Issuu

Think water, think WISA! T

Water& Sanitation

The official magazine of the Water Institute of Southern Africa T

Complete water resource and wastewater management

Africa

SEMBCORP Vital partners, essential water solutions MUNICIPALITIES Water metering reference guide WATER REPORT Cradle of Humankind

THE HOT SEAT

Dean Mulqueeny, managing director y''s NCP Chlorchem, discusses the company's water treatment solutions P12 P1 12

May / June 2012 • ISSN 1990-8857 • Cover price R35.00 • Vol 7 No. 3

MEDIA

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CONTENTS Volume 7. No.3 Think water, think WISA! T

Water& Sanitation

The official magazine of the Water Institute of Southern Africa T

Complete water resource and wastewater management

Africa

SEMBCORP Vital partners, essential water solutions MUNICIPALITIES Water metering reference guide WATER REPORT Cradle of Humankind

THE HOT SEAT

Dean Mulqueeny, managing director NCP Chlorchem, discusses the company's y''s water treatment solutions P12 P1 12

MEDIA

May / June 2012 • ISSN 1990-8857 • Cover price R35.00 • Vol 7 No. 3

ABOVE Franschhoek WWTW: A remarkable turnaround

Cradle of Humankind water monitoring results

TECHNOLOGY Tackling odour control Pipe still pumping after nearly 100 years Advance treatment processes implemented Hitting an ‘eagle’ while manufacturing a golf course pump station Making it happen Wastewater disinfection for reclamation use

69 86 89 93 97 99

CASE STUDY Delivering superior sustainability performance

Editor’s letter

PUBLICATION Reference guide for municipalities

112

COVER STORY Vital partners, essential water solutions

AWARDS 2012 National Water Conservation Awards

119

WISA President’s comment WISA celebrates 75 years

7 8

PUBLIC SECTOR Securing a reliable water source for Paarl’s increasing demands Advanced control and instrumentation installation Franschhoek WWTW: A remarkable turnaround Rehabilitation of Klein Maricopoort Dam

24 26 30 34

PROJECT Cradle of Humankind water monitoring results 41 Tshwane Metro steps into hydropower generation 49 Taking control of wellfield operations 54 TECHNICAL PAPER Sustainability assessment of trans-boundary water resources The role of EIAs in achieving sustainable development

56 77

Delivering superior sustainability

REGULARS News international News Africa Trends & products Level of dams Subscriptions MAY/JUNE 2012

72 14 21 102 115 116

Proven Bioremediation Technology SOUTH AFRICA

EDITOR'S LET TER

Publisher Elizabeth Shorten Editor Debbie Besseling Creative executive head Frédérick Danton Senior designer Hayley Mendelow Senior sub-editor Claire Nozaic Sub-editor Patience Gumbo Contributors K King, Dr K Winter, S van Wyk, D Beer, T Luukkonen Marketing Martin Hiller Production manager Antois-Leigh Visagie Production assistant Jacqueline Modise Subscription sales Nomsa Masina Distribution coordinator Asha Pursotham Administration Tonya Hebenton Printers United Litho Johannesburg +27 (0)11 402 0571 Advertising sales Avé Delport Tel: +27 (0)11 467 6224 • Cell: +27 (0)83 302 1342 Fax: 086 502 1216 E-mail: avedel@lantic.net

The success of the water sector

his

issue

Water&Sanitation

Africa is our WISA conference issue and we are proud to be the oﬃcial magazine of the Water Institute of

Southern Africa.

Publisher

The WISA 2012 Conference, with the theme Water footprint , is expected to at-

MEDIA Physical address: No 4, 5 th Avenue Rivonia 2056 Postal address: PO Box 92026, Norwood 2117, South Africa Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600 Fax: +27 (0)11 234 7274/5 E-mail: debbie@3smedia.co.za

tract more than 1 200 delegates. With this comes a wealth of knowledge from industry professionals. Each of the speakers, exhibitors and delegates has a valuable amount of expertise in their own speciﬁc ﬁeld. The conference and exhibition will showcase and highlight the achievements, successes

and accomplishments in the sector, through approximately 140 technical papers and a

DebbliiengM Besse

All articles in Water&Sanitation Africa are copyright protected and may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the prior written permission of the publishers. The views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Water Institute of Southern Africa or the publishers.

range of workshops and posters. In addition,

There will be a vast selection of learning

feature includes an insight into the projects

opportunities at the conference, which is

that are currently in progress or recently

WISA CONTACTS:

what it is all about ‒ being able to improve

completed. These include the Franschhoek

HEAD OFFICE Tel: +27 (0)11 805 3537 Fax: +27 (0)11 315 1258 Physical address: 1st Floor, Building 5, Constantia Park, 546 16th Road, Randjiespark Ext 7, Midrand

your knowledge and expertise.

wastewater treatment works, which is a

BRANCHES Eastern Cape Chairman: Anderson Mancotywa Tel: +27 (0)41 506 2172 Secretary/treasurer: Owen Wentzel Tel: +27 (0)41 363 1984

more than 100 exhibitors will showcase the latest products, technologies and expertise available in the industry.

Six years ago, 3S Media launched the

result of emergency interventions to ﬁnd

promotional issue of WISA s oﬃcial maga-

a solution for the severe capacity overload

zine, Water&Sanitation Africa, at the WISA

at the Franschhoek wastewater treatment

Biennial Conference and Exhibition held at

works. Another project covered in this is-

the ICC Durban in May 2006. Six years on,

sue is the Overstrand Municipality which

we are proud to bring you our largest issue

instructed its groundwater consultants to

to date, ﬁlled with invaluable information

upgrade the infrastructure at the Gateway

from cover to cover. Copies of this issue are

Wellﬁeld. Operation and maintenance of

Free State Chairman: Gerda Venter Tel: +27 (0)51 405 9201 Secretary/treasurer: Riana Wessels Tel: +27 (0)56 515 0375

available in the delegate bags and also from

the sophisticated new wellﬁeld has since

the 3S Media stand in the exhibition hall.

been oﬃcially handed over to the munici-

KwaZulu-Natal Chairman: Gordon Borain Tel: +27 (0)33 846 1826 Secretary/treasurer: Stephanie Walsh Tel: +27 (0)31 302 4077

www.ewisa.co.za

Western Cape Chairman: John Clayton Tel: +27 (0)21 531 6411 Secretary/treasurer: Farouk Robertson Tel: +27 (0)21 400 4574

Water is always a current topic and often

pal staﬀ. The Meulwater Water Treatment

makes headline news ‒ more often than

Works will ensure a reliable water source

not in a bad way. There are many suc-

for Paarl s increasing demands. The plant

cessful

has a capacity of 8 Mℓ/d that is upgrada-

projects taking place in the ! n Africa , think WISA Institute of Souther Think water T e of the Water

on ter& Sanitati ica magazin The official T

urce wat er reso Com plet e

ater and was tew

man age men

Afr

wate water

sector

some

ble to 15 Mℓ/d.

of which are high-

We have a lot to be proud of in the water in-

ligh lighted in this issue.

dustry and I take this opportunity to wish you

The extensive Cape

a successful and educational conference.

Cover opportunity

WISA mission statement m The Water Institute of Southern Africa provides a forum

SEMBCORP , Vital partners r solutions essential wate

for exchange of information and views to improve

IES MUNICIPALIT g Water meterin e reference guid

water resource management in southern Africa.

RT ORT REPO WATER REP ankind

Endorsed by

Cradle of Hum

THE HOT SEAT

tor aging direc ueeny, man y''s Dean Mulq the company m, discusses 12 P12 P1 NCP Chlorche t solutions water treatmen

1990-8857 2012 • ISSN May / June

7 No. 3 R35.00 • Vol • Cover price

MEDIA

In each issue, Water & Sanitation Africa oﬀers companies the opportunity to get to the front of the line by placing a company, product or service on the front cover of the magazine. Buying this position will aﬀord the advertiser the cover story on pages 4 and 5 and maximum exposure. For more information on cover bookings contact Avé Delport on +27 (0)83 302 1342 or e-mail avedel@lantic.net

MAY/JUNE 2012

COVER STORY

Sembcorp

Vital partners, essential water Sembcorp Industries is a global water and energy services provider. It is the name that people trust to deliver this most precious resource: clean and reliable water supply that supports development and enhances the quality of life for millions. t Sembcorp, we understand that

challenges in the sub-continent and believes

• Volume of water supplied: 78 Mℓ/d

every drop is vital. Operating in 19

that through its global track record, access

• Volume of sewage treated: 36 Mℓ/d

countries, we manage over seven

to cutting-edge technology and willingness

• Distribution network: 1 005 km of water

million cubic metres of water and

to invest in viable projects, it can provide

pipes over 410 km2 with 42 booster

wastewater daily, 24 hours a day, seven days

solutions to both the public and private sec-

a week. We keep the wheels of industry turn-

tors water, wastewater and energy needs.

ing and supply over ﬁve million people with

Sembcorp Silulumanzi, located in Mbombela

sewer pipes and 30 sewage pump stations

the fresh water they need. Households and

Local Municipality in Mpumalanga province,

• each domestic customer enjoys free basic

enterprises across six continents rely on our

is a 30-year concession contract, which com-

services whereby the ﬁrst 6 000 ℓ of water

innovative and sustainable water solutions

menced in 1999, and has the exclusive rights

and sanitation services are free; this in-line

to meet a range of water needs ‒ from the

to provide water and wastewater treatment

supply of potable and industrial water, the

to the towns of Nelspruit, Matsulu and

• since 1999, access to at least a basic level

specialised treatment of industrial wastewa-

Kanyamazane. The company has improved

of water services has been improved from

ter to water reclamation and desalination.

and expanded service delivery in the town-

24 000 to 64 971 households. Revenue

ships during its ﬁrst two years of operation

collection eﬃciency improved from 73%

Sembcorp acquisitions

by laying 91 km of new mains as well as

to 78%. (Source: World Bank Report. Case

In 2010, Sembcorp acquired Sembcorp

18 km of sewers.

Study for the 10 years of the Mbombela

Silulumanzi and Sembcorp Siza Water in

pump stations • Sewer distribution network is 582 km of

with national government policy

(Nelspruit)

South Africa as part of its global expansion

About Sembcorp Silulumanzi

plans in the region. Sembcorp is aware

• Client: Mbombela Local Municipality

of the water, wastewater and energy

• Population served: 390 000

MAY MAY/JU Y /JU / NE /J E 201 20122 MAY/JUNE

Water

and

Sanitation

Concession. South Africa, Paul Bender and Stewart Gibson, January 2010). The results of this case study have certainly

COVER STORY

solutions shown the beneﬁts of having a competent

quality. The Sembcorp Silulumanzi systems

and committed private sector operator dedi-

obtained the South African Department of

cated to the provision of the water and

Water and Environmental Aﬀairs Blue and

sanitation services. Whichever of the above

Green Drop awards. This was due to the

delivery mechanisms is adopted, the key to

good condition of infrastructure, thanks to

success lies in the following three areas:

a good maintenance programme, including

1. attracting and retaining quality people

eﬀorts and investment spent to upgrade the

ABOVE NST WTW Platinum Blue Drop Team

who have skills, expertise and customer

existing infrastructure. All that while having

BELOW Nelspruit Water Treatment Works

focus, as well as supporting resources, to

tariﬀ levels similar or lower than comparable

optimise service delivery

municipalities across South Africa.

maintenance, equipment upgrades, billing

• ISO9001,

and debt collection of water and sanitation

2. ensuring that suﬃcient funds (both capital and operating) are available to pay for skills and to expand and maintain the

ISO14001

and

OHSAS18001

services for the Dolphin Coast.

accreditation. • Awarded, on behalf of Mbombela Local Municipality, the Platinum Blue Drop and

Services and assets

3. a strong contract management control that

Green Drop Awards by the Department of

Sembcorp

ensures contract compliance ,and enforces

Water Aﬀairs, in recognition of excellent

water treatment services. The company

the requirements of the authority within

water quality management. These awards

operates 10 reservoirs with a combined

the terms of the contract. (Source: World

are given for three consecutive Blue and

capacity of 17.8 Mℓ and maintains a

Bank Report. Case Study for the 10 years

Green Drop awards.

water network of 270 km. Reservoirs are

required infrastructure

Siza

Water

provides

various

of the Mbombela (Nelspruit) Water and

• Community Training and Development

monitored and cleaned regularly to ensure

Sanitation Concession, South Africa, Paul

Centre established to provide in-house

water quality compliance. Sembcorp Siza

Bender and Stewart Gibson, January 2010).

courses to raise basic skills for employees

Water has achieved close to 100% water

In a recent independent study document

and training for the community in com-

quality compliance since 1999 (assessed by

‒ Aquafed ‒ private operators delivering

puter literacy, business skills development,

independent laboratories).

performance for water users and public

water and wastewater care.

Three treatments works process 19.2 Mℓ

authorities. Examples across the world,

• The capital works programmes have cre-

of sewage per day. Sembcorp Siza Water

March 2012 ‒ the following is quoted: One

ated over 1 200 temporary jobs to date and

also operates 26 sewage pump stations,

of the main improvements is the water

continues to invest in SMME s.

with 196 km of sewer reticulation. The sew-

• Over R1 million in cash prizes have

age treatment plants meet almost 100%

been awarded, since 2003, to local high

of regulated requirements (assessed by

schools participating in the soccer and

independent laboratories).

netball tournament sponsored annually by

Sembcorp Siza Water has achieved both Blue Drop and Green Drop certiﬁcation by the

Sembcorp Silulumanzi. • Charities, pre-schools, primary schools,

Department of Water Aﬀairs.

libraries and community-based organisations beneﬁt every year through sponsor-

Safety, health and environment

ship based on a needs and priority basis.

Sembcorp Siza Water is ISO 14001:2004

• Awarded the 2011 PMR Golden Arrow

(Environmental

Management

System)

Award for its contribution to the economic

and OSHAS 18001:2007 (Health & Safety

development of Mpumalanga.

Management System) accredited.

About Sembcorp Siza Water

Awards

Located on the Dolphin Coast of KwaZulu-

Sembcorp was awarded the Global Water

Natal (now part of the Ilembe District

Intelligence Water Company of the Year

Municipality) about 35 km from Durban,

award in 2010 and Global Water Intelligence

Sembcorp Siza Water has been serving the

Global Water Awards Desalination Deal of

water needs of the Ballito community and the

the Year in 2011.

surrounding areas since 1999. It was the ﬁrst public-private partnership for water services in South Africa. The company currently employs 67 trained staﬀ members, all of whom contribute to the

www.sembcorp.com

In each issue, Water&Sanitation Africa oﬀers advertisers the opportunity to promote their company s products and services to an appropriate audience by booking the prime position of the front cover, which includes a two-page feature article. The magazine oﬀers advertisers an ideal platform to ensure maximum exposure of their brand. Please call Avé Delport on +27 (0)11 467 6224/ +27 (0)83 302 1342 to secure your booking.

MAY/JUNE 2012

Clean solutions in your process automation. Proline Promag 800 Endress+Hauser now compliments its flow measurement basket for the Water and Wastewater industries with innovative battery operated magnetic flowmeters up to DN 600. The new Promag 800 gives you reliable monitoring of water systems, leak detection and end user water consumption without need for power. Drinking water and custody transfer approvals are available.

Liquicontrol CDC80 The LiquiControl CDC80 is a stand-alone control system for efficient aeration basin control. It provides independent control through the analysis of the ammonia degradation rate and the real condition of the biological process. • Reduce energy consumption by optimising aeration control • Ensure safe (Green Drop quality) final effluent parameters • Easily adjust controller settings for Automatic or Manual operation

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Branches: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, eMalahleni (Witbank), Port Elizabeth Satellite offices: Klerksdorp, Northern KwaZulu Natal, Pretoria, Richards Bay, Sasolburg

WISA

President's comment

Welcome from the WISA president

s president of WISA, I am privileged

critical to sustaining economic growth

As WISA will be celebrating 75 years of

and honoured to welcome you

and alleviating the suffering of millions of

existence in the water sector, I invite you

on behalf of the Water Institute of

poor people, especially women and chil-

to join us. I salute the pioneers and volun-

Southern Africa to the WISA 2012

dren, in South Africa and Africa. Improved

teers who dedicated their time to building

water and sanitation services, and inte-

this institute into what it is today. As we

grated water resources management are

celebrate this anniversary, we must re-

key to this.

member to build a strong and sustainable

Biennial Conference and Exhibition. The South African government has committed itself to improving water and sanitation service delivery to its people and

The formation of the new Process

WISA, well positioned to address the wa-

this has to be realised through the efforts

Controllers Division within WISA is one

ter sector challenges facing the continent.

of various stakeholders such as those of

of the ways to consolidate the Blue and

Lastly, I would like to encourage the delegates to participate in discussions

Managing our water resources to ensure their sustainability requires concerted eﬀorts from various government departments, industries and communities

and

networking

that

knowledge

gained during this conference is translated into action. I wish you all the best for this conference. WISA President 2011/2012

our sector, electricity and energy, public

Green Drop programmes. The WISA 2012

health and others.

programme is also drawn in such a way

Managing our water resources to ensure

that Process Controllers have their dedi-

their sustainability requires concerted

cated sessions for we need to uplift the

efforts from various government depart-

morale and ensure that the functioning

ments, industries and communities. This is

of this division is sustainable. This will, in

an effort that needs short-, mid- and long-

turn, improve the provision of water and

term perspectives and collectively will be

sanitation services.

aimed at providing better lives for current and future generations.

The theme of WISA 2012 conference is Water Footprint . This is a prestigious

WISA s role in the sector is to find solu-

biennial event that you cannot afford to

tions to the water challenges facing us

miss; hence I thank you for choosing to

within Southern Africa and worldwide.

attend. The WISA 2012 conference will

This is done by providing forums for the

allow you to engage in various topical

water sector experts, professionals and

issues that are critical to the provision

leaders in the field to interact on a broad

of water and sanitation services, protec-

range of water-related topics.

tion, use, development, conservation,

WISA s strong commitment in serving the sector and improving results will be

PATRON MEMBERS • ABS Wastewater

management and control of our scarce water resources.

• Development Bank of Southern Africa

• Magalies Water • Merck

• TCTA • Tecroveer

• NCP Chlorchem

• eThekwini Municipality

• Nelson Mandela Bay

• Aveng Water

• Festo

• BIGEN AFRICA Services

• GE Betz South Africa

• Overberg Water

• BKS

• Golder Associates Africa

• PD Naidoo & Associates

• Bloem Water

• Grundfos Alldos

• Botjheng Water

• Hatch

• Rand Water

• City of Cape Town

• Huber Technology

• SALGA

• City of Tshwane

• ITT Water & Wastewater

• SAME Water

• Department of Water Aﬀairs

Environmental Consultants

• Mhlathuze Water

• ESKOM Holdings

• Dow Water & Process SA

• SSI Engineers and

• ERWAT

• Amatola Water

Technology

Anderson Mluleki an M cotywa

South Africa • Johannesburg Water

Metropolitan Municipality

Consulting Engineers

• Umgeni Water • Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies South Africa • Water Research Commission • Water & Sanitation Services SA

• Sedibeng Water

• WEC Projects

• Siemens

• Zetachem

MAY/JUNE 2012

WISA

History

WISA celebrates 75 years WISA this year celebrates its 75th anniversary. In this article we take a look at the institute’s distinguished history.

he history of the Water Institute of Southern Africa

Hamlin also recruited two top experienced profession-

(WISA) can be directly linked to the early days of

als from England to plan and operate the system. They

Johannesburg. Gold was discovered on the farm

were Harold Wilson, a biochemist, and Harold Clausen,

Langlaagte in February 1886. This was to be the

a civil engineer. Wilson was located in the Public Health

pivot point around which Johannesburg developed. The

Department to ensure an independent laboratory moni-

main gold-bearing reef series spread out to the east and

toring of works performance and Clausen was appointed

west of the discovery point and a number of smaller towns

in the City Engineer s Department as superintendent

sprang up around Johannesburg to service the new gold

of sewage works and was responsible for its operation.

mining industry. Each of these towns was to develop its

Managers with little experience were then appointed

own unique system of sewage disposal. By the late 20s and

largely from the local artisan staﬀ to manage the new

early 30s, these initial systems were in dire need of upgrad-

works. They were: J Richardson (Antea), John Sampson

ing and this period witnessed the construction of a large

(Bruma), Wally Alison (Cydna) and Charlie Crystal (Delta).

number of new works.

Clausen provided the necessary extensive training, one

Prior to the 30s, the Klipspruit Sewage Farm was the

step being to arrange a regular monthly meeting of man-

only facility Johannesburg possessed for handling its

agers. BR Spencer, manager of the Klipspruit works, and

wastewater. Klipspruit served the whole area, while much

the senior chemists also attended these meetings. Later

of the areas draining to the north were served by recours-

other local authorities expressed interest and Retief Krige

ing to the bucket system. Dr EJ Hamlin, city engineer at

(Germiston), Piet Vosloo (Springs) and H de Vaal (Pretoria)

the time, gave priority to sanitation and sewage treatment

attended these meetings. It rapidly became clear that

plants were established in four of the north-ﬂowing stream

there were a lot of interesting developments taking place

valleys. According to Harold Wilson the new works were

on the local scene. Springs had constructed percolating

named in alphabetical order: Antea was the ﬁrst, the Bruma

ﬁlters below ground level, very deep totally enclosed ﬁl-

(a wet place in the Bible), Cydna (after the river Cydnus, on

ters were being used in Germiston, Pretoria was operating

which the ancient city of Tarsus was sited) and Delta, which

shallow high-load trickling ﬁlters and Johannesburg had

was named for the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet.

installed ridge and furrow diffused-air activated sludge plants, deep trickling filters with intermediate air vents and a German design digester etc. Hamlin and Wilson both had experience of the Institute of Sewage Purification in England and both later served as president of that organisation. They were keen to see a forum established under the auspices of this organisation where South African experience and problems could be discussed.

Introduction WISA was officially formed in 1987, not as a body that had been spontaneously created at that time but as one that had evolved over more than half a century and incurring several name changes en route. The first creative steps were taken at a meeting held at the Cydna Biochemical laboratory in Johannesburg on May 4 1937 when the following resolutions were passed: • That it is unanimously agreed that an association shall be, and is hereby formed; the objective of that association being set forth in pages 13 to 15 of the Articles of Association of the (British) Institute of Sewage Purification. • That this association shall forthwith take steps to become recognised as the South African Branch of the Institute of Sewage Purification. • That a temporary committee be elected to deal with local

MAY/JUNE 2012

WISA

by-laws and necessary correspondence,

local candidates it became necessary for the

Members of IWPC wishing to join WISA were

the committee to consist of: Clausen, JA

Southern African Branch to create its own

slotted into the WISA membership structure

McLachlan, Spencer and Wilson.

infrastructure, including tuition facilities for

at grades identical to (or very close to)

Those present at the inaugural meeting

this purpose. The examination committee

their IWPC grades.

were Alison, Clausen, McLachlan, KA Murray,

drew up lecture notes and the examination

The mission of WISA is to provide a forum

J Pollock, Richardson, P O Reilly, Sampson,

consisted of a theory paper as well as a

for the exchange of information and views

Spencer H de Vaal, Vosloo and Wilson.

practical report on a speciﬁc water pollu-

to improve water resource management in

Membership of the branch increased at a

tion problem. This entailed collecting and

Southern Africa. Its objectives include inter

satisfactory rate and additional group com-

forwarding the required samples to candi-

alia the promotion of and application of

mittees were formed in Durban, Cape Town

dates, some from as far aﬁeld as the then

scientiﬁc and engineering knowledge and

and Port Elizabeth.

Rhodesia. No easy task! With the aid of the

management skills in the planning, design,

branch, the technikons eventually provided

construction, maintenance, investigation,

Biennial conferences became routine and venues were rotated between the larger centres. In 1963 and 1974 conferences were held outside the Republic of South Africa and in both cases the host city was the then Salisbury in Rhodesia (now Harare in Zimbabwe). After the latter conference,

WISA was oﬃcially formed in 1987, not as a body that had been spontaneously created at that time but as one that had evolved over more than half a century and incurring several name changes en route

the branch was renamed the Southern African Branch in line with its enhanced geographic coverage.

courses to suit the water industry.

research and education in connection with

The change in name of the institute

the natural and controlled water cycle,

As the branch grew in stature, it slowly

also necessitated the design of a new

including but not be limited to the applica-

gained acceptance as a vehicle for com-

coat of arms, which in lay terms is

tion of scientiﬁc engineering and manage-

ment on matters of national importance

described as follows:

ment skills to all or any of hydrology water

such as the bill leading to the promulgation

The shield bears horizontal wavy lines to

resources, river management and ﬂood

of the 1956 Water Act, the introduction of

represent a river with three fountains upon

alleviation, recreation, water supply and

biologically soft or degradable synthetic

which a kingﬁsher is perched symbolising its

distribution, sewerage, sewage and indus-

detergents, grazing of cattle on sewage ir-

tributaries. The black segment of the shield

trial waste treatment, disposal and water

rigated land etc.

represents pollution, with the roundels

pollution control .

In the educational ﬁeld, the branch ar-

symbolising bubbles of gas rising to the

Robert A Laing of Colington, was commis-

ranged for the production of a manual

surface. The kingﬁsher feeding on ﬁsh and

sioned to design a coat of arms for WISA

for sewage works operators and provided

water insects represents an unpolluted

that would also provide a recognisable link

appropriate training courses terminating

stream and the sword it holds in its beak, as

to its past association with IWPC. The ﬁnal

in an examination and the presentation of

well as the sword on the shield, represents

design was accepted and registered by the

a certiﬁcate to successful candidates. This

the aim of the institute, i.e. water pollution

State Herald.

latter function was subsequently taken over

control. The motto means Towards Purity .

by the Technical Colleges, which still obtain their updated course manuals from WISA.

The IWPC kingﬁsher has been retained as a

The year 1987 was a signiﬁcant year for

dominant feature, but has a ﬁsh in its mouth

the water-related professional institutes in

instead of a sword thus indicating a need

By 1967, general consensus had been

Britain, viz. IWPC. The Institution of Water

for fresh water resources. This idea is further

reached by the parent body to change

Engineers & Scientists and the Institution

conﬁrmed by the motto Aqua Vita Est, i.e.

the institute s name to the Institute of

of Public Health Engineers decided to

Water is Life. The black area, as in the IWPC

Water

amalgamate as the Institution for Water and

design, represents polluted water contain-

expanded objectives of promoting the

Environmental Management (IWEM). With

ing bubbles of rising gas. The fess or bridge

science and practice of wastewater

the maturity reached by the local branch

represents man s intervention leading to the

it was decided that the time was optimal

production of clean water depicted by the

for a totally autonomous institute

wavy lines beneath the bridge. The design

Pollution

Control

(IWPC)

with

management, including: • The puriﬁcation of domestic and industrial wastewaters, pollution control of rivers and the seas,

to be formed locally.

alludes to a Cape Dutch Gable thus reinforc-

In terms of the separa-

ing the South African sphere of operation.

and the optimal reclamation

tion

reached

The shape symbolises dynamic motion

and reuse of puriﬁed eﬄuents

with the parent body, the

and the colouring represents the transfor-

newly formed Water Institute

mation of polluted water (dark) to clear,

for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes. • To provide a professional home for

agreement

of Southern Africa (WISA) would retain all the assets accrued

clean water. A

vastly

improved

a wide spectrum of scientiﬁc disciplines

during its 50-year association with the

that are required to achieve these aims.

British Institute, but would create a R20 000

specialised

To uphold high professional standards

trust fund that could be used for the estab-

cal ﬁelds has been

in the institute s membership, a Diploma

lishment of a South African branch of IWEM,

achieved

examination was introduced and had to

if local demand and interest warranted this

progressive introduc-

be successfully passed to be awarded

action. During the three-year tenure of this

tion of 10 technical

corporate membership. The content of

trust, IWEM did not establish a South African

divisions (12 in 2002),

the British examination was unsuitable for

branch and the money reverted to WISA.

which

MAY/JUNE 2012

coverage

are

speciﬁc techni-

now

the

only

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THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT SPECIALISTS

WISA

called divisions, operating on a national

When WISA was founded in 1987 it oper-

basis in the following ﬁelds: anaerobic pro-

ated as a legally accepted Association not

cesses, membrane technology, mine water,

for gain with a constitution that was lodged

With increasing membership and activi-

nutrient removal, river basin management,

with the Receiver of Revenue. Exemption

ties the institute had to seek more spacious

sludge management, water reticulation,

from the payment of income tax was there-

premises and sectional title oﬃce space was

community water supply and sanitation,

after granted. However, with the increasing

then purchased in Burke House, Randburg,

and watercare. The ﬁnal one came about

growth of the institute, it became necessary

and rented out pending occupation by

when the fully autonomous Association

for WISA to register with the Receiver in

WISA. During this period, however, WISA

for Water Treatment Personnel, with four

terms of VAT legislation and in January 2000

was oﬀered a minority share holding in

Clausen had become suddenly ill and died shortly afterwards.

national branches, agreed to amalgamate with WISA. Its membership, assets and administrative infrastructure were then used to form the nucleus of the new Watercare Division in February 1992. Non-WISA members were permitted to

The mission of WISA is to provide a forum for the exchange of information and views to improve water resource management in Southern Africa

join divisions, for one year, but were obviously encouraged to subsequently take up

it was ﬁnally registered in terms of the South

New Road Properties Pty Ltd. and rented

WISA membership.

African Companies Act as a not for gain

accommodation in one of its oﬃce blocks in

Section 21 company, as the Water Institute

Thandanani Park, Matuka Close in Midrand.

of Southern Africa.

The share holding was accepted and the

International aﬃliations that had been established when still operating as a branch

Randburg property sold. Since then, WISA

of IWPC have been maintained and include representation on the South African na-

Administration

has moved again in 2005 to Rosen Oﬃce

tional committee of IWA-SA, which came

The Institute of Sewage Puriﬁcation was a

Park, Invicta Road, Midrand.

about through the amalgamation of the

registered company in terms of the British

International Water Supply Association

Companies Act and its Articles of Association

Institute journal

and the International Association on Water

made provision for the creation of branches,

Neither WISA nor its predecessors has ever

Quality. WISA is also a member associa-

but not for their dissolution. The South

produced its own journal. In the early days

tion of the Water Environment Federation

African branch operated under these con-

papers presented at the institute were

(United States of America) and is entitled to

ditions and was required to pass the vast

published in the magazine Public Health .

two representatives on its board of control.

majority of its income from membership

When the ﬁnancial burden to that institute

Liaison arrangements exist with the

fees to the parent body to assist in ﬁnancing

became too great arrangements were made

Wastewater

the costs of the journal. The 10% (approxi-

with the parent body of the Institute of

Association (now the Australian Water

mately) of income left in South Africa was

Sewage Puriﬁcation to publish South African

Association) and the International Water

insuﬃcient to support paid administrative

papers once per year in Part 3 of its Journal

Resources Association, while contact is

staﬀ and for nearly the ﬁrst half-century sec-

& Proceedings. A photograph of the cur-

maintained with the Chartered Institution

retarial duties were carried out on a largely

rent South African branch chairman would

Management

honorary basis, with token honoraria being

also be presented on the ﬁrst page of this

(United Kingdom). A journal exchange sys-

paid in the late 80s, this included the post of

particular part.

tem was operative with the Japan Sewage

bookkeeper. A full-time paid secretary was

Once again this arrangement suﬀered

Works Association for a period of one year.

appointed in 1987 and a salaried part-time

ﬁnancial problems and came to an end

include

director was appointed in 1994. The latter

with the formation of IWEM. For a limited

African

post was elevated to a full-time basis in 1995

period, local presentations were published

Industrial Water Association, the Vaal

and in April 2000 was converted to that of

in IMIESA (The magazine of the Institution of

River Catchment Association, the IWA-SA

chief executive oﬃcer who was appointed in

Municipal Engineers of South Africa) until an

and

terms of a contract for three years.

arrangement was made for WISA material to

Australian

Water

South

Environmental

African

membership

the

and

Habitat

aﬃliations the

South

Council.

partner-

be incorporated in Water Sewage & Eﬄuent,

ship agreement was also reached in 2000 with the South African Women s

Oﬃce accommodation

copies of which would be made available to

Empowerment Foundation.

