Proceedings of the 87th Conference of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa
The
COVER STORY
INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY BACK-UP
THE 123-YEAR-OLD PRESSED PANEL TANK CONCEPT REMAINS THE MAINSTAY OF WATER STORAGE
concept of sectional steel water storage tanks was patented in 1901 and has since found successful application all over the world. This type of tank is widely used in South Africa for water storage in municipal, rural and mining applications.
As shown on the front cover, a recent example is the installation of a 12 mega litre (M ℓ ) water storage project comprising of four 3 M ℓ interconnected tanks. The tanks were supplied by Prestank, a division of Structa Technology (Pty) Ltd. The project is for Mogale City Local Municipality through Rembo Construction and Access Consulting Engineers.
The innovative application here centres around the split tank installation, which allows for uninterrupted water supply with single tank maintenance shutdown. A further bit of innovation is found in the ground grillage beam concept, which replaces the old concept of dwarf concrete walls. This allows for better logistics, quality control and speed of build.
Tank market leadership
Prestank remains a market leader through continuous development of our products and processes with the introduction of state-of-theart technology, and continuous product testing. We gladly share some examples of these:
• Introduction of a laser cutting / drill to speed up plate processing. Figure 1 illustrates our 6.5kW laser shaping tank plates.
• Use of detail finite element structural analysis by our engineers to optimise plate design and positioning of internal bracing. This is illustrated in Figure 2.
• Application of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis to optimise wind resistance. Figure 3 illustrates fluid flow patterns around typical box shaped structures. This is also an in-house facility.
• Full scale and laboratory testing of tank structures and structural elements to ensure specification conformance and long-term reliability. Figure 4 illustrates a 1-bar overpressure test on a 216 000 litre tank. The system
passed without leaks or structural damage and also confirmed our analyses model.
Group developments
Structa Group of companies started operating in 2001 with the merger of Structacom and Dorbyl Structural Products. The current owners acquired the Dorbyl shareholding in 2003 and the Group has grown to house four principal operating divisions and a further three supporting companies. Structa Group divisions are Level 1 BBBEE compliant. The operating divisions are housed in two campuses being in Meyerton and Vanderbijlpark. Factory buildings are modern and well equipped and offers some 22 000 m2 under roof and crane, with additional lay down and storage areas of some 35 000 m2
ALLIED INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS
Apart from water storage products, Structa Group focuses on the manufacturing and supply of infrastructure related products in the fields of electrification, lighting, and communication structures, as well as industrial and building structures.
Typical products offered to municipalities include pressed steel water tanks, circular water tanks, lighting masts, communication towers and electricity distribution pylons. Structa is the largest Sub-Saharan Africa supplier of monopole type electricity pylons.
POWERLINE SUPPORT STRUCTURES
Structa Group is a leading supplier of transmission and distribution powerline pylons in Southern Africa. Pylons are designed to international standards (IEE and ASCE) and have been deployed in Sub–Saharan Africa (Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Swaziland, DRC and Ethiopia).
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Supplied by Prestank, a division of Structa Technology (Pty) Ltd, this 12 Mℓ water storage installation comprises four 3 Mℓ interconnected tanks, commissioned for Mogale City Local Municipality
Typical products manufactured for municipal use are:
• Monopole pylons ( 11kV – 220 kV)
• Double pole pylons ( 132kV – 220kV )
• Lattice pylons ( 132kV – 400kV )
• Utility poles for low voltage ( 11kV ) distribution
The principal ranges have all been type tested by Eskom in full scale load tests.
The low risk of vandalism and theft on monopoles makes these a very popular choice for distribution lines all over Southern Africa.
Our monopoles were recently famously used to replace vandalised lattice towers in Tshwane in an emergency power restoration project.
The utility pole range has now found wide application as a long-term reliable replacement for wooden poles. These structures offer a much lighter, easily transportable option, resistant to fire and rot, as well as ease of maintenance.
SUBSTATION STEELWORK
Our C.I.S. Masts and Tower division has extensive experience in the manufacture, supply and installation of electrical substation structures.
These typically include:
• Termination structures
• Gantries
• Transformer support structures
• Circuit breaker/Isolator supports
• Disconnector structures
• Lightning arrestor supports
• Lightning protection masts and shield wire supports
LIGHTING MASTS AND POLES
Structa manufactures a wide range of lighting system support structures typically required in municipal infrastructure.
