
services in the areas of infrastructure, planning, design and construction management.
We fully support the Blue and Green Drop Services Certification Programmes for the regulation of
drinking water and wastewater. We have an in-house certified Blue Water Services Inspector and,
combined with a team of highly experienced and qualified individuals who specialise in various
aspects of water engineering, construction management and environmental management, we
are the consultant of choice for many local, provincial and national water authorities and
departments.
Reservoirs and
Water Towers
Dams
Water Resources and
Catchment Management
Pipelines
Water Treatment
Pump Stations
Wastewater Treatment Works
INTEGRATED WATER ENGINEERINGAND MANAGEMENT
Blue and Green Water Services Certification
IMIESA JULY 2012 53
PANEL DISCUSSION
BLUE AND GREEN DROP STATUS – What does it mean to you?
Q. With regard to water and wastewater applications, what is BKS’s core business function? GdV We provide the full spectrum
of water engineering applications
so that our clients can provide
clean, safe potable water. Our
water treatment services cover
conventional and advanced water
treatment, as well as mem-
branes, granular activated carbon
and ozone. In addition to treat-
ment process design, we provide
engineering services for bulk and
reticulation water and sewage
pipelines, pump stations, water
towers, reservoirs and a host of
other services related to water
resources development, water
quality and environmental manage-
ment to ensure that our designs
incorporate appropriate technology
and treatment solutions.
How is BKS involved in the Blue and/or Green Drop Awards? GC We are consultants for the
Department of Water Affairs and
are responsible for assisting
them with the Green/Blue Water
assessments. We also have a
qualified assessor in our employ.
We have a thorough understand-
ing of what the Blue and Green
Water assessments entail, and
thus help Water Service Providers
(municipalities) assemble their
Green/Blue requirements for
the assessments.
By assisting both the DWA and
the water serviceproviders, we’re
able to contribute to the initia-
tive’s success by ensuring that all
parties involved are fully aware
of what is required and that the
assessments are complete and
are true representations of water
and effluent quality.
DR GIDEON DE VILLIERS AND GERNA CLIFFORD – BKS
Are you consultants to water and wastewater treatment works? GdV We are involved in all aspects
of wastewater and water treat-
ment from plant audits, feasibility
studies, engineering and process
design and construction monitor-
ing, to catchment management,
water use licence applications
assistance and related environ-
mental matters. Our experience
and knowledge of the entire
water and wastewater treatment
process positions us as engineer-
ing consultants who can provide
holistic, sustainable solutions
for clients.
What is your view on the Blue and Green Drop certification process? Are the regulations set by the DWA within reason? How has this certification improved water and wastewater networks? GC We believe the Blue and
Green Drop certification process
is an excellent initiative from the
DWA as it provides a basis for
measuring the performance of
our water and wastewater treat-
ment works and processes, and
for the measured improvement
of services. The process also
motivates water service provid-
ers and their staff to strive for
excellence in service delivery
and management because the
results are published. It is also a
key performance area for manag-
ers of the treatment plants and
for municipalities.
In the last three years, who have been BKS’s biggest clients in the water sector?GdV Our South African clients for
water and wastewater treatment
services are mainly municipali-
ties, although we often undertake
these projects for government
departments (such as Department
of Water Affairs), water service
authorities, mines and other pri-
vate clients. Our biggest treatment
projects in the last three years
have been further afield in Africa
and not within the borders of
South Africa.
However, we are currently work-
ing on some very exciting projects
in South Africa, such as the
Witwatersrand Gold Fields Acid
Mine Drainage (AMD) for TCTA,
which entails defining, developing
and undertaking the design, man-
agement and construction man-
agement of the short-term AMD
solution and required treatment,
pipeline and pump station infra-
structure in the Eastern, Central
and Western basins.
We are also currently undertak-
ing the design, tender documen-
tation, construction monitoring
and project management of a
new extension to the Worcester
Wastewater Treatment and, simi-
larly, the Tshwane Temba Water
Treatment Works.
What water supply and treatment services does BKS have on offer? GdV Our water treatment services
cover conventional and advanced
water and wastewater treatment,
as well as membranes, granular
activated carbon and ozone, and
our services are:
• design integration and
evaluation
• process development or
research
• integrated design of all
disciplines
• operation, maintenance and
training support
• condition surveys
• appropriate technology
• asset management and audits
• master plans and feasibility
studies
• licence applications
• treatment studies
• domestic and industrial water
and wastewater treatment
• modeling of wastewater
processes
• CFD analysis
• nutrient management and
removal
• water reclamation
• sludge handling and disposal
• waste minimisation and by-
product development
• environmental Services.