The Johannesburg City Council at its Cydna

its members at no cost. Members were also

Membership of the institute currently

Laboratory very generously provided of-

able to receive two publications of the Water

stands at 1 349 (2002), including 231 cor-

ﬁce accommodation for the South African

Research Commission, namely Water SA and

poration members such as local authorities,

branch of the Institute of Sewage Puriﬁction

SA Waterbulletin. Journals of the American

water boards and universities. WISA also

and its successors at no cost over a period

Waterworks Association and WPCF of the

has some 41 members residing in 12 coun-

of 50 years. In recognition of this support

United States of America were available to

tries beyond the borders of South Africa.

WISA donated a framed oil painting to the

members via the institute s library.

WISA has never acknowledged race, colour,

Laboratory. The original painting purchased

At the request of the Water Pollution

gender, nationality or religion as a factor in

was stolen before it could be aﬃxed to

Control Federation, the South African insti-

determining the admission of any person

a suitable wall and it was necessary to

tute facilitated the collection of a number

to membership. Patron membership was

supply a replacement. Messrs Clausen

of papers describing South African waste-

introduced in 1996 and in 2002 WISA had

and Alison, the only surviving foundation

water puriﬁcation technology, which were

12 such members. The council introduced

members were invited to the presentation

published as a separate feature in a monthly

a Code of Conduct for members in 1999.

ceremony, but while Alison was present

edition of the Federation Journal.

MAY/JUNE 2012

HOT SEAT

NCP Chlorchem

Value-added solutions for the water treatment industry NCP Chlorchem is a major manufacturer and distributor of chlor-alkali products and derivatives targeted at the mining, water treatment, industrial, paper and fine chemicals markets. Debbie Besseling speaks to Dean Mulqueeny, managing director of NCP Chlorchem, about its business in providing water treatment solutions. During its history, Chlorchem has focused on becoming a fully integrated supplier of chlor-alkali products. Some signiﬁcant moments in its history

capacity from 85 000 ECU/annum to 160 000 ECU/annum.

1974: Formation of Aquachlor (50/50 JV with Arch Chemicals) and construction of plant to manufacture calcium hypochlorite under the trade name HTH® 1988:

Commission

• This will be done in 3 phases: ‒ First phase (20 000 ECUs) started production September/October 2008. ‒ First phase completed early 2010.

2009: Built Sodium Hypochlorite plant and

membrane chlor-alkali plant

bulk storage warehousing in Cato Ridge,

1988: Purchase of the re-

KwaZulu-Natal

maining share in Walvis Bay

2010: Built Chlorine Storage Warehouse

Salt Reﬁners

in Atlantis, Cape Town. Oﬃcially opened

1990: Phase 1 expansion of

in 2011.

the chlor-alkali plant

September 2010: 50% shareholding in

1995: Construction of the new ferric chlo-

Botash in Botswana.

CP Chlorchem was ﬁrst es-

ride plant and Phase 2 expansion of the

2012: Upgrade Bloemfontein depot.

tablished

the

chlor-alkali plant

The CAH Group comprises three distinct

site

the

South

1999: Commencement of the Walvis Bay

operations, the chlor-alkali production facil-

expansion programme

ity located in Chloorkop (NCP Chlorchem)

the 60s, it was privatised and in 1967 the

2002: Chlor-Alkali Holdings formed

in South Africa, the salt production facility

then Klipfontein Organic Products became

• The current focus at Chlorchem was to

located at Walvis Bay in Namibia, and 50%

Chloorkop African

government in 1948. During

a founding member of the Sentrachem Group. In 1997, the Dow Chemical Company acquired Sentrachem.

About Chloorkop The latest chlorine plant on the Chloorkop site was built in 1988 using state-of-the-art membrane cell technology developed by Asahi Chemicals. The installation replaced the diaphragm and mercury plants used until then. The facility was further upgraded during expansion projects in 1990 and 1995 to its present production capacity. Asahi remains the world’s leadings chlorine technology supplier, reinforced by the Dow Chemical Company in selecting Asahi technology as its preferred technology for the future.

tential chlorine sinks • A decision was made to double the then

include:

“The team has been specially selected to concentrate on building and strengthening our customer relationships and promoting our range of products” Dean Mulqueeny

double in size and develop any new po-

MAY/JUNE 2012

HOT SEAT

shareholding in Botash in Botswana. The chlor-alkali production facility at Chloorkop is the second largest in South Africa.

Chlorchem s water treatment division NCP Chlorchem is a chlor- alkali industry and its new and creative marketing vision and strategy has chlorine and caustic as its core products. Our people are the source of our success. Chlorchem has transformed the water treatment division to focus on the potable, wastewater and eﬄuent sector. The team has been specially selected to concentrate on building and strengthening our customer relationship and promoting our range of products. The dynamic marketing team comprises the following: • Vassie Naidoo, business unit manager, has 35 years experience in the industry and leads the team in its focus. • Antoinette Baker has experience in the water industry and is regarded as an expert in the ﬂocculation and

deliver these solutions to every household in the country

coagulation market sector.

and in sub-Saharan Africa. Where there is a requirement

• Nhlamulo Chauke is champion of the CEPT (chemical

for water clariﬁcation and sanitation, NCP is there.

enhanced primary treatment process). We have built a custom-made trailer to conduct plant trails. The trailer

Business operations in Africa

is portable and will be used prior to permanent instal-

With most of our water treatment customers concen-

lations. Laboratory results achieved up to 90% removal

trated in South Africa, the regional potable water treat-

of COD.

ment market has been identiﬁed as a potential growth

• Victor Pienaar, our disinfectant manager, has 24 years

market. Opportunities exist to serve the growing water

experience in the disinfectant market. Decisions have

treatment demand in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe

been taken to accelerate the education and training of

and Mozambique. We are looking at a serious co-investment into East

our customers on the applications of chlorine.

Africa, which will allow for our market and allow us to

• Noel Naylor, our exports manager, has 20 years experi-

become competitive with the Eastern countries.

ence in the industry with six years speciﬁcally in the African market.

Vision

• The marketing team is supported by a well-qualiﬁed

To be a world-class company in its operational execution

and expert technical department.

as the producer and preferred supplier of quality caustic

What challenges are faced in the water industry?

and chlorine derivatives, and of long-term, value-adding

Our internal challenge is electricity costs ‒ being a raw

solutions to the water treatment industry in selected

material it is something that we take seriously. We are

African markets. This will be achieved by providing in-

aware of the impact of the rapid rising electricity costs.

novative technologies in the manufacture and supply of

This puts a lot of strain on our competiveness due to the

cost-eﬀective products that

increased costs of the raw materials. There has been a

are supported by the provi-

strong focus on optimisation and process control. We are

sion of world-class technical

exploring opportunities of power generation so that we can be self-suﬃcient and our business remain sustainable. In terms of skills levels there is a strong drive on the

BELOW NCP Chlorchem plants

expertise.

www.ncp.co.za

development of both people and technology within the research side of our business. One of our main challenges is to reposition the company in the minds of our customers, that we are more of a value-added partner than a chemical supplier. We see challenges in the country to ensure that good, clean, pure, healthy water is supplied to all parts of South Africa and we at NCP are actively planning to be part of developing new tailor made solutions for the outlying areas which do not have the infrastructure like the big metros such as Rand Water and the Umgeni Water, the smaller ones they do not have the luxury of sophisticated systems. Our team is working together with some of the metros and municipalities in jointly developing solutions that will allow for sanitised water to be delivered; our dream is to

MAY/JUNE 2012

NEWS

International structure and tunnels are nearly ready to operate, after the commissioning period. The ﬁrst cubic metre of treated water is expected in mid 2012. The Victorian Desalination Plant will be capable of supplying up to 450 000 m3 of drinking water per day, about a third of Melbourne s water needs. Source: Degremont

CANADA

Smallest city has world’s best water AUSTRALIA

The first seawater drops enter the Melbourne plant THE CONSTRUCTION team has successfully completed ﬂooding of the intake and outlet tunnels, 1.2 km and 1.5 km long respectively. It took nearly 72 hours to ﬁll each tunnel with some 40 000 m3 of seawater, through to the seawater lift

pumping station (SWLPS), which is to transfer seawater from the underground tunnels to the desalination plant and to the pre-treatment phase. The energisation of the underground power cable to be run to the SWLPS to power its ﬂeet of submersible pumps will be done gradually. This new step forward will be crucial to the project and will mean that the marine

THE RESIDENTS in Greenwood, British Columbia, have the best tap water in the world, according to an international water tasting, Greenwood Mayor, Nipper Kettle, sent a sample of the city s municipal drinking water to the 22nd annual Berkley Springs International Water Tasting competition in West Virginia. It won top prize: the coveted title of Best Municipal Water in the World

MAY/JUNE 2012

with a score of 40 out of 44. I know the quality of the water. When I ﬁrst moved here I used to buy bottled water and I thought, why am I wasting my time buying bottled water when we have the best water? said Kettle. The community s drinking water comes from underground aquifers and is untreated. The city wins a trophy for the honour. But most importantly, says competition organiser Jill Klein Rone, the city of just 676 residents get bragging rights ‒ something not lost on Kettle.

Judges examine the clarity of the water at the 22nd Annual Berkley Springs International Water Tasting competition.

INDIA

Inadequate power and water pricing promoting groundwater misuse

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh INADEQUATE AND sub-optimal pricing of power and water are promoting misuse of groundwater. Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, has stressed on the need to move towards participatory mechanisms of pricing of water by the primary stakeholders themselves. He also said that keeping in mind the limitations on increasing water supply, a large part of effort to plug the demandsupply gap must focus on increasing water use efficiency. There is no regulation of groundwater extraction and no coordination among competing uses. Inadequate and suboptimal pricing of both power and water is promoting the misuse of groundwater. We need to move to a situation where groundwater can be treated as a common property resource, he said at the inauguration of the first National Water Week. Singh underlined that one of the problems in achieving better management is that the current institutional and legal structures that deal with water in India are inadequate, fragmented and need urgent reform . The planning, development and management of water resources have to keep pace with current realities. There is a suggestion that a broad over-arching national legal framework of general principles on water is necessary to pave the way for essential legislation on water governance in every state, he said. Source: The Indian Express

JAPAN

Experts warn of future risk of giant tsunami REVISED ESTIMATES of the potential impact from an earthquake oﬀ Japan s

southern coast show much of the country s Paciﬁc shore could be inundated by a tsunami more than 34 m high. A government-commissioned panel of experts says a tsunami unleashed by an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 in the Nankai trough, which runs east of Japan s main island of Honshu to the southern island of Kyushu, could top 34 m. An earlier forecast in 2003 put the potential maximum height of such a tsunami at less than 20 m. The revisions, posted on a government website, are based on new research following last March s magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, which devastated a long stretch of Japan s north-eastern coast and killed about 19 000 people. Last year s catastrophe, and the ensuing crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, has prompted sweeping reviews of Japan s disaster preparedness and criticism over apparent failures to take into account potential risks. The tsunami knocked out power at the 40-year-old coastal nuclear plant, leading to the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986. Tens of thousands of residents had to leave the area, and it s unclear whether some will ever be able to move back. The Fukushima plant was designed to withstand a 6 m tsunami. The actual surge was 14 m high. The revised tsunami forecast for a possible Nankai earthquake says Tokyo could expect waves up to 2.3 m high. But at the coastal town of Kuroshio, on the island of Shikoku, the tsunami could top 34 m, it shows. The computer modelling for the revised forecasts assumes a high tide for the highest estimates. Source: nzherald.co.nz

MIDDLE EAST

Water and energy investments currently total $US180 billion THE EMIRATE IS investing $US100 billion (R782 billion)into King Abdullah City of Atomic and Renewable Energy, due to begin construction next year, with 15 smaller projects worth $US9 billion in the works, according to ﬁgures collated by Ventures Middle East ahead of the Middle East Ele

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NEWS

ctricity exhibition in Dubai. According to the World Energy Council, the Gulf Cooperation Council will require 100 GW of additional power over the next 10 years to meet growing demand. The power sector will require $US50 billion worth of investments in new power generating capacity and $US20 billion in desalination, says exhibition director Anita Mathews. Qatar recently announced plans to build at least nine power and water facilities worth $US4.8 billion over three years, including the $US3 billion Qatar Facility D power project, commencing this year. Bahrain has four ongoing projects worth $US4.2 billion, Kuwait has 17 projects valued at $US4 billion and Oman has put aside $US2.9 billion for 13 new power, water and energy projects to begin at various points in the year ahead. Elsewhere in the Middle East, Jordan has nine projects predominantly in the water sector worth $US6.1 billion starting this year, with Morocco looking to make the most of its wind resources, earmarking $US3.8 billion for renewable energy projects over the next two years. At the same time, Egypt and Iraq continue to move forward

with power infrastructure plans as both countries commit $US5.3 billion each to new projects over the next two years. Source: Ameinfo

SINGAPORE

Smarter water treatment services through mobile cloud application

VEOLIA WATER Solutions & Technologies and Appear IQ, a mobile enterprise application platform specialist, announce that a new mobile cloud application has been rolled out for Veolia in Singapore. Veolia has selected Appear IQ enterprise mobile platform to design, manage and support a new mobile application with the aims to track pick-ups and deliveries, and ensure the ultimate quality of its Service Deionisation (SDI) activities. Through its state-of-the-art and fully automatic regeneration centre in Singapore, Veolia handles 25 000 m3 of resin every month and oﬀers a

convenient, safe and economical method that ensures the sustainable supply of the highest quality water through a large range of exchangeable columns (anion, cation, mixed-bed and activated carbon). This flexible SDI solution does not require system installation, chemical handling and maintenance. Laurent Besson, general manager of Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies in Singapore, explains: Keeping track of thousands of purification column units across the country is a challenging task for our engineers. With the Appear IQ mobile cloud approach, we successfully implemented a cost-effective solution covering all our needs for a fraction of the cost of a dedicated turnkey solution. Vincent Dollet, chief technical officer of Appear IQ, highlights the innovative design of the solution: The solution facilitates deployment of applications without the upfront cost and complexity of buying and managing the underlying hardware and software platforms. We provide support for application development, testing, deployment and hosting as well as backend integration, security, scalability and storage. Source: Marketwatch

THAILAND

Architects’ answer to rising seas: floating homes

AROUND THE WORLD, architects and city planners are exploring ways mankind and water may be able to coexist as oceans rise and other phenomenon induced by climate change, including extreme, erratic floods, threaten landrooted living. We will have to live with a more watery environment. There is no choice, says Danai Thaitakoo, a Thai landscape architect whose Bangkok house was swamped last year as the country suffered its worst floods of modern times. The Thai capital is also among the mega coastal cities projected by the end of this century to lie totally or partially under water as global warming boosts sea levels, according to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Thai architect Chutayaves Sinthuphan, who will be

MAY/JUNE 2012

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NEWS

unveiling a pilot amphibious house for the Thai government in September, says interest in such projects has grown since last year s floods, which killed more than 600 people and affected more than a fifth of the country s 64 million people. We have had proposals out for some time, but nobody has paid attention to them until the floods came, he says. His Site-Specific Company has already built such houses for private clients using modern techniques and materials, but like other architects in Asia he looked to a past when communities adapted well to annual monsoon season inundations. They point to a riverside village in the southern province of Surat Thani, where everyone lived on homes atop bamboo rafts until all but three families moved on land. Those three homes were the only ones that survived last year s floods. Source: Bloomberg business week

UNITED KINGDOM

Drought conditions spread DROUGHT HAS spread in Britain, with parts of east and south Yorkshire now officially affected. The Environment Agency said public water supplies should not be affected, but lower river and groundwater levels meant businesses and farmers that take water from rivers should use it wisely.

International The agency has already declared drought in areas of the South East and East Anglia. Seven water companies in those areas had to impose hosepipe bans on 5 April. Yorkshire Water said it did not anticipate any restrictions such as hosepipe bans for the time being. Our regional water supply system gives us flexibility, what it doesn t give us is an unlimited supply of water, so we would always encourage our customers to only use what they need, when they need it. As the warm spell across the United Kingdom continued, firefighters were involved in tackling blazes in North Yorkshire, south Wales, Dumfries and Galloway, and the Borders. On Hanging Moor, in Thruscross, it took more than 35 firefighters almost 12 hours to bring a blaze under control after being called to the scene early on Tuesday afternoon. In south Wales on Tuesday, a grass fire spread to a house, garage and electricity poles near Pontardawe in the Swansea Valley, while forestry in the Rhondda Fach was also hit by a spreading grass fire. The Environment Agency has warned that above-average rainfall could be required in coming weeks if drought is not to spread more widely. Two dry winters have led to concerns that wetlands, ponds and streams could dry out, damaging wildlife including

amphibians, aquatic insects and wading birds. Source: BBC News

UNITED STATES

Researchers build ‘wastewater generator’ RESEARCHERS IN the United States have built a prototype device which they say can generate electricity from wastewater. The team at Pennsylvania State University says the technology would treat the water simultaneously. They suggest the process could be adopted in developing countries, providing clean water and power for homes. Scientists in the Netherlands have been exploring the idea of generating renewable power along the country s coastline for some years where fresh water from rivers meets the salt water of the sea. Using

MAY/JUNE 2012

a process called reverse electrodialysis (RED), fresh water and seawater are placed in intermittent chambers separated by membranes and an electrochemical charge is created. A Norwegian company is developing a similar technology using saline and fresh water. The team from the university says RED technology is problematic because of the large number of membranes required and because power plants have to be located by the sea. The prototype technology also bypasses the need for salt water by using ammonium bicarbonate solution as a substitute, meaning the system could work in communities far from the sea. The ammonium bicarbonate solution would be constantly recycled, using waste heat from local industry. Lead researcher Prof Bruce Logan said: If we treat wastewater in just a microbial fuel cell, we don t create much power and it takes a long time. In our process, we have the MFC part that treats wastewater and creates energy,

and we have the RED stack, which is just boosting that process ‒ it s making it happen more eﬃciently. He says the process could potentially be used anywhere, but could provide both clean water and power to communities in developing countries. The main application right now is in wastewater treatment where you could eﬀectively treat the water, but also gain some extra energy from waste heat. Instead of having a net drain, we have a net gain. Source: BBC News

Miracle tree could produce clean drinking water SCIENTISTS IN WASHINGTON have turned to Moringa oleifera, also called the miracle tree ‒ a plant grown in equatorial regions for food, traditional medicine and biofuel ‒ to economically produce clean drinking water in developing countries. The latest episode in the American Chemical Society s award-winning Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions podcast series describes how the seeds of the plant can be used to produce clean drinking water. The new water-treatment process requiring only tree seeds and sand could purify and clarify water inexpensively and sustainably in the developing world, where more than one billion people lack access to clean drinking water, according to the scientists. Removing the disease-causing microbes and sediment from drinking water requires technology not always available in rural areas of developing countries. For an alternative approach, scientists looked to Moringa oleifera. Past research showed that a protein in Moringa seeds can clean water, explained Stephanie Velegol, a researcher at Pennsylvania State University, in the podcast. One approach creates water that cannot be stored, and the other approach is too expensive and complicated. The researchers wanted to develop a simpler, less expensive way to harness the seeds power. To do that, they added an extract of the seed containing the positively charged Moringa protein (which binds to sediment and kills microbes) to negatively charged sand. The resulting functionalised, or f-sand, proved eﬀective in capturing lab-grown E. coli and damaging their membranes. The f-sand was also able to remove sediment from water samples. The results open the possibility that f-sand can provide a simple, locally sustainable process for producing storable drinking water, Velegol noted. Source: Zeenews

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NEWS

Africa

SOUTH AFRICA

More stinking toilet business WHAT WAS MEANT to be an improvement of sanitation for residents of Mountain View in Koster, North West, has resulted in humiliation and misery. In 2009, Kgetleng Rivier Local Municipality employed a company to install 648 flushing toilets in extensions 6 and 7. But the company did a shabby job. Only a few toilets were completed; others have been completed, but the flushing system is defective. Some have not been connected to the water supply system. Mapaseka Motshaiwa and her family have to live with the humiliation of having their toilet overflowing with excrement whenever they flush it. At times I don t use my toilet because it is an embarrassment. This project was incomplete and I believe that the sewerage pipes were not correctly connected, she said. The situation has led to some families continuing to use pit toilets because the new toilets do not flush. A few who can afford it have used their own funds to connect the toilets. Lebogang Ntshole s family of eight is one of those using pit toilets. We are stuck with this pit toilet. We thought our lives were going to change when a new toilet was installed in our yard. Instead, it is standing there incomplete. We don t have money to connect the water pipes. Our pit toilet is now full and we need to dig another one.

Spokeswoman for the provincial Department of Local Government & Traditional Aﬀairs Dineo Lelokwane said the department would investigate the matter. We are going to look into the matter and the outcome thereof will be discussed openly. Source: Sowetan Live

Toilet to tap water plan for Durban DURBAN PLANS to become the first South African city to purify and recycle sewage water into drinking-quality tap water and officials are urging residents to comment on the proposal as soon as possible. The plan involves producing about 12% of the city s tap water supply from recycled sewage effluent ‒ mainly in the northern suburbs and townships of the city. The water would be disinfected and purified at the KwaMashu and Northern sewerage works, which would be upgraded to incorporate new ultra-filtration and disinfection methods. The city is also carrying out a parallel feasibility study on purifying seawater as an alternative, but the desalination process requires large volumes of electricity that would push up treatment costs. As part of a compulsory social and environmental impact assessment, eThekwini Municipality and consultant Golder Associates placed newspaper advertisements in February 8 editions inviting the public to comment. According to a background information document, a

Department of Water Affairs study in 2008 found the eThekwini metro area was running short of reliable water supplies and the risk of water restrictions was considered unacceptable . Golder Associates background document says the only other South African municipality using treated effluent for tap water is Beaufort West in the Western Cape. This R42 million scheme began producing water in January. Commenting on concerns that the treatment relied on high levels of technical skills and efficiency, the Golder report said Durban was among the top scorers (above 96%) in the 2011 national Blue Drop water quality scheme. Nevertheless, Golder said numerous studies showed that conventional wastewater treatment plants could not remove endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) completely. However, more advanced processes like reverse osmosis appear to be viable for the removal of many trace contaminants, including EDCs . As a further safeguard, all purified effluents from the two new Durban plants would be stored for at least 12 hours after treatment so that final grab samples could be taken before the water was released into tap supplies. Source: The Mercury

ZAMBIA

Investing in water, sanitation

ACCESS TO CLEAN drinking water and basic sanitation facilities could transform the lives of millions in the world s poorest countries. Universal access to water and sanitation could prevent thousands of child deaths and free up hours the hours spent fetching water each day so that women and MAY/JUNE 2012

children could go to go to work or school. This is especially true for girls, as studies show that 12% are more likely to go to school if water is available within a 15-minute walk rather than a one-hour walk.Despite the township in Itezhi-tezhi being with a kilometre of the Itezhitezhi Dam, access to adequate clean drinking water is a challenge that Zesco is trying to help resolve. We at Zesco felt that what will be appreciated the most by the residents of Itezhi-tezhi is water, hence this water reticulation project that will pump water from the Kafue Dam up to a treatment plant and later into a ground reservoir, says Moses Mbuta, the power company s resident engineer. Mbuta recently guided Southern Province minister Miles Sampa and Roy Nan galelwa, the new district commissioner, on a tour of the Itezhi-tezhi hydropower station and water project being undertaken by Sinohydro, a Chinese company. To the 65 000 residents of Itezhi-tezhi who are outnumbered by livestock at over 67 000, the project is a solution to the dirty water and a lack of basic sanitation, which undermine efforts to end extreme poverty and disease. This was the first time that the energy company has ventured into water and sewerage services. We are currently pumping 1.2 Mℓ/d of water; after the water reticulation project is completed by mid-July, we are expected to pump as much as 2.3 Mℓ/d of water. The new water plant being built will be independent from the old one and they will all channel into the new groundwater reservoir from where the council will have to tap water to the lower parts of the hill, Mbuta said. Mbuta said the Itezhi-tezhi hydropower project is divided into three phases: infrastructure developments (which will see the new Central Province district have 41 houses), an office block, a warehouse and a guest house. Source: The Post Online

PROFILE

Department of Water Affairs

DWA announces appointment of Director General Maxwell Sirenya has been appointed Director General of the Department of Water Affairs. He speaks to Water&Sanitation Africa on his vision for the department and the water sector. What is your vision for the department in particular and the water sector in general?

country. As a department, we are charged

Bank of Southern Africa, the Department

to ensure that this scarce resource is devel-

oped, used, conserved, managed and con-

Tunnel Authority.

My vision is premised from that of the

trolled in a way that does not deplete or

I would like us to move away from an

Department of Water Aﬀairs (DWA) which

degrade it. There are sectors that use water

environment of qualiﬁed audit reports and

is a dynamic, people-centred department,

for economic activity and it is within policy

disclaimers to one of unqualiﬁed audits in

leading the eﬀective management of

to use water for growth and development.

the ﬁrst instance, to one of clean audits

the nation s water resources, to meet the

Among these are agriculture, mining,

eventually. I would like to engage sister

needs of current and future generations .

industry and energy, but this usage is

departments that have a role to play on

The National Water Act says that the

regulated through organised licensing.

water issues so that we have a common

water resources belong to all the people

The principles of water conservation and

approach. Among these would be the de-

of South Africa. The DWA has been given a

demand management by all the role play-

partments of Cooperative Governance and

mandate by government to look after the

ers in the sector have to be observed. We

Traditional Aﬀairs, Rural and Land Aﬀairs,

water resources, following certain guide-

also have international obligations espe-

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mining

lines as outlined in the National Water

cially to our neighbouring countries with

and Energy as well as Environment.

Resources Strategy as to the hierarchy of

shared river basins that must be consulted

allocation, starting with those who don't

through joint commissions. The impact of

require licensing such as basic provision

climate change on our water resources,

for domestic usage and ecological reserve

especially after COP 17, needs a thorough

Having previously worked for water utilities, what advantage does that bring into your current job?

to those that require licensing ‒ while tak-

analysis of what we should do to comply

The environment I come from is one

ing equity as a factor in allocation.

with the outcomes in terms of mitigation

of strict compliance in terms of report-

and adaptation strategies.

ing requirements, which speciﬁes for

The department will be strong when it

Works

and

Trans-Caledon

example, when and how to produce the

has a skills base that has a deep undercheck on its adherence to the mandate

What do you see as your immediate priorities?

given by government from time to time. It

I would like to see all vacant positions

and ﬁnancial statements, tariﬀ setting and

must play a leadership role on policy and

ﬁlled with the right skills. In the meantime,

presentations to the portfolio committee.

regulatory issues, while it plays a support-

while we battle to ﬁnd the right skills for

The organisations I have worked for and

ive one to those sectors that use water,

reasons bigger than this department, we

been associated with have never had quali-

especially domestic use.

standing of water issues and keeps a close

Public

Shareholders Compact consisting of business plans, annual and quarterly reports

need to take advantage of the assistance

ﬁed audit reports. I am a strong believer on

The water sector, which occupies the

oﬀered by a number of public sector

the adage that the right tone must be set

whole value chain, looks to the depart-

organisations. Among these are the Oﬃce

at the top. I would hate to have a situation

ment to lead it. The premise we start

of the Accountant-General, the Oﬃce

that in my language says: Inkala iyawuze

from is that South Africa is a water-scarce

ithi abantwana bayo mabahambe kakuhle,

the

Auditor-General,

Development

MAY/JUNE 2012

PROFILE

kodwa yona iyakekela (a crab would like its children to walk straight while it walks crookedly). In other words, we must lead by example.

Brieﬂy tell us about your career history My involvement with the South African water sector

My vision is premised from that of the DWA which is “a dynamic, people-centred department, leading the eﬀective management of the nation’s water resources, to meet the needs of current and future generations” Maxwell Sirenya

started in 1991, when the changes in the South African political landscape made it possible for exiles to return home and I joined Umgeni Water. My ﬁrst job at Umgeni

very closely with DWA, regional and national, and mu-

Water was as a treasury accountant and then I moved to

nicipalities in intervening in emergency situations and

e I led negoplanning for bulk water infrastructure where

Amatola Wa Water became an implementing agent for a

e bulk water tiations that in turn led to the transfer of the

number of m municipalities. We forged close links with mu-

rvices Board infrastructure from the South Coast Joint Services

nicipalities a and institutes of higher learning in the form

on between to Umgeni Water. My biggest contribution

of Memoran Memoranda of Understanding for collaborative and

1994 and 2004 was the establishment of the Reticulation

research act activities. My biggest contribution though has

ater supply. Department that was responsible for rural water

to be the sec securing of an asset base for Amatola Water for

volved with It was while at Umgeni Water that I got involved

assets owne owned by the then Department of Water Aﬀairs

ions and rea number of national water bodies, associations

and Forest Forestry (DWAF), which were strongly contested

ociation search bodies, such as the South African Association

by m municipalities that were also customers. This

ern of Water Utilities, Water Institute of Southern

iinvolved intense lobbying over a period of

Africa, and the Water Research Commission

ﬁve years engaging DWAF national and

(WRC). It was through these organisations that I took part in the early stages of developing water, local government and public sector policies and legislation, e.g. the National Water Act, Water Services Act, Municipal Structures Act, Municipal Systems Act, Public Finance Management Act and Strategic Framework Document for Water Services. My involvement with the WRC started in the mid 90s when I served in various project steering committees and ﬁnally as a board member. From 2004 to 2009, I served as the chief executive of Amatola Water in the Eastern Cape. I would like to think of my contribution as the one that turned around an organisation that was otherwise loss-making and not sure about its existence and future to the one that set a benchmark in proving that it is possible for a state-owned commercial entity to operate proﬁtably and support government mandates, while observing governance requirements. We worked

the Portfolio Committee for Water Aﬀairs

About Maxwell Sirenya

and Forestry.

Education: • Primary and High School education: Mthatha, Eastern Cape • BA Hons degree in economics, Sussex University in England • MBA, Cardiff Business School, University of Wales

as the Director General, I was a profes-

Interests: • Languages – I learnt two in the course of my travels, namely Welsh and French. I would like to improve my Afrikaans and learn Setswana and Sepedi while I am working in Tshwane. • Farming – I am a practising small-scale farmer in my rural village in Mthatha and believe that poverty and hunger while there is land is a myth.

Research Council. I was part of a consor-

Values: I am a believer who is a Christian. I strongly believe that God has a plan for each of us. I live an honest life with strong moral values and principles. My name, integrity and legacy are more important than material possessions.

MAY/JUNE 2012

From 2009 to the time I was appointed sional service provider with a special focus in rural development, especially agriculture. In 2010, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries appointed me as a council member in the Agricultural tium that has been doing the ﬁve-yearly review of the National Water Resources Strategy, where I was engaged as a water specialist dealing with the sub-strategy of water conservation and demand management in water services.

www.dwa.gov.za

PUBLIC SECTOR

Drakenstein Muncipality

Securing a reliable water source for Paarl’s increasing demands The Paarl Mountain has been an important water source for the Drakenstein Municipality for a number of years. From the early settlement of the valley, the various spruits around the mountain have been used by farmers and townsfolk as they provided a pristine source of water that could be channelled to any required application.

owever, as the water requirements of Paarl

Coupled to the above, the water supply management

increased, a higher demand was placed on the

study also revealed that the municipality could build and

mountain waters, particularly during the sum-

operate the WTW at a substantial saving against the alter-

mer months. As a result, the Nantes and Bethel

native of continuing to purchase water from the City of

dams were built on the mountain in order to provide

Cape Town. In addition, the Department of Water Aﬀairs

more capacity to store water throughout the year to fulﬁl

allows the municipality to draw water from the Berg River

the town s needs.

at certain times of the year. This water can supplement the proposed scheme by transferring it into Nantes Dam.

Water quality and security

According to Theunissen, a supplement scheme would

A water supply management study conducted for the

only be feasible if there was a treatment facility to treat

municipality in 2001 found that there was a need for

this water due to the lower quality of Berg River water.

the municipality to secure its own reliable water source. Subsequently, a water treatment works (WTW) for the

Considering environmental impacts

Paarl Mountain dams was proposed, as most of the distri-

Theunissen says the public raised concerns regarding the

bution infrastructure was already in place.

prospect of the construction of a WTW on Paarl Mountain. In addressing this, the municipality launched an environ-

According to Brendon Theunissen, Aurecon s project

mental impact assessment (EIA) process.

manager for this project: Though pristine for most of the year, the dam water was subject to ﬂuctuations in quality, which has been a problem for the municipality for a number of years. As the South African water standard became stricter, the municipality had to rely more heavily on purchasing its treated water from the City of Cape Town.