These range from streetlight poles, midhinging poles typically used on highways, high mast lighting poles and stadium lighting poles.
Recent innovations include the combination of streetlight poles and cellular communication masts into a singular mast, thus saving space and providing income from cellular services to municipalities.
A further recent innovation is quick rollout kits where masts, electricals, lights and precast foundations are supplied to emerging contractors.
A “one stop shop”
In summary, the Structa Group offers a “one stop shop” for water and electrical municipal projects.
Our biggest successes in large projects have been achieved through the early involvement of our engineers, even in project definition stages, so that our clients are assured of optimal products, both in structural performance and lifecycle cost.
We therefore gladly invite municipalities and utilities to engage with us to achieve, in partnership, successful project delivery.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Powerline support structures
Lighting masts and poles
Substation steelwork
IMESA
MISSION STATEMENT
To promote excellence in the engineering profession for the benefit of municipalities and their communities.
OVERVIEW
Since 1961, The Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA) has been committed to the pursuit of excellence in all facets of infrastructure, pushing boundaries and driving innovation. Our unwavering dedication extends to the professionals who form the backbone of this industry.
IMESA creates a platform for the exchange of ideas and viewpoints on all aspects of municipal engineering with the aim of expanding the knowledge and best practices in all local government municipalities. This is made up of a community of pioneers, professionals, and enthusiasts united by a singular purpose: to reshape the landscape of infrastructure engineering.
Municipalities are key role-players in identifying needs, prioritising funding, and implementing integrated development planning for community-based programmes.
The Institute advises Councils on municipal engineering matters and serves the broader community through representation on a number of national bodies, where it provides input from the municipal engineer’s perspective. As a member of the International Federation of Municipal Engineering (IFME), IMESA contributes to and gains a wealth of global experience in the infrastructure engineering field. Partnering with both local and international organizations IMESA not only to raises awareness but redefines perceptions, strengthening our image and reputation among diverse audiences. Strategic partnerships with government bodies, academic institutions, research entities are pivotal in the quest to benefit the institute, its members, and the entire engineering profession. Together, we can navigate a course towards a brighter, more innovative future for infrastructure engineering.
BENEFITS AND SERVICES TO MEMBERS
IMIESA JOURNAL
Members of IMESA are granted free subscription to the IMIESA journal, a highly informative monthly publication that serves as a mouthpiece for the engineering fraternity by disseminating cutting-edge technical news and developments. The journal has received the prestigious PICA Award for the best publication of its kind in the Urban Management, Civil Construction and Infrastructural Development categories.
SEMINARS
Branches organise regular full- and half-day seminars, which feature speakers from both the technical and contemporary areas. These seminars also provide opportunities to introduce new products in the technical field and to brief members and politicians.
ANNUAL CONFERENCES
IMESA hosts an annual conference. Opportunities for members to gain valuable information and insight into issues facing the municipal engineering fraternity include the presentation of topical papers, product exhibitions and an opportunity to share and discuss ideas with like-minded engineers, municipal representatives and non-technical associates.
BURSARY SCHEME
In 2000, IMESA established a bursary scheme for full-time studies in the field of civil engineering. Bursaries are awarded each year, as per our bursary policy. The aim of the scheme is to recognise achievements of students and prospective students who would not otherwise be able to continue studying or are dependants of IMESA members.
TRAINING
IMESA offers a range of training courses covering all aspects of infrastructure asset management and other priorities relevant to engineering and municipal environments.
IMESA WEBSITE
The IMESA website offers members and potential members a forum for opinion, news and support relating to the municipal engineering industry.
IMESA HERALDRY AND MOTTO
The IMESA coat of arms was designed by Alan Woodrow and was registered with the South African Bureau of Heraldry in 1972.
