PEOPLE AND EVENTS
‘REAL-TIME’ PRESENTATION
IMESA delegates wowed In addition to being awarded first prize for their exhibition show stand at the recent IMESA Conference and Exhibition, SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants wowed guests with a real-time presentation from The Netherlands.
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HE REAL-TIME presentation linked more than 40 key municipal managers from around South Africa to the largest Nereda® wastewater treatment works (WWTW) yet commissioned, located in The Netherlands. The live link-up connected invited guests at the conference with the recently-commissioned Nereda® plant in Epe, a town of 60 000 inhabitants located 80 km due east of Amsterdam. The Nereda® plant has been designed by DHV, the international consulting group based in the Netherlands, of which SSI is part, in conjunction with Veluwe Water Board, Epe’s water authority. Although the Epe plant is the largest Nereda® installation to date, much valuable experience was gained from SSI’s own Nereda® installation, commissioned two years ago and functioning trouble free in Gansbaai in the Western Cape. The Gansbaai Wastewater Treatment Works won the 2009 SAICE National Award for Technical Excellence. The presenters, DHV specialist engineers based at different locations
ABOVE An aerial view of the Gansbaai Wastewater Treatment Works, where Nereda® technology has been installed
in the Netherlands, guided captivated municipal officials via a big screen TV through the Epe plant, explaining the advantages of the Nereda® technology involving lower capital and operating costs, as well as reduced space requirements. They, first hand, demonstrated complete automatic and remote operation via PLC control from virtually anywhere on the planet.
ICE call for papers The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has three themed editions that it is preparing for its Municipal Engineer publication. Municipal engineers are urged to submit papers for the publication.
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HE FIRST OF these concerns is “Diversity and Inclusion”, which is to be published in September 2012. Papers and/or case studies are sought to provide a broad view on the contribution that engineering can make to diversity and inclusion. Topics will include, but are not limited to: • Policies to ensure that inclusion is addressed • Barriers that prevent access to the public realm • Consultation with minority and non-mainstream groups • Gender and culture barriers to professional engagement • Minority communities that are often ignored • Best practice in design, operation and maintenance. The deadline for submission is 1 March 2012. ICE has two themed editions of Municipal
Engineer planned for 2013. While this may seem like a long time away the deadlines for submissions are 1 May and 1 June 2012 respectively. The first will address “Legacy Infrastructure and Asset Management”. Papers and/or case studies are sought to provide a broad view on the contribution that engineering can make to diversity and inclusion. Topics will include, but are not limited to: • Design for multiplicity of uses some of which are not yet known • Flexible building space against fitness for purpose and specific use • Fashion versus function in the design of iconic infrastructure • Heritage versus adaptability in the design of iconic infrastructure • Maintenance of expensive but rarely used assets
• Adoption of high profile assets. The second will address “Water Sensitive Urban Design”. Papers and/or case studies are sought to provide a broad view on the contribution that engineering can make to diversity and inclusion. Topics will include, but are not limited to: • Storm water treatment techniques and management • Sustainable water supply options • Potable water demand management, reclamation and recycling • Water cycle management and integration • Managing hydrological impacts on aquatic ecosystems • Water quality issues • Institutional, policy and regulatory framework • Community and stakeholder participation • Knowledge-based urban development. Email Ben Ramster at ben.ramster@icepublishing.com for more information.
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