Construction site of the 8 Mℓ/d Meulwater water treatment works located in Paarl

From this process, a number of proposals arose which were presented to the Western Cape Department of Environmental

Aﬀairs

and

Development

Planning

(DEADP) for consideration. The department agreed that the best position for the proposed 8 Mℓ/d WTW would be the disused section of the Pienaarskamp picnic site above the existing Meulwater Reservoir. This allows for optimum incorporation of the WTW into the existing distribution infrastructure, comments Theunissen. A number of requirements were subsequently set by the DEADP, including limiting the height and area of the structure, and using an architect and landscaping specialists to blend the structure into the natural environment through construction materials and landscaping.

Design of the Meulwater WTW The structure sits up to 5.5 m deep into the ground at places and has displaced approximately 1 500 t of granite, almost half of which has been retained on site ‒ either as cladding to the structures or as stone-pitching around the site.

MAY/JUNE 2012

PUBLIC SECTOR

Theunissen explains that to reduce the

Facts & figures

visual impact of the WTW, sections of the structure have been built entirely beneath the natural ground level and are covered with green roofs. The faces of the structures were staggered to lessen the visual impact and the landscaping of the site was done in such a way as to limit the visibility of the site from below. Trees are also being placed strategically to hide certain elements of the structure and, where possible, berms have been

when the Berg River transfer is implement-

placed to make the structure less imposing.

ed). The process consists of:

The Drakenstein Parks department as-

â€˘ coagulation and ďŹ‚occulation with a poly-

sisted the landscaping subcontractor in

aluminium chloride to bind colour and

gathering seeds from the mountain reserve, which will be used to reseed all the areas

suspended solids in the water â€˘ direct ďŹ ltration through four deep sandbed rapid gravity ďŹ lters to trap the coagu-

impacted by construction activities.

lated materials

â€˘ Nantes and Bethel dams combined capacity: 1 550 Mâ„“ â€˘ Berg River withdrawal allowance: 2 100 Mâ„“/year â€˘ plant capacity: 8 Mâ„“/d, upgradable to 15 Mâ„“/d â€˘ the plant has a 200 kW backup generator to ensure there is continuous power supply to the site â€˘ telemetry connects the controls and surveillance of the plant â€˘ spent backwash water is recycled to the head of the works to ensure minimal water loss â€˘ the total cost of the project is R38.2 million, of which the Municipal Infrastructure Grant Programme contributed R29.8 million and the municipality financed the remaining R8.4 million â€˘ civil contractor: Superway Construction â€˘ mechanical contractor: Bateman Africa â€˘ approximately 1 000 m3 of concrete was poured, 85 t of steel installed and 1 500 t of granite blasted

Treatment process

â€˘ the use of ITT Leopold lateral false ďŹ‚oors

The treatment process is optimised to suit

â€˘ disinfection with chlorine to kill any

the relatively good raw water quailty. It is

pathogens that may be in the water

also designed to allow the future incorpora-

and to provide a residual disinfectant to

tion of an additional dissolved air ďŹ‚otation

counter any possible contaminants that

â€˘ stabilisation with lime to make the water

process within the existing ďŹ lters (should

could enter the water in the distribution

less corrosive to the distribution infra-

the water quality deteriorate, speciďŹ cally

network

structure.

MAY/JUNE 2012

(QJLQHHULQJ VXFFHVV IRU sustainable water management

Services: Aurecon provides engineering, management and specialist technical and Wastewater services for government and private sector clients globally. The group has Water Treatment been involved in projects that span multiple markets across Africa, :DWHU 5HVRXUFHV 0DQDJHPHQW Dams and Bulk Pipelines $VLD 3DFLoF DQG WKH 0LGGOH (DVW Water Sciences

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PUBLIC SECTOR

City of Cape Town

Advanced control and instrumentation installation The recently completed Fisantekraal Wastewater Treatment Works in Durbanville, undertaken for the City of Cape Town, features the most innovative and up-todate electrical, control and instrumentation technology.

Programmable logic controllers: Latest range of the city s preferred technology medium size and machine control PLCs programmed to use the latest IEC 61131-3 compliant Unity-Pro development

he plant is an advanced biological reactor works with automated inlet screening and degritters, surface aerated biological reactors, secondary settling tanks, sludge dewatering system (linear

screens and belt presses) and ﬁnal eﬄuent disinfection

Inlet Works with Odour Control Facilities and Service Water Pump Station at the forefront

system (using UV disinfection).

platform that integrates all facets of the control system and visualisation systems. The PLCs are linked to a modern supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system via modern industrial Ethernet protocol also over ﬁbre optic network. The network will be extended at a later date when the works is expanded to become a fully redundant ﬁbre optic ring.

In addition to being responsible for the plants civil and hydraulic design, and contract supervision ‒ in joint ven-

Instrumentation:

ture with PD Naidoo ‒ SSI Engineers & Environmental

Modern intelligent instrumentation will be connected to

Consultants was responsible for the electrical, drives,

the PLCs via data communications networks as opposed

control and instrumentation design of the works, having

to conventional signal and current loops. Fieldbuses will

designed, selected and speciﬁed the latest technology

be used to connect all analogue instruments to the PLC

available from the city s preferred technology suppliers.

Modern vacuum circuit breaker technology, including

"The incorporation of a most innovative automation, control and instrumentation system at Fisantekraal represents a quantum leap for the City of Cape Town" Alfred Schroder, SSI sector consultant for

intelligent electronic protection relays that are interfaced

control and instrumentation

The control system and associated electrical/electronic equipment consists of the following:

Medium voltage switchgear:

to the work s control system via ﬁbre optic network. and AS-I bus (Actuator Sensor Interface) will be

Low voltage switchgear:

used to connect digital instruments to the PLC

Modern intelligent motor management devices in all

where these are practical and make economic

Motor Control Centres (MCCs), incorporating electronic

sense (such as the inlet works and sludge han-

motor protection and advanced ﬁeldbus motor control

dling machinery). The analogue instrumentation

interfaces to the programmable logic controllers (PLCs)

includes a centralised Plant Asset Management

on the works, as well as modern variable frequency

package that will provide the city s instrumenta-

(Speed) converter drive s (VFCs) with ﬁeldbus interfaces

tion engineers with a range of functionality from

to the PLCs.

simple device parameterisation to maintenance

MAY/JUNE 2012

PUBLIC SECTOR

support and engineered condition monitor-

Town as most of its existing works have

the latest technology ‒ SCADA, PLC, motor

ing of each instrument.

been designed by SSI to either simple relay

control devices and ﬁeldbus instrumentation

logic control standards or conventional

‒ and is pleased to be able to raise the city s

SCADA system:

SCADA/PLC with signal and current loop

standards to that of modern industry.

The complete works is operated from a

system standards.

single central SCADA system comprising a

SSI has, to date, designed many modern

client-server architecture that can later be

systems mainly for the mining sector using

BELOW Sludge thickening and dewatering equipment

upgraded to a hot-standby server arrangement for redundancy as well as multi-client operator workstations arrangement for greater operability as the works is extended. The preferred SCADA package is the latest copy of a locally developed SCADA solution, which is used extensively on the city s water and wastewater treatment works. The system includes an advanced web-based reporting package and will be accessible from the municipality s oﬃces via the city s planned region wide ﬁbre optic network. According to SSI s sector consultant for control and instrumentation, Alfred Schroder,

The incorporation of a most

innovative automation, control and instrumentation system at Fisantekraal represents a quantum leap for the City of Cape

MAY/JUNE 2012

PROFILE

BOCMA

“Quality water for all, forever” In 2005, the Breede-Overberg Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA) was established in terms of the National Water Act as the lead agent for water resource management within the Breede Water Management Area (WMA). The BOCMA is the second catchment management agency in South Africa.

ts WMA is in the south-west corner of South Africa and the name is derived from the Breede River, the largest of the

rivers in the area. With seven local municipalities and two district municipalities, the population of the Breede WMA is estimated at half a million people, with two thirds living in towns and villages. As lead agent, the BOCMA plays a central role in protecting, using, developing, conserving, managing and controlling water resources, while coordinating with government and sector partners, and other stakeholders. The strategic focus of the agency incorporates: • water resource planning • water use management • institutional development • water-resource protection • water allocation reform. BOCMA works closely with local governments on water management and water-related

was submitted to the Minister of Water Affairs, Edna

services. This ensures synergy between the priorities of

Molewa, and is currently awaiting her approval. When

the CMA and the local and district municipalities. Legal,

it has been approved, the CMS will be gazetted for

policy and regulatory tools are critical for communica-

public comment. This strategic plan will put the BOCMA

tion, awareness building, response and for building

on the path to ultimately achieve its vision of: Quality

the natural resource and infrastructural capacity. The

water for all, forever . The BOCMA head office is situated in Worcester and

uncertainty introduced by climate change means exact solutions cannot be planned; building natural ecosystems with infrastructural and institutional resilience will enable the best responses. BOCMA s integrated water programme includes the: • implementation of the ecological and the basic human needs reserves • protection and conservation of wetlands, estuaries,

BELOW CEO of the BreedeOverberg Catchment Management Agency, Phakamani Buthelezi

Phakamani Buthelezi, the chief executive officer. The Water Resource Division is responsible for the management and coordination of functions that are performed by the BOCMA for the implementation of the National Water Act, to ensure equitable, efficient and sustainable integrated water resource management. The Water Resource Division is responsible for

rivers and critical biodiversity areas

the Water Resource Management Unit and the

• building of adaptive institutions within all sectors and

Institutional and Stakeholder Relations Unit. The

at all levels

consists of 22 dedicated staff members, headed by

• implementation of water-use conservation strategies.

Water Resource Management Unit is responsible

The

Management

for, but not limited to, functions that relate to water

Strategy (CMS), one of the initial functions of the

resource planning, water-use management and

BOCMA, was completed in 2011 through a process of

monitoring, and assisting the Department

holistic stakeholder engagement. Once the CMS was

of Water Affairs (DWA) with other functions.

adopted by the BOCMA governing board, the CMS

The Institutional and Stakeholder Relations

development

Catchment

MAY/JUNE 2012

PROFILE

unit (ISRU) is responsible for stakeholder engagement,

be involved and to make a

and maintaining and improving inter-governmental

difference in the local com-

relations. The Water Resource Division, including both

munities. Another highlight

units, supports water allocation reform through assist-

for the unit is the approval

ing resource-poor farmers with water-use allocations

and in applying for financial assistance from the DWA,

the Koo Irrigation Board,

for sustainable agricultural projects.

by the BOCMA Governing

The BOCMA is the operating arm of the DWA and

the

transformation

Board, into a water user

its aim is to bring water resource services in an ef-

association.

ficient manner to the inhabitants of the Breede Water

first irrigation board to be

Management Area. The BOCMA has been instrumental in the faster processing of water registrations and licence applications. Furthermore, the BOCMA supports and works closely with the DWA s Monitoring and Compliance Unit to investigate unlawful water

This

the

transformed into a water

ABOVE Children participating in National Water Week activities

user association by a CMA in South Africa! The ISRU, together with local municipalities, also supports a number of women-driven water forums in the Villiersdorp, Bonnievale, Ashton and Grabouw area. The Villiersdorp

use practices. In addition, there are currently two

Women s Forum won third prize in the National 2011

water-quality monitoring programmes in place, one in

Women in Water Awards, hosted by the DWA.

the Breede River region and the other in the Overberg

The BOCMA produces a quarterly newsletter that

region. The BOCMA gives comment on rezoning and

contains interesting and applied water-resource-related

consolidations to relevant municipalities, and also

information and activities that take place in the water

on environmental impact studies and basic assess-

management area. The website, www.bocma.co.za,

ment reports in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Affairs. The BOCMA is currently busy with the first validation and verification process where

BOTTOM The Breede River mouth

contains a range of water-resource-related documents, as well as information about the BOCMA, its operations, the governing board and the newsletter.

all water users will be evaluated for legal compliance. This process will assist with the management of water allocations in the Breede-Overberg WMA. The ISRU of the BOCMA completed a very successful awareness campaign during Water Week (5 to 14 March 2012). During the campaign, almost 4 000 school

Contact details: Tel: +27 (0)23 347 8131 Fax: +27 (0)23 347 8133 Website: www.bocma.co.za

children were engaged in learning about the water cycle, water use and water saving. The collaboration with local businesses and water user associations was a highlight and showcased the commitment and will to

MAY/JUNE 2012

PUBLIC SECTOR

Stellenbosch Municipality

Franschhoek WWTW

A remarkable turnaround In February 2010, the Department of Water Affairs served a Notice of Intention to Issue a Directive on the Stellenbosch Municipality. This called for emergency interventions in order to find a solution for the severe capacity overload at the Franschhoek wastewater treatment works (WWTW).

tellenbosch

KV3

assessment process, the Stellenbosch Municipality's

Engineers (now WorleyParsons) to investigate

Municipality

project implementation tender process for this solu-

emergency interventions to address severe

tion started in August 2010 with possibly 18 to 24

non-compliance

months before construction of the new facility would

requested

effluent

standards

Franschhoek WWTW in response to the Department of Water Affairs

be completed.

formal notification of pending

Given the pollution of an extremely important and

legal action.

sensitive water source, the pending legal action from

Due to the urgency with which the interventions were

the Department of Water Affairs and the severe impact

to be implemented, the solution would need to make use of structures and equipment that would be suitable for rapid deployment and re-deployment in order to ensure optimal use of funding. A report from KV3 Engineers detailed the criteria applicable to the design of the emergency intervention at Franschhoek WWTW,

Our existing infrastructure was capable of handling a capacity of 0.8 Mℓ/day, but the actual treatment system was receiving 2.2 Mℓ/day

the regulatory and statutory requirements applicable to the construction, as well as a cost estimate and pro-

on any further emergency and low-cost housing pro-

gramme for the project.

jects, the Stellenbosch Municipality had little option but

decision

was

subsequently

taken

to address the interim situation at Franschhoek WWTW.

the

According to Brett Keyser, Head: water and waste-

Stellenbosch Municipality, due to the Department of

water

Water Affairs' objections to extensions on the existing Franschhoek site, to establish a regional works at Wemmershoek and to decommission the Franschhoek WWTW. Due to various reasons and primarily due to the delays experienced with the environmental impact

Prentec’s two intermittent feed Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) modules

treatment

Stellenbosch

Municipality s

Engineering Directorate, We have seven wastewater treatment works in our municipal jurisdiction, with Franschhoek being the most critical. Our existing infrastructure was capable of handling a capacity of 0.8 Mℓ/ day, but the actual treatment system was receiving 2.2 Mℓ/day, thus resulting in more than 250% overload being discharged into the Berg River. Therefore, on 6 May 2010, we took the decision to put up a temporary WWTP in Franschhoek.

Franschhoek WWTW Franschhoek is situated approximately 100 km from Cape Town, with Stellenbosch and Paarl as neighbouring towns. The Franschhoek WWTW was designed to treat a flow of 0.75 Mℓ/day and COD load of 709 kg/day. During 2006, it was already overloaded hydraulically and organically by more than 100% (estimated 2006 flows of ±1.5 Mℓ/day and loads of ±2 000 kg COD/day). From the available data, it was estimated that a treatment capacity of 1.95 Mℓ/day at an organic load of 2 210 kg COD/day would be required to accommodate the estimated current and future flows up to completion and commissioning of the proposed

MAY/JUNE 2012

PUBLIC SECTOR

Wemmershoek WWTW, which is currently awaiting

environmental

re-deployment at the Pniel WWTW.

and reconstruct it at another site with

authorisation

It was recommended that a parallel

by the Department of Environmental

activated sludge facility be constructed in

Since two SBR structures were proposed,

Affairs and Development Planning of the

order to achieve effluent complying with

it would be possible to undertake routine

Western Cape.

minimal additional costs.

the General Limit Values. The interven-

maintenance

The existing works (750 m3/day capacity)

tion would make use of equipment and

structures or interventions.

consist of an inlet works, an anaerobic

structures that can be deployed over

The reactors are equipped with floating

pond (to be used as a balancing tank), a

a very short period and be able to be

aerators, a fully automated process control

biological reactor, two final clarifiers, a

re-deployed elsewhere (such as at Pniel

system consisting of a Human/Machine

RAS pump station, a WAS pump station,

WWTW, which must be upgraded in the

interface (HMI), actuated valves for auto-

final effluent maturation pond and chlo-

near future).

matic operation and a compressor per SBR

rine contact. Theoretically, no effluent was

without

any

additional

unit to operate the actuated valves.

allowed to enter the Franschhoek River, which is used for irrigation purposes, but in reality most of the effluent was discharged to the river. Excess

thickened

sludge

from

the

The proposed treatment process consists of two intermittent feed Sequential Batch Reactor modules that could treat an Average Dry Weather Flow of 1 250 kℓ/day.

clarifiers is pumped daily to one of two sludge stabilisation ponds (winter) or to

Process and technology

the sludge drying beds (summer) and a

It was proposed that the existing anaero-

by a chlorination contact system compris-

mobile sludge dewatering unit is available

bic dam (750 m3) be used as a balancing

ing a series of LDPE tanks placed on a level

on site.

sump. A self-priming feed pump would

platform. A chlorination booster pump

be installed at this point, from where an

and bottle mounted chlorine installation

Compliance

above ground HDPE pipe would be laid to

have been provided and housed in the

The disposal of treated wastewater is

the new reactor modules.

existing chlorine building.

Disinfection retention time is achieved

governed by the National Water Act,

The proposed treatment process con-

and discussions initiated with a rep-

sists of two intermittent feed Sequential

are achieved by tie-in to the existing

resentative from the DWA confirmed

Batch Reactor (SBR) modules that could

sludge-drying

that the discharge of effluent treated to

treat an Average Dry Weather Flow of

capacity to treat waste sludge gener-

General Limit Values in the interim, up

1 250 kℓ/ day. These structures, construct-

ated on site would be achieved by using

to completion and commissioning of the

ed from epoxy-fused steel, are bolted to a

all three methods available on site.

Wemmershoek WWTW would be accept-

concrete floor. The structures are chemi-

However, this would require a longer

able. An additional clause was added

cally inert and can be redeployed with

operation of the mobile dewatering unit

that the emergency intervention must be

minimal abortive cost. Keyser says: In two

requiring additional shift work. Dewatered

decommissioned and removed as soon as

to three years, when the new plant has

sludge will be periodically removed

the regional works at Wemmershoek are

been constructed at Wemmershoek, this

from

commissioned and performing.

technology will allow us to break

posed

upgrades

the

nearby

Pniel

Waste

activated

the of

infrastructure.

site at

sludge

and

facilities Sufficient

dis-

down the existing plant

WWTW are envisaged, the DWA further indicated that there would not be objections to such a

MAY/JUNE 2012

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PUBLIC SECTOR

suitable waste disposal, landfill facility at

plant is being constructed.

Stellenbosch or composting as per the cur-

In the long term, maximum

rent municipality approach. The existing

recovery

maturation pond would be cleaned and

mechanicals can be realised

rehabilitated for the planned decommis-

and easily reinstalled else-

sioning by Stellenbosch municipal staff.

where as a robust solution,

The municipality appointed Prentec to execute the works, based on the design,

the

installed

concludes Buchanan. KV3 Engineers assisted the

build and turnkey tender compiled by

municipality with:

KV3 Engineers. The plant includes two of

• conceptual and preliminary

Prentec s tried and tested SBRs.

design

According to Stewart Buchanan, managing director of Prentec,

the

required

infrastructure to enable the

The entire

compilation of a detailed

project from the date of our appointment

scope of work and appro-

to the commissioning of the plant was

priate levels of specifica-

undertaken over an eight-month period.

tions for a Design, Build and

Being a turnkey contract, Prentec were able to use their in-house resources to efficiently complete the project. Under the

critical

circumstances,

the

newly

Project milestones: • Design/Build Turnkey Tender Advertised: 7/7/2010 • Appointment of Prentec: 6/9/2010 • Commissioning by Prentec: 26/5/2011 • Performance Tests on Completion completed: 5/7/2011 (Project acceptance)

Turnkey project • compilation

the

tender

docu-

mentation for a Design, Build and Turnkey project

• evaluating

and

approval

con-

struction drawings in terms of the contract documents

constructed plant at Franschhoek ensured

• evaluation of offers and the nego-

that the environment was protected in

tiations of the final scope of work to

equipment and supervision of the imple-

the short term, whilst the major regional

ensure execution of a successful project

mentation stage up to commissioning.

• quality

assurance

manufactured

MAY/JUNE 2012

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• info@prentec.co.za

PUBLIC SECTOR

North West Province

Rehabilitation of Klein Maricopoort Dam Originally constructed by the DWA in 1935 and raised in 1965, the Klein Maricopoort Dam in the North West Province was in dire need of rehabilitation to improve its safety and address several maintenance issues. BKS has successfully completed this R40 million rehabilitation project in cooperation with the DWA and the project was handed over to the DWA in February this year.

he Department of Water Aﬀairs'

Category III dam. Safety and/or maintenance

(DWA s) increased focus on its dam

issues included:

safety

programme

• An inadequate ﬂood handling capacity

aims to accelerate the rehabilitation

(Previous studies found that the original

The original dam wall comprised an earth-

of dams that need to be brought in line with

spillway capacity was limited to a ﬂood

ﬁll embankment with a central thin con-

current dam safety standards.

in the range of 815-1 028 m3/s, which is

crete core wall and a side channel (trough)

The DWA appointed BKS in October 2006

inadequate as the safety evaluation ﬂood

spillway on the right bank.

to provide full design and construction

(SEF) requirement is 2 190 m3/s, in ac-

Ogee gravity sections (mass concrete)

supervision services for the rehabilitation

cordance with SANCOLD s Guidelines on

formed the left side and upstream end of

Safety in Relation to Floods).

the trough. Water is used mainly for irriga-

rehabilitation

of the Klein Maricopoort Dam, which is

• The bottom outlet leaked into the embankment, which posed the risk of piping failure of the embankment.

about 7 km east of Zeerust on the Klein

• The embankment did not contain nor-

tion purposes downstream and the outlet

Marico River in the North West Province. It

mal drains or had settled and the crest

works consists of an inlet tower with three

is mainly used for irrigation water. In 1987, it

was not even.

multi level intakes, but only the bottom

was classiﬁed as a medium size dam with a

• The cable anchors in the spillway gravity

high hazard rating and thus categorised as a

section ﬁllers were possibly non-functional.

MAY/JUNE 2012

intake was used - the other two intakes were blanked off.

PUBLIC SECTOR

OPPOSITE View of the cofferdam, with tarpaulin and sandbags to prevent leakages after heavy rains

Unique project team composition The composition of the project team was rather unique: the DWA, although the client for this project, used its in-house contractor to undertake the construction work. BKS thus served the client in two very diﬀerent ways: reporting to the DWA as a client for the design and progress updating components, and supervising the DWA s contractor s work. BKS also provided site-supervision training to about eight of the DWA s and the sub-consultant s nominated permanent staﬀ, and skills development and employment for approximately 90 local community members during construction.

Rehabilitation solutions Evaluations of the dam revealed that raising the embankment would not be safe, so the design team opted to increase the existing spillway. BKS had to provide solutions to correct or eliminate these issues. The design team thus decided to: • enlarge the trough spillway by excavating rock and providing a new, longer concrete overspill section • level the dam embankment crest to prevent concentration of water and consequential failure • raise the concrete core wall inside the embankment • sleeve the outlet pipe with a pipe sleeve • replace the v-notch measuring weir with a concrete crump weir to facilitate the monitoring of leakage from the dam.

TOP The Contractor’s teams constructing the ogee spillway RIGHT Aerial view of the newly rehabilitated Klein Maricopoort Dam BOTTOM View of the raised left flank wall

in the quartzites. A large weathered material section was opened and, ultimately, more than 1 000 m3 of additional weathered rock was excavated. This meant that the team

Hydraulic models

had to redesign the spillway structure to allow for a foun-

The design team investigated the feasibility of three

dation with low shear strength values (strength of a mate-

diﬀerent options or designs for increasing the spillway.

rial against the type of yield or structural failure where the

Each option was tested using a physical hydraulic

material fails in shear. The shear strength of a component

model, which was constructed by the DWA s Hydraulics

is important for designing the dimensions and materials

Laboratory in Pretoria. Aspects such as the spillway s ideal size and layout were tested on the models for various ﬂooding scenarios. The option chosen for construction was an additional overspill section on the right side of the trough with a curved upstream section to form a central trough spillway.

Construction challenges During construction of the spillway trough, a coﬀerdam was constructed to ensure a full dam at all times, especially during construction of the new trough gravity walls below the full supply level, to limit the damage to construction while working in the trough and to direct small discharges over the existing overﬂow section. The team had to address several challenges during construction. While excavating the foundations, for example, several horizontal clay layers were discovered

MAY/JUNE 2012

PUBLIC SECTOR

to be used for the construction of the component). In addition, the dam s water level increased throughout construction and had to be controlled with nine 250 mm diameter siphons during construction. The situation worsened due to heavy rains. The DWA implemented an emergency preparedness plan for the dam, and, the local municipality s disaster manager was alerted as the cofferdam was in danger of being washed away. All aﬀected residents downstream of the dam to the Kromellenboog Dam were informed about the level of the dam and the risk of ﬂooding.

TOP Construction of the end wall

Raising of the headwalls The downstream part of the headwalls was raised to

MIDDLE Klein Maricopoort Dam’s spillway before the rehabilitation work

prevent erosion of the main embankment next to the

BOTTOM Part of the completed ogee on the trough spillway

Refurbishment of the embankment

headwall if overtopping or oversplashing occurs under large ﬂood conditions halfway along the headwall s sloping crest, where the trough is about 8 m deep.

At the embankment, the road to provide vehicular access for maintenance and operation of the dam was upgraded. The refurbishment of all the hydro-mechanical parts and components was also carried out as part of the civil contract.

Fortunately, the coﬀerdam was not overtopped, but a leak appeared in the coﬀerdam, raising concern that the

Seepage was noted through the foundation of the

dam could break. The team managed to successfully repair

embankment and the side chan-

the leak and maintain the integrity coﬀerdam s structure.

nel spillway and a V-notch weir located downstream of the spill-

Extension of the spillway capacity

way measured seepage ﬂow from

The trough bottom was widened to 11 m at its upstream

the spillway and part of the em-

end and gradually increased in width to 22 m at the end

bankment foundation. Another

of the overspilling section to avoid submergence at its up-

V-notch measuring structure was

per end. Hydraulically, this option is also a viable solution

constructed on the left side of the

for discharging the SEF of 2 190 m3/s without overtop-

valley, mainly to measure losses

ping the existing non-overspill crest (NOC) level on the main embankment. While preparing the part of the original spillway that would be used to create the extended spillway, the steel cable anchors in the original spillway could not be disturbed, which limited the use of blasting and required controlled demolition by a pecker machine. To enhance the sustainability of the concrete structure and prevent leakage and possible damage to the integrity of the spillway structure, a herringbone drainage system was constructed below the concrete gravity structures. The trough slab was also constructed to prevent uplift pressures to enhance the safety and functionality of the trough system. Doweling reinforcement bars into rock were also added.

MAY/JUNE 2012

PUBLIC SECTOR

TOP Klein Maricopoort Dam’s spillway after the rehabilitation work BOTTOM A hydraulic model was constructed to test each design option

from the canal. A downstream gauging weir was thus required to measure the total ﬂow, with a crump weir in the centre.

Environmental considerations The activities on this project were not listed activities and the programme thus did not require an authorisation from environmental authorities. However, in pursuance of best practice, the principles of the National

Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of

BKS on this project, combined with careful

1998) (NEMA) were applied. A screening ex-

and dynamic designs that had to consider

ercise was undertaken at Klein Maricopoort

varying site conditions, were crucial for the

Dam, from which an environmental man-

success of this project. Not only was this

agement plan for the DWA s contractor was

project successful in its implementation

compiled as per the NEMA.

methods and completed within budget, but the Klein Maricopoort Dam has been turned

Successful results

into an aesthetically pleasing structure that

The partnership between the DWA and

is functional and, most importantly, safe.

MAY/JUNE 2012

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PROFILE

Rand Water

No pipe dream

The birth of the Rand Water Academy The vision of the Rand Water Academy is to be the first-choice provider of global solutions to the water and sanitation sector by addressing key resource, technological and process challenges that face the sector. How is Rand Water responding to the skills development initiatives emanating from the presidential outcomes?

yet and still face the triple challenge of un-

artisans

employment, poverty and inequality."

recipient institutions of these graduates

and

process

controllers.

The

Rand Water fully supports the observa-

will be water services authorities in the

tions made by the President, says Wayida

Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Free State

In his recent State of the Nation Address,

Mohamed, Group human resource ex-

provinces. The project period is three

President Jacob Zuma reported that the

ecutive of Rand Water. The President has

years, with 18 months of training at Rand

unemployment rate had declined. While our

portrayed a realistic representation of the

Water and 18 months at the recipient water

gains in this regard are nominal, they are still

state of the country, as well as the attainable

services authority.

note-worthy.

goals set for the year ahead. Rand Water has

During 2011, a total of 365 000 people

taken up one of the challenges of combat-

were employed. This is the country s best

ing unemployment in the country and is

What are the beneﬁts of the academy in the medium- to long-term?

performance since the recession of 2008,

hosting a National Treasury funded project

One of the remedies being developed by

he said. "But, we are not 'out of the woods'

called the Graduate Internship Programme:

Rand Water for the water and sanitation sector challenges is a Rand Water Academy

“We understand that the pursuit for resource development, empowerment and transformation within the water and sanitation sector is never-ending” Wayida Mohamed, Group Human

(RWA). The far-reaching beneﬁts of such an academy at a local, continental and global level will have huge beneﬁts in the mediumto long-term. We understand that the pursuit for

Resource Executive of Rand Water

resource development, empowerment and transformation within the water and sanitaWater and Waste Water .

tion sector is never-ending, Mohamed says.

Entry into the workplace is ﬁlled with

As a result, the RWA will evolve over

barriers. Many young graduates remain un-

a period of years into a world-class in-

employed because of their lack of hands-on

stitution that will become a ﬁrst-choice

skills and experience, required for many jobs

provider of solutions to the key water and

and businesses.

sanitation challenges.

As South African businesses and organisa-

Key milestones on the RWA agenda are

tions we have a greater responsibility to re-

an oﬃcial RWA introductory launch at the

move these barriers. Our country's youth can

WISA Conference in May 2012 in Cape

always do with a bit more care, a bit more

Town and the launch of the Rand Water

stability, a bit more hope, and the beautiful

Academy at the Zuickerbosch Academy site

thing about hope is that it allows us to see a

in June 2012.

way through chaos and complexity, believing that things will be better in the future.

The primary function of the Academy relates to assisting in combating unemploy-

To assist in the creation of employment

ment and skills challenges timeously. In

for young qualiﬁed graduates, our Graduate

addition, it will provide the best candidates

Internship Programme: Water and Waste

to business and hence, contribute to the

Water, will provide skills, experience, pro-

productivity of the company and/or related

fessional registration and employment for

companies.

approximately 130 unemployed graduates in the water and wastewater sector.

Through the collective eﬀorts of government and business we can, as the 2012 State of the Nation Address indicates, begin to

Which professions is the programme intended for?

write a new story about South Africa ‒ the

The professional disciplines recognised

back unemployment and reduce economic

on the project are engineers, scientists,

inequality and poverty.

MAY/JUNE 2012

story of how, working together, we can drive

PROFILE

Who will this academy cater for?

1. A Centre of Excellence

cities outside of South Africa and by inviting

• Rand Water Business

Addressing one of the key challenges of pro-

international resources to do the same

• The water and sanitation sector, both on a

cess controller classiﬁcation around the Blue

within South African water industry.

local and internation level.

and Green Drop incentive-based regulations (a super/master process controller).

About the Rand Water Academy

5. A water/sanitation solutions unit Addressing the challenges of science/engi-

The Rand Water Academy is borne out of a

2. A Centre of Competence

neering and operations solutions in the wa-

few key strategic needs both at a national

Addressing the challenges of innovation

ter/sanitation sector by utilising a specialist

and political level, and an intern

al Rand

in science and technology. Rand Water

team of trained resources to provide ad hoc

Water need to systematise the various

employees are provided with the tools to

specialist solutions to challenges that arise

pockets of excellence in training and devel-

develop an idea and capture it, so that it can

within the water/sanitation sector.

opment operating independently across the

be transformed into a marketable product

organisation into a single integrated unit.

or service.