Monumenta Circumspice means “For our monuments, look around you”
IMESA STRUCTURE
IMESA STRUCTURE
– Director: Infrastructure
– Director: Environment
– Director: Training & Skills Development
– Director: Asset & Business Management
– Director: Constitution, By-Laws & Ethics – Director: Head O ce Support – Director: Finance
• Are registered by ECSA or an equivalent engineering council recognised by ECSA as full professionals in at least one of the following categories:
- Professional Engineer
- Professional Engineering Technologist
- Professional Engineering Technician
- Professional Certified Engineer
- Registered Engineering Technician
• Have at least three years infrastructure engineering experience after achieving a qualification recognised by ECSA or an equivalent engineering council recognised by ECSA for registration
• Have been admitted as such by the Executive Committee
• Having failed to comply with the requirements of the clauses above, have been admitted by Council, on the unanimous recommendation of the Executive Committee based on their opinion that such persons have the experience, employment responsibility or involvement in infrastructure engineering or made such a contribution to infrastructure engineering that, in the interests of the Institute, justifies such admission.
NON-CORPORATE MEMBERS
GRADUATE MEMBERS
They shall be persons who:
• Are registered/eligible for registration by ECSA or an equivalent engineering council recognised by ECSA in at least one of the following categories:
- Candidate Engineer
- Candidate Engineering Technologist
- Candidate Engineering Technician
- Candidate Certified Engineer
• Are admitted as such by the Executive Committee
• Have been admitted by Council on the unanimous recommendation of the Executive Committee based on their opinion that such persons have the experience, employment responsibility or involvement in infrastructure engineering or have made a contribution to public sector engineering that, in the interests of the Institute, justifies such admission.
STUDENT MEMBERS
They shall be persons who are:
• Enrolled students at a local or international university/technical university recognised by ECSA
• Studying towards a degree/diploma in engineering
• Admitted as such by the Executive Committee.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
They shall be persons who:
• Have satisfied the Executive Committee that they are involved in an aspect of infrastructure engineering
• Are admitted as such by the Executive Committee.
AFFILIATE MEMBERS
They shall be those academic, research, consulting, commercial, industrial or other undertakings who:
• Are in the opinion of the Executive Committee, involved in business related to infrastructure engineering
• Are admitted as such by the Executive Committee.
Background information for Affiliate Membership
DEFINITION OF AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP
Affiliates shall be those consulting, commercial or industrial undertakings that have been admitted as such by the Executive Committee.
Any consulting, commercial or industrial undertaking may be admitted as an Affiliate, provided, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, it is involved in business related to municipal engineering.
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
This type of membership offers 4 categories:
• Platinum: Recommended for larger corporates operating countrywide with and/or ties abroad (20+ offices or outlet points).
• Gold: Recommended for medium-sized corporates operating in the major regional centres (10-20 offices or outlet points).
• Silver: Recommended for smaller corporates operating locally (<10 offices or outlet points).
• Professional: Reciprocal complimentary membership for synergy between associated organisations.
An Affiliate Member may request a change to its membership category once a year, when the renewal of its annual subscription becomes payable.
BENEFITS OF AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP
IMIESA magazine
Official journal is published monthly. This prestigious technical journal has won a number of awards, including SAPPI-PICA and other Mondi awards, since its launch in 1975. It also has a strong online presence through websites and social media pages.
Citings and editorial
A citing is compiled by IMIESA's editorial staff, and is valued at least twice that of a paid advertorial of the same size. The following is offered to Affiliates:
MEMBER CATEGORY
EXPOSURE
Note: Company logos are omitted in editorial/citings, as it will lead to losing its value as an editorial/citing. In order to retain editorial integrity, Affiliates will be entitled to expect exposure on this basis, which provides "clean exposure" in that it is not paid for. New appointments, contracts or important projects will receive attention.
Discount on advertising
All Affiliate Members will automatically receive Most Valued Client status, meaning that advertisement positions are prioritised.
In addition to this, IMIESA offers a discount on all advertisements on submission of publishable technical material by Affiliate Members. The discount is also applicable to other advertorial products such as inserts and inside cover positions of the journal.
Free copies
Affiliate members will receive free copies of the IMIESA journal:
Affiliate showcase
This is a dedicated full page in each issue of IMIESA journal identifying Affiliate Members. Their logos are presented in colour and company names are listed.
ANNUAL CONFERENCES
Sponsorship at conference
“First refusal right” towards sponsorship at the annual IMESA Conference. The conference organising committee/professional organisers will contact all Affiliates in advance, prior to seeking sponsorships from the rest of the industry.
Exhibition stand cost at the annual IMESA Conference
The following discounts are afforded on the cost of exhibition stands at the conference:
Conference registration fees
Delegates representing Affiliate Member Companies can register at the Member rate for the IMESA Conference.