Our water treatment services cover conventional and advanced water treatment
BELOW 20 Mℓ/d extension of the Worcester Wastewater Treatment Works
LEFT Dr Gideon de Villiers – head of Water and Sanitation Department, senior technical director
RIGHT Gerna Clifford – Certified Blue Water Services Inspector, associate engineer
IMIESA JULY 2012 55
PIPES, PUMPS AND VALVES
THIS INVOLVED THE rehabilitation of
two existing concrete parallel sewer
pipes located beneath the heavily
trafficked Govan Mbeki Avenue in
the heart of Port Elizabeth’s CBD.
Trenchless Technologies managing member,
Sam Efrat, says that the company has been
involved in two phases on this contract to
date, between 2007 and 2011. In Phase
1, rehabilitation of parallel 450 mm and
840 mm concrete sewers had to take place
concurrent to an urban environmental upgrad-
ing project involving decorative paving and
resur facing works. In Phase 2, the 450 mm
pipe increases in size to a 525 mm sewer
Port Elizabeth goes trenchlessTrenchless Technologies, in conjunction with Africoast Consulting Engineers, recently
completed Phase 2 of a contract for the Mandela Bay Development Agency.
ABOVE (Before) 450 mm cast iron pipe after cleaning with HDD back reamer and before lining with Ribloc Expanda
RIGHT (After) 840 mm concrete pipe after relining with Ribloc Ribline
Ed
HL L
L
A
Leading Suppliers of
Servicing
South Africa
Quality Reliability&
BRANCHES
GERMISTON Tel: 011 323 0800
KLERKSDORP Tel: 018 469 4466 NORTHRIDING Tel: 011 462 7555
BLOEMFONTEIN Tel: 051 408 9200 KATHU Tel: 053 723 2213
NELSPRUIT Tel: 013 752 3121
SECUNDA Tel: 017 631 4200
EAST LONDON Tel: 043 736 6022 PORT ELIZABETH Tel: 041 404 1800DURBAN Tel: 031 716 2200
POLOKWANE Tel: 015 292 8660
LEPHALALE Tel: 014 763 5824
PRETORIA Tel: 012 653 8520
BURGERSFORT Tel: 013 231 7224
WELKOM Tel: 057 396 1131www.incledon.co.za
VALVES
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DPI TRADINGCAPE TOWN Tel: 021 957 5600 GEORGE Tel: 044 874 2327
isolation
control
shut-off
industrial
actuators
waterworks
TEJI VALVE
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KROHNE
PIPES, PUMPS AND VALVES
that is located underneath a heavily trafficked roadway, while the
840 mm pipe – as it flows downstream – increases to 1 050 mm
located underneath the newly constructed Bus Rapid Transport lane.
Considering the urban environmental upgrade project and the fact
that the bus and road lanes are utilised every day, only non-destruc-
tive trenchless techniques could be employed for the rehabilitation
of the pipelines.
Pipeline assessment At the preliminary stage, a thorough condition assessment of the two
sewers was undertaken, which involved a theoretical analysis of the
sewers based on effluent and operating conditions. A CCTV inspec-
tion and cutting of windows from the sewers was carried out so that
they could be inspected.
“The condition assessment ascertained that the circumference
of the 450 mm sewer was severely corroded due to acidic effluent,
with pH values as low as 3.3. This sewer was very old and was cast
in two sections, with horizontal joints running along the full length.
The mortar had corroded out of the construction joints and it was no
longer water tight,” explains Efrat.
What’s more, the 840 mm sewer was severely corroded above the
water line and the reinforcing was exposed and corroded away at plac-
es. The most severe deterioration occurred at the sides of the sewer
due to a combination of corrosion and erosion, which was particularly
severe along the sections of sewer where the velocity was high. As a
result, there was a 50 to 60 mm wide sill on either sides of the sewer,
just above the low flow level. Efrat says that this corrosion was typical
of what occurred in a sewer downstream of a rising main where there
had been an accumulation of gas due to long retention times. It was
estimated that the sewer would collapse within 10 years.
Applications Efrat highlights that a number of trenchless technologies were con-
sidered for the project, including sliplining, cured in place pipe (CIPP)
and Ribloc Expanda, Ribline and Rotoloc – an Australian brand of
trenchless products for which Trenchless Technologies is the sole
distributor in Southern Africa.