This move to integrate and create eﬃciencies signals the broader intention to pursue

3. Research and Development

a sector-wide inﬂuence within (and among

Addressing the shortage of key graded

sector partners) and outside of the borders

researchers in the water sector by increasing

of the Republic of South Africa.

the pool of National Research Foundation

Within the African continent the issues are far more demanding looking at

(NRF) graded researchers within Rand Water and the water and sanitation sector.

critical areas of: • low or no capacity to source and purify

4. A Professional Exchange Hub Addressing the challenges of exposure and

drinking water • in some African countries there is a high

international development by allowing re-

resource of water yet no eﬃcient stand-

sources to practise in diﬀerent countries and

For further information please contact Lathasha Subban T +27 (0)11 682 0339, Project Stream Leader Marketing/Communications/ Strategy/Strategic Business Partners. Rand Water Academy. www.randwater.co.za

ard to purify into drinking water • poor water management that aﬀects economic development • unpuriﬁed

water,

which

can

lead to epidemics • little or no sanitation systems • poor asset infrastructure management of water systems • limited qualified professional resources to undertake sector objectives. Rand Water, through the establishment of the academy, can play a pivotal role in skills and capacity development given the global standards that the organisation measures itself against and surpasses. The RWA would address the critical skills issues that affect the South African water and sanitation sector, as well as the broader continent. The focus of the academy could extend beyond a skills transfer focus and could incorporate various other models, including technology development, research platforms and centres of competence and excellence status. In line with one of Rand Water s strategic organisational objectives, which is to have a high performance culture and to specifically build capability and capacity to meet changing organisational requirements, the concept of an academy could be the special purpose vehicle to drive and sustain that strategic objective. The Rand Water Academy will progressively

realised

through

ciﬁc phases of development

spe-

incorporat-

ing ﬁve key conc epts:

MAY/JUNE 2012

PROJECT

Water resources

Cradle of Humankind water monitoring results

The debate on the quality of the water on the West Rand has been raging for many years. Water&Sanitation Africa reports on the results of the water monitoring report that has been released by the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site Management Authority.

ccording to Dawn Robertson, CEO of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site (COHWHS):

Previously there was a very

poor understanding of both the surface

and ground water in the area and so the COHWHS Management Authority commissioned a situation assessment into the water quantity and quality, which will be used by the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) in charting a way forward on the matter. The COHWHS Management Authority recognised its mandate to protect and preserve the heritage site, and this study was conducted to determine the impact that human activity has on the water resources of the area. One of the major concerns that has been raised with regards to water at the heritage site is acid mine drainage (AMD). AMD occurs when acid, metals and sulphates are released into the water system as a result of

TOP Gathering samples from the Tweeloopie Spruit for testing BOTTOM The red coloured water shows evidence of AMD in the Hippo Dam in the Krugersdorp Nature Reserve just a few kilometers to the north of the point of decant

MAY/JUNE 2012

PROJECT

The outcome will help regulators to make informed decisions regarding protection of the valuable water resources environment in the COHWHS.

Factors which impact or have potential to impact on the quality of the water in the COHWHS include: • Agricultural effluents from both within and upstream of the COHWHS and (in particular) the buffer, as well

upstream

areas.

Industrial effluents from the upstream catchment. • Pollution from the 120 year-old legacy of intensive gold mining in the West Rand Mine Basin situated to the south of the COHWHS (a short distance upstream disused mine shafts filling with water and overflowing (or decanting) onto the surface. However, the impacts of AMD are as important as the impacts of agricultural activities in the area. Robertson says: This is a particular concern in the COHWHS as it is downstream of various disused mines on the Western Basin and in recent years this has negatively impacted on aquatic life and the quality of water in the area. The results from the study are both

FIGURE 1: The yellow line depicts the study area. The black line is the boundary of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site

interesting and surprising.

of the buffer). The AMD results in very high salt loads in the environmental water. Contaminants including heavy metals and radionuclides from AMD can accumulate in wetland sediments, but which can be remobilised given the right chemical conditions such as a drop in pH. • Intensive upstream development, densification and hard-surfacing resulting in increased storm water runoff, increased flooding risk and higher pollution and sediment loads. • Discharge

What did the project assess? The two-year project assessed the quantity and quality of water resources in the COHWHS and developed a better understanding of the interaction between surface water and groundwater resources. This has resulted in a body of knowledge built from historical data integrated with a wide range of rigorous and defensible newly generated and interpreted

overstretched

wastewater

treat-

Treatment Works) add greatly to the microbial load in

BELOW Iron oxide deposits that have cemented the pebbles in the Tweeloopie Spruit together

hydrological and hydrogeological data and information. Together these convincingly underpin a situation assessment of the surface water and groundwater environments in the COHWHS.

The geology A large proportion (roughly 45%) of the COHWHS is located on dolomite, which varies in structure from solid rock to fissured, fractured and cavernous honeycomb-like strata. Surface water drains through the unsaturated zone to the water table and then mixes with the groundwater in the area. The groundwater drains through the subsurface and the portion not captured by boreholes eventually emerges at a spring to become surface water again. These circumstances describe the inseparable nature of surface water and groundwater resources in the COHWHS.

from

ment works (in particular Percy Stewart Wastewater

MAY/JUNE 2012

surface and groundwater. • Landﬁll sites discharge leachates into the environmental water, and uncontrolled/illegal dumping in the catchment adds to the extent of water pollution from waste. • Insufficient sanitation for informal housing developments upstream of the COHWHS.

How this relates to AMD: AMD that enters the COHWHS as surface water therefore has an impact on both the riverine habitats and ecology, and on the groundwater resources. The water system: The hydrology of the COHWHS comprises numerous streams, rivers, dams, aquifers, springs and groundwater compartments. The study has helped understanding of how these compartments are connected, making it easier to understand how water moves through the systems and also to anticipate which parts of the COHWHS will be impacted by contaminated water.

â€˘ The very high level of interconnectedness between the surface- and groundwater environment in the dolomites, leaving the groundwater highly vulnerable to pollution from upstream pollution and ingress into shallow holes. The porous nature of the rock adds to the risk of spread of pollution. (Reference: Environmental Management Framework and Management Plan for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, its proposed buffer zone and the Muldersdrift Area. Surface and Groundwater. March 2009. Lyn Brown. SRK.)

Report findings The first finding was that AMD is not the only factor that is degrading the water quality in the area. The other factors include the discharge of treated municipal wastewater effluent into the river system, impacts from agricultural activities, high load-bearing on-site sanitation facilities in the areas not

Through this study it was established that the risks to most of the fossil sites are minimal served by a municipal sewerage system and sanitation and waste concerns associated with informal settlements. Pete Mills, director: Environment and Conservation for the COHWHS Management Authority, says: With all these water issues it was essential to understand how these factors impact on the 13 listed fossil sites in the COHWHS. As a result, a hydrovulnerability assessment was done and through this study it was established that the risks to most of the fossil sites are minimal. Nine of the fossil sites reflect a very low or low vulnerability due to their location. This low vulnerability was assigned because: (a) they are situated in groundwater compartments that are hydrogeologically separated from those where the contaminated water is found and (b) are at an elevation above the ambient groundwater level. Bolt s Farm reflects a very high vulnerability and Sterkfontein Caves was assigned a high vulnerability, despite the fact that the site has, to date, reflected a very low historical impact in terms of water quality. This is a precautionary measure because the caves intersect the water table. The Swartkrans, Minnaars and Plover s Lake sites reflect a moderate vulnerability. From this assessment it can be concluded that the majority (70%) of the fossil sites in the COHWHS are not under threat from either changes in surface

TRENDS & PRODUCTS PROJECT

How this relates to AMD: only compartments in a third of the COHWHS will ever be affected by AMD Water levels: It is natural for the water table or level to fluctuate over time and the water table in the COHWHS is currently rising to historically maximum levels. It is equally evident, however, that the unprecedented abnormally high flow conditions experienced in the past two hydrological years in the Bloubank Spruit system is cause for grave concern. Due to the copious recharge associated with aboveaverage rainfall there has been abnormally high mine water discharge from the Western Basin. As a result of the hydrovulnerability assessment and dolomite leaching studies, it was decided to earmark the more vulnerable fossil sites for short-, medium- and long-term monitoring. This will allow the COHWHS Management Authority to continue to observe and assess any changes in the situation specific to these sites. Now that the assessment has been completed and the report sent to the Department of Environmental Affairs, the DWA will help to inform the government s approach to the issue. Mills explains: This report has provided the means to objectively gauge the impact of varied and numerous threats to and on the water resources, and to develop a coordinated, appropriate and cost-effective water resources monitoring programme. The DWA is in the process of implementing a mine water control, management and treatment system in the Western Basin, while the COHWHS MA is currently

FIGURE 2: This diagram shows the various groundwater compartments in the COHWHS. Because they are hydrological separated only 1/3 of the area will be affected. The red circles indicate the areas potentially affected by AMD

rolling out a water resources monitoring programme in conjunction with the DWA. This monitoring will continue to track changes to the water resources system over time and to inform the relevant authorities accordingly. In addition to collaborating with government depart-

or ground water quality or quantity. More importantly,

ments and institutions, the COHWHS MA also partners

however, the authorities now know where to con-

and collaborates with other organisations to keep track

centrate their efforts to protect those sites that are more vulnerable. A petrographic study and laboratory kinetic leach tests were conducted to study the impact of AMD on dolomite. The study found that the dolomite initially acts as a buffer and helps to neutralise the water entering the natural groundwater system due to dissolution of the dolomite. However, this effect reduces over time, diminishing both the neutralising influence and the dissolution of the dolomite.

What is the effect of AMD? Generally AMD compromises the quality of water. This is particularly evident in the upper reaches of the Bloubank Spruit, but this is offset further downstream with the addition of very good quality dolomitic spring water.

FIGURE 3: Schematic diagram illustrating the link between cave morphology and hydrovulnerability as applied to fossil sites in the COHWHS

MAY/JUNE 2012

PROJECT

FIGURE 4: An analysis of fossils site vulnerability

Robertson concludes: The COHWHS is one of the richest fossil sites in the world and we are committed to protecting and preserving this significant heritage site in regard to its water resources within the Karst environment. We will continue to work with all the government departments to find a sustainable solution to this environmental challenge.

of the challenges posed by AMD. The

boreholes and instruments and the AMD

What were the main findings of the project?

COHWHS MA is a member of the Western

concern is being addressed by the IGTT

The study found that only about 33% (a

Basin

on AMD.

third) of the COHWHS will be aﬀected by

Void

Monitoring

Committee

The IGTT, in accordance with the recom-

poor quality water, mainly AMD and mu-

mendations of the team of experts report

nicipal wastewater eﬄuent. This is because

Mills says: The DWA continues to sup-

to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on AMD,

the dolomite is made up of a number of

port the COHWHS Management Authority

has implemented measures to control the

groundwater compartments each having

in its water-resources monitoring ac-

decant of AMD from the Western Basin. This

a speciﬁc relationship to its neighbour. This

tivities in the area by providing monitoring

will roll out in the very near term.

relationship is described as either sharing

convened by DWA as well as the InterGovernmental Task Team (IGTT) on AMD.

MAY/JUNE 2012

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PROJECT

What is the role of the COHWHS MA? The COHWHS Management Authority (MA) is tasked with managing the heritage site on behalf of South Africa. In light of this, the COHWHS MA is not responsible for implementing a water purification solution, but to supply information and data that informs the national government’s response to the issues.

surface water and groundwater resources, or being separated from each other. The 33% of the area that will be affected represents those compartments that receive poor quality water and also share surface water and groundwater resources. This relationship describes hydraulic continuity between compartments. Water contaminated by AMD is toxic and no aquatic life has been found in the Tweelopie Spruit affected by AMD. Although no research has been done on the impact of AMD on animals, anecdotal evidence suggests that AMD is harmful to most fauna and flora. The study also found that the water table in the COHWHS area has risen to unprecedented levels. This is in response to the high rainfall experienced in the previous two years, as well as the ingress of mine water from the much greater discharge of AMD from the mine area.

FIGURE 5: Location of the fossil sites in relation to the dolomite. The red circles show the area where contaminated water could be expected

MAY/JUNE 2012

PROJECT

City of Tshwane

Tshwane Metro steps into hydropower generation The City of Tshwane has launched a new 15 Mℓ hydropower reservoir. The Pierre van Ryneveld hydropower reservoir is located in Region 4 (south-eastern region) of the city and will augment the capacity of the existing water system.

he Pierre van Ryneveld reservoir is the result of

system. The pico-hydro plant at Pierre van Ryneveld is a

a research project by the University of Pretoria,

pilot project.

supported by the Water Research Commission

Hydropower development has major potential beneﬁts.

(WRC), to investigate the potential of extracting

Its installation often involves the construction of a weir

available energy from existing and newly installed water

and a simple intake structure with water transferred by

supply and distribution systems.

a conduit or canal to a suitable point. It is sometimes

The City of Tshwane will collaborate with the WRC to

referred to as greenﬁeld hydropower as it needs to be

conduct research on power generation using closed-

situated on rivers with a relatively constant ﬂow and a

conduit systems. The practical research of the project

suitable water drop.

was done by the Civil Engineering Department of the University of Pretoria.

Prior to opening the Pierre van Ryneveld reservoir, the University of Pretoria, through funding from the

The City of Tshwane is using this opportunity to

WRC, installed a hydropower generation pilot unit at

explore the potential of installing hydroelectric genera-

Queenswood reservoir, also situated in Tshwane. The

tors in speciﬁc locations in water networks where large

Queenswood reservoir received its water from Rand

amounts of energy are dissipated with control valves

Water at a pressure of up to 250 m and proved to be a

MAY/JUNE 2012

Small

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PROJECT

huge success within the municipality. Rand Water is currently using about 165 MW to transfer water to various reservoirs, of which a large proportion could be used to generate hydropower, says Prof. Fanie van Vuuren, a project leader and head of the Civil Engineering Department of the University of Pretoria. He adds: At a level of pico-hydropower generation, which could benefit rural communities where communication to the world is a primary concern, the first indications are that some energy could be generated from the low flow rate and low head tapped from water supply. In these

Africa is the most underdeveloped continent with regard to hydropower generation, with only 6% of its estimated potential being exploited

cases it will be possible to charge batteries and cell phones.

When considering the current status of

towards reversing the lack of hydropower

Percy Zitha, member of the Mayoral

global energy shortages, the emphasis

generation in Africa and the world.

Committee responsible for Public works

to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the

and

Infrastructure

Development,

ABOUT THE PIERRE VAN RYNEVELD CONDUIT HYDROPOWER PLANT

says:

development of alternative energy gen-

We see this as renewable energy, and it

eration methods and the growing energy

forms part of the objectives of the City of

consumption, it is clear that we need to

Tshwane to be a world leader in terms of

change the way we create and use energy.

What is conduit hydropower?

its programmatic approach to the clean

The demand for energy is constantly in-

Conduit hydropower is where the excess

development mechanism. With COP17 hav-

creasing and needs to be met in order to

energy available in pressurised conduits

ing been staged in South Africa, the City

stimulate worldwide development. Fossil

(pumping or gravity) is transformed into

of Tshwane has a unique opportunity to

fuels contribute a large percentage of

clean, renewable hydroelectric energy by

draw international attention and illustrate

global energy, but due to the danger of

means of a turbine.

our commitment to reduce greenhouse

global environment impact, there is resist-

gas emissions.

ance of expanding it as an energy source.

How does conduit hydropower work?

This forces a focus on the development of

The water entering the reservoir still has

renewable energy sources.

excess energy, which is normally dis-

South Africa approved a white paper on renewable energy, which was based on the Kyoto Protocol, in November 2003;

Hydropower contributes only 3% of

sipated by means of pressure control

this pushed the use of renewable energy

global energy consumption, but this is only

valves. A parallel dissipating system ‒ a

to the forefront. South Africa s Integrated

a fraction of its potential. Africa is the most

water turbine ‒ is installed and the water

Resource Plan for the period 2010 to 2030

underdeveloped continent with regard to

is conveyed through the turbine where

calls for the harnessing of 17 800 MW of

hydropower generation, with only 6% of

the ﬂow and head are utilised to generate

energy from renewable resources.

its estimated potential being exploited.

hydroelectric power.

Energy is the lifeblood of worldwide economic

and

social

development.

This situation presents South Africa with an opportunity to make a large contribution

What are the advantages of hydropower? Hydropower has the several advantages over other forms of energy production in terms of economic, social and environmental impact. First, hydropower is a form of clean, renewable and sustainable energy as it makes use of the energy in water due to flow and available head without actually consuming the water itself. It does not emit any atmospheric pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulphurous oxides, nitrous oxides or particulates such as ash. Second, hydropower schemes often have very long lifetimes and high efficiency levels. Operation costs per annum can be as low as 1% of the initial investment costs. Third, hydropower schemes often have more than one purpose. Hydropower through water storage can help with flood control and supply water for irrigation or consumption, and dams constructed for hydropower can

MAY/JUNE 2012

PROJECT

units of less than 2 MW and with heads of less than 200 m. The simple construction makes it easier to maintain than other turbine types: only two bearings must be maintained and there are only three rotating elements. The mechanical system is simple, so repairs can be performed by local mechanics. Another advantage is that the turbine can often clean itself. As the water leaves the runner, grass and leaves, etc. (which are not present in the City of Tshwane s potable water supply) will not remain in the runner, which will prevent losses.

What is a synchronous generator? A synchronous electric motor is an alternatecurrent motor distinguished by a rotor spinning with coils passing magnets at the same rate as the power supply frequency and resulting in a rotating magnetic ﬁeld, which also be used for recreational purposes. Diﬀerent forms of

drives it.

hydropower, including reservoirs, pumped storage and

SITE CONDITION QUESTIONS

run-of-river systems of diﬀerent sizes, are available and can be used for diﬀerent forms of electricity generation.

When is a site feasible? How much electrical energy can be produced from this pilot plant?

Feasibility studies aim to objectively uncover the

The pilot plant utilises a cross-ﬂow turbine and a syn-

tunities and ‒ as presented by the environment ‒ the

chronous generator. The maximum capacity is 15 kW of

resources required to carry it through as well as the pros-

renewable, zero-emission electricity, but this depends on

pects for success. In the simplest terms, the two criteria

the ﬂow and head pressure conditions at any given time.

to judge feasibility are the cost required and the value to

Annually, about 131 000 kWh could be generated with

be attained. For conduit hydropower projects, some may

strengths and weaknesses of the venture, the oppor-

this unit, which is enough to supply 10 households.

What is a cross-ﬂow turbine? A cross-ﬂow turbine (Banki-Michell turbine or Ossberger turbine) is a water turbine where the water passes through

The pilot plant utilises a cross-flow turbine and a synchronous generator. The maximum capacity is 15 kW of renewable, zero-emission electricity.

the turbine transversely or across the turbine blades, unlike most water turbines, which have axial or radial ﬂows.

have a monetary value providing a fast payback period,

As with the water wheel, the water is admitted at the

while others have additional value and service remote

turbine s edge. After passing the runner, it leaves on the

sites with subsequent beneﬁts.

opposite side. Going through the runner twice provides additional eﬃciency. When the water leaves the runner, it

What is the risk of cavitation at the plant?

helps to clean it of small debris. The cross-ﬂow turbine is

There is a risk of cavitation anytime that a device or piece

a low-speed machine that is well suited for locations with

of equipment is placed within a pipeline. The cross-ﬂow

a low head but high ﬂow. The subdivided regulating unit,

turbine is designed to limit the possibility of cavita-

the guide vane system in the turbine s upstream section,

tion over a wide range of conditions typically found

provides ﬂexible operation. Low operating costs are ob-

within pipelines.

tained with the turbine s relatively simple construction.

What would happen if the generator or turbine fails?

What are the advantages of utilising a cross-ﬂow turbine?

Although

unlikely,

failure

would cause the

less than for a Kaplan, Francis or Pelton turbine. However,

stream of the tribune to open and

the cross-flow turbine has a flat efficiency curve under

water would be discharged directly

varying loads. With a split runner and turbine chamber,

into the reservoir. This will allow the

the turbine maintains its eﬃciency while the ﬂow and

control valves to close slowly and

load vary from 15 to 100%.

water will be redirected through

Since it has a low price and good regulation, cross-ﬂow

pinch-valve up-

the parallel pressure control valve

turbines are mostly used in mini-and micro-hydropower

highly

The peak eﬃciency of a cross-ﬂow turbine is somewhat

dissipating system.

MAY/JUNE 2012

Africa’s Can more energy be generated at this site?

turbine housing is hot-dipped galvanised to limit erosion.

This pilot plant only abstracts approximate-

The turbine is required to have a guide

ly 50% of the total inﬂow into the reservoir

vane to regulate the water consumption.

via the constructed bypass. An additional

The guide vane is manually operated by a

parallel unit could be installed to increase

screw and turned by a removable level. The

the generation potential.

turbine operates at constant water con-

leader in natural

sumption, which means constant power

ELECTRICAL QUESTIONS

‒ normally full load. A roller-type bearing is used on the drive side (pulley) and a

How are conduit hydropower plants ﬁnanced?

ball-bearing type at the non-drive end. The

The feasibility studied conducted thus far

radial load, which would be too small for a

indicated that these types of hydropower

roller-type bearing.

latter was selected to obtain an acceptable

resource and

installations have a relatively short payback period. The reason for this is the minimum

Generator

amount of civil works required compared

The generator is of the synchronous three-

to conventional hydropower projects.

phase, 50 Hz, brushless type, with the main

Due to the low proﬁle of small-scale

ﬁeld being supplied through a rotating

hydropower development in South Africa

diode bridge from a built-in exciter. The en-

during the last two decades, there are

closure type is IP23, drip proof with internal

fan cooling.

deﬁned

approaches

and

methods

for ﬁnancing hydroelectric installations.

The generator is a special hydro de-

Currently municipalities or water boards

sign, which is capable of withstanding

will utilise their own budgets to ﬁnance

a short-term 80% over speed, in case

such projects.

the power is suddenly lost (during a

development solutions

lightning strike, for example), and the

REGULATORY AND LICENSING QUESTIONS

plant accelerates to runaway speed. The generator is rated 17 kVA, 380/220 V, rotating at 1 500 rpm.

What are the regulatory requirements? No water use permit is required as de-

Belt drive

scribed in the Environment Conservation

The generator is belt-driven from the

Act (Act 73 of 1989) and the National

turbine, with a pulley ratio to rotate the

Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) for most conduit

tribune at maximum eﬃciency (642 rpm)

hydropower projects. Any development

with reference to the synchronous speed of

will have to comply with the requirements

the generator (1 500 rpm). The belt is a ﬂat

of national environmental legislation and

type of polyamide synthetic material with a

also with provincial and local govern-

leather-coated running surface.

ment environmental legislation. Usually no

Environmental

Impact

Assessment

is required.

Speed/load control Speed/load control by a governor is not possible in this speciﬁc setup. Thus, the

Do you need a licence to generate electricity in this way?

turbine is operated at constant load,

The National Energy Regulator of South

rate of water. A ballast tank with water-

Africa (NERSA) requires all independent

cooled heating elements is provided and

power producers (IPPs) which intend to

can accommodate full load power. Thus,

produce more than 5 GWh/year to have a

any diﬀerence between generated power

licence. This means that all micro-, mini-

and power consumed is regulated in the

and small hydroelectricity-producing com-

ballast tank.

ponents of most projects will have to apply to NERSA for an IPP licence.

normally full load, consuming a constant

During normal operation, stability of the power supply without hutting is ensured as described above. However, in an emer-

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

gency when power is suddenly lost, a bypass is provided ahead of the turbine inlet,

Turbine

which automatically opens and diverts the

The pico-hydro turbine is of the cross-

ﬂow and pressure away from the turbine.

ﬂow type of standard design. The water

The solution adopted is the use of a pinch

passages, including the runner blades

valve , using the water pressure to open the

and side discs, are nickel-plated and the

pinch valves in an emergency.

Tel: +27(0) 11 441 1111 www.srk.co.za

PROJECT

Overstrand Municipality

Taking control of wellfield operations Just over one year after the Overstrand Municipality instructed its groundwater consultants, Umvoto Africa, to upgrade the infrastructure at the Gateway Wellfield, operation and maintenance of the sophisticated new wellfield has been officially handed over to the municipal staff. Water&Sanitation Africa provides an insight into the project.

he handover that took place late in 2011 includ-

De Bos Dam

Licence from the Department of Water Affairs. The

ed a wellﬁeld inspection by the municipality

wellfield operating manager is De Wet Nel (Engineering

and Umvoto Africa, followed by a tour and cel-

Technician), with assistance from Peter Burger, op-

ebration with invited guests. Wellﬁeld operators

erational manager: Hermanus. The wellfield operators

received graduation in wellﬁeld operation certiﬁcates

are Isak Henecke (superintendent of water and sewer-

and a celebratory champagne roof wetting was held at the pump house. Cape Town-based consultants Umvoto Africa moved from overseeing the operations to an operational support role. It continues to be responsible for aquifer management.

In November 2010 it was predicted that the De Bos Dam, which supplies Hermanus, would empty by April 2011

The handover followed a complete infrastructure redesign of the Gateway wellfield in order to double

the abstraction capacity and ensure there was suf-

age) and Jimmy du Plessis (senior foreman of water

ficient water for Hermanus residents and businesses.

and sewerage).

Municipal wellfield manager Hanré Blignaut (deputy

Umvoto hydrogeologist Emilie Galley, who oversaw

director: Engineering Services) will now be responsible

the staﬀ training, said that Henecke and Du Plessis had

for compliance with the recently awarded Water Use

increasingly taken over responsibilities during the past

MAY/JUNE 2012

PROJECT

two years, with formal training taking place from March

be a reliable resource solu-

this year.

tion. There has been close

The operators tasks include continuous checking of

cooperation with stakeholders

wellﬁeld data such as water level and ﬂow rates, com-

throughout and this has ena-

pleting a daily operational monitoring form, a weekly

bled the project to progress

report and an error log form, as well as troubleshooting

swiftly and eﬃciently.

and routine maintenance using reference material proUmvoto will continue to assist the wellﬁeld manager

Background information on the Gateway Wellﬁeld

on matters such as hydrogeological and engineering

The Overstrand Municipality

support and numerical modelling.

appointed Umvoto in 2002 to

vided by Umvoto.

explore underground water

Umvoto senior hydrogeologist Helen Seyler said the December handover followed a six-month retention

resources

period after a complete wellﬁeld infrastructure redesign.

municipal water supply.

augment

the

This was part of a series of pre-emptive measures under-

The municipality faced a

taken by the Overstrand Municipality after lower than

growing water shortage due

average rainfall in the Western Cape in 2009 and 2010.

burgeoning

business

The measures included a successful 12-point Greater

and

mands.

water demand and conjunctive use of groundwater and

from a holiday town with a

fers with large storage potential. However, even with these measures in place and with

developing

large seasonal variation in

surface water. The latter increases drought resilience drought, especially groundwater in deep conﬁned aqui-

was

de-

Hermanus Water Conservation Programme to manage

as groundwater is often buﬀered from the impacts of

residential, leisure

ABOVE The pumphouse: outside and inside

water consumption to the economic and administrative hub of the wider Overberg District Municipality. Umvoto focused on the Gateway Wellﬁeld target area,

the Gateway Wellﬁeld delivering the maximum that the

named after a nearby shopping centre. The local contrac-

infrastructure could previously supply, in November

tor, TA Hennings & Associates, drilled several boreholes

2010 it was predicted that the De Bos Dam, which sup-

deep into the Peninsula aquifer, a layer of water-bearing,

plies Hermanus, would empty by April 2011. If a demand

permeable rock capable of providing signiﬁcant amounts

saving of 25% could be realised, and the delivery from

of water.

Gateway wellﬁeld could be increased to the maximum

A borehole was found to be one of the highest yield-

licensed abstraction of 60 ℓ/s within six months, then

ing in South Africa ‒ blowing out at more than 100 ℓper

it was predicted that the dam would not empty until

second ‒ and infrastructure such as pumps, a pipeline

December 2011 ‒ well after the 2011 winter rainfall, al-

and a pre-treatment plant (to ensure water quality)

lowing the dam to reﬁll.

were constructed.

Under the pressures of a critical water situation, with

Water was then extracted from the aquifer continuous-

failure having serious consequences for water supply to

ly for a year and the response of the aquifer was meas-

Hermanus, the wellﬁeld rapidly underwent a complete

ured to judge the long-term sustainability. The water was

infrastructure redesign, said Seyler.

pumped into the reticulation system of the town.

A system of in-line booster pumps was implemented,

Umvoto also installed a telemetry system for remote

which took into account the ﬁxed limited diameter of the

monitoring and controlling, which ensured that real-

high-yielding existing boreholes and the requirement for in-line pre-treatment. Sophisticated automated controls

BELOW The new borehole

time data could be accessed by the municipal staﬀ in Hermanus and from Umvoto s oﬃces in Muizenberg.

operate the wellfield based on fixed head conditions rather than the normal fixed rate, in order to maximise yield and manage the risk of saline intrusion. Four boreholes now supply water to a pumphouse, in which two booster pumps deliver the water to the treatment works. Engineering design was undertaken by RLH consulting engineers, while Umvoto was responsible for the hydrogeological design. The upgraded wellfield was commissioned in June 2011 shortly after the dam reached its minimum level of 18%. Between June 2011 and September 2011, the dam level increased to 43% due to winter rainfall together with increased groundwater use. Seyler says: The experience of Gateway has shown that appropriate technology is available to support effective management of groundwater, allowing groundwater to

MAY/JUNE 2012

TECHNICAL PAPER

SANCIAHS

Sustainability assessment of trans-boundary water resources This technical paper discusses an approach to the development of sustainability assessment tools in a trans-boundary water resources context. By K King1 and K Winter2

t investigates the kinds of indices that are important in assessing a complex socioeconomic, environmental and political setting presented as trans-boundary water re-

sources projects. It also addresses the current practice of presenting piecemeal accounts of sustainability in the implementation of transboundary water resource management. Severe

social,

environmental

and

po-

litical problems are accumulating in many international basins as competition for scarce resources and economic pressures increase. A frequently-used standard for determining the success of water resources projects, and a stated outcome of the majority of these, is the project s sustainability. Generic tools for measuring the sustainability of such projects have been reviewed within this study, showing that generic indicators of the sustainability of water resources projects exist, but no appropriate tools exist for trans-boundary projects, incorporating the specific difficulties that arise in such projects.

FIGURE 1: Differing river basin and political boundaries

economic circumstances of basin stakeholders vary within and across boundaries (Trottier, 2003; Jagerskog and Zeitoun, 2009). Yet, while the needs and wants of basin stakeholders vary within and across boundaries,

Introduction

stakeholders need to reach agreements for their con-

Nearly half of the world s population lives in river

tinued survival. Legal principles are deeply rooted in

basins that are shared by more than two countries

moral principles that are difficult to apply across more

and depend on water originating in upstream coun-

than one country and do not always result in practical

tries (Bjorklund, 2006; Jagerskog and Zeitoun, 2009).

basin management (Cosgrove, 2003). Challenges that

Social, environmental and political problems are

arise when managing trans-boundary waters include

accumulating in many international water basins as competition for scarce resources and economic pressures increase (Molle et al., 2007). Stakeholders within and across boundaries take different interests in basin resources and the resources are managed differently

Nearly half of the worldâ€™s population lives in river basins that are shared by more than two countries and depend on water originating in upstream countries

because of different cultural, political, economic, legal,

geographical, technical, historical and institutional

reconciling the needs of the country's population with

contexts (Trottier, 2003). Neighbouring countries fre-

regional requirements, ensuring equitable access and

quently have competing water use requirements and

benefit sharing from trans-boundary water resources

ecosystems that depend on different water balances

and establishing mechanisms to ensure that long-term

for ecological functioning. The legal frameworks that

agreements are sustainable (Zeitoun and Warner, 2006).

govern water management differ from country to

Efforts to implement integrated, shared water resources

country and are weaker regionally than they are within

management are often undermined by the changing

countries (UNESCO, 2006; Jagerskog and Zeitoun,

societal value of water, by overexploitation of water

2009).This is further complicated by the fact that the

resources in one country leading to water scarcity in

MAY/JUNE 2012

TECHNICAL PAPER

another, and by pollution of shared water-

in trans-boundary water resources pro-

management approaches have encoun-

ways from one country that harms another

jects often result from a crisis in govern-

tered difficulties that arise as a result of

(UNESCO,

these

ance, not a crisis in the water resource

cultural, political, economic, legal, geo-

problems is the complication of basin data

(K Akumu, 2006; Zeitoun and Warner,

graphical, technical, historical and insti-

that is scattered and fragmented within

2006). Inadequate access to water could

tutional differences among stakeholders

and

ap-

be addressed by public policy so as to help

within and across boundaries (Asamoah et

proaches to data collection facilities from

alleviate water scarcity. Scarcity is often

al, 2010). Local and national government

one country to another frequently result

a result of differing goals and usage pat-

water management agencies frequently

in data discrepancies and inconsistencies

terns of different actors, the distribution

disagree, as these agencies respond to dif-

(Cosgrove, 2003; Reuss, 2003).

of water resources and the prioritisation of

ferent interest groups. Experts agree that

Governance of a trans-boundary basin

needs at local, national and global levels.

the appropriate administrative entity for

refers to the sphere of public debate, part-

Issues of water scarcity, allocation and ac-

water management is the river basin, but

nership, interaction, dialogue and conflict

cess are primarily questions of governance

river basin boundaries seldom coincide

entered into by local government, local

with

implications

with political boundaries (Draper, 2007)

communities and organisations associ-

(Gleick, 2005). Weaknesses in trans-bound-

(Figure 1). While many developed nations

ated with the basin. Effective governance

ary water governance are, in part, due to

have systems in place to investigate and

can improve the manner in which deci-

the sheer scale of issues encountered and

monitor trans-boundary water projects,

sions pertaining to a basin are taken, can

the frequent gaps between policies, plans

further research into these fields is nec-

provide greater influence and resources

and practices. The multiple agencies and

essary in developing countries (Parker,

to excluded stakeholders, and is a pre-

organisations involved in trans-boundary

2007). Most trans-boundary water projects

condition for sustainable development.

water governance make decision-making

in southern Africa have encountered con-

The competing economic, environmental

difficult to achieve (Nillson, 2003).

siderable difficulties that have not been

2006).

across

Compounding

boundaries.