IMESA WEBSITE
IMESA’s website is one of the main communication mediums. IMESA Affiliates can receive exposure with their logos displayed on the Affiliate Membership sub-site and a link to their website. Additional advertising benefits are being explored.
CERTIFICATE
Affiliate Members will be supplied with a framed certificate from IMESA for their head office, reflecting their Affiliate Membership status. Additional certificates may be requested for other offices of the Affiliate Member.
ATTENDANCE AT IMESA BRANCH PROCEEDINGS
An IMESA Affiliate may send attendees to branch meetings and similar proceedings. Affiliates will be included on the contact lists of all IMESA branches countrywide.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Street
Postal address: PO Box 2190, Westville, 3630, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
President’s Welcome Message
It is a pleasure to welcome you all to our 87 th IMESA Conference in the beautiful city of Cape Town. We are confident that this year’s conference will deliver all the services and opportunities that our delegates, exhibitors, sponsors and various stakeholders have come to expect.
The theme of “Engineering Revolutionized” is appropriate because it is going to take extraordinary measures to rebuild our aging infrastructure and to meet the constantly growing service delivery needs of our population. It is encouraging to see so many representatives from national, regional and
local authorities/agencies coming together here as it is crucial that all spheres of government work together to make municipal engineering projects and processing more accessible and efficient for successful implementation.
The papers being presented this year cover a wide range of essential topics including the Public Procurement Bill which promises to raise a very interesting panel discussion on implementing the recent changes for successful outcomes. The LOC members and head office staff are to be commended for their dedication and hard work in organizing an excellent conference program.
A big thank you also goes to our exhibitors and sponsors who are contributing to the success of this event by showcasing their products and innovative solutions. I am sure that everyone will benefit from the opportunities to gain valuable knowledge and to expand the network of contacts.
I invite you to participate in all that is on offer to take full advantage of your time at this year’s IMESA conference.
Sibusiso
IMESA President: Sibusiso Mjwara
2024 President’s Address 2024 President’s Address
As my term as IMESA president comes to an end, I reflect on how quickly the two years have passed and look back at what I set out to achieve during my term.
One objective was to encourage all engineering personnel working at South Africa’s 257 municipalities to join IMESA. Although we have not been able to reach out to every municipality, it was good to record the highest number of new member applications received in one year for the 2023/2024 subscription year. IMESA’s membership is growing, and it is good to see more and more young engineers taking up roles in the infrastructure engineering space.
There is still work to do to support professional registration of all graduate engineers, technologists, and technicians but good progress is being made with mentorship and registration programs. This was discussed at my meeting with ECSA president, Refilwe Buthelezi, in Durban in August this year and IMESA is working closely with ECSA to identify more ways to support this.
It has been an honour to represent IMESA throughout the year at various events and to interact with high level stakeholders on the crucial
issues that continue to challenge all our local municipalities.
Highlights of this year include attendance of:
- DWS Blue Drop and Green Drop Summit: 18-19 January 2024
- WRC, DWS and IMESA Collaboration, Sol Plaatje University: 12 March 2024
- The National Local Government Service Delivery Indaba: 19-20 March 2024
- ECSA Voluntary Associations President’s Forum: 26 June 2024
IMESA Projects and Strategic Liaisons
Best Practice Guideline for Design Flood Estimation in Municipal Areas in South Africa
This guideline, compiled jointly by WRC and IMESA with input from other stakeholders, was completed last year and launched at our 2023 Conference in Gqeberha. Workshops were run at main centres around the country in April/May this year to disseminate the content and encourage municipalities to take note of the practices outlined in the guideline.
Based on the success of this and previous projects, WRC have called on IMESA to continue to identify technical and management skills needs and shortages in municipalities with specific focus on implementation of capacity building activities to strengthen technical capabilities within South African municipalities in the water and sanitation sectors. A memorandum of agreement has been signed for partnership on a number of training interventions over the next 5-years.
CIDB National Stakeholder Forum
Vuyani Gxagxama and Thabo Hlabela attended the CIDB National Shareholders Forum on behalf of IMESA in March 2024 and gave feedback to the executive committee on the CIDB registration of consultants and concerns raised about potential infringements on mandates of ECSA voluntary associations and professional bodies. They continue to engage with the forum.