“Sliplining appeared to be the most economical, but there was lim-
ited space for launch pits and storage of long lengths of high-density
polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. The CIPP option would not have influenced
the hydraulic capacity and lining could be continuous through the
manholes. However the CIPP process was more expensive and the
sharp edges of the sills running along the sewer did not allow for a
technically sound design.
“Ribloc Expanda, Ribline and Rotoloc solutions allowed for a complete
no-dig lining solution that could be installed through the existing man-
holes with limited disruption. In addition to no excavation, the solution
was design-compliant and the risk was lower as the process could be
reversed in the event of unforeseen problems,” describes Efrat.
Ultimately, Ribloc Expanda was selected as the technology of
choice for the 450 and 525 mm pipes in both Phases 1 and 2,
while Ribloc Ribline was grouted in position for the 840 mm existing
sewer in Phase 1. Ribloc Rotoloc was used in Phase 2 to line the
1 050 mm sewer.
The overall scope of work included the following:
Phase 1: • 450 mm sewer: 570 m of Ribloc Expanda with a spirally wound
IMIESA JULY 2012 57
IMIESA JULY 2012 59
PIPES, PUMPS AND VALVES
unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) pro-
file expanded to a close fit
• 840 mm sewer: 560 m of Ribloc Ribline
with a spirally welded steel reinforced
HDPE profile grouted in place.
Phase 2: • A total of five different trenchless tech-
niques were used, namely:
1. CIPP ambient cure: 525 mm sewer, lining
of a 90 degrees bend, 15 m length (under-
taken by subcontractor Tuboseal)
2. Ribloc Expanda: 525 mm sewer, 620 m
of spirally wound uPVC profile expanded
to a close fit
3. CIPP UV cure: 800 mm sewer, rein-
forced liner impregnated in factory 43 m
in length, where the 1 050 mm sewer
reduces to 800 diameter (undertaken by
subcontractor Tuboseal)
4. Ribloc Rotoloc, 1 050 mm sewer, 720 m,
tight-fit spirally wound-in-place uPVC profile
5. pipe bursting: 225 sewer, 16 m of 225
HDPE installed using 60 t static chain
puller employed from within the manhole.
“Preparatory works included cleaning the
existing sewers by both high-pressure water
jetting and the pull-through of cleaning buck-
ets using mechanical winches, after which a
CCTV inspection of the pipelines was under-
taken. In Phase 1, a sewer diversion was
possible to divert the 450 mm sewer flows
into the 840 mm sewer, whereas in Phase 2
overpumping of sewer flows by a sur face by-
pass pipe was necessary.” discusses Efrat.
Once the cleaning of the sewers had taken
place, the manhole benching and portions of
the manhole walls had to be broken to allow
TOP RIGHT (Before) 840 concrete sewer with deep sill worn away at pipe base
RIGHT Phase 2 – 1 050 mm Rotoloc
IMIESA JULY 2012 61
PIPES, PUMPS AND VALVES
access for the Ribloc Expanda equipment in
the 450 mm and for the Ribline equipment
in the 840 mm manhole. “While the 450 mm
breaking was straightforward, this proved to
take two to three days per manhole in 12-hour
shifts to prepare ahead of the Ribloc crew,”
concludes Efrat.
Challenges Efrat says that despite what may have
seemed like insurmountable challenges, par-
ticularly on Phase 1, the team managed to
overcome the following challenges with the
following solutions:
• To maintain continuous sewer flows, the
team constructed a by-pass to diver t
flow from the 450 mm sewer to the
840 mm sewer.
• To remove the encrustations from a section
of 450 mm cast iron pipe, the team had to
backream using horizontal directional drill-
ing (HDD) and a 430 mm OD backreamer
• To accommodate the winding equipment
in the 840 mm manholes that had no
concrete base, the team had to reline the
manhole base with quick-set mortar and
mesh to prevent erosion of the earth base
during sewer flows.
• As bends were found in the 840 mm sewer,
which interrupted the winding of the MH to
MH sections, shorter sections had to be
wound that could be pulled through bends
and hand welded in position using extru-
sion welders.
• As concurrent sur face works competed
for work space, night and weekend work
became the modus operandi.
• As there was a diameter reduction in the
450 mm line where it crosses over the
840 mm line, a new manhole was con-
structed on the 840 mm sewer to tie the
450 mm sewer into the 840 mm sewer, as
a permanent solution.