Different

and social roles that trans-boundary water

The

clear

policy-making

abovementioned

issues

have

adequately addressed (Wirkus and Thilo-

basins fulfil make governance particu-

arisen in trans-boundary water projects

Korner, 2006). Aside from the challenge

larly challenging (Sneddon and Fox, 2006;

worldwide and some have been dealt

of establishing institutions and managing

Jagerskog and Zeitoun, 2009). Problems

with better than others. Co-operative

the interactions between various parties,

MAY/JUNE 2012

TECHNICAL PAPER

the main difficulties encountered intrans-

the

boundary basins are related to the gener-

Toffel, 2005).

countries

involved

(Marshall

and

complex social, geographical and political environments of trans-boundary river ba-

ation, distribution and use of information

Cato(2009) states that for a course of

for basin management (Kranz et al., 2005).

action to be described as sustainable, it

trans-boundary

See Figure 1.

needs to achieve an acceptable, consist-

ments, the way stakeholders in trans-

ent

without

boundary basins construct geographical

exhausting the resources it requires to be

scales and how control over water is

As the challenges to trans-boundary water resources projects are varied in

environmental

standard

sins (Moerlins, 2008), including ecological institutional

arrange-

nature, the success of trans-boundary water projects requires consideration of the environment, society, institutions, politics and economics as imperatives to the long-term sustainability of managing water resources (Sneddon and Fox, 2006;

A frequently used standard for determining the extent of success or failure of a trans-boundary water resources project, and a stated outcome of the majority of these, is the systemâ€™s sustainability

Jagerskog and Zeitoun, 2009), in a manner that accounts for the overlap between

maintained. Thus sustainability is not an

represented and exercised within the

these areas. Historically, many water re-

absolute concept. Subjective terms like

responsible institutions. To date, trans-

sources projects have been inadequately

acceptable

appear in legislation gov-

boundary water resources management

assessed because social and environmen-

erning sustainability of water resources

has been handled in a very piecemeal

tal impacts were not included in assess-

projects (Knox, 2002). As trans-boundary

manner. Countries frequently refuse to

ment frameworks (World Commission on

water resources projects generally involve

communicate or share data, so activities

Dams, 2000).

many stakeholders and many groups of

within the basin are not coordinated

people affect and are affected by such

(Barbut, 2011). The various aspects of

Sustainability in the context of transboundary water resources projects

projects, there are multiple perspectives

trans-boundary water resources manage-

on acceptable standards, as well as objec-

ment have been treated separately and

A frequently used standard for determin-

tives, time and spatial scales, expected

basin management plans have previously

ing the extent of success or failure of a

outcomes and levels of risk involved

ignored historical values and stakeholder

trans-boundary water resources project,

(Kates, 2010).

identities, opting to rely on the outcomes

and a stated outcome of the major-

What becomes clear when looking at

of incomplete scientific models (Cosgrove,

ity of these, is the system s sustainability

a number of trans-boundary water re-

2003; Reuss, 2003). Piecemeal governance

(Komives et al, 2008). While there contin-

sources projects is that the various aspects

of trans-boundary water resources is inad-

ues to be debate about what sustainabil-

and issues involved are inextricably linked,

equate to meet the needs of sustainable

ity means, there is agreement that it takes

thus

use (Eckstein, 1998; Barbut 2011).

cognisance not just of the economics of

recommended in order to understand the

a project or region, but also of the social and environmental systems in which economic activity exists (Norton and Toman

interdisciplinary

perspectives

FIGURE 2: An ASPIRE example output keystone diagram

are

There exists a gap in knowledge about how to assess the sustainability of transboundary water management projects, as shown by the problems encountered

1997; Allan, 2005; Marshall and Toffel,

within such projects, which often lead

2005; Kates, 2010). This broad understand-

to projects being assessed as unsustain-

ing, however, does not answer questions

able in at least one area. This gap exists

related to the measurement and as-

because of the many abovementioned

sessment of sustainability (Tomanet

challenges to trans-boundary water

al, 1998). Many adopt the World

resource management, persever-

Commission on Environment and

ance with piecemeal methods

Development definition of sus-

tainable development when referring

sustainability,

trans-boundary

resources

projects

that offer no account for

which states that, for devel-

how change in one basin

opment to be sustainable,

environment

it must meet the needs

many others, a very broad

of the present generation

and

without

understanding of sustain-

compromising

those of future generations context

may

unclear

ability

(Razmanet al., 2011). In the

and

the

affect general lack

appropriate tools available

trans-boundary

to assess sustainability in

water resources, sustainability

is viewed as a combination of the

trans-boundary

context.

Within water management plans

economic, environmental and so-

for trans-boundary resources, the

cial sustainability of a water resources

potential benefits and

management initiative, combined with

assessing

water

risks involved must be

evidence of institutional effectiveness

assessed (Conley and

and equitable power sharing between

van Niekerk, 2000), yet

MAY/JUNE 2012

TECHNICAL PAPER

not everyone s concerns will be addressed

Two additional themes ‒ vulnerability and

which systems pass: exploitation (r) in

within such a project and trade-offs

population ‒ include issues such as conﬂict,

which recently disturbed areas are rap-

are inevitable.

exposure to natural hazards and displace-

idly colonised; conservation (K), in which

ment. Economics includes four themes:

energy and material are slowly accumu-

Sustainability measuring tools in the context of water resources projects

project

macroeco-

lated; release (Ω), in which the tightly

nomic eﬀects, livelihood opportunity and

bound accumulation of biomass becomes

Four different tools that claim to measure

equity of economic opportunity. The rel-

increasingly fragile until it is released by

the

resources

evant institutions include four themes that

external agents, and reorganisation (α),

management projects include modelling

consider the capacity of the institutional

in which resources are reconfigured to

software, a series of equations, a theoreti-

environment to support the delivery of in-

take advantage of new opportunities. The

cal framework and an index.

frastructure that contributes to sustainable

framework is cross-scale, interdisciplinary

development: policy, governance, skills,

and dynamic. It can be used to assess

The ASPIRE software

and reporting. The output of the assess-

the relationships between change and

ASPIRE (Engineers against Poverty, 2010)

ment is the keystone diagram (Figure 2).

persistence, and the predictable and

is a software-based tool for assessing the

This graphically shows the various themes

unpredictable. The model highlights the

sustainability of infrastructure projects.

scores with a colour-coding system that

trade-off between potential and connect-

Poverty

overarching

clearly shows the strengths and weak-

edness, which largely occurs where one

objective of the tool and it accounts for

nesses of the project in question (Engineers

has to choose between levels of sustain-

the environment, society, economics and

Against Poverty, 2010). See Figure 2.

ability and productivity. The model does

sustainability

reduction

water

the

viability,

long-term

institutions. The environment is considered

not distinguish between ecological and

in terms of impacts on air, land, water,

The panarchy framework

biodiversity, and materials. Society is con-

The

sidered in terms of the assets required to

and Holling, 2002) is based on a complex

meet needs and alleviate poverty through

system dynamics theory. The core of the

access to services, public health, culture

framework is the adaptive cycle (Figure

The Ukrainian equation

and in terms of stakeholder participation.

3), which comprises four phases through

The

panarchy

framework

human components of the system, and (Gunderson

captures how relationships change over time (Gunderson and Holling, 2002).

Ukrainian

equation

(Yuliya

and

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TECHNICAL PAPER

Volodymyr, 2010) is intended as a simple,

The USA sustainability index

data-intensive and, as mentioned, data

integrated indicator of water use ef-

The USA sustainability index (Sandoval-

problems are common in trans-boundary

ficiency at regional and national levels.

Solis et al., 2010) is focused on the effect

projects. A weakness of the Ukrainian

The following major water-use indicators

that various policies have on the sustain-

equation is that it also accounts for the

were accounted for within the equation:

ability of a trans-boundary water resourc-

economic,

the water value of the GDP, total water

es project. This index makes it possible

aspects of a water resources project

consumption, polluted water discharged,

to evaluate and compare different water

separately, but it requires limited data

the population that has access to water

management policies with respect to

accessible in the Ukraine. It was created

and the efficiency of water treatment

their sustainability. The index identifies

as a trans-boundary sustainability meas-

processes.

policies that preserve or improve the

urement tool, but can only be appropri-

Economically

speaking,

the

environmental

and

social

fewer water resources a country needs for formation of a GDP unit, the more efficient the water management is. Environmental efficiency of water use is defined here as the rate of return of untreated water into the natural environ-

Economically speaking, the fewer water resources a country needs for formation of a GDP unit, the more eďŹƒcient the water management is

ment. Thus the environmental indicator of water use sustainability is calculated as

desired water management characteristic

ately used for trans-boundary projects

the proportion of total untreated water

of the basin in the future. Group sustain-

between the Ukraine and its neighbours

that makes up the total volume of water

ability indices are calculated to summa-

as it was designed for the specific data

consumed in the country.

rise the results for groups of water users

availability and institutional environment

in each country, the environment and the

encountered in that region. The USA

basin as a whole.

sustainability index s strengths lie in its

Conceptually, the social efficiency of water use is based on the lowest consump-

ability to assess the sustainability of a

tion level required to satisfy the needs of society. This is higher in urban areas than

Discussion

basin from an institutional and political

in rural areas, yet the water use efficiency

The ASPIRE software identifies and ac-

viewpoint by evaluating the policies that

varies. This indicator also depends on

counts well for the various aspects of a

govern the project. The index cannot,

cultural differences, environmental and

water resources management project,

however, account for these policies being

climatic conditions, the structure of an

and thus the sustainability of these areas.

inadequately applied or for cases where

economy, policies of a government, the

However, it treats the social, environmen-

the policies of the various countries

legal system in place, and so on. The so-

tal, economic and institutional aspects

involved in the project do not agree with

cial efficiency of water use has thus been

of the project s sustainability separately,

one another. The approach ensures that it

defined as the ratio of the water consump-

whereas,

does not encounter data availability dif-

tion level per person in a region to the av-

sections, in trans-boundary water re-

ficulties and it is integrated to the extent

erage water consumption level per person

sources

these

that the policies it evaluates are. The pan-

in the Ukraine. See Figure 3.

various aspects are affected by and affect

archy framework is useful in that it can

each other continuously. It is also very

be used to determine how relationships

highlighted

management

projects

may change and gain or lose relevance as the project evolves; recognises the interconnectedness of the sociological, ecological, economic and institutional aspects of systems; and highlights patterns in systems. The framework has, however, been found to inadequately account for influences such as population size, technological advances, oppressive regimes and external influences on a system, including government interventions (Gotts, 2007). These influences are often unavoidable in the case of a transboundary water resources project. Despite its drawbacks, the panarchy framework is the best of the four tools reviewed here because it accounts for the links between the various areas of a transboundary water resources system and is not heavily reliant on data availability.

Conclusions FIGURE 3: The Panarchy framework cycle of adaptive change

Tools exist that measure the sustainability of water resources management projects,

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TECHNICAL PAPER

but no tool exists that sufficiently ac-

aspects of the project and how these

of a system interact among and influence

counts for the specific and complex envi-

aspects influence each other. Within a

one another, and is able to incorporate

ronmental, social, economic, institutional

sustainability assessment tool one may

complex basin aspects such as govern-

and political sustainability issues that

account for a change in the economics of

ance. Assessment tools are complicated

arise in trans-boundary water resources

the basin or the project, but these tools

to devise for a trans-boundary context,

management projects ‒ most impor-

are not then able to account for how

however, and generic approaches might

tantly, the links between these issues.

this change affects the other aspects of

not work.

Linear,

one

dimensional

assessment

the basin. Furthermore, these tools do

This is ongoing research and the discus-

tools are limited in the context of trans-

not account for the effects of neglect in

sion in this paper is confined to a litera-

boundary water resources sustainability

governance. Development of a complex,

ture review.

assessments because even those that ac-

systems-based tool is necessary in the

count for many aspects of trans-boundary

context of trans-boundary water resourc-

water resources projects do not account

es projects because systems theory ac-

for areas of overlap between the various

counts for how the various components

References • Asamoah, A.,Frimpong-Mensah, K.&AntwiBoasiako, C. (2010).Getting Riparian States to Co-operate in Transboundary Groundwater Management: Challenges and Opportunities to Water Security. In: Proc. Transboundary Aquifers: Challenges and New Directions. (6-8 December 2010. Ghana). • Allan, J.A. (2005). Water in the Environment/ Socio-Economic Development Discourse: Sustainability, Changing Management Paradigms and Policy Responses in a Global System. Government and Opposition Ltd. NY, USA. • Barbut, M. (2011).Global Environment Facility Project Information Description. Regional Coordination on Improved Water Resources Management and Capacity Building Horizontal Adaptable Programmatic Programme. GEF. 13 April 2011. • Bjorklund, G. (2006). Water Management in Developing Countries ‒ Policy and Priorities for EU Development Cooperation. A Background Document for an EC Communication on Water and Development. The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).USAid. • Cato, M. (2009).Green Economics. London: Earthscan, 36‒37. • Conley, A.H., & van Niekerk, P.H. (2000). Sustainable management of international waters: The Orange River case. Water Policy.2, 131-149. • Cosgrove, J.W. (2003). Water Security and Peace ‒ A Synthesis of Studies Prepared under the PCCPWater for Peace Process. PCCP Publications, SC-2003/WS/39. 32. • Draper, S.E. (2007). Administration and Institutional Provisions of Water Sharing Agreements. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. September/October 2007, 446-454. • Eckstein, G. (1998). Hydrologic Reality: International Water Law and Transboundary Ground-Water Resources. In: Proc. Water: Dispute Prevention and Development Conference. (American University Centre for the Global South, Washington, D.C. October 12 - 13, 1998). • Engineers Against Poverty (2010). ASPIRE - A Sustainability Poverty and Infrastructure Routine for Evaluation. User Manual. Institution of Civil Engineers Research & Development Enabling Fund and Arup s Design Technical Fund. • Gleick, P. (2005). Freshwater and Foreign Policy:

New Challenges for the 21st Century, Oakland: The Pacific Institute, 2005. • Gotts, N. M. (2007). Resilience, Panarchy, and World-Systems Analysis. Ecology and Society12(1). • Gunderson, L.H.& Holling, C.S.(eds.). (2002). Panarchy: Understanding Transformations in Human and Natural Systems. Island Press, Washington, D.C., USA. • K Akumu, O.A. (2006). Privatisation Model for Water Enterprise in Kenya.Water Policy.8, 539-557. • Kates, R. W. ed. (2010).Readings in Sustainability Science and Technology - an introduction to the key literaturs of sustainability science. CID Working Paper No. 213. Center for International Development, Harvard University. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University, December 2010. • Knox, J.H. (2002). The Myth and Reality of Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment.The American Journal of International Law.96(2), 291-319. • Komives, K., Akanbang, B., Thorsten, R., Tuffuor, B.,Wakeman, W., Larbi, E., Bakalian, A. & Whittington, D. (2008). Post-Construction Support and the Sustainability of Rural Water Projects in Ghana. In: Proc: The 33rd WEDC International Conference - Access to Sanitation and Safe Water: Global Partnerships and Local Actions.(Accra). • Kranz, N.,Interwies, E. &Viduaurre, R. (2005). Transboundary River Basin Management Regimes: The Orange Basin Case Study. Background Report to Deliverable 1.3.1.NeWater. Ecologic-Institute for International and European Environmental Policy. 1 October 2005. • Marshall, J.D. &Toffel, M.W. (2005).Framing the Elusive Concept of Sustainability: A Sustainability Hierarchy.Environmental & Scientific Technology39(3): 673‒682. • Moerlins, J.E. (ed.) (2008). Transboundary Water Resources: A Foundation for Regional Stability in Central Asia.123-129. Springer. • Molle, F., Wester, P., Hirsch, P. Jensen, J.R., MurrayRust, H., Paranjpye, V., Pollard, S.& van der Zaag, P. (2007).Water for Food, Water for life.16. River Basin Development and Management. IWMI Part 4. Chapters 8-16. • Nilsson, S. (2003).The Role and Use of Information in Transboundary Water Management. Department of Land and Water Resource Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm.

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• Department of Land and Water Resource Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm. • Norton, B.G. & Toman, M.A., (1997). Sustainability: Ecological and Economic Perspectives. Land Economics. 73(4).553-568. • Parker, M. (2007). Environmental Change and Security Programme. Water Conflict and Cooperation: Looking over the Horizon. Navigating Peace Initiative: Water Working Group II. • Razman,M.R., Yusof, S.S.A,Suhor, S, Ismail, R., Aziz, A.A & Khalid, K.A.T. (2011). Research Journal of Applied Sciences. 6(3).179-183. • Reuss M., (2003). Historical Explanation and Water Issues. PCCP Publications, SC-2003/ WS/39.6. • Sandoval-Solis, S., McKinney, D.C.&Loucks, D.P. (2010).Sustainability Index for Water Resources Planning and Management. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. 10,1943-5452. • Sneddon, C. &Fox, C. (2006).Rethinking Transboundary Waters: A Critical Hydropolitics of the Mekong basin. Political Geography. 25, 181-202. • Trottier J. (2003).The Need for Multiscalar Analyses in the Management of Shared Water Resources. PCCP Publications, SC-2003/ WS/39.p 6. • UNESCO (2006). The 2nd United Nations World Water Development Report: Water, a shared responsibility . Chapter 11: Sharing Water. World Water Assessment Programme. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. • Wirkus, L. &Thilo-Korner, M. (2006). BICC Research on Trans-boundary Waters and Crisis Prevention, Bonn International Centre for Conversion, Bonn, Germany. • World Commission on Dams (2000). Dams and Development: A New Framework for DecisionMaking 2000. A Report of the World Commission on Dams. • Yuliya V. & Volodymyr, G. (2010). Integrated Socio-economic Criteria of Trans-boundary Water Use. Kharkiv National Academy of Municipal Economy, Kharkiv, Ukraine. • Zeitoun, M. & Warner, J. (2006). Hydro-hegemony ‒ A Framework for Analysis of Trans-boundary Water Conflicts, Water Policy. 8, 435‒ 460.

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For more information visit www.dbsa.org or call +27 11 313 3911

PROFILE

Development Bank of Southern Africa

The DBSA’s Role in development finance for water infrastructure Debbie Besseling speaks to Godfrey Mwiinga, a DBSA Professional Civil Engineer and Water & Sanitation specialist, about the role of the DBSA in providing development finance for water and sanitation infrastructure development.

is to accelerate sustainable socioeconomic devel-

What specific products and services are offered by the DBSA for the financing of municipal infrastructure in the water sector?

opment by funding physical, social and economic

Given the bankable challenges in many municipal water

infrastructure. The DBSA s goal is to improve the quality of

projects, the strategic product that the DBSA provides is

he Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is a development ﬁnance institution. Its purpose

that of project preparation (packaging) assistance loans

life of the people in the region.

What are the challenges faced by the DBSA in providing finance for municipal infrastructure? Any infrastructure project needing funding from financiers has to be bankable, that is, the borrower must assure the lenders that repayments for the finance will be met. For a development bank, the infrastructure projects have to also deliver development impact as well. Hence, considerations for the institutional capacity to implement and maintain the infrastructure are critical aspects when

ABOVE Godfrey Mwiinga, DBSA Water & Sanitation Specialist BELOW The Durban Water Recycling Plant was funded by the DBSA

which are capitalised once the Capex loan is approved. These loans also support compliance with legislative requirements such as environmental matters. An emerging product being provided by the DBSA to leverage government s annual municipal infrastructure grants (MIG) transfers is the conditional bridging loan ﬁnance. It allows municipalities borrowing against future conditional MIG allocations. The DBSA is also implementing this instrument in other sectors, such as energy (electricity). However, with MIG leveraging, municipalities have

dealing with municipal infrastructure. In addition, the us-

to apply to National Treasury and demonstrate the ben-

ers ability to pay for the service is crucial as it determines

efits offered by the bridge financing. The DBSA provides

sources of loan repayment and how sustainable the ser-

capacity support to municipalities

vice rendered will be. Since the DBSA is largely mandated

when they are preparing for such

to address infrastructure development in areas of market

applications.

failure, common challenges that limit providing ﬁnance

Project ﬁnance is also pro-

for municipal water infrastructure projects relate the lack

vided where municipalities have

of projects that are bankable, or ﬁnancially viable.

engaged the private sector to

MAY/JUNE 2012

PROFILE

Berg Water Project

limited to planning and funding public infrastructure; as such, the provision of funding has been limited to development finance institutions. Lately, the global financial crisis is leading commercial lenders to also enter the development finance arena. Consequently the availability of development funding for the water sector is on the increase. However, the high risks characterised by water sector projects still require most lenders to team up in order to share the risks.

What does the Blue and Green (B/G) drop certiﬁcation programme mean in the business of the DBSA? The B/G Drop certiﬁcation programme has now provided the DBSA a means to enhance deliver projects on their behalf. In this case

challenges. This weak institutional capacity

the appraisal of Water Services Authorities

the funding will be provided based on the

is exacerbated by chronic shortages of tech-

(WSAs). The Bank now requires its appraisal

viability for the revenues from the project

nical and ﬁnancial skills in municipalities.

process to include a review of the B/G drop

to meet the obligations of the loan repay-

There are concerns around the provision

assessment results so that it can enhance

ments. Conventional loan funding which is

of water services not being managed on

ensuring the sustainability projects. The

based on the ﬁnancial status of client with

business/commercial basis. Cost-recovery

programme has also given an opportunity

respect to the capacity to borrow is also

messages do not seem to be strong enough;

for DBSA to play an Implementer role; the

provided. However, given the higher risks

hence the lack of willingness to pay for wa-

Department of Water Aﬀairs recently ap-

characteristic of water projects, syndicating

ter and sanitation services remains a chronic

pointed the DBSA as an Implementing

is one approach that Bank uses in minimiz-

problem in many municipalities.

Agent for the development of a database of

ing its risk exposure.

South Africa s water utilities are currently owed more than R2 billion by municipalities. What are some of the challenges faced by water utilities in terms of ﬁnancial management and recovering costs?

experts to support the implementation of

What is the role played by the DBSA in the eﬃcient delivery of bulk potable water?

the programme.

DBSA usually plays its primary role of provid-

What capital infrastructure programmes has the DBSA ﬁnanced?

ing funding for ﬁnancing of infrastructure

Since 1994, the DBSA has provided in excess

development that provide bulk potable

of R10 billions of development ﬁnance for

water such as potable water production

water and sanitation infrastructure develop-

The main challenge relates to weak institu-

works, pump stations and pipelines that

ment projects.

tional capacity to manage collections of rev-

transport the water to areas of need. In

On the bulk raw water resources infrastruc-

enues, exacerbated by poor billing systems.

many instances this is achieved through

ture development projects, the bank co-ﬁ-

The low economic base relating to some

loan ﬁnance made available to water boards

nanced the Lesotho Highlands Water Project

municipalities in addition to having suit-

and other utilities. The Bank also supports

(Phase 1), the Berg Water Project (Western

able measures, through by-laws, are also key

clients with the technical assistance loans

Cape), the Mooi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme (Kwa-Zulu Natal) and the Komati Water

Common challenges that limit providing finance for municipal water infrastructure projects relate the lack of projects that are bankable, or financially viable

Scheme Augmentation (Mpumalanga). Selected

examples

(Municipal) include:

infrastructure

Tswselopele

water

services

programmes

Municipality

state) s construction of a

(Free

Waste Water

Treatment Plant; the North West Water & towards the project preparation that en-

Sanitation Programme involving the eradi-

hances the ﬁnancial viability of projects.

cation of bucket sanitation systems and ad-

During implementation, the Bank also gets

dressing water and sanitation infrastructure

involved in the monitoring and evaluation

backlogs; and the Ugu District Municipality

phases that ensure sustainable delivery in

Water

accordance with best practice.

Programme

and

which

Sanitation

comprises

Significant progress has been made in terms of water service delivery to the South African population, what specific progress has been made in the area of development finance?

the Umzimkhulu Water

Development ﬁnance has largely been

www.dbsa.org

MAY/JUNE 2012

Infrastructure

(KZN)

Augmentation Scheme and

implementation

of water loss capital projects.

TECHNOLOGY

Odour management

Tackling odour control More and more emphasis is being placed on finding solutions and technologies for odour management. Water&Sanitation Africa speaks to Odour Control Solutions to gain an insight into the topic.

throughout

dour Control Solutions and the other associ-

The speciﬁed air extraction rates for

ated companies of the Odour Control Group

the bio-trickling ﬁlter and carbon ad-

(OCG)

implemented

sorber were 6 200 and 16 200 m2/hour

odour controls systems in varied industries

respectively. The required hydrogen

have

Southern

successfully

Africa.

Applications

sulphide removal performance was

include

99% for both systems.

installations in diverse industries such as wastewater

Installation of the covers, ducting,

treatment, solid waste processing, landﬁlls, food/feed

fans, bio-trickling ﬁlter and carbon

processing and oil reﬁneries.

adsorber was completed just in time

The company offers a range of odour control technologies in order to ensure optimal fit between customer requirements and system features. The optimal solution depends on factors such as available budget, specified performance parameters, nature of the odorous com-

ABOVE Potsdam WWTW Dewatering Plant

for the start of the Soccer World Cup. Tests proved that the odour control system met all speciﬁed performance parameters. Since commissioning there has not been a single complaint. And this despite the fact that an open-air restaurant has opened right

pounds, physical nature of the odour source and location of complainants. According to Johan du Bruyn, marketing director of

solutions where selection of the appropriate technology,

Successful implementation of odour control projects requires not only selection of the appropriate technology, but also eﬀective isolation and air extraction from the odour source” Johan de Bruyn,

isolation of the odour source and air conveyance are

marketing director, OdorCure

Odour Control Solutions: Successful implementation of odour control projects requires not only selection of the appropriate technology, but also eﬀective isolation and air extraction from the odour source. We oﬀer turnkey

addressed. next to the outfall.

Projects

Other recently completed projects involved the instal-

A recently completed installation at the Green Point Marine Outfall in Cape Town involved all the facets of a typical odour control project. Over the years residents and passersby associated the outfall with malodours.

lation of bioﬁlters at the Hermanus wastewater treat-

BELOW Hermanus WWTW Biofilter

ment plant inlet works, new primary sedimentation tanks at the Athlone wastewater treatment works and Potsdam wastewater treatments works dewatering plant.

The outfall is also located in the vicinity of the Green Point Soccer World Cup Stadium and the authorities were concerned about the presence of malodours so close to the stadium. The contract speciﬁed that all channels must be covered. A distinction was made between low- and highodour concentration sources. All covered channels were considered high odour concentration sources and room air (area above the channels) was considered a low odour concentration source. Air extracted from high-odour

concentration

sources

was ducted to a bio-trickling ﬁlter and all room air (low-odour concentration air) was ducted to a carbon adsorber. The exhaust air from the bio-trickling ﬁlter was also channeled through the carbon adsorber.

MAY/JUNE 2012

PROFILE

Mhlathuze Water

The water services provider Mhlathuze Water, one of the leading water utilities in South Africa, has over the years maintained a reputation for providing safe and dependable water and water-related services at world-class standards to the northern regions of KwaZulu-Natal and beyond. for both internal and external customers. Mhlathuze Water has also developed expertise in all areas of the water sector and, in collaboration with existing and future partnerships, is implementing projects to meet government mandates for the provision of water and related services. Furthermore, the organisation owns, operates and maintains the largest wastewater disposal outfall in South Africa.

Vision To be the water services provider of choice for all stakeholders in the water value chain.

he organisation, established in 1980, also provides puriﬁed water and a wastewater disposal service to industries in and around Richards Bay.

Nsezi water Treatment plant during upgrade

Mission To provide and expand aﬀordable, sustainable, quality and reliable water services to stakeholders, to improve quality of life and to contribute to development.

Providing services to an area of 37 000 km2,

from the uThukela River in the south to the Mozambique

Certiﬁcation and accreditation achieved to date

and Swaziland borders in the north, the organisation

• ISO 9001 Quality Management System

has extended its services to include analysis and testing

• OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety System

facilities, which compare with international standards,

• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System • SANAS 17025 Accredited Laboratory

Key performance Strategic objective area Customer

Major projects under Mhlathuze Water s banner South African education has many challenges and opportunities, resulting in some schools needing immediate intervention. Prime amongst the challenges for immediate intervention was the need for acceptable and digniﬁed water and sanitation facilities, to provide sus-

Providing proper water and sanitation facilities for the rural schools is imperative

Business process optimisation

• Functional excellence • Increased capacity and quality • Risk management

Learning and growth

• Maintain strategic eﬀectiveness • Operational competence • Compliance to national objectives

tainable health and hygiene education, and to provide

• Ensure financial viability and sustainability • Improve return on assets • Improve shareholder value

that lack access to basic water supply and sanitation

Financial

• Grow revenue and customer base • Partnerships with DWA, Water Services Authorities and provincial government in bulk water and sanitation • Stakeholder engagement • Compliance to statutory and other requirements

operation and maintenance methods for the schools in the rural sector. Based on worldwide research, schools services display increased incidents of major childhood diseases, resulting in signiﬁcant loss of learners time for education.

MAY/JUNE 2012

PROFILE

of choice Providing proper water and sanitation facilities for the rural schools is imperative ‒ not only for government but for all sectors operating within the country. Therefore when the initial request was made by the Department of Water Aﬀairs (DWA) for Mhlathuze Water to be an implementing agent for the sanitation project, the organisation grasped this opportunity to support government initiatives. Having exceeded the expectation of DWA regarding customer service and service excellence in a similar completed project, Mhlathuze Water thus secured an additional contract with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education to continue the programme for three years as well as to take on three further districts. The organisation is an implementing agent for the schools ablution facilities in the district municipalities of uThungulu, uMkhanyakude, Zululand, Amajuba, uMzinyathi, Ugu, Sisonke, uMgungundlovu.

The upgrade of the Nsezi Water Treatment Plant The Nsezi Water Treatment Plant forms the ﬂagship installation of Mhlathuze Water and is situated on the banks

Female employees at work

directly from the Mhlathuze River rather than the water from Lake Nsezi.

of Lake Nsezi. The current consumers of the Nsezi Water

Mhlathuze wastewater disposal system

Treatment Plant are the City of uMhlathuze and Mondi

Mhlathuze Water owns and operates the biggest oﬀ-

Paper. Mhlathuze Water provides bulk water services

shore wastewater disposal system in South Africa. Two pipelines extend four and ﬁve kilometres out to sea,

Mhlathuze Water owns and operates the biggest offshore wastewater disposal system in South Africa

transfering wastewater from the industries in Richards

allowing Richards Bay and its surrounds to maintain its

Mhlathuze Water by the then Department of Water

position as an industrial hub within KwaZulu-Natal.