Civil Engineers South Africa (CESA)
One of the winning projects from Excellence Awards presented jointly by CESA and IMESA last year was submitted to the Excellence Awards of IFME (International Federation of Municipal Engineering) which were presented at their congress in Utrecht, Netherlands in September 2024.
Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA)
IMESA continues to participate in the VA Presidents Forum to address issues such as candidacy conversion, VA framework and fees discounts, and various engagements. The establishment of a Young Professionals Portfolio (YP2) in the KwaZulu-Natal Branch has proved very successful in reaching out to young engineers. We look forward to extending this portfolio to other branches to creating a positive and motivated mindset in young engineers and aspiring engineers to expand their knowledge, to support their professional career development and to encourage registration with ECSA
National Treasury
While there has been less direct interaction with National Treasury this year, IMESA has continued to support municipal engineering by raising crucial issues related to service delivery. It is encouraging to have representatives at this conference for a panel discussion on the changes to the Public Procurement Bill.
IMESA was invited to the National Local Government Service Delivery Indaba in March 2024. It was attended mainly by politicians, mayors and councillors with only a few municipal officials. Dr Michael Sutcliffe presented and emphasised the need for municipalities to prioritise budget for asset management. The challenge is getting support from the financial and management decision-makers. Engineers often get blamed for projects not being completed or poor workmanship, but most projects are administered by non-technical or unqualified people. It is hoped that from 2025 only professionally registered people with skills in the relevant field will be appointed as gazetted by CBE and ECSA.
South African Local Government Association (SALGA)
It is appreciated that SALGA continues to endorse the IMESA conference and interact with the members and delegates on a range of interventions.
Water Research Commission (WRC)
Thabo Hlabela and I attended the WRC Northern Cape Provincial Partnership Support briefing held with various stakeholders at Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley in
March 2024. The objective was to set a framework to address local challenges in water & sanitation. A letter of intent was presented for a partnership with IMESA to work together on specific programmes and projects. Subsequently, a formal Memorandum of Agreement was signed which commits the parties to a 5-year programme to implement capacity building activities to strengthen technical capabilities within SA municipalities in the water and sanitation sector.
International Federation of Municipal Engineers (IFME)
I attended the IFME board meeting in Melbourne, Australia held in conjunction with the International Public Works conference from 29 April 2024 to 3 May 2024. Just about everything was covered from landfill optimisation to street lighting, greener roads, geographic information systems, public transport and transportation, as well as how digitalisation can and will enhance future construction projects by harnessing better information modelling, the logical evolution of Building Information Modelling (BIM). The central theme throughout tied in with a major emphasis on integrated infrastructure asset management.
A major takeaway for IFME delegates – spread across diverse geographic regions that include members from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America – is that all countries need to invest more in asset management at local government level. In this respect, Australia is a shining example.
The IFME 21st Congress under the theme of Future Green City took place in September 2024 at the Beatrix Theatre, Utrecht, Netherlands. The focus was to connect the worlds of construction, greenery, infrastructure and water. With more and more people coming to the cities to live and work and increasing pressure on urban infrastructure, what civil engineering solutions are needed for cities to become more sustainable, green and climate neutral?
At the congress, the IFME presidency was handed over by Sanne Hieltjes (Netherlands) to Ville Alatyppo (Finland) and Priyani de SilvaCurrie (New Zealand) was appointed vice president.
IFME board meeting in Melbourne, Australia
Before the congress, IFME members were asked to submit two entries from each country for excellence awards based on projects that meet United Nations strategic development goals, one entry in the Construction Project Category and one in the Development Project (non-Construction) Category.
For South Africa, IMESA submitted the project that was awarded best paper at the 2022 IMESA Conference and the project that won in the civils category at the 2023 IMESA/CESA excellence awards. We were very proud that the winner in the Development Projects Category was the IMESA submission on “Transformative Riverine Management Program” entered by Geoff Tooley, eThekwini Municipality.
Membership and Branches
It is encouraging to see that IMESA membership numbers continue to grow. The additional branch activities like our August Woman’s Day celebrations have attracted good attendance and feedback on the opportunities to network and learn from each other has been very positive. It was a pleasure for me to meet the ECSA president, Refilwe Buthelezi before she was a keynote speaker at our KwazuluNatal Branch Woman’s Day Breakfast held at the Oyster Box Hotel on 8 August 2024.