Despite these challenges, Trenchless
Technologies, consultant Africoast Consulting
Engineers and specialist consultant PIPES,
managed to pull off the successful rehabilita-
tion of the two sewer pipelines underneath
the heavily trafficked Govan Mbeki Avenue
without any disruption to traffic and the
public. Efrat says that this contract highlights
the large range of trenchless techniques and
expertise available in South Africa today.
“I believe that the overall success of the
contract can be attributed to the combined
management team that worked together and
contributed their ideas and solutions to over-
come the challenges both cost-effectively
and efficiently. Testament to the success
of the project is Trenchless Technologies’
being awarded runner-up in the South African
Society for Trenchless Technologies Award of
Excellence in 2011,” concludes Efrat.
[They] managed to pull off the successful rehabilitation of the two sewer pipelines... without any disruption to traffi c and the public
62 IMIESA JULY 2012
PIPES, PUMPS AND VALVES
THE PURPOSE OF this manual is to
provide basic, relevant information
and the guidance needed to ensure
that plastic pipes for water supply
and wastewater disposal applications are
correctly specified and selected,” explains
Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturer’s
Association (SAPPMA) CEO Jan Venter.
Although this manual does not attempt to
replace published text books and codes on the
subject, Venter says that it is a basic guide to
the use, selection and specification of these
products. It covers the differences between
the various types of plastic pipes and the
basic procedures for determining product size,
strength and material properties for a range
of applications. The
62 IMIESA JULY
of applications. The
SAPPMA releases revision of technical manualSAPPMA has published and released a third revision of its technical manual, which is aimed at assisting engineers who are involved in the plastic pipe industry to make informed decisions.
“ latest revision also includes sections on hot
and cold water plumbing pipes; high-density
polyethylene (HDPE) fabricated fittings as well
as the jointing of HDPE. For a limited period
copies of the publication have been made
available to design and civil engineers free of
charge through the South African Institution
of Civil Engineering, and as a service to
the industry.
“Together with the country’s net-
works of roads, railways and elec-
trical grids, pipelines form a key
part of South Africa’s infrastruc-
ture. By definition, these invest-
ments in infrastructure should be
long-term. Modern plastic pipe
materials are easily suitable for
hundred-year lifetimes and we
want to ensure that the engi-
neers involved in specification
processes are equipped with
the most recent and independ-
ent design information when
they are making their deci-
sions,” explains Venter.
Thanks to ongoing prod-
uct development, innovation
and research plastic pipes
have become the material
of choice for most applica-
tions in South Africa and the
rest of the world. Not only
do they help to preserve
scarce resources due to an embedded energy
that is notably lower than most other materi-
als, plastic pipes also play a significant role
in minimising pumping energy as they have
excellent hydraulic properties that remain
vir tually unchanged. Handling of plastics is
significantly easier and cheaper than other
materials and leak-free joints are economically
and easily achieved.
“However, poor quality plastic pipe is not
necessarily obvious from a visual point of
view, which makes it even more important
for design engineers or specifiers to apply all
available precautions in the selection of manu-
facturers, suppliers and installers,” warns
Venter, adding that pipe manufacturers and
installers who are members of SAPPMA and
the Installation and Fabrication Plastics Pipe
Association (IFPA) are subjected to additional
quality control measures over and above the
national standards.
IFPA and its parent body, SAPPMA, have
recently made a bend testing machine avail-
able for training and testing purposes at the
Plastics SA head office in Gauteng.
Bend testing is a quick and very effective
way of determining the quality of fusion of
butt welds. According to Venter the bend test-
ing machine is used for quality assurance of
butt welds done by contractors, as well as
those done during training sessions hosted
by Plastics SA.
“We have identified that a huge need exists
for experienced butt welders in the plastics
industry,” says Venter, explaining that a well-
engineered pipe system is dependent on good
design, high pipe quality as well as minimum The cover of SAPPMA’s revised technical manual
Plastic pipes have become the material of choice for most applications in South Africa and the rest of the world
IMIESA JULY 2012 63
If you are serious about Quality, insist on the
SAPPMA markSouthern Af r ican P las t ic P ipe Manufacturers Associa t ion
www.sappma.co.za
PIPES, PUMPS AND VALVES
standards at the downstream end, which
includes looking at the quality of fabricated
fittings and pipeline installation.
“SAPPMA realised what tremendous ben-
efit it would unlock for the plastic pipe
industry if we were to make a bend
tester available, which could practically
test and judge the quality of butt weld-
ing on pipes manufactured from HDPE
and PVC. Not only does Plastics SA offer
practical, hands-on training on the bend
tester for its students, but it also makes
an operator available should any of its
members wish to perform their own tests,”
continues Venter.