Aﬀairs and Forestry in November 2002 makes Mhlathuze

Bay and its environs, sludge removed during the treatment process at the Nsezi Water Treatment Plant and macerated sewage from the uMhlathuze Municipality. The main wastewater disposal licence issued to

Due to the nature of its customers, reliable levels of assurance of supply are required, hence the necessary

Water accountable to the department for quality and quantity standards.

upgrade of Nsezi. Studies are in place to meet the water demands for the area till 2030.

Agreements have been signed with all the organisation s customers that contribute bulk wastewater for

Various industry and neighbouring industries have

disposal through the oﬀshore pipeline. The wastewater

made indications of additional water requirements re-

agreements are subject to conditions relating to qual-

sulting in the augmentation of the water treatment plant

ity, sampling and monitoring, which are imposed on

from 150 to 205 Mℓ/d. Also anticipated is the growth

Mhlathuze Water by the DWA. Oﬀshore monitoring of

and expansion of water demands from uMhlathuze

the pipeline has been done since 1984 by an external

Municipality. The natural growth in the towns and cities

research institution ‒ the CSIR ‒ and the latest report

within the Nsezi Water Treatment Plant s area of supply

(No. 21) indicated that there has been no severe impact

is also expected, with the expansion of residential areas,

on the oﬀshore environment.

industry and commerce resulting in an expected increase

Mhlathuze Water is well established and prepared to

in total water demand. The plant currently supplies a

meet its commitments to water supply and disposal of

back-up for the City of uMhlathuze, for the Richards Bay

wastewater to meet the future demands of the area.

area, daily water supply for Empangeni and for Foskor, through the City of uMhlathuze system. Mondi paper currently draws up to 85 Mℓ/d directly from the Nsezi Water Treatment Plant. Therefore, in order to meet the water requirements of the various consumers for the 2014 planning horizon, it was imperative that the multi-million rand treatment plant was upgraded to increase the puriﬁed water capacity of the plant. It will also ensure better quality water

Contact Mhlathuze Water Corner of South Central Arterial and Battery Bank, Alton Industrial Area, Richards Bay, 3900 Private bag X1047, Richards Bay, 3900 Tel: +27 (0)35 902 1000 Fax: +27 (0)35 902 1111 Website: www.mhlathuze.co.za E- mail: mw_info@mhlathuze.co.za

MAY/JUNE 2012

CASE STUDY

Technology

Delivering superior sustainability

One of South Africa’s major producers of tyres for light trucks and passenger vehicles recently installed Nalco’s new innovative 3D TRASAR technology for its cooling system in order to achieve considerable water savings and cost reductions.

pollo Tyres South Africa is a major producer of

intention of conserving energy and natural resources,

tyres for light trucks and passenger vehicles.

preventing pollution and protecting the health, safety

The region has a strong automotive industry,

and security of employees and the public.

and the plant is located at the centre of a

A local service provider was on site applying a tradi-

number of major automotive manufacturing sites ‒ well-

tional water treatment programme. The company was,

placed to supply the entire industry across the region.

however, interested in identifying new ways to reduce

Management at the plant have put speciﬁc programmes

water consumption on site, intensifying the ﬂow of

in place to reduce the consumption of natural resources

data for plant operation and decision-making, having

and the creation of waste. In addition to these ongoing

real-time monitoring of plant conditions and using the

sustainability commitments, legislation continues to put

newest innovative technology available.

increasing pressure on all manufacturing companies

to lower their consumption of natural resources and to

What were the company s goals?

reduce associated emissions and waste.

Finding new ways to deliver water savings was the key.

Commercial pressures are ever-present and continue

The cooling water system for the chiller plant was con-

to drive reductions in cost where ever possible. The com-

sidered the biggest potential area for savings. The cy-

pany expects the best on-site expertise from its supplier

cles of concentration of the cooling system were quite

partners, innovation in new technologies and improved

low, at an average of 2.8, and it was clear to manage-

sustainability performance through better water, energy

ment that higher cycles could deliver more than 20%

and waste management. The focus on operational excel-

reduction in water demand. The plant was located in a

lence drives continued improvement of all environmen-

water-stressed area and any improvement in water use

tal, health and safety systems, and activities, with the

efficiency would help to safeguard local water supplies.

MAY/JUNE 2012

CASE STUDY

performance Environmental indicators • Fresh water demand reduced by 5 600 m3/year (23%) through water use optimisation • Wastewater discharge reduced by 5 600 m3/year protecting the quality of the local environment

Economic results • Water costs savings of R44 800 per year delivered • All data verified by the customer

3D TRASAR technology The 3D TRASAR cooling water management programme delivers on-demand control and optimisation of cooling water chemistry and microbiology, continuously protecting the system from corrosion, scale formation and microbial infection. • Asset protection avoids premature and costly replacement of non-renewable materials. • Scale and fouling control maximises energy efficiency and minimises CO2 emissions and their global warming impact. • Precise control of system microbiology assures optimum system operation and protects public health. • Better water resource management minimises the demand for costly renewable resources and safeguards public water supplies.

3D TRASAR control system

The key performance indicators for the company were to assure both plant and community water supplies by

3D TRASAR technology meets the requirements of

identifying alternative supply strategies, meet corporate

the Best Available Techniques for Industrial Cooling

commitments to the recycling of wastes, conserve as-

Systems under the European Union Integrated Pollution

sets, reduce maintenance and downtime, and reduce

Prevention & Control legislation in the categories of

the total cost of operation (TCO). This would allow the

increasing overall energy efficiency, as well as reducing

plant to continue to operate at current levels of produc-

water use, emissions to air and emissions to water. 3D TRASAR technology is used by thousands of corpo-

tion and profitability, maintaining productivity while protecting the integrity of the system and the health

rations around the world to:

of the local community (a large proportion of which in-

• secure improvements in their environmental and economic performance

cluded staff at the plant), in line with its corporate social

• optimise cooling system efficiency

responsibility commitments.

• help them to meet their sustainability goals, specifi-

Action plan Nalco was invited to site by utilities staff and worked together to carry out a full mechanical, operational,

cally in the areas of water and energy use reduction.

3D TRASAR control system

3D TRASAR technology control systems take account of the inherent variability in system water conditions,

chemical and sustainability audit of plant operations.

maintaining protection from corrosion

The objective was to provide an assessment of the

and scale by prediction of problems

current water management applications and

and intervening before they occur. The

practices with particular focus on how these

programme controls system chemistry,

were controlled and could be improved in line

dosing

with industry best practice. The current applica-

the amount of materials added to the

tion strategy in place with the existing supplier

system, thus minimising costs without

employed the more traditional use of the dosing

prejudicing system integrity.

on-demand

and

minimises

of chemistry proportional to water makeup and

The company accepted the proposal

the control of system blowdown on the basis of

from Nalco and the 3D TRASAR system

conductivity. It was very clear that the application

was installed and commissioned in

of the new innovative 3D TRASAR technology for the

place of the system from the existing

cooling system would deliver the benefits required.

supplier. This included a comprehensive

MAY/JUNE 2012

multifunc-tional treatment programme to control the scale, corrosion and fouling from microbiology. At first the challenge of fouling of the 3D TRASAR sensors by residual contaminants in the system had to be dealt with,

Green Our Color. Our Commitment.

however this was soon eliminated by use of the necessary inline filters. From then on, Nalco staff were able to continuously optimise the overall performance of the system. However, problems were seen at the beginning of every new week of plant operation: on Monday mornings the conductivity in the system, and the cycles of concentration, were unexpectedly low. These results were discussed with the customer in order to discover the reason behind the episodes of low conductivity. It became clear that during the weekends, when the system was not running, the cooling water in the system pipework was running back into the cooling tower sump under gravity. This resulted in an overflow of the cooling system water as the pipework emptied. When the system was restarted, a large volume of fresh water had to be added to fill the system. This was the reason behind the low conductivity. As a result of this problem-solving discovery, the customer adjusted the non-return valves in the system so that no return of water was possible during the weekend stops. This had the immediate result of delivering stable conductivity and optimised water demand.

Results The 24/7 monitoring and control of the 3D TRASAR technology made it possible to consistently increase the cycles of concentration from 2.6 to 4.5. After further optimisation of the cooling system, this has now been increased to 5.2. The customer has now reported total water savings of 5 600 m³/year (23%) in this water-stressed area, equivalent to a total annualised cost saving of R44 800.

Conclusion The strong combination of on-site expertise, advanced innovative 3D TRASAR technology, the Nalco problem-solving approach and cost-efficient programme deployment has enabled this new Nalco customer to work towards meeting its sustainability goals, protect precious water resources and reduce the TCO of the plant.

At Buckman, the most important commitment we can make is to a sustainable future. We know it isn’t just good for the planet; it’s good for business. And we know it isn’t just about the environment; it’s about people too. You can depend on Buckman to ﬁnd the sustainable path forward. And to help you do the same.

3D TRASAR monitoring and control technology delivers superior sustainability performance through water savings and cost reduction at a tyre plant in Southern Africa

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ENVIRONMENTAL

Technical paper

The role of EIAs in achieving sustainable development South Africa has one of the world's most advanced environmental legal frameworks, which is entrenched with the environmental right to â€˜ecologically sustainable developmentâ€™. This paper looks at the role that EIAs are presently playing and can potentially play in promoting sustainability in South Africa. By Simon van Wyk*

or more than a decade, environmental, herit-

(Shippey, 2006:1). Sustainability assessment has be-

age and planning legislation in South Africa

come a rapidly developing area (Ness et al., 2007).

has been challenged to evolve in a manner that

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is one of a

can support sustainable development, while

number of tools that have a role to play towards achieving

protecting constitutional imperatives. Shippey (2006:1)

the sustainability or sustainable development vision. Other

states that despite considerable legal reform to meet

tools which have a role to play in sustainability include, but

this challenge, we are still floundering . This leads us

are not limited to, Strategic Environmental Assessments

to ask whether our approach to implementation of the

(SEA), Environmental Management Frameworks (EMF),

philosophy of sustainable development is appropriate

Environmental Management Programmes, Environmental

MAY/JUNE 2012

ENVIRONMENTAL

The concept of sustainability and sustainable development

system that is unsustainable in one dimen-

Before the role that EIAs play in sus-

The concept of sustainable development

indicators are measured for each dimen-

tainability can be critically assessed, a

has been on the international agenda since

sion and aggregated into an index that

general understanding of the concept is

the United Nations Conference on the

identifies the overall position and trajec-

necessary. Weaver et al. (2008:92) states

Human Environment in Stockholm in 1971.

tory of the system (modified from Cabezas

that sustainability, or sustainable devel-

However, the terms sustainability and sus-

et al., 2003). See Figure 1.

opment, is a notoriously fuzzy concept

tainable development have been used and

that arguably has different meanings at

interpreted in widely diﬀerent ways.

Management

Systems

(EMS)

and

Environmental Risk Assessment.

sion is not generally sustainable. Multiple

Mayer (2008) argues that sustainability comprises three distinctive dimensions,

different levels of application and in dif-

Sustainability has been defined as the

ferent contexts . Addressing this, in 1987

level of human consumption and activ-

O Connor (2006) proposes a different

the Brundtland Commission provided its

ity that can continue into the foreseeable

model for sustainability in what he refers

namely resilience, desirability and scale.

to as the four spheres framework for

Sustainability has been defined as “the level of human consumption and activity that can continue into the foreseeable future, so that the systems which provide goods and services to humans persist indefinitely”

sustainability and considers both ethical integrity and systems integrity, although complex, to be complements. O Connor (2006:285) states that

sustainability is

characterised as coevolution of economic, social and environmental systems respecting a dynamic triple bottom line 3, i.e.

definition for sustainable development

future, so that the systems which provide

the simultaneous satisfaction of quality/

as development that meets the needs of

goods and services to humans persist

performance goals pertaining to each of

the present without compromising the

indefinitely

(WCED, 1987; US National

the three spheres . The fourth category of

ability of future generations to meet their

Research Council, 1999 cited in Mayer,

organisation is the political sphere, which

own needs (WCED, 1987:41). The South

2008:278). Mayer (2008:278) goes on to

O Connor (2006:286) defines as the regula-

African Constitution makes it clear that

argue that

sustainability research has

tion of the social and economic spheres

become more quantitative and includes

(all of which takes place within the envi-

is to be secured, while promoting justifi-

more dimensions of sustainability si-

ronmental sphere). To illustrate the four

able economic and social development 1.

multaneously, which will allow for more

spheres , O Connor (2006:286) proposes

The

Environmental

targeted policies to be implemented and

the tetrahedral model of sustainability

Management Act2 (NEMA) defines sustain-

their successes tracked more closely . This

(refer to Figure 2).

able development as

the integration

complexity is illustrated in Figure 1, and

of social, economic and environmental

Mayer (2008:278) explains that the trajec-

and/or politics ‒ has the role of what

factors into planning, implementation

tory of a system and the position of the

O Connor refers to as a referee in that

and decision-making so as to ensure

system with respect to multidimensional

the various spheres (social, economic and

that development serves present and

sustainable boundaries are both neces-

environmental) are often incompatible

future generations .

sary to determine system sustainability. A

and thus the political sphere needs to

ecologically

sustainable

country s

National

development

The

fourth

sphere

‒

government

regulate the interrelations between the different actors.

FIGURE 1: Dimensions of sustainability Source: Mayer, 2008:278

The above views by Mayer (2008) and O Connor (2006) on sustainability ringfence the varying indices/spheres that one could consider when grappling with sustainability. Therefore, the notion of sustainability theory nudges over into the ideal4 which is dubbed sustainable development . Both developed and developing countries are grappling with sustainable development in varying ways and with varying degrees of success.

National Environmental Management Act principles Presently, the defining legislative context for giving effect to sustainability in South Africa is encapsulated in Chapter 2 of NEMA. The principles, as laid out in the chapter, address sustainability and sustainable development to varying degrees. The

efficacy

this

principle-based

approach to the implementation of the

MAY/JUNE 2012

ENVIRONMENTAL

NEMA mandate in achieving sustainability is questionable. Ultimately, the NEMA

FIGURE 2: Tetrahedral model of sustainability (also known as the “four spheres” of sustainability)

principles remain high-level guidelines

Source: O’Connor, 2006:286

‒ devoid of any tangible form or precise normative content in terms of which the evaluation and measurement of sustainability can be undertaken. While the principles are fundamentally important, they must still be the subject of interpretation without regard to tangible sustainability criteria and indicators.

EIA: Its role in sustainability Cashmore et al. (2004) state that

EIAs

are a decision tool employed to identify and evaluate the probable environmental consequences of certain proposed development actions in order to facilitate informed

decision-making

and

sound

environmental management (Glasson et al, 1999; Morgan, 1998; Sadler, 1996 cited in Cashmore, 2004). EIA in South Africa is defined as the process of collecting, organising, analysing, interpreting and communicating information that is relevant to the consideration of that application (NEMA Regulation 543, 2010:10). EIAs have progressed steadily in South

many of which have been largely ignored

sound,

Africa since the 70s in terms of the process

within the literature. Thus, the contribution

development (Spinks et al., 2003:306).

as well as the listed activities that apply

of EIA to consent and design decisions can

The reasoning for this assertion is, as

in terms of the respective listed activities.

be viewed resolutely as one component

Spinks et al. (2003:315) put it, due to the

Currently, the EIA regulations as promul-

of incremental changes in institutions,

fact that EIAs have limitations and thus

gated in terms of regulations 543, 544, 546

organisations,

and

environmental practitioners need to arm

and 547 are the regulations that apply in

culture. Cashmore et al. (2004:306) provide

themselves with a greater range of envi-

the event of a development triggering the

a schematic representation of the relation-

ronmental tools to assist them (and key

need for an assessment.

ship between the conception of EIA to

stakeholders) in understanding the full

EIAs as a tool have pros and cons with re-

sustainable development goals and society.

environmental ramifications of specific

gard to their role in achieving sustainabil-

Cashmore et al. (2004:308) continue, saying

development proposals .

ity and sustainable development viz. limi-

the potential for EIA to contribute to sus-

Subjectivity also plays a factor in the

tations and eﬀectiveness. Cashmore et al.

tainable development, it is suggested, has

reliability and robustness of EIAs in terms

(2004) state: EIA has inherent limitations,

been widely underestimated .

of public and decision-making authority

philosophy,

science

and

ultimately

sustainable,

but it has the potential to promote sustain-

EIAs in South Africa may be hampering

scrutiny. As such, Wilkins (2003) states that

able development in multifarious ways,

our attempts at promoting environmental

knowledge of the environment will never

MAY/JUNE 2012

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FIGURE 3: EIA as an agent of incremental change Source: Cashmore et al. (2004:307)

be sufficient to accurately predict the ex-

EMFs, bioregional plans and SEAs), focus

act impacts of a project. Assessors are

on strengthening SDFs (based on EMF)

therefore forced to decide on how best to

and provide a fast-track process where

make predictions on future impacts. The

projects fit SDFs and strengthen linkages

It is prevalent that the pursuit of sustainable development must firstly be mainstreamed into our planning at the national, provincial and municipal levels, as well as into national, provincial and municipal development programmes and projects personal values of assessors are used in

between local and provincial plans. There

deciding what methodologies to use and

should be a link of ecological sustainabil-

how to approach the assessment.

ity objectives to performance and delivery outcome agreements, identification and

Concluding remarks

redefining of environmentally damaging

The often sole reliance on project-level

government policies and programmes

EIA saddles EIAs with the very difficult

(including inter-generational aspects), and

challenge of having the project promote

full integration of environmental policy

sustainability, often within a planning vac-

via budgetary, planning and auditing pro-

uum that has not addressed sustainability.

cesses as well as to allow civil society to

Day-to-day practice should immediately

monitor performance against ecological

be improved to better address sustainabil-

sustainability

ity within the current planning legislative

al., 2011:9).

objectives

(Coetzee

framework, to provide a more credible

This notwithstanding, EIAs do have a

context within which to undertake and

role to play towards achieving sustain-

consider EIA applications.

ability

and

sustainable

development;

It is imperative to promote the use of

however it is prevalent that the pursuit

sustainability enhanced planning tools

of sustainable development must firstly

and maps (which includes greater use of

be mainstreamed into our planning at

MAY/JUNE 2012

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ENVIRONMENTAL

Footnotes: 1

Section 24 of the Constitution refers: Everyone

has the right ‒ (a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and (b) to have the environment protected, for the beneﬁt of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that- (i) prevent pollution and ecological degradation; (ii) promote conservation; and (iii) secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justiﬁable economic and social development. 2

Act No. 107 of 1998.

For further reading on Triple Bottom Line theory,

Vanclay (2004), in his journal titled The Triple Bottom Line and Impact Assessment: How do TBL, EIA, SIA, SEA and EMS Relate to Each Other? further discusses the Triple Bottom Line theory in relation to other impact assessment tools. 4

Assuming an anthropocentric ethic base.

Act No. 107 of 1998.

National planning level: economic, industrial and

rural development strategies, etc. 7

Provincial planning level: Provincial Growth

and Development Strategies, Provincial Spatial Development Framework, etc. 8

Municipal planning level: Integrated

Development Plans, Spatial Development

the national5, provincial6 and municipal7

development in the South African context

Frameworks, District Growth and Development

levels, as well as into national, provincial

in that current issues that inform sustain-

Strategies, and Local Economic Development

and municipal development programmes

able development

Strategies, etc.

and projects. Day-to-day practice should

be addressed in forward planning and

immediately be improved to better address

EIA practices. While it is acknowledged

the sustainability criteria must go beyond

sustainability within the current planning

that EIA is not the only tool to achieve

adherence to procedural requirements and

legislative framework and to provide a

sustainability, the EIA process is still a very

address substantive considerations such as

more credible context within which to un-

eﬀective tool in evaluating the sustainabil-

the sustainable use of resources, poverty

dertake and consider EIA applications.

ity of development proposals. However,

and inequality.

to measure the extent to which EIAs

• Simon van Wyk is a senior risk consultant at Aurecon South Africa

Hardcastle & Gerber (2011:13) appropriately ring-fence the notion of sustainable

substantially

References •

Cashmore, M, Gwilliam, R, Morgan, R, Cobb, D

Conference. pp 1-13. •

Troell M, Pihl L, Rönnbäck P, Wennhage H,

ment. Ecological Economics 60. pp 498 ‒ 508.

Söderqvist T, Kautsky N. 2005. Regime shifts and ecosystem services in Swedish coastal soft bottom

environmental impact assessment theory. Impact

for sustainability. Ecological Complexity 3. pp 285

habitats: when resilience is undesirable. Ecology

Assessment and Project Appraisal, volume 22,

‒ 292.

number 4. Beech Tree Publishing. pp 295‒310.

•

and Society 10(1): 30 [online] ‒ 19/08/2011.

Shippey, K. 2006. Legislating for Sustainability- Is

•

Vanclay, F. 2004. The Triple Bottom Line and

Cashmore, M. 2004. The role of science in

South Africa Heading in the Right Direction?

Impact Assessment: How Do TBL, EIA, SIA,

environmental impact assessment: process and

Southern African Planning Institute Conference,

SEA and EMS relate to each other? Journal

procedure versus purpose in the development of

Cape Town, March 2006. pp 1-16.

of Environmental Assessment Policy and

theory. Environmental Impact Assessment Review

•

Management. Vol. 6, No. 3. pp. 265‒288.

Spangenberg, J.H. 2002. Environmental space

24. pp 403‒426.

and the prism of sustainability: frameworks for

Coetzee, I, Nel, G, Morris, M.J and Cullinan, C.

indicators measuring sustainable development.

and Value of Sustainability Criteria in Providing

2011. Integrating the Legal Tapestry for Ecological

Ecological Indicators 2. pp 295‒309.

Guidance to Improve EIA Practice ‒ the

Spinks, A, Luger, M, Shippey, K and De Villiers, C.

perspective of the Environmental Assessment

Sustainability. IAIAsa National Conference.

•

pp 1-15 .

2003. EIAs as an Obstacle to Sound Environmental

Department of Environmental Aﬀairs. 2010. Draft

Management in South Africa: A Practitioners

National Strategy on sustainable Development

Perspective. IAIAsa National conference 2003.

and Action Plan 2010 ‒ 2014. Notice No. 393 of

pp 305 - 316. •

•

Venturi, F. 2011. Debating the Practical Use

Practitioner. IAIAsa National Conference. •

WCED, 1987. Our Common Future. Oxford

•

Weaver, A, Pope, J, Morrison-Saunders, A &

University Press, Oxford.

Summers, R. 2011. Deﬁning Sustainability:

Lochner, P. 2008. Contributing to sustainability as

Mayer, A.L. 2008. Strengths and weaknesses of

A Legal Perspective on the Utilisation of

an environmental impact assessment practitioner.

common sustainability indices for multidimen-

Sustainability Criteria and Indicators to Enhance

Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 26(2).

sional systems. Environment International 34.

the Achievement of Sustainable Development in

IAIA. pp 91 ‒ 98.

2010. pp 1 ‒ 42. •

Environmental Decision-Making. IAIAsa National

Ness, B, Urbel-Piirsalu, E, Anderberg, S & Olsson, L.

O Connor, M. 2006. The Four Spheres framework

and research challenges in the advancement of

•

sustainability ,

2007. Categorising tools for sustainability assess-

eﬀectiveness: substantive purposes, outcomes

•

addressed

pp 277‒291. •

and Bond, A. 2004. The interminable issue of

•

debates must also

MAY/JUNE 2012

PROFILE

Klamflex

50 years in the making was when the Klamflex brand was introduced, essentially comprising the same product, a Viking Johnson coupling, but we simply changed the name to Klamflex.

What is your career history in the organisation? I was involved with and employed by Stewarts & Lloyds from the 70s. When Stewarts & Lloyds was bought out by Dorbyl, I headed up what was in those days called Dorbyl Water, where I was an executive director, which included all its water manufacturing companies, valve manufacturing, pump manufacturing and windmills. However, there came a time when Dorbyl decided that water was not part of its strategic focus. By then I had some 26 years service with the group

Klamflex, the largest manufacturer of pipe couplings, flange adaptors, stepped couplings and dismantling joints in the southern hemisphere, will celebrate 50 years in business this year. Debbie Besseling speaks to Andy Lawrence, the managing director, about this significant achievement.

and it was in 1999, with equity partners in Singapore, that I concluded a management buy-out of the company. This signiďŹ cant milestone in history has an interesting story relating to Nelson Mandela. After his release in 1994, during his world tour, Mandela was encouraging foreign companies to invest in South Africa. Singapore had committed billions of rand to invest in South Africa with strict conditions, one of which was that they must have Singaporean investors. At that time, I had coincidently made a trip to Singapore to

company

was

established

until 1979, when Victaulic sold their share-

visit some of our distributors and had brieďŹ‚y

in 1962 by Stewarts & Lloyds of

holding of 15% to Stewart & Lloyds, and

mentioned if they would be interested in

South Africa and Hall Longmore,

the license agreement remained in place.

backward integration. As it turned out, we

who

Howell

In 1986, Dorbyl in South Africa acquired

did the deal with Singaporan partners. It

Couplings, with Hall Longmore being the

Stewarts & Lloyds, and in 1990 Dorbyl

minority shareholder. The new company

purchased Hall Longmore s shares and the

was named Pipe Couplings. Five years

company Pipe Couplings was now 100%

later, in 1967, the company entered into

owned by Dorbyl. In 1992, the licensing

a shareholding and license agreement

agreement between Pipe Couplings and

with the Victaulic Company of the UK to

Victaulic was terminated. At the time, our

manufacture Viking Johnson couplings in

territory was restricted to South Africa and

South Africa. This agreement continued

we could not export our products. That

purchased

MAY/JUNE 2012

LEFT Klamflex Dismantling Joint connecting two valves in the Dubai Jebel Ali Sewerage Plant MIDDLE Klamflex Couplings and Flange Adaptors on a pipeline in South Africa BOTTOM Klamflex Flange Adaptors connecting a Butterfly Valve to a pipeline in South Africa

PROFILE

was a favourable deal as it was part of their commitment to Mandela, to invest in our country and help grow the economy. Today we are a wholly-owned private company.

Milestones

“One of the highlights in our 50 years of business is the largest diameter coupling that we have ever manufactured, which is 3.1 m in diameter, with a 10 bar working pressure” Andy Lawrence

One of the company s milestones relates to our export operations, which started in 1992 and grew steadily until 1999, when 2002 that we were awarded the Exporter

To what do you attribute the success of the company?

of the Year Award by the Johannesburg

The success of our company is without

Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In

a doubt a result of our uncompromis-

2003 our exports sales grew to 60% of

ing quality, this is despite the pressures

our total production compared with 29%

that we have from some of the cheaper

for couplings that come into contact with

in 1999, when I took over the company.

products that are being imported. We

fresh drinking water. We do not manufac-

In 2007 we were finalists in the Mogale

have never dropped our standards, and

ture separate products for the local and

City Business Achievers of the Year, in

we have maintained our quality service for

export markets, there is one product for

the category Medium Business Exporters,

which we are well-known.

both markets, therefore the local market

exports surged after the MBO. It was in

manufacturing sector. In 2008 we grew

I must talk about staff when it comes

our turnover by 37% and our profit before

to the success of the company. We have

Our manufacturing process also sets us

tax by 79%, which can be attributed to our

some very long-serving staff members;

apart. We manufacture to a USA specifica-

exports. Our best year was 2009, where

resignations are few and far between.

tion ‒ the AWWA C219 specification. This

our turnover increased by 52% over the

At Klamflex we are a family, some of the

process involves cold expansion, which ef-

previous year and profits increased by a

people in the factory have received 30-

fectively tests every single component of

further 78%. We continue to grow both

and 35-year service awards. That is part

our product 100%. It eliminates the need

local and export markets, and look forward

of the success and the experience and

for us to take water and hydrostatically

the excellent year ahead.

knowledge that we have built up over the

test our products. No one else in South

years. Our company slogan is Couple with

Africa manufactures like this and this is a

What market do you supply?

Confidence ; we have been manufacturing

significant distinguishing factor.

Our market has two distinctive areas:

couplings since 1962.

gets a top quality-approved product.

repairs to the municipalities and water

Tell us about your African footprint

What are the company s strategic plans for the next five years?

supply authorities that make use of our

In terms of the African market, we tradi-

Over the next five years we want to

products continuously. The other side of

tionally sell through local export houses.

expand our international distribution net-

the business is project orientated, where

We have always split ourselves into local,

work and one of the methods we are look-

we are involved in the supply of product

which includes surrounding Africa ter-

ing at is a strategic partnership with an

to large water and wastewater supply

ritories, and exports ‒ everything north of

international company in the water busi-

projects. This also includes the small dis-

the equator. To give you an idea, in 2009

ness, which will allow us to springboard by

tribution lines where the municipalities

our footprint was 70% exports and 30%

using their existing distribution network

are involved.

local. Today it is 50/50. This is one of our

and add complementary products. We are

strategic areas of focus and we certainly

already in discussion with international

want to get more involved directly in the

companies to develop a strategic alliance

African market.

to leapfrog our exposure into more inter-

one is the day-to-day maintenance and

What are some of the company s most significant projects? One of the highlights in our 50 years of

national markets.

project in Libya, where we manufactured

What makes you stand out from your competitors?

ishing and warehousing facility. Shipping

couplings with a diameter of 3.1 m, and

We have a completely different set of

is now becoming very costly. South Africa

a working pressure of 10 bar. In 2009, we

competitors

is our only base and from here we ship all

were awarded the entire Jebel Ali Sewage

to locally. What sets us apart from our

treatment project in Dubai, which at that

competitors is approvals. In most de-

time was the most modern sewage treat-

veloped nations they are very particular

Contact details:

ment that had been constructed. Some of

about what product comes in contact

Wayne Poisson

the other significant projects that we have

with fresh drinking water. There are strict

Marketing Manager

been involved in include:

regulations in terms of approvals and

Tel: +27 (0)11 762 5326

• North-South Carrier 1

the process is costly. This is provided by

E-mail: wayne@klamflex.com

• Richards Bay Industrial Water Main

the Water Regulatory Advisory Service

Website: www.klamflex.com

business was the great man-made river

(WRAS).

Upgrade • The

Dubai

Electricity

Authority Project.

and

Water

internationally

Without

WRAS

We are also looking at an off-shore fin-

compared

approval

over the world.

would not be able to export our products. In South Africa there is no specification

MAY/JUNE 2012

TECHNOLOGY

Tlokwe Municipality

Pipe still pumping after nearly 100 years Just another 13 years and a 225 mm (9″) 3 km concrete water pipe will have been in operation for 100 years in the university town of Potchefstroom. In fact, it’s possible that the pipe could already be over 100 years old, but documentation to verify this claim is unfortunately not to hand. By David Beer

hat is known is that a modern water

This information came to light when the Concrete

works that comprised a filtration plant

Manufacturers Association (CMA), in collaboration

and reservoir was completed in 1924 and the pipe in question, which still con-

veys water from the reservoir into the town centre, was most likely installed at the same time. According to Kleintjie Kleinhans, assistant city engineer of the Tlokwe (Potchefstroom) City Council, it is possible that the pipe was installed in 1900 when six steel water tanks were erected on the site of the purification plant. The pipe may well have even existed before this. However, I think it is safe to say that it has been supplying potable water at a maximum rate of 4 910 m3/d to Potchefstroom residents for at least 87 years.

RIGHT Architectural plans of Potchefstroom’s first water filtration, which was built in 1924 BELOW Two outlet pipes inside the original reservoir; one feeds the 225 mm concrete feeder pipe

MAY/JUNE 2012

with IMIESA, ran a competition in its September and October editions to locate some of the country s oldest concrete

TECHNOLOGY

FROM LEFT, Hamish Laing, CMA director; Lance Carson, superintendent water and sanitation of the Tlokwe (Potchefstroom) City Council; and Kleintjie Kleinhans, assistant city engineer of the Tlokwe (Potchefstroom) City Council, seen here at the entrance to the original Potchefstroom pump station

pipe installations. So far the Potchefstroom project is the only one to have won one of the 10 cases of wine on offer for successfully meeting the CMA s competition criteria. According to CMA director, Hamish Laing: The durability and cost-effectiveness of concrete piping have been clearly demonstrated in Potchefstroom. No other material comes close to concrete piping s track record for the conveyance of water using pipes with diameters greater than 150 mm. Moreover, concrete piping is self-supporting, unlike plastic piping, which is flexible

as the 1924 filtration plant

and a conduit only, requiring additional material for

structural support.

says Kleinhans.

still

fully

operational,

that

The bulk of Potchefstroom s

Potchefstroom has enjoyed Blue Drop status for the

water is sourced from Mooi

past three years and is currently rated sixth in the coun-

River system, which includes

try. In addition, its current Green Drop status is number

the

one in the country.