Please get involved at the branches and let us know how we can provide more technical development opportunities. IMESA has branches covering the following regions:
My thanks go to our management team of 14 executive committee members and 37 regional council representatives for their support and input during my term. I know they will continue to drive all IMESA operations and initiatives for the institute to meet its objectives.
Finances and Investments
Our Operations Director Finance, with the support of Council, has managed finances carefully and thanks to the conferences of 2022 and 2023, the institute continues to maintain a secure financial position.
IMIESA Publication
The purchase of the IMIESA magazine trademark and published rights has proved to be a good decision. The magazine is now successfully published by IMESA (Pty) Ltd thanks to the dedicated team of Alastair Currie, Joanne Lawrie and Asha Pursotham supported by additional resources who ensure that our magazine continues to be the official business-to-business communication platform for the Institute and its stakeholders in industry.
Obituary
The recent passing of Graham Keppie, IMESA president from 1988 to 1989, was a sad loss. He will be remembered for establishing the Border Branch in East London and for being an active member of IMESA for more than 40 years. He and other members will be commemorated at our AGM on Wednesday, 6 November 2024.
In Summary:
In handing over the president’s portfolio, I would like to assure you that IMESA continues to be in good hands with Geoff Tooley taking over the baton as President for the 2024-2026 term. I shall continue to assist him as his Deputy President together with the newly elected EXCO/Council and the Head Office Staff.
With that, kindly allow me to thank you all for believing in me to lead this great organization during 2022-2024.
Thank you to my employer, uMngeni-uThukela Water for continuously supporting me during my presidency and allowing me to take time away from the office. This is showing uMngeniuThukela Water’s commitment to professionalizing the engineering industry and their caring about the Southern African citizens.
A very special thank you to my family for the support, allowing me to be away from home and to work during family time. You have been very supportive and proud - Nompumelelo, Ntokozo, Sabusiswa and Zibusiso Mjwara.
From left: Standard Bank Sponsor, ECSA President, IMESA Deputy President, KZN Branch Vice Chair at IMESA Woman’s Day Breakfast in August 2024
LOC Chairperson Address
Cape Town was recently named the second-best city globally to live in and visit, being praised for its beauty, vibrant culture scene and tourist attractions – short on the heels of New York, ranked first in this prestigious race. The Mother City is known for her iconic Table Mountain, framing scenic beaches and the spectacular beachfront Promenade around the Atlantic seaboard.
The vibrant colours of the Bo-Kaap is not to be missed, neither the mixed-use destination in the oldest working harbour in the Southern Hemisphere, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. All just minutes away from the buzzing, metropolitan CBD.
Cape Winelands showcase hundreds of wine producers and is known for award winning wine, but also branded the culinary capital of South Africa. We therefor encourage you to extend your stay with us and explore the variety of destinations on offer.
Setting the scene, the Western Cape Local Organizing Committee welcomes all to our 87th Annual National IMESA Conference. The Conference will be hosted at the Grand West Casino and Entertainment World, known for a diverse array of entertainment experiences under one roof.
We are excited to re-connect with old acquaintances and to create opportunity to build new friendships.
The Conference theme for this year is “Engineering Revolutionized”, celebrating new innovative ideas and solutions to benefit the communities we serve. This can only be done when we fearlessly advocate radical change in order to improve. This theme carries through in the technical papers you can expect in our plenary sessions, covering a wide spectrum of engineering disciplines.
We kick the proceedings off on Tuesday, 5 November with the annual golf day, hosted by the local IMESA Western Cape Branch. This sponsored day at Bellville Golf Club is a place where nature's beauty meets golfing excellence.
THANK
The Social Cocktail party will be hosted that same evening at the Exhibition Hall, where our IMESA President, Mr Sibusiso Mjwara, will hand over the reins during the inauguration of President Elect, Geoff Tooley. IMESA would like to thank Sibusiso for his dedication to IMESA during his Presidency and upcoming Vice Presidency. All the best to Geoff in the big shoes he needs to fill – we are convinced that your will lead IMESA towards new heights.
On Wednesday, the new President, Geoff Tooley, followed by the Executive Address by City of Cape Town’s Mayor, Mr. Geordin-Hill Lewis, will open the Conference.