The concept of a bend test for welds
is simple: A narrow strip is cut from the
welded joint, longitudinally with the pipe.
This strip of material is prepared to a
determined shape and finish. The finished
sample is inserted in the machine and
bent at a specified rate into a U-shape.
No cracks should appear at the weld
area during the process. The purpose is to
make certain the plastic material of the two
pipes are properly fused, and that the weld
and the heat affected zone have appropriate
mechanical properties.
Usually, bend tests are designed so
that the outer sur face of the specimen is
stretched to a ductility level, which approxi-
mates the minimum percentage elongation
required in a tensile test. When defects
exist in materials strained to these limits,
the material tears locally. When tearing
exceeds a specific limit, the specimen fails.
“The plastic piping business is a strate-
gic industry and hardware needs to be reli-
able for extended periods of time. Long-term
product and installation quality is therefore
fundamental. By making this investment into
the future of the plastic pipe industry, we are
confident that we will see a marked improve-
ment in the quality of butt welds and there-
fore in pipe installations in general in the
next months to come,” concludes Venter.
BELOW Bend testing is a quick and effective way of determining the quality of fusion of butt welds
PIPES, PUMPS AND VALVES
64 IMIESA JULY 2012
Name change gives impetus to dewatering business
Flygt and Godwin products from Xylem (formerly ITT South Africa) are
heralding the future of dewatering solutions in South Africa.
GODWIN DESIGNS, manufactures, services, sells and
rents products that are economical, reliable and
target specific applications. Godwin fully automatic
self-priming pumps are used in temporary and per-
manent applications and Xylem rents and sells a full range of
diesel and electric Godwin pumps used for dewatering
and liquids transfer in mining, construction, municipal
and industrial markets.
State-of-the-ar t technology and durable construction materi-
als ensure that Flygt dewatering pumps deliver a highly reliable
per formance at the lowest possible cost of ownership. Flygt premier
submersible pumps, mixers and mechanical aeration equipment are
being used in markets ranging from water and wastewater treatment,
raw water supply, abrasive or contaminated industrial processes, min-
ing and irrigation.
Xylem has the
largest submersible
rental fleet on the
continent, compris-
ing more than 600
units. It also has
the most diverse
rental pump range,
encompassing pota-
ble, sewage and
slurry pumps across
four voltage ranges,
together with dredg-
ing, mixing and turn-
key solutions.
A CD300M Godwin pump powered by a diesel engine, skid mounted with a central lifting yoke
Xylem has the largest submersible rental fl eet on the continent, comprising more than 600 units
Flygt submersible pumps are also available from Xylem
PIPES, PUMPS AND VALVES
IMIESA JULY 2012 65
THE VALVE CONTROLS air release,
protects the pipeline against vacuum,
and alleviates the effects of poten-
tially damaging surge.
An entirely new product, the design of RGX II
incorporates market feedback into proven Vent-
O-Mat valve technology, itself the result of
decades of comprehensive research. The RGX
II is a brand new valve and not merely an adap-
tation of an existing one. It originated from a
requirement to overcome the clogging of pipe-
lines in the United States caused by grease
and fat in the sewer lines.
Internal components comprising solid poly-
ethylene floats and dynamic O-ring seals that
do not jam or distort, ensure reliable operation
over the life of the valve. Its rugged design
eliminates valve failure, breakage, premature
closing, incomplete venting and the associated
pressure shocks common to other sewage
air valves.
On the outside, a short, compact valve body
has been achieved without compromising the
pressure rating.
Product development took place over a three-
year period, the goal being to design a com-
pact valve that would overcome clogging while
maintaining a full bore inlet and outlet, and
incorporating the integral anti-shock device for
which Vent-O-Mat is famous.
The result is the world’s only sewage air
release valve with an anti-shock and anti-
surge mechanism fitted as standard protection
against damage from the high induced pres-
sure transients associ-
ated with high velocity
air discharge. The mech-
anism dramatically and
automatically reduces
the surge caused by liq-
uid column separation
and liquid oscillation.
RGX II features full port opening, with large
orifice diameters equal to the nominal size of the
valve (i.e. a 150 mm valve has a 150 mm orifice).
This ensures the highest possible intake of air
into a draining pipeline, protecting it against pre-
mature mechanical fatigue and pipeline collapse.