Boskop dams. As the town

Kleinhans

commented

further,

saying

Potchefstroom

and

grew during the 20th century,

This bears testimony to the engineering of the 20s

so did its water requirements

ABOVE The original Potchefstroom pump station, which was built in 1924 and closed down in the 60s

and the output of the water purification plant was doubled in 1941, when flushing toilets were first installed. Capacity was doubled again in 1952 and a feeder canal built in 1962. A new filtration and storage plant, Lakeside, was established in 1966, with additional Lakeside expansions taking place in 1976 and 1984. The most recent addition was a new pumping plant,

LEFT Part of Potchefstroomâ€™s water-filtration works built in 1924

which was built in 1984 to pump water from the Potchefstroom Dam to the purification plant.

BELOW Potchefstroomâ€™s original water filtration plant as see from the top of the first reservoir. Both were built in 1924 and are still functioning perfectly

MAY/JUNE 2012

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TECHNOLOGY

City of Tshwane

The first phase of the 60 Mâ„“/d Roodeplaat WTW was commissioned in 2005 as part of the Roodeplaat Bulk Water Supply Project, implemented to augment water supply to the rapidly expanding northern areas of Tshwane from local sources in lieu of extending its existing supply scheme from Rand Water.

Advance treatment processes implemented

he Roodeplaat Dam, situated approximately 20 km north-east of the Tshwane CBD was identified as the preferred local source, and a licence to abstract raw water from this dam

was issued by the (then) Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) to the City of Tshwane, thereby approving the implementation of the bulk water sup-

RIGHT New ozone contact chamber (right) and GAC filtration building (left) during construction

classified as highly eutrophied due to the substantial influx of (in most cases well-treated) effluent from two large wastewater treatment facilities situated in the dam s catchment, owned and operated by the City of

ply scheme. Implementation of the project was funded off-balance sheet by a number of commercial banks for the Temba Roodeplaat Water Services Trust, a Special Project Vehicle (SPV) created especially for the project, with the City of Tshwane being the main stakeholder and sole benefactor. The cost of constructing the first phase of the scheme was approximately R250 million. The Roodeplaat Dam, raw water source for the Roodeplaat Water Treatment Works (RWTW), can be

MAY/JUNE 2012

TECHNOLOGY

subsequently appointed to design the new processes and a pilot plant was installed at the RWTW and operated for approximately three months to determine various sitespecific design parameters, which was ultimately used for the detail design and specification of the new processes. The use of ozone in conjunction with GAC filtration offers a number of benefits. Apart from its strong disinfection power, ozone has the ability to alter the molecular structure of complex organic compounds making them more amicable to biological

degradation

and

re-

moval. In addition to its adsorbent properties, GAC is also an excellent medium for the development and proliferation of bacteria that remove organic compounds, many of which Tshwane. Apart from excessive algal growth, which

are responsible for potentially unacceptable tastes and

is a direct consequence of eutrophication and rela-

odours in the final water. At Roodeplaat, ozone will

tively easy to remove via treatment processes such as

mainly be used for the oxidation of dissolved organic

flotation, removal of associated algal toxins, complex dissolved manganese and iron, organic constituents responsible for taste and odour-causing compounds and chlorine-resistant pathogens are more difficult and require a series of treatment steps, many of which are generally viewed as advanced processes. Although all the treatment processes were included

The City of Tshwane decided to implement the advanced processes in the form of ozonation and Granular Activated Carbon proactively in anticipation of further deterioration in raw water quality.

during initial planning of the treatment facility necessary to treat the Roodeplaat water to acceptable

constituents, improved GAC adsorption of organic

potable standards, the City of Tshwane decided to im-

compounds, disinfection of chlorine-resistant patho-

plement the advanced processes in the form of ozona-

gens and, to a lesser extent, the removal of complex

tion and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) proactively

iron and manganese.

in anticipation of further deterioration in raw water quality. The Temba Roodeplaat Consulting Consortium, of which Bigen Africa is the lead consultant, was

Ozone is a strong oxidant and disinfectant with a va-

BELOW Ozone Generators

riety of applications in water treatment. Unfortunately, ozone as a highly reactive gas cannot be stored in containers and thus need to be generated at the point of use by passing current

high

voltage

through

electrical

oxygen-rich

environment. The electrical current splits the oxygen (O2) molecule into two O-atoms and a small portion (for example. 6 to 12% by weight) of the O-atoms combine with O2 molecules to form O3, that is ozone. The amount of ozone generated is dependent on various factors, one of which being the concentration of oxygen in the feed gas to the generator. Three types of feed gases are normally used for large-scale generation of ozone, namely pure O2 from commercially-supplied liquid oxygen (LOX), pure O2 produced on site from air through a process called Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) or

MAY/JUNE 2012

TECHNOLOGY

normal air, which is approximately 22% O2. For the system installed at Roodeplaat, ozone will be generated from LOX. The

project

being

implemented

through two construction contracts, one for the construction of the civil works and the other for the supply and installation of the mechanical and electrical equipment. The ozone generation equipment is the single-most

expensive

component

the mechanical works and was imported from Switzerland. The civil works, comprising mainly of a new ozone contact chamber, ozone generation building housing the generators and a new GAC filter building, was completed in December 2011 at a cost of approximately R30 million. The installation of the mechanical and electrical works is progressing well and the commissioning

treatment facilities in South Africa and

(PDE JV) is responsible for the supply and

of the new processes is currently sched-

certainly a flagship plant for the City

installation of all mechanical and electri-

uled for June 2012. The completion cost

of Tshwane.

cal equipment. The Temba Roodeplaat

of the mechanical and electrical contract

The civil structures and associated build-

Consulting Consortium comprising Bigen

is currently estimated at approximately

ing works was constructed by Superway

Africa Services and DJJ Conradie and

R60 million. Once completed, the RWTW

Construction, while a joint venture be-

Partners are the engineers on the project

will be one of the most advanced water

tween PCI Africa, Electron and Dip Civils

for the employer.

MAY/JUNE 2012

Bringing water to Africa and now to the rest of the world

Ground Level Tanks Elevated Tanks: ABECO offers full-service design, manufacture and installation of support tower steelwork. Basic towers consisting of support steelwork with a caged access ladder to the roof of the tank are offered in the absence of further specification. Walkways around the base of the tank or rest platforms on access ladders are available on request. Access is required all around the pressed steel tanks to tighten bolts. The recommended minimum space around the four sides and above the roof is 600 mm and 450 mm beneath the tank Circular Sectional Steel Tanks: In developing sectional steel tanks, ABECO recognised a need for tanks that have the following features: ¾ Low-cost hygienic water storage ¾ Rugged and easily transportable ¾ Minimal site preparation and foundations required ¾ Quick and easy to install ¾ Can be installed using basic equipment ¾ Durable and long lasting ¾ Can be dismantled and re-erected at new sites.

Elevated Tanks

Circular SecƟonal Steel Tanks

Ground-Level Tanks: Ground-level tanks are commonly supported on reinforced concrete dwarf walls fitted with steel capping strips. The purpose of the capping strip is to spread the weight over the full load of the support wall and to provide a level platform on which to erect the tank. For practical reasons, concrete cannot be cast with sufficient accuracy of level. The capping strips should be positioned in place before the installation of the tank starts. Recommended tolerance is ±2 mm. Care should be taken to ensure that foundation walls are parallel and square to each other. Foundation walls must protrude beyond the edge of the tank by a recommended distance of 150 mm. The tapered top section of the wall assists in providing access.

TECHNOLOGY

Containerised solutions

Hitting an â€˜eagleâ€™ while manufacturing a golf course pump station A leading irrigation and water pumping expert has successfully designed and constructed a fully containerised pump station in two adjoining 20-foot containers for the newly developed Thika Greens golf course and luxury housing estate in Kenya. Water&Sanitation Africa reports on the technology used.

he company has designed and manufactured

result, Incledon was approached by DDV Design Group,

an advanced containerised golf course pump

a golf course architecture and landscape expert, to

station within five weeks, an impressive two

design the containerised pump station to supply water

weeks ahead of schedule. According to Romeo

to the sprinkler system on the fairways and greens on a

Giannone, Incledon pumps and irrigation division national product manager, the client, Thika Greens Limited, did not have the required space to fit one standard 40-foot container in a viable position. As a

permanent basis.

BELOW A fully containerised pump station

Giannone says: This was a real challenge as the two 20-foot containers had to be positioned next to each other with their doors side by side. This meant that the

MAY/JUNE 2012

TECHNOLOGY

pipe manifolds had to be accurately aligned in each

on the course.

box, in order to ensure that the connecting pipe mani-

systems allow for precise control

folds between the on-site containers would be flaw-

of line pressure and also offer

lessly installed. To achieve the most accurate results, we

unrivalled efficiencies on power

made use of specialised 3D design software that aided

consumption, as well as water

us tremendously in achieving the correct positioning of

usage, due to the fact that they

all the components seamlessly.

only deliver the amount pre-

VSD inverter

scribed by the operator. The sys-

The technology

tem components were sourced

In order to ensure that only the operator-prescribed

from South Africa and Italy, and

water use would be delivered, Incledon made use of

the development and design of

variable speed drive (VSD) inverter systems, which en-

the system was done entirely in-

able the control of line pressure and allow the pumps to

house in South Africa.

be gradually introduced to meet varying water demand,

Beneﬁts containerised pump station

thereby removing the resultant wear-and-tear on conventional hard-start equipment. Giannone notes that VSD inverter systems are far

Giannone highlights the fact

more efficient than outdated methods, which entail a

that the containerised pump

jockey pump to constantly keep the entire pipework network charged and between two to four slave pumps

ing a green is highly destructive as the droplet sizes

“The system had to be designed in a ‘meccanostyle’ fashion, which involved the fitting of 2 500 bolts, nuts and washers over a three-day period to secure the containers” Incledon pumps and irrigation

are inevitably too big and either compact the grass or

division national product manager, Romeo Giannone

to provide the bulk water demand.

These systems

are inefficient in today s terms, given that all the slave pumps are fixed-speed and either produce too much, or not enough, water. Low pressure on a sprinkler feed-

wash the green and leave unsightly water troughs as a station has additional benefits, when compared to

result, he continues.

Giannone explains that VSD inverter systems employ

traditional brick and concrete structures located below

two jockeys, with one or two variable speed driven

the water level. As the container is semi-submerged,

slaves, coupled with the required number of hard-start

it allows the pumps to be installed much closer to the

slaves to produce the necessary volume and pressure

supply water levels, thereby reducing net positive

MAY/JUNE 2012

GROUP OF COMPANIES Our odour control systems are guaranteed to remove odours from wastewater treatments plants, sewage pump stations and solid waste processing facilities. The Thika Greens golf course in Kenya

suction head issues commonly experienced with traditional above-surface stations. What s more, it is also less visible and easier to hide from view, ultimately improving the aesthetics on the course through smart landscaping. Due to the fact that the containers are being transported to Nairobi by sea, international maritime law dictates that the containers also have to be seaworthy and well-balanced throughout the journey and for delivery. Giannone adds: This

With more than 10 years of experience in commissioning odour control systems throughout Southern Africa and with representation in Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban and Port Elizabeth we are ready to assist you with solving your odour problems.

was another challenge and the system had to be designed in a meccano-style fashion, which involved the fitting of 2 500 bolts, nuts and washers over a three-day period to secure the containers. With the exception of a few minor hiccups with regards to inaccurate manifold construction, the system was connected perfectly. After successfully manufacturing the pump station in record time, Giannone points out that Incledon plans to market the system as ready-to-use equipment moving forward.

This

In order to ensure that only the operatorprescribed water use would be delivered, Incledon made use of variable speed drive inverter systems

WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING: 1. Biofilters, Biotrickling Filters, Dry Scrubbers, Carbon Adsorbers, PhotoIonization Plants and Activated Oxygen Units for indoor air treatment 2. Odour control covers 3. Air conveyance systems 4. Design, supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance of complete odour control systems

marketing approach could prove to be invaluable to clients, considering the fact that revamping or replacing an entire irrigation system pump station on a golf course could leave the grass and plant life vulnerable, if the changeover from old to new equipment takes longer than a week, he notes. With this type of ready-built system, Giannone is confident that the changeover can be done within that time and that the client will not be caught out by unforeseen challenges encountered when undertaking a conventional upgrade and discovering that some equipment does not fit. Where possible, I believe that the new plant can be fully installed next to the existing system on the course, and it should take less than two days to reroute the suction and delivery lines. Looking to the future, Giannone points out that the company is also exploring various methods to manufacture these types of plants on a smaller scale and to standardise certain components in order to cater for additional applications. Reticulation boosters in building basements would benefit from this type of system, and we are aiming to complete the modified systems ready for distribution by the end of the year, he concludes.

Gauteng: 0860 666367 or 0860 NO ODOUR All other regions: 022 448 1544 email: info@vitacure.co.za

Every single

we make

touches

High quality water, in the right quantity, at the right place, at the right time, is essential to health, recreation, and economic growth.

THE AD SHOP 2351

Zetachem produces the widest range of base water treatment coagulants - covering both organic and inorganic. This allows for tailor-made solutions that perfectly match the local water landscape. NSF Certification demonstrates Zetachem's commitment to safe drinking water chemicals. ISO 9001 reinforces Zetachem's focus on quality. www.zetachem.co.za â€˘ enquiries@zetachem.co.za

a life!

TECHNOLOGY

Water purification

Making it happen In a recent interview with Water&Sanitation Africa, Trevor Johnston (managing director) and Susan Roodt (sales manager) outlined Zetachem’s unique position in the South African water purification industry. What sets Zetachem apart from its competitors? Trevor Johnston (TJ): In 2011 Zetachem enjoyed its 25th anniversary in the water treatment industry. What sets us apart from our South African competitors is that Zetachem produces the widest range of base co-

BOTTOM Glyphosate plant

This involves looking at their particular water treatment

BELOW Zetachem building

Raw water varies with geography, geology, local climate

plant and the raw water conditions they are faced with. and urban inﬂuences. The ability to treat the raw water is impacted by the speciﬁc

agulants, covering both the inorganic and organic. By

design of the water treatment

this I mean we manufacture a range of polyamines and

plant. The Zetachem approach

polyDADMACs, as well as aluminium chorohydrate and

involves ﬁrst screening the

ferric sulphate. These base coagulants are supplied as

standard range of products,

a ﬁnished product or can be used as building blocks in

in order to take advantage

various blends. From this broad base, we can tailor-make

of economies of scale where

solutions for the individual customer s needs.

possible. If this screening does

Susan Roodt (SR): When we ﬁrst meet a new cus-

not yield an ideal solution, we

tomer we conduct a detailed analysis of their needs.

begin developing a unique

MAY/JUNE 2012

TECHNOLOGY

solution

using

the

building

blocks available. TJ: We believe Zetachem s wide range of coagulants is further complemented by a policy of high-level stock holding of raw materials and base products. This, coupled with our excess production capacity, allows for a rapid response to customer needs. This philosophy allows Zetachem to make to order, with very short lead times ‒ in emergencies, helping out clients within 24 hours. Over the 25 years, a focus on quality has been at the forefront of Zetachem s development. In 1994 we were awarded ISO 9002

LEFT FROM TOP Polyamine plant, Ach plant, hypo plant, monomer plant, polymer plant

and currently have ISO 9001/2008 certification. With the demise of the Department of Health s chemical registration programme, Zetachem pioneered bringing NSF (ANSI 60) into the South African potable water sector and was awarded the NSF accreditation in 2000. NSF, and specifically the ANSI 60 code, has since become the unofficial benchmark for drinking water chemicals.

Are all of Zetachem s products manufactured in the same plant? TJ: Zetachem has three manufacturing sites; Mobeni, Durban, is the main plant where the bulk of our manufacturing takes place. We have a dedicated sodium hypochlorite plant in Cato Manor, Durban, on Umgeni

“I am proud to say that with our philosophy and commitment to serving our customers’ changing needs, we find those relationships to be very stable, with many of our customers being with us for longer than 20 years." Water s Wiggins site and a ferric sulphate plant in Blackheath, just outside of Cape Town.

Tell us about your customer base. Has it changed a great deal over the past 25 years? SR: I am proud to say that with our philosophy and commitment to serving our customers changing needs, we ﬁnd those relationships to be very stable, with many of our customers being with us for longer than 20 years. Zetachem focuses on bulk supply, targeting the water boards and large industrial users, as well as having an export base into Africa, the Middle East, Australasia, Europe and the Indian Ocean Islands.

What is your plan for the future? TJ: Our plan for the future is to expand our export base. With this in mind we are developing products with stability at higher active concentrations. This means we can reduce packaging and transport costs, and provide our customers with a more cost-eﬀective solution.

MAY/JUNE 2012

TECHNOLOGY

Disinfection

Wastewater disinfection for reclamation use Water shortage and reduction in the amount of available exploitable water resources puts pressure on intensifying water usage in many areas. One very economical and ecological way to do this is to reuse or recycle wastewater. by Tero Luukkonen*

fter proper treatment, wastewater can be

treatment with peracetic acid (PAA). PAA has many

reused in irrigation, industrial activities,

advantages over competing chemicals and techniques.

groundwater recharge, recreational uses or even as potable water. Irrigation and other

agricultural uses of treated wastewater are interesting applications due to the high volumes of water needed. Wastewater must meet certain quality criteria before reuse. These criteria vary within countries, but one key requirement is microbial quality. For example, in

Widely used wastewater disinfection methods are chlorine-based chemicals, ultraviolet radiation, ozonation and more recently treatment with peracetic acid

California, USA, the limits for tertiary wastewater reuse for food crop irrigation are less than 2.2 coliform bac-

PAC-Solution provides environmentally friendly and safe

teria per 100 mℓ and turbidity of maximum 5 NTU.1

disinfection systems that are based on PAA. When using

Another example is Italy where similar limits are 2 to

PAA for disinfection, it is essential to control the process

20 faecal coliform per 100 mℓ, depending on the type

for optimised performance and cost-eﬀectiveness: this is

of vegetation.21

done by the PACS8 system.

To meet the microbial requirements, wastewater must be properly disinfected. Widely used wastewater disinfection methods are chlorine-based chemicals, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, ozonation and more recently

FIGURE 1. Control software of PACS8 system.

Peracetic acid as a disinfectant Commercially available PAA is an equilibrium solution containing PAA (CH3COOOH), acetic acid (CH3COOH),

MAY/JUNE 2012

â€œClean water?â€?

â€œInfrastructure!â€?

Delivering sustainable infrastructure that improves our world. ITâ€™S OUR SMARTER BUSINESS APPROACH.

*VU[HJ[ ^^^ IPNLUHMYPJH JVT VY [OL VMĂ„JL TVZ[ JVU]LUPLU[ [V `V\! 7YL[VYPH " 1VOHUULZI\YN " )SVLTMVU[LPU " *HWL ;V^U " +\YIHU " ,HZ[ 3VUKVU " .HIHYVUL NHIVYVUL'IPNLUHMYPJH JVT" 2\Y\THU " 4HĂ„RLUN " 4[OH[OH " 5LSZWY\P[ " 7VSVR^HUL " 9PJOHYKZ )H` " 9\Z[LUI\YN " <T[H[H " >PUKOVLR

TECHNOLOGY

hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and water, as

PAA is an ideal antimicrobial agent since it

of radicals, the oxidation of sulfhydryl and

shown below. The mixture also contains

has high oxidation potential12, it is eﬀective

sulphur bonds in key biomolecules and the

stabilising compounds to ensure long

against many bacteria13-15, viruses16-18 and

disruption of transport through cell walls10.

3, 19, 20

and in a recent study

it was

storage time and stability in low and high

spores

temperatures.

shown to be as eﬀective as hypochlorite

PACS8 system

against Giardia and Clostridium perfrin-

PACS8 system consists of three main com-

gens. With PAA-based disinfection there

ponents: multiple online measurements,

is no reactivation of microbes after treat-

automated

Chemicals used in the PACS8 system are

ment, which is an issue with UV systems22,

and controlled dosing of PACS chemical.

called PACS5 or PACS12, which contain 5

Online measurements are ﬂow of water,

CH3COOOH + H2O ↔ CH3COOH + H2O2

. One major advantage is also the lack

analysis

collected

data

and 12 % PAA respectively. PAA is the main active component of the chemical mixture, but hydrogen peroxide has synergistic effects in many applications.3-5 PAA is widely applied as a disinfectant in

PAA was first proposed as a wastewater disinfectant by Baldry et al. in the late 80s

the food, beverage and paper industries, as well as in medical facilities. PAA was first proposed as a wastewater disinfect-

of carcinogenic or toxic disinfection by-

reduction-oxidation potential and residual

ant by Baldry et al. in the late 80s 3, 4, 6, 7.

products (DBPs)24, 25. Halogenated DBPs are

disinfectant. With collected data, PACS8

Since then it has also been studied

problematic with chlorine-based chemicals

system is able to analyse whether dosing

extensively for several other wastewater

or with ozonation. The only by-products

should be increased or decreased. Residual

applications, including:

from using PAA are acetic acid and water.

disinfectant measurement ensures that

1) disinfection of wastewater for reuse or

Acetic acid will rapidly decompose into

there is never overdosing that is not cost-

carbon dioxide in natural aquatic systems.

eﬀective or environmentally safe.

before discharge to waterbodies8 2) combined sewer overﬂow treatment9

Disinfection mechanism of PAA is com-

3) odour removal10

prised of several simultaneous actions.

4) active sludge debulking10

Main mechanisms are thought to be the

5) sludge treatment11.

release of active oxygen and generation

References (1) California Code Regulations, Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 3 Water Recycling Criteria, Sections 60301 et seq., Dec.2, 2000.

(10) Mehmet, K. Disinfection of wastewater with per-

* Tero Luukkonen, MSc (physical chemistry), research and development chemist at PAC-Solution Ltd.

Heinonen-Tanski, H. Eﬀects of peracetic acid and

acetic acid: a review. Environment international

UV irradiation on the inactivation of coliphages

2004, 30, 47-55.

in wastewater. Water Science and Technology

(11) Appels, L.; Assche, A. V.; Willems, K.; Degrève, J.;

1997, 35, 237-241.

Impe, J. V.; Dewil, R. Peracetic acid oxidation as

(19) Hussaini, S. N.; Ruby, K. R. Sporicidal activity of

Challenges and prospectives for water recycling

an alternative pre-treatment for the anaerobic

peracetic acid against B anthracis spores. Vet.

and reuse in EU countries. Water Science and

digestion of waste activated sludge. Bioresour.

Technology: Water Supply 2003, 3, 59-68.

Technol. 2011, 102, 4124-4130.

(2) Angelakis, A. N.; Bontoux, L.; Lazarova, V.

(3) Baldry, M. G. C. The bactericidal, fungicidal and

(12) Awad, M. I.; Denggerile, A.; Ohsaka, T.

sporicidal properties of hydrogen peroxide

Electroreduction of peroxyacetic acid at gold

and peracetic acid. J. Appl. Bacteriol. 1983, 54,

electrode in aqueous media. J. Electrochem. Soc.

417-423. (4) Baldry, M. G. C.; French, M. S. Disinfection of sew-

2004, 151, E358-E363. (13) Wagner, M.; Brumelis, D.; Gehr, R. Disinfection of

Rec. 1976, 98, 257-259. (20) Jones Jr., L. A.; Hoﬀman, R. K.; Phillips, C. R. Sporicidal activity of peracetic acid and betapropiolactone at subzero temperatures. Appl. Microbiol. 1967, 15, 357-362. (21) Briancesco, R.; Veschetti, E.; Ottaviani, M.;

age eﬄuent with peracetic acid. Water Science

wastewater by hydrogen peroxide or peracetic

Bonadonna, L. Peracetic acid and sodium

and Technology 1989, 21, 203-206.

acid: Development of procedures for measure-

hypochlorite eﬀectiveness in reducing resistant

ment of residual disinfectant and application to

stages of microorganisms. Cent. Eur. J. Public

(5) Fraser, J. A. L.; Godfree, A. F.; Jones, F. Use of peracetic acid in operational sewage sludge disposal

a physicochemically treated municipal eﬄuent.

to pasture. Water Science and Technology 1985,

Water Environ. Res. 2002, 74, 33-50.

17, 451-466. (6) Baldry, M. G. C.; French, M. S. Activity of peracetic

(14) Lefevre, F.; Audic, J. M.; Ferrand, F. Peracetic acid disinfection of secondary eﬄuents discharged

acid against sewage indicator organisms. Water

oﬀ coastal seawater. Water Science and

Science and Technology 1989, 21, 1747-1749.

Technology 1992, 25, 155-164.

(7) Baldry, M. G. C.; French, M. S. Disinfection of sew-

(15) Alasri, A.; Roques, C.; Michel, G.; Cabassud, C.;

age eﬄuent with peracetic acid. Water Science

Aptel, P. Bactericidal properties of peracetic acid

and Technology 1989, 21, 203-206.

and hydrogen peroxide, alone and in combina-

(8) Dell'Erba, A.; Falsanisi, D.; Liberti, L.; Notarnicola,

tion, and chlorine and formaldehyde against

M.; Santoro, D. Disinfecting behaviour of peracetic

bacterial water strains. Can. J. Microbiol. 1992,

acid for municipal wastewater reuse. Desalination

38, 635-642.

2004, 168, 435-442. (9) Coyle, E.; Ormsbee, L. In In Peracetic acid as

(16) Baldry, M. G. C.; French, M. S.; Slater, D. The activity of peracetic acid on sewage indicator

an alternative disinfection technology for wet

bacteria and viruses. Water Science and

weather sewer overﬂows; Proceedings of World

Technology 1991, 24, 353-357.

Environmental and Water Resources Congress

(17) Kline, L. B.; Hull, R. N. The virucidal properties

Health 2005, 13, 159-162. (22) Metzger, K. Overlapping action of hostcell reactivation and photoreactivation in bacteria. Photochemistry and photomicrobiology 1963, 2, 435-442. (23) Salcedo, I.; Andrade, J. A.; Quiroga, J. M.; Nebot, E. Photoreactivation and dark repair in UVtreated microorganisms: Eﬀect of temperature. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2007, 73, 1594-1600. (24) Crebelli, R.; Conti, L.; Monarca, S.; Feretti, D.; Zerbini, I.; Zani, C.; Veschetti, E.; Cutilli, D.; Ottaviani, M. Genotoxicity of the disinfection by-products resulting from peracetic acid- or hypochlorite-disinfected sewage wastewater. Water Res. 2005, 39, 1105-1113. (25) Dell'Erba, A.; Falsanisi, D.; Liberti, L.; Notarnicola,

2009 - World Environmental and Water Resources

of peracetic acid. Am. J. Clin. Pathol. 1960, 33,

M.; Santoro, D. Disinfection by-products

Congress 2009: Great Rivers; 2009; Vol. 342, pp

30-33.

formation during wastewater disinfection with

2135-2144.

(18) Rajala-Mustonen, R. L.; Toivola, P. S.;

MAY/JUNE 2012

peracetic acid. Desalination 2007, 215, 177-186.

101

TRENDS & PRODUCTS

Technology showcase

Innovative automation equipment for purification plant FESTO 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), a newly constructed puriﬁcation plant located in the ecologically sensitive Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, designed by Aurecon (featured in this issue on page 24). The plant, capable of treating 8 M ℓ of

a quiet operation and uses clean compressed

potable water per day, is situated beneath

comprises polymide air reticulation piping

the Paarl Rock, overlooking the Paarl valley

from compressors to valve terminals to

below. To ensure the beauty of the sur-

minimise air leaks, simplify installation and

rounding landscape remains undisturbed,

increase longevity through its high corrosion

Meulwater WTW required a system that

resistance. MPA valve terminal technology

would be both aesthetically pleasing and

from Festo also ensures that all pilot valves

environmentally friendly.

controlling compressed air to the actuators

According to Brian Abbott, Festo product

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

are centralised and protected from the harm-

manager: We supplied and installed

ful elements of the environment such as,

automation equipment for the plant

weather, ultraviolet (UV) lights and moisture.

ﬁltration and backwash recovery systems.

Festo PLN ﬂexible tubing, from the valve

The components form part of a concept

terminals to the actuators, also oﬀers high

that ensures the plant can use a hybrid

resistance to UV sunlight, thus increasing

another example of the type of complete

centralised and decentralised approach to

durability even more. Service units and auto-

automation solutions that Festo is proud to

control, implementing a best of both worlds

matic moisture purge valves were installed

oﬀer customers in addition to our traditional

approach. This is something we are very

at key locations to maintain instrument air

pneumatic products, concludes Abbott.

proud of. The pneumatic equipment boasts

quality at all times.

Source: Festo

DOW launches IntegraPac™ ultrafiltration skids

The Meulwater WTW installation is

ultrafiltration solution. The DOW IntegraPac skids offer substantial improvements across the board while matching the performance characteristics of the proven SFP28 series filtration modules for

DOW WATER & PROCESS SOLUTIONS, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), has recently launched its DOW IntegraPac™ skid product line, a series of compact pre-engineered and streamlined ultrafiltration (UF) skids. Available in a wide range of sizes to suit various project needs, the DOW IntegraPac skids are pre-engineered to reduce material costs, lower freight costs and enable faster assembly. This revolutionary UF solution dramatically simplifies the process of incorporating DOW ultrafiltration technology into water treatment systems. DOW IntegraPac modules incorporate novel end caps that

which Dow has more than 3 500 Mℓ/d of installed or contracted

include direct-connect capability to enable substantial skid design

and cutting, and allow the IntegraPacTM skid to be implemented

simpliﬁcations. The revolutionary end caps now serve as part of

more cost-eﬀectively compared to traditional skid solutions.

the pipeline, which results in materials saving for the skid. DOW IntegraPac skids utilise DOW s proven UF membrane technology, which is based on technically advanced H-PVDF hollow

capacity across over 600 reference installations globally. As Dow s ﬁrst pre-fabricated skid design, the DOW IntegraPacTM product line is engineered to lessen the total cost of ownership and create substantial value for our customers. Ready-to-assemble DOW IntegraPacTM skids combine preengineered designs with DOW ultraﬁltration technology to require fewer parts and material than traditional designs. This novel design translates into lower costs, faster assembly and a smaller footprint. DOW IntegraPacTM end caps with built-in interconnectivity and standardised parts eliminate the need for welding, grinding, painting

The DOW IntegraPac modules and parts are shipped unassembled to allow for more eﬃcient transport using standard size containers. The DOW IntegraPac is light on metal parts ‒

ﬁbre, with uniform pore size and outside in-ﬂow

only a set of light supporting frames are required.

conﬁguration, and maintains high performance under

This streamlined design allows DOW IntegraPac

a wide range of feed water conditions.

modules and auxiliary parts to be shipped directly

According to Pauel Fokin, product director, Dow

to the end-user site without having to stop over at

Water & Process Solutions: At Dow, we understand

an original equipment manufacturer s workshop.

that design time, material costs, shipping and as-

DOW IntegraPac skids have clear ﬁltrate pipes that

sembly expenses, and maintenance overheads are

are easily visible to facilitate integrity inspections. Source: Dow Water & Process Solutions

all important factors to consider when purchasing an

102

ABOVE 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 features low energy requirements

MAY/JUNE 2012

TRENDS & PRODUCTS

New stainless steel end-suction pumps THE NEW GRUNDFOS stainless steel end-suction pump programme now allows every conceivable application â€’ be it process or utility â€’ to beneďŹ t from Grundfos' renowned eďŹƒciency and reliability and includes high-pressure solutions up to 25 bar and temperatures to 160Â° C For more than a decade, Grundfos' line

accommodate the specific nature of what-

accom-

ever is running through the pipes and to

modated.

maintenance of the stainless steel end-

with motors that

of NB/NK end-suction pumps in cast iron

suction pumps to an absolute minimum.

carry the Grundfos

has been synonymous with reliable pump-

The heavy-duty grease bracket is virtually

BluefluxÂŽ label. The

ing of large volumes of water within build-

maintenance-free and can be left unat-

label guarantees

ing services and in industrial applications.

tended for up to a year.

that the motor

Now, a full range of ISO-certified stainless

ensure leak-free and safe pumping of even

All NKG/

hazardous or explosive liquids. Moreover,

NBG/NK/NB

loose flanges that facilitate installation are

end-suction

now standard on all the bigger pumps.

pumps

Much effort has been put into reducing

With the stainless steel addition to the

can be equipped

either meets or

steel variants makes the end-suction

product range even the most demanding

exceeds â€’ in most

programme attractive to an even broader

liquids can be handled by a Grundfos

cases â€’ interna-

market segment, which includes the

end-suction pump with reliability, ef-

tional legislative requirements, including

chemical, pulp and paper, and the mining

ficiency and a minimum risk of corrosion.

the EuP IE3 grade. BluefluxÂŽ is Grundfos

process industry.