Model sizes range from 50 to 200 mm.
In operation, the RGX II protects a pipeline
under all conditions, irrespective of the state
of the water column within it. The valve is
biased towards an anti-surge action, allowing
controlled air release through an orifice aero-
dynamically engineered to throttle air discharge
when the velocity of the approaching liquid
would otherwise become too great and induce
an unacceptable pressure rise. This throttling
action increases resistance to the flow of the
approaching liquid, which decelerates.
The opposite extreme is experienced when a
pipeline experiences liquid column separation
due to pump stoppage. Under these condi-
tions, RGX II allows air into the pipeline, but
throttles its discharge as the separated column
begins to rejoin, reducing the impact velocity
and alleviating high surge pressures.
Sewage pipelines get protectionDynamic Fluid Control has launched the Vent-O-Mat Series RGX II, a second-generation air-release and vacuum-break valve designed specifically for sewage pipelines.
Vent-O-Mat Series RGX II second-generation air-release and vacuum-break valves
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INCLEDON IS A partnered distributor of the
US-manufactured TORO brand, which is
internationally recognised as a leading pro-
vider of innovative turf and landscape main-
tenance equipment and precision irrigation solu-
tions. “Incledon supplies a comprehensive variety
of TORO irrigation products, ranging from central
control systems and field controllers to micro-
drips, rotors and sensors,” explains Incledon
Pumps and Irrigation manager Romeo Giannone.
“These top-quality irrigation products have
proven to be highly successful on a number of
golfing estates across Southern Africa and the
South Sea Islands, providing Incledon with a
commanding market share of more than 60%
in this industry.”
Giannone does, however, admit that Incledon
has not yet received this same success in the
residential and commercial areas of the market.
“Incledon is looking at implementing an aggres-
sive marketing strategy in order to improve TORO
residential and commercial market share from its
current standing of 10 to 20% within the next two
years. We are also planning to build a stronger
infrastructure, and are employing more sales
representatives to focus on the sector.”
Residential and commercial irrigation markets targetedFollowing the unprecedented success of its TORO range of irrigation products in the Southern African golf sector, Incledon plans to expand its footprint into the residential and commercial sectors of the local market.
BELOW Euphoria Golf Estate main irrigation booster set
68 IMIESA JULY 2012
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
INDEX TO ADVERTISERS
Arcus Gibb 32
Aveng Infraset 58
Barloworld Equipment 14
Barloworld Equipment OFC, 6, 7
BAKV3 29
BKS 52
Bosun 31
Corestruc 37
CSVwater Consulting Engineers 48
Department of Water Affairs 44
Dynamic Fluid Control 57
Eaton 2
Echochem Pumps 65
ERWAT 46
Fiberpipe 64
Group Five Pipes 60
Grundfos 50
Hall Longmore 54
Interbuild Loose Insert
Incledon 56
K'Enyuka 41
Krohne South Africa 34
Lektratek 26
National Asphalt 38
Rainbow Reservoirs 35
Rocla 40
SBS Group IFC
Sensus 61
SIKA 36
South African Plastic Pipe
Manufacturers Association 63
Talbot and Talbot 18
Vela VKE 39
Veolia Water Solutions & Technology 20
Verder Pumps 59
Water and Sanitation Services OBC
WRP Consulting Engineers IBC
Xylem (ITT Water & Wastewater) 24
Zest WEG Group 22
THIS WAS ACHIEVED using both steel
intermediate structures and spun con-
crete double poles for the electrifica-
tion supply from the Tzaneen main
substation around the outskirts of the town to
the new Western substation.
As a result of the network upgrade pro-
ject, residents of the Tzaneen Municipality in
Limpopo now have a better electricity supply.
The spun concrete double poles have several
features that make the product suitable for
the application: they are long lasting with low
maintenance requirements and are aestheti-
cally pleasing. The added benefit of using these
types of poles is there is no resale value for the
concrete material making them unattractive to
thieves and vandals. “This project’s location
in Tzaneen presented logistical challenges,
which we were able to overcome. The products,
which were manufactured at the Roodepoort
pole plant, took approximately five weeks to
complete. The Mohale contractors empowered
the community by employing local labourers to
assist with preparation of the site for installa-
tion of the concrete poles,” comments Kevin
West, Rocla’s pole specialist.
Lighting up TzaneenRocla partnered with the Mohale Electrical Contractors to improve the double circuit 66 kV line in Tzaneen.
LEFT Pouring the concrete foundations