The range handles liquid temperatures

label for high efficiency motor technology

between -25Â° C and 160Â° C and offers

â€’ a technology that has been designed

trial applications, the stainless steel NKG/

high-pressure pumping up to 25 bar.

specifically for pumps and represents the

NBG/NK/NB pumps come with a variety

The pumps come with a choice of two

very best from Grundfos within energy-

of carefully considered technical features.

stainless steel grades: EN 1.4408 and

efficient motor and frequency drive

Dedicated single, tandem or back-to-back

high grade Duplex EN 1.4517, to ensure

operation.

shaft seal arrangements are available to

that exact media requirements can be

Source: Grundfos

Specifically designed and built for indus-

103

MAY/JUNE 2012

P Uniquely engineered construction methods P Commercial and Industrial applications P Applicable to a wide range of industries P Effective and economically efficient P Rapid factory production MULEBY SYSTEM TANK P Extended life expectancy P Minimal maintenance P Durability and value for money Our network of Distributors extends throughout South Africa and beyond its borders. FUTURE TANK

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Contact t www.aquadam.co.za Pretoria Tel: 012 - 810 0940 t $BQF 5PXO 5FM 021 - 905 7943

TRENDS & PRODUCTS

Technology showcase

Bolt securing system for pumps BMG S NORD-LOCK bolt securing system is used extensively in pumps and pumping equipment to enhance eﬃcient operation and absolute reliability. According to Darryl Campbell, divisional

as much of the capacity of each dimension

manager of BMG s fasteners division: The

on one side, with a greater rise than

Nord-Lock bolt securing system uses tension

the pitch of the bolt. When the

instead of friction to ensure that joints hold-

bolt and/or nut is tightened, the

ing sub-assemblies together remain secure.

radial teeth on the opposite side

Bolts on pumps need to be easily removable

grip and seat the mating surfaces.

during maintenance procedures, but must

The teeth also lock the washers

resist the loosening eﬀects of vibrations

in place, allowing movement only across

positive locking at low or high preload levels

and dynamic loads. Bolts that are locked

the face of the cams. The resulting tension

and minimum surface marring or scratching.

conventionally by friction in the thread tend

makes the bolt self-locking.

This system, which has the same tempera-

as possible, it is important to know the required tightening torque. Nord-Lock washers, which are installed in pairs (cam face to cam face), have cams

fasteners, easy assembly and disassembly,

to lose most of their preload through vibra-

These washers can be used on standard

tions, while those locked by the tension of

grade, as well as high-grade bolts and there

resists loosening caused by vibration and

this system present a minor loss of preload,

is no need for adhesives to lock the stud bolt.

dynamic loads. The locking function is not

which is caused mainly by settlement in the

This system is designed for use in tapped

lost by lubrication.

thread. Even after moderate tightening, the

and counter-bored holes and for larger holes

bolt is safely locked when using Nord-Lock.

or on soft materials, a ﬂange nut or bolt

bolted joint is the Junker-vibration test

It has become increasingly important to

should be used in combination with Nord-

where the preload (bolt tension) is meas-

have good control of the torque-clamp load

Lock washers with a larger outer diameter.

ured by a load cell and vibrating motions are

relationship when tightening a joint. To optimise the design of the joint and utilise

Advantages of this reusable system include maximum safety when locking

Guided radar level measurement

ture characteristics as a standard bolt or nut,

A method for testing the security of a

generated radically through the bolt. Source: BMG

connection options and by utilising lower cost housing,

IT IS WIDELY ACCEPTED that guided radar provides the most accurate and reliable level measurement in many applications. However, the cost of the equipment has often been restrictive. Ever eager to make the best technology available to all, Endress+Hauser's new Levelﬂex range introduces entry level options for both liquids and solids. While other low-cost guided radar instruments have restrictions on

readings in dusty environments, high and narrow silos or in

the type of liquids that can be measured, the Levelﬂex FMP50 is suit-

CSA approvals and can be used for level monitoring up to SIL2.

able for most liquid media. In fact, the instrument has the same wide

The Levelﬂex range oﬀers low-cost guided radar level solutions

ranging functionality as the other members of Endress+Hauser's

for the process industry.

Levelﬂex family, including an integrated data memory and availability

Source: Endress +Hauser

making the FMP50 an economically attractive basic device for supply and storage applications, as well as utility metering processes. For solids measurement, those seeking reliable level vessels with obstacles now have a cost-eﬀective option in the Levelﬂex FMP56. Both instruments can be simply integrated into asset management systems. They hold ATEX, IEC Ex, FM and

for system integration with HART 4-20mA analogue and PROFIBUS PA. Cost savings are oﬀered through a simpliﬁcation of the process

104

LEFT Levelflex FMP50

MAY/JUNE 2012

TRENDS & PRODUCTS

Energy-saving showerheads MAGNET, SPECIALISTS IN the supply and support of electrical equipment and industrial instrumentation, has been awarded an Eskom Performance Contract, which is a joint initiative to save energy through the use of energy-saving showerheads and water rest. Brian Howarth, managing director of

Magnet, in partnership with Energywise, has been contracted by Eskom to distribute and install new energy-saving showerheads throughout the country, at no cost to approved applicants

This project involves an audit by Magnet of each successful applicant. Existing showerheads will be removed and replaced with low-ﬂow showerheads. A measurement and

an existing heat pump or solar system

veriﬁcation team from

installation to enhance eﬃciency of the

Magnet says: Magnet, in partnership with

the University of Stellenbosch will conduct

system. These energy-saving showerheads

Energywise, has been contracted by Eskom

audits to verify energy savings.

are of high quality and ensure a maximum

to distribute and install new energy-saving

This contract means Eskom will pay the

comfort level of the shower, even though

showerheads to organisations with multiple

contracted company for kilowatt per hour

the showerhead is using less water and

shower facilities, at no cost to approved

savings over a period of three years, with no

electricity. These showerheads are also

applicants. This energy saving programme,

costs for the user for the removal of existing

available in a vandal resistant design to

which is aimed at organisations throughout

ineﬃcient showerheads and installation of

prevent theft.

the country in sectors that include mining,

new ﬁttings.

industrial, government, educational, corpo-

The energy-eﬃcient showerheads deliver

Conventional showers use an average

between 9 and 10 ℓ/min of water, irrespec-

rate and commercial sectors, is expected to

of 125 ℓ of water, of which 60% is hot

tive of the supply pressure. An additional

save 330 GWh of energy over three years.

water. With the installation of Energywise

opportunity to save hot water is to install

This is energy equivalent to that of lighting

showerheads, users can save up to 50% of

tap restrictors, which deliver between three

up to 12 500 km of road and water savings

electricity consumed to heat water.

and six litres of water per minute and are

equivalent to ﬁlling up 160 home swimming pools every day.

An important feature of these low-ﬂow showerheads is they are easily ﬁtted to

easily ﬁtted to existing taps. Source: Magnet

105

MAY/JUNE 2012

Do you need innovative and sustainable solutions for waste water treatment? Just Ask Golder. Polluted mine water should no longer be viewed as a major problem, but as a valuable water resource. Equipped with expertise in mine water treatment technologies, Golder offers sustainable solutions for water resource management.

Engineering Earth’s Development, Preserving Earth’s Integrity

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Bateman Engineered Technologies

Water and Wastewater Treatment Delivering Innovative Solutions to Unlock the Value of Natural Resources

Bateman Engineered Technologies provides innovative but proven solutions for domestic and industrial water and waste water treatment ranging from low-cost rural facilities to zero discharge and integrated systems. I I I I I

Potable Water Treatment Sewage Treatment Sludge Dewatering Industrial Efﬂuents Acid Mine Water Drainage Treatment

I I I I

Boiler Feed Water Treatment Industrial Process Water Demineralisation Integrated & Optimised Systems

With its more than ninety year heritage as an innovative, leading bulk materials handling solution and process equipment supplier to a range of industries, with a focus on the mining sector, Bateman Engineered Technologies is a member of the Bateman Engineering N. V. Group. Client access is provided internationally through the Bateman Engineering Group’s network of permanent international offices located in Australia, China, India, Russia, North & South America, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Bateman Engineered Technologies offers bulk materials handling solutions, process equipment supply and specialist niche technologies, all underpinned by a solid track record and the company’s commitment to Delivering Excellence in all that it does.

Bateman Engineered Technologies A Bateman Group Company Ofﬁces in Africa, Australia, the Americas, Asia & Europe

+27 11 201 2300 enquiries@bet.bateman.com www.bet.bateman.com

TRENDS & PRODUCTS

Plastic butterfly valves

FLOWTITE pipes and fittings

IN THE FIELD OF PLANT ENGINEERING key factors for the selection of equipment and components are weight, size and installation time. Functional range and performance are, in turn, very important criteria for process engineering. The GEMÜ 410 butterﬂy valve and its versions 417 and 423 meet stringent requirements in both respects. They are compact and lightweight, and can be installed quickly and easily. Furthermore, thanks to their wide range of functions, the valves are suitable for numerous applications in very diverse ﬁelds. Since early 2012, the GEMÜ plastic

indicator. GEMÜ 417 has an ergonomically

terfly valves are manufactured from high-

• sea and desalinated water

butterfly valve range has been extended.

grade plastic. They are corrosion resistant

• power plants

From now on, sizes from 15 up to 100 are

and are particularly well-suited for use in

• chemical and industrial wastes

available ‒ all can be installed quickly and

corrosive environments. To a certain

designed manual actuator with integrated locking device and intermediate stop in normal sizes to DN 50. In DN 50 and larger the butterﬂy valve is ﬁtted with a lockable hand lever which protects it against accidental operation. GEMÜ 423 has a low-maintenance motorised actuator with a powerful DC motor. The actuator features an optical position indicator and manual override as standard. The end positions can be adjusted electrically using micro switches. All wetted parts of the soft-sealing but-

FLOWTITE™ IS FIBERPIPE S leading product for water, sewage and industrial applications. The fibre reinforced pipe systems are a cost-effective piping solution. The pipes are corrosion free and have a proven resistance to acidic environment in water and sewage systems. They are lightweight and therefore easy to handle. FLOWTITE™ pipes and fittings are suited to several applications such as: • potable water transfer • fire fighting

• sewer and irrigation.

easily. They are easier to install than

extent, media may also contain solid

The product is found in siphon lines or

wafer- or LUG-type butterfly valves. In

matter. The potential applications

in seawater outfalls, bridge dewatering,

addition, the bodies of the butterfly

of butterfly valves are highly

desalination projects or as protection

valves come as standard with male

diverse, from control and regula-

line for cables. Standard and special

threads. Therefore, no additional

tion of inert to corrosive media at

fabricated ﬁttings, such as bends, tees

flanges, bolts, nuts and washers are

medium temperatures between

and reducers, are also available.

required for installation in pipe sys-

10°C and 60°C and pressures

tems. This simplifies installation

up to 6 bars. The applications

Technical information

and saves time and materials.

are wide-ranging. GEMÜ

Diameters: DN 300 to 1 800 mm

butterfly valves operate just

Pressure classes: PN 1-6-10-16-25-32

Depending on requirements, butterﬂy valves have pneumatic,

as reliably in water treatment

Stiﬀness: SN 2 500, 5 000, 10 000

manual or motorised actuators

plants, swimming pool

Length: Standard length 12 m

custom-built for each speciﬁc

processes and irrigation

*Large diameters available on request

application. The GEMÜ 410

systems as in the electro-

Source: Fiberpipe

butterﬂy valve is equipped with

plating and chemical processing

a low-maintenance, corrosion-resistant

industries.

plastic pneumatic quarter turns actuator. Control functions normally closed , normally open and double acting are available. The butterﬂy valve is optionally available with a stroke limiter and position

Source: GEMÜ TOP GEMU 410 butterfly valve with pneumatic actuator BOTTOM GEMU 417 butterfly valve with manual actuator

MAY/JUNE 2012

107

TRENDS & PRODUCTS

Technology showcase

‘Ageless’ meter heads for South Africa

108

RIGHT The revolutionary iPERL electronic meter

THE INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH of a domestic water meter that has no moving parts ‒ and which its manufacturer, the global Sensus group, claims does not age ‒ has brought water-metering technology to new levels of performance and energy conservation. The revolutionary iPERL electronic meter, which will be available in South Africa once local legal metrological approvals have been completed, replaces conventional water meter technology with a sensor network that delivers a continuous, real-time stream of information and data on consumption and system performance, while at the same time identifying water loss through leakage and tampering. According to Sensus South Africa MD,

disciplined water conservation . Sensus

more pressure on water networks in the

The Sensus chairman added: Simplicity,

Basil Bold, who attended the gala event,

years to come. Add in the high energy costs

productivity and environmental sustain-

the London unveiling of the meter to

associated with water supply, the potential

ability are the three axes of innovation em-

the acclaim of an audience of metering

impact of global warming on water scarcity

bodied in iPERL and will soon be available

experts from around the world heralded

and the increased consumption resulting

at all Sensus subsidiaries worldwide to help

a new age of water meters designed to

from improving living standards, and it is

bring the vision of Smart Water Networks

meet the opposing demands of increasing

clear that we need a more sustainable way

to reality.

water consumption and the need for more

of delivering water resources.

Source: Sensus South Africa

engineers say the meter promises to

Mainz said iPERL s

unlock the full potential of smart water

technology made

networks for utilities and their customers.

the beneﬁts of a

Unlike conventional metering technology,

smart water network

iPERL brings extended real value to smart

and communication solutions a reality for

water networks by not only instantly

customers by:

capturing essential consumption data

• Collecting and sharing data to drive better

but maintaining ultra-low ﬂow accuracy throughout its entire life-time. Bold calls it a revolutionary tool to reduce non-revenue

supply-demand management. • Improving control over leakages and nonaccounted-for water. • Creating operational eﬃciencies and

water loss . Peter Mainz, Sensus CEO and president,

cost-reduction opportunities through

who formally unveiled the meter, told the

automated and always-on processes.

launch gathering: We know that popula-

• Providing advanced utility grade com-

tions are growing and are gravitating to urban areas and this will place more and

munication options to ensure maximum value for utili ties.

MAY/JUNE 2012

Water& Sanitation Africa Since its inception at the beginning of July, the new Water & Sanitation Africa weekly e-newsletter is proving to be very popular, with almost 4 000 subscribers already receiving their copy directly every week.

Subscribe now to the weekly e-newsleƩer for the most up-to-date news in the industry! To subscribe e-mail unity@3smedia.co.za | Send your press releases & event informaƟon to debbie@3smedia.co.za

To advertise on the e-newsletter contact Tania Milic T:+27 (0)12 331 5168 | C: +27 (0)82 829 9285 | E-m: tania@dfcom.co.za

MEDIA

Improvon uses Mapei waterproofing technology MAPEI SOUTH AFRICA supplied its unique Idrosilex Pronto and Mapelastic Foundation to Improvon, a large construction company, for use in the construction of sewage manholes at the new Montague Business Park in Milnerton, Cape Town. According to Paul Nieuwoudt, product manager: Building and Flooring, at Mapei South Africa: Negative water pressure from large wastewater volumes damages the outer layers of pipes or containers due to water pushing and trying to expand. This type of expansion and contraction, when water levels rise and fall, leads to the formation of cracks and other surface damage. Improvon used Idrosilex Pronto to cover surfaces in direct contact with sewage. This Mapei-engineered osmotic cementitious mortar is also suitable for contact with drinking water and for waterproofing masonry and concrete structures, making it ideal for coating manholes systems made of concrete. The Mapelastic Foundation is a central part of this total watertight solution. This two-component product waterproofs concrete surfaces subject to both positive and negative water pressure as it is flexible and accommodates higher and lower water pressures, says Nieuwoudt. Ideal for waterproofing manholes, concrete retaining walls, underground car parks, cellars, sunken swimming pools and sunken elevator wells where counter pressure against water is needed, the Mapelastic Foundation s durability and flexibility delivers superior durability and quality of finish. It forms an impermeable cementitious elastic membrane that moves with its substrate, maintaining advanced water resistance. The company s technologies, available in a range of colours, result in cost-effective and long-lasting finishes that keep looking good. We enjoy basing long-lasting relationships with our clients on these key principles, and we are confident we will continue this trend with Improvon, concludes Nieuwoudt. Source: Mapei South Africa

BELOW Mapeiâ€™s Idrosilex Pronto and Mapelastic Foundation will help to keep the Montague Business Park looking new, and help keep water drainage in top form

MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS OF PIPE FITTINGS SINCE 1984

Cascade has a full range of Couplings and Flange Adaptors from 50mm to 800mm. Larger sizes up to DN 1600mm and higher pressures up to PN40 are available on request

Tel: +27 (11) 824 3943 Fax: +27 (11) 827 0556 Email: info@cascade.co.za Web: www.cascade.co.za

The VECTUS pipe system

THE VECTUS PIPE SYSTEM is manufactured from fibre reinforced polyester and vinylester. The production method is a discontinuous double helix reciprocal filament winding process that gives the pipes a balanced combination of axial and hoop mechanical properties. The VECTUS pipe systems are free of corrosion, lightweight and a well-documented product with good references worldwide. In addition to the civil and industrial markets the pipe systems are also used in the oil and gas, shipbuilding and offshore industries. Within the industrial market the pipe system is used widely as a cost-effective solution due to biaxial pipe systems with well-locked joint solutions for pipe and fittings. These locked joint systems are also successfully used in municipal water, cooling water and pressure sewerage systems in combination with FLOWTITE™ pipes to avoid thrust blocks. The VECTUS pipe system also includes a complete range of standardised specialised fittings. Technical information Diameters: DN 150 ‒ 2 000 mm Pressure classes: PN 4-6-10-16-25-32 Stiffness: SN 2 500, 5 000, 10 000 Length: Standard length 12 m *Large diameters available on request Source: Fiberpipe

PUBLICATION

Water metering

Reference guide for municipalities The newly published Water Research Commission (WRC) report entitled Introduction to Integrated Water Meter Management covers all aspects of water meters and water metering in municipalities. s.

t covers the h theoh retical principles of meters, legal and metrological requirements, meter types, best practice

guidelines as well as practical aspects of water meter management. The guide book will serve as a training aid and a valuable tool for water utility managers, engineering technical staff, operations and maintenance and meter-reading personnel, and researchers. There is currently a lack of proper water meter management in South Africa, with many bulk water suppliers and municipalities without optimal and integrated meter calibration, replacement, reading and information management systems. Often the divided responsibility between billing and meter management results in poor billing, incorrect information capture and poor maintenance. This is further compounded by the fact that where initiatives of water demand management and conservation are required, the data is not easily accessible to the departments responsible for this task, and there is a frequent lack of integration between domestic and bulk water metering. This project was initiated by the WRC and led by Prof. Fred van Zyl of the University of Cape Town, with administrative support provided by the University of Johannesburg. Van Zyl says:

112

MAY/JUNE 2012

Water metering is

PUBLICATION

particularly important for municipalities

of leakage and non-revenue water, poor

places the basics of water meter manage-

since it forms the basis for much of their

billing practices and a loss of income

ment at the fingertips of both profession-

income through the sale of water to their

to municipalities. It is vital to maximise

als and novices alike.

consumers. In South Africa, like in many

the volume of water metered in the

I highly recommend that this book is

other countries, there is a legal imperative on municipalities to meter consumers and manage water losses in compliance with legislation and standards. Jay Bhagwan, director of Water Use and Waste Management at the WRC, states that reliable supply of clean and healthy

The focus on providing more people with water has caused many distribution systems to be neglected, resulting in increased levels of leakage and non-revenue water, poor billing practices and a loss of income to municipalities

water is undoubtedly the most important service that people need. South Africa

utility, at the minimum possible cost. To

read by all water practitioners as it suc-

has made great strides in addressing the

achieve this goal, the proper selection,

cinctly covers all aspects of meter man-

inequalities of the past in the provision

management and maintenance of meters

agement from selection and installation

of water, but unfortunately the focus on

are critical.

to operation and maintenance, and finally

providing more people with water has

According to Simon Scruton, manager

caused many distribution systems to be

of eThekwini Water and Sanitation: This

neglected, resulting in increased levels

informative book is easy to read and

MAY/JUNE 2012

to replacement.

WRC Report Number: TT 490/11

113

Level of dams The full supply capacity (106 m3) and level of some of South Africa’s dams as at 27 February 2012. Limpopo Hartebeespoort (NW) Olifantsnek (NW) Buﬀelspoort (NW) Bospoort (NW) Lindleyspoort (NW) Roodeplaat (NW) Koster (NW) Klipvoor (NW) Vaalkop (NW) Roodekopjes (NW) Marico-Bosveld (NW) Klein Maricopoort (NW) Albasini (LP) Vondo (LP) Olifants Witbank (M) Middelburg (M) Bronkhorstspruit ( M) Rust de Winter (M) Loskop (M) Buﬀelskloof (M) Ohrigstad (LP) Blyderivierpoort (LP) Klaserie (LP) Ebenezer (LP) Magoebaskloof (LP) Tzaneen (LP) Middle Letaba (LP) Vaal Vaal (FS) Grootdraai (M) Boskop (NW) Klipdrift (NW) Erfenis (FS) Kalkfontein (FS) Rustfontein (FS) Krugersdrift (FS) Groothoek (FS) Sterkfontein (FS) Saulspoort (FS) Vaalharts Storage Weir (NC) Bloemhof (FS) Douglas Storage Weir (NC)

(186.44) (13.67) (10.25) (15.79) (14.33) (41.15) (12.80) (42.08) (56.01) (102.33) (26.96) (7.07) (28.19) (30.44)

99.3% 90.3% 100.3% 101.2% 96.3% 100.2% 97.0% 100.7% 53.6% 94.8% 89.1% 103.3% 43.7% 100.5%

(104.02) (48.05) (56.99) (28.18) (361.51) (5.24) (13.44) (54.36) (5.60) (69.13) (4.84) (156.53) (171.93)

93.5% 80.0% 93.6% 100.5% 98.3% 100.5% 100.2% 100.9% 102.2% 100.5% 100.6% 100.8% 7.0%

(2603.45) (349.53) 21.02) (13.30) (206.06) (325.13) (71.20) (71.47) (11.90) (2616.90) (15.67) (50.68) (1240.24) (16.24)

86.6% 80.0% 101.4% 101.1% 73.3% 82.9% 61.1% 62.6% 65.3% 100.0% 99.1% 89.2% 80.5% 109.3%

Orange Katse (L) Egmont (FS) Gariep (FS) Vanderkloof (FS) Boegoeberg (NC) Olifants/Doorn Clanwilliam (WC) Berg Voelvlei (WC) Wemmershoek (WC) Berg River (WC) Steenbrasdam (WC) Eikenhof (WC) Breede Brandvlei (WC) Roode Elsberg (WC) Pietersfontein (WC) Kwaggaskloof (WC) Theewaterskloof (WC) Duiwenhoks (WC) Coastal River Hartebeestkuil (WC) Wolwedans (WC) Krom River (EC) Gamtoos Kounga (EC) Loerie (EC) Sondags Nqweba (Van Rynveld Pass) (EC) Darlington (EC) Fish Grassridge (EC) Kommandodrift (EC) De Mistkraal (EC) Katrivier (EC)

(1519.10) (9.25) (5196.04) (3171.30) (19.81)

74.2% 69.2% 92.5% 86.6% 109.0%

(121.76)

38.6%

(158.58) (58.71) (127.05) (33.88) (28.85)

56.8% 64.4% 69.4% 53.9% 66.6%

(284.29) (7.72) (1.98) (173.86) (480.19) (6.18)

42.2% 43.2% 81.9% 40.7% 58.6% 53.0%

(7.13) (25.10) (35.24)

79.8% 90.0% 84.5%

(125.91) (3.02)

88.9% 65.3%

(46.36)

94.5%

(180.83)

27.9%

(46.19) (58.11) (2.45) (24.68)

33.1% 84.7% 67.0% 100.3%

Great Kei Xonxa (EC) Lubisi (EC) Doornrivier (EC) Waterdown (EC) Mvoti/Mgeni/ Mkhomazi Midmar (KZN) Nagle (KZN) Albert Falls (KZN) Inanda (KZN) Hazelmere Tugela Spioenkop (KZN) Driel Barrage (KZN) Woodstock (KZN) Usutu/Phongolo/Mfolozi Goedertrouw (KZN) Klipfontein (KZN) Hluhluwe (KZN) Pongolapoort (KZN) Jericho (M) Westoe (M) Morgenstond (M) Heyshope (M) Sabie/Krokodil/Komati Nooitgedacht (M) Driekoppies (M) Witklip (M) Da Gama (M) Inyaka (M)

(115.86) (158.00) (17.93) (37.44)

100.9% 100.4% 99.8% 100.2%

(235.95) (23.23) (288.14) (237.40) (17.85)

100.2% 79.2% 88.1% 100.0% 97.1%

(270.64) (8.69) (373.25)

100.1% 103.0% 98.1%

(301.26) (18.060 (25.89) (2267.07) (59.27) (59.52) (100.16) (444.94)

85.7% 63.9% 97.8% 63.9% 85.0% 90.0% 85.2% 100.9%

(78.40) (250.92) (12.51) (13.52) (123.66)

80.2% 100.5% 100.5% 100.3% 100.4%

Info supplied by DWA Total full supply capacity of dams (106 m3) Last year 2012/02/27 31 566.1 31 643.6 Acronyms EC Eastern Cape FS Free State G Gauteng KZN KwaZulu-Natal L Lesotho LP Limpopo province M Mpumalanga NC Northern Cape NW North West WC Western Cape

MAY/JUNE 2012

115

Our stable Highly commended 2011 PICA Cover of the Year - B2B Publishing

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WISA 2012 conference Water footprint

Municipalities KwaZulu-Natal feature

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Jane March, Marsh Africa mining divisional executive, on the merger with Alexander Forbes Risk Services

Department of Water Affairs

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Securing SA's water supply

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The investment attraction is back

PLATINUM Players push production pipelines

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Ravi Saman, water and wastewater vertical rti cal manager for Schneider Electric discusses sees their product and services P12 P1 2

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Advancements in underground robotics

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IMIESA

Water & Sanitation Africa is

is the official magazine of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa and focuses on national, regional and local infrastructural development and service delivery linked to public private partnerships. Published monthly

the official magazine of the Water Institute of SA and is circulated to a carefully-targeted audience of decision makers, focusing on latest developments, news and products in the water industry. Published alternate monthly

SA Conference*

Meetings SA

is a well-known conference handbook, featuring venues, speakers, organisers, teambuilders and everything else that is required to organise a meeting or conference. Published annually www.saconference.co.za

features ideas to energise meetings and networking events and transform business, illustrating how meetings can be optimised to spur business growth and inspire ideas in South Africa. Published alternate monthly www.saconference.co.za

Inside Mining niin ing takes a look att the h he heart ear artt of mining in A Africa, frica, with industry experts who add a unique voice to the publication, making it the most sought after source of information in the mining industry. Published monthly www.miningne.ws

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ReSource promotes integrated waste and resource management towards cleaner production and a greener environment. It is the official magazine of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa. Published quarterly

Titles that have won Sappi PICA awards for publishing excellence. * A5 format

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AWARDS

Water Demand Management

2012 National Water Conservation Awards The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, announced the 2012 winners of the Water Conservation and Water Demand Management Sector Awards at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, on 23 March 2012.

the most competitive category of the annual WCWDM awards. The award was presented in recognition

he 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 must

share water resources in an equitable and sustainable manner. Through the Water Conservation and Water Demand Management (WCWDM) Sector Awards, the department seeks to create a platform and an enabling

The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng was named the overall winner in the Local Government Sector.

of its revenue meter enhancement l h investigation and d consolidation ld project involving the 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 include some of the largest industries in South Africa. The project has been highly successful in identifying the numerous broken or miss-

environment for all role players and stakeholders from

ing water meters, which have since been replaced or

all sectors to start appreciating and understanding the

repaired where necessary. In this manner, Ekurhuleni

importance of conserving water.

intends to ensure that all water supplied to its large

This is the third event of its type and this year, 44 nomi-

consumers is properly measured and billed each month.

nations were received across four categories, namely:

The increase in revenue from this exercise is such

• agriculture

that it has a payback period of between six months

• industry, mining & power

and a year, making it one of the most eﬀective water

• domestic or local government

demand management interventions in their overall

• business.

WDM programme.

In the local government category, 15 entries were re-

Tshwane Metro was second in the local government

ceived from which the top three received awards on the

category after ﬁnishing ﬁrst in the previous award event

evening. Johan Vorster and Slindokuhle Habede from

two years ago and was recognised for its continued

Ekurhuleni were present to receive the top honour in

WDM interventions that have helped to reduce its water losses and non-revenue water to approximately 25%, which is one of the lowest for any major city in South Africa. Trevor Westman, from the City of Tshwane, was present to receive the award on behalf of the city and it is the ﬁrst time that any city has been recognised in consecutive years for its WDM eﬀorts. Tshwane is

LEFT Pictured are Johan Vorster and Slindokuhle Hadebe from Ekurhuleni Local Municipality together with the WRP team members who provided assistance on various aspects of the Top 500 meter consolidation and revenue enhancement project

MAY/JUNE 2012

119

AWARDS

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

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

aiming to reduce its leakage levels even

Western Cape to introduce pressure man-

In summary it was a very positive out-

further in years to come and has created an

agement on a large scale using some of the

come, particularly for Tshwane with its

internal unit dedicated to the eﬃcient use

most advanced equipment available, which

second place overall and, in addition, all

of water throughout the city.

is imported from Europe. Kowalewski has

three winners are being supported by the

driven its non-revenue water down to ap-

Pretoria-based WRP Consulting Engineers

Andre Kowalewski from the Drakenstein

proximately 10%, one of the lowest levels

and in the case of Klein Drakenstein by its

Municipality in the Western Cape. This is

in South Africa. The award was presented

local subsidiary, 4Water.

the ﬁrst time that Drakenstein has received

in recognition of its recent eﬀorts to lower

This is the third time in a row that a

recognition for its eﬀorts in the WDM

leakage even further in speciﬁc areas that

project supported by WRP has taken the

ﬁeld and it was particularly happy having

experience very high levels of plumbing

top honours in the national awards, with

beaten many of the large municipalities

leakage within households. This is a prob-

previous recipients being Emfuleni Local

and metros such as City of Cape Town.

lem issue in many parts of South Africa and

Municipality and the City of Tshwane. The

Kowalewski has been actively involved in

the eﬀorts of Kowalewski demonstrate that

awards are becoming more prestigious

reducing water wastage for many years and

progress can be made on a sustainable

each year and are certainly the top acco-

was one of the ﬁrst municipalities in the

basis if properly implemented.

lades in the WCWDM arena.

The

third

award

was

presented

Index to Advertisers Abeco Tanks

Golder Associates Africa

ABS Wastewater Technology

Grundfos

Aquadam

103

Hansen Industrial

113

Aurecon

Jeﬀares & Green

Johannesburg Water

Kaytech

Aveng Water Bateman Engineered Technologies Bigen Africa Blue Planet Breede-Overberg Catchment Management Agency

106 100 2 28 & 29

Buckman

Cascade

110

Degremont Department of Water Aﬀairs Development Bank of South Africa

10 22&23 64

Keller AG Fur DRUCKMESSTECHNIK Klamﬂex Pipe Coupling

76 84 & 85

KROHNE South Africa

Merck Chemicals

Metrohm

Mhlathuze Water Corporation Mpumamanzi Laboratory Services NCP CHLORCHEM

70 & 71 79 12&13

Netzsch

118

Dynamic Fluid Control

111

Odorcure

Echochem Pumps

104

OVIVO Aqua SA

Pac Solution Oy

Prentec

Protea Chemicals

Elster Kent Metering Endress & Hauser ERWAT Festo Fiberpipe

120

105

6 IBC 107 68

Quality Laboratories Rand Water Scientiﬁc Services

MAY/JUNE 2012

91 38&39

ROCLA

Saint-Gobain

Schneider Electric Sembcorp

62 OFC

Sensus

Sera Dose Tech SA

SEW EURODRIVE

SRK Consulting

SSI

Stellenbosch University

TALBOT & TALBOT

Trenchless Technology

IFC

Turf-AG

Uhde

Verder Pumps SA

Vermeer

109

Water & Sanitation Services

OBC

Zest WEG Group

Zetachem