The Technical Tours of the Conference is always a highlight and care was taken to cover as much disciplines as possible. The three site visits will include “Coastal Park Transfer Station”, featuring Solid Waste Management, “Sky Circle, Athlone”, featuring Roads and Stormwater and “Potsdam Upgrade”, featuring Waste Water Management”. All these projects are in line with our theme, extracting innovation from the engineering teams involved.
In addition to our on-site Technical Tours, we will host the first Plenary Technical Project Discussions, which will serve as an extension of the site visits. The four presentations include “Ashton Bridge”, featuring Roads & Bridge Engineering, “Formula-E”, featuring Transport and “Huguenot Tunnel’, featuring Roads, Stormwater and Technology.
For most, the highlight of the Conference is the Social Evening on Thursday. Join us at Harrington’s in District Six, a stylish cocktail lounge, restaurant and boutique bar set in a cool environment with a distinct air of sophistication.
Use your time well, extract knowledge, be inspired, source new industry contacts and expand your support network.
Jeanine du Preez
LOC Chairperson
IMESA Western Cape Branch
A special thanks to our Sponsors, Exhibitors, Affiliates and Members for the continuous support. To the LOC, Ingrid and her team at IMESA Head Office, Debbie our Conference Organizer and Melanie, our Marketing & Conference Officer – thank you!
Ingrid Botton
Dashree Reddy
Adel Naidu
Debbie Anderson
Narisha Sogan
Melanie Stemmer
Zanele Dlamini
Housekeeping Notes
ARRIVING IN CAPE TOWN
On arrival at Cape Town International Airport please arrange for your own UBER to the Grand West Hotel to Register as a Delegate. IMESA will only reimburse you at the IMESA information desk for your UBER from the airport at a flat rate of R100.00
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
The 2 onsite hotels, which are the Grand Hotel and City Lodge Hotels, are within walking distance of the Conference Venue you will note that the other 2 hotels are within a 6km and 8km from the Conference Venue.
From these 2 – HOTELS that are offsite, IMESA will provide daily shuttles to the conference and back to the hotels, including shuttles from the Opening function (Tuesday) departing Grand West Hotel & Casino first one at 20h00 and last one at 21h15.
DEPARTURE FROM CAPE TOWN ON FDAY
On Friday, the day of departure, delegates must check out of their hotel and bring their luggage to the Grand West Hotel. A secure lock up facility will be provided at the conference venue in the Sun Exhibits Hall for luggage storage, leave your luggage at the REGISTRATION desk, it is clearly marked Luggage Drop off.
On Friday there will be a FREE shuttle service from the Grand West to the airport. ALL Luggage must be collected by no later than 14h00 from the “Luggage Drop Off” on Friday in the Exhibition Hall.
The free shuttle to the airport will start at 11h00 / 12h30 / 14h00 / 15h30
IMESA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)
Everyone attending the conference (members and non-members) are invited to the IMESA AGM. The AGM, which will run for approximately one hour, and will take place in the Plenary on Wednesday, 06th November 2024 at 18h30 -19h30 (after close of the last session).
CPD ACCREDITATION
The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points will be allocated to those who scan on entering the plenary and scanning before getting on the Technical Tour bus or entering the Plenary (Market Hall) for an on-site Technical tour for those who don’t want to go off-site.
Attending conference and all the sessions, including a technical tour will earn the delegates 2.5 CPD points, the technical tour is 0.5 for attending
Registration for CPD accreditation will be done via the IMESA Registration staff at the entrance of the Plenary, the onus is on the delegate to ensure he/she scans their name tag which has a unique barcode to log on their CPD points.The system is accurate as long as you tap your name tag with the bar code onto the Scanner at the entrance of the Plenary or on departure for the off-site tech tours. 3 weeks after the Conference you may contact IMESA via email: conference@imesa.org.za attn. Debbie Anderson for an attendance certificate.
PARKING AND TRANSPORT
There is safe parking on site at the Grand West Hotel & Casino cost is R10.00 a day. IMESA will provide shuttles from the Grand West Conference venue to Road Lodge (6,8km) Goodwood and Stay Easy at Century City (8km) from the Grand West Venue.
SMOKING
Smoking is not permitted within any closed area or within close proximity to the exit. There are demarcated areas outside the Grand West Hotel & Casino.
FACILITIES IN AND AROUND THE GRAND WEST HOTEL & CASINO IS AS FOLLOWS
BANKING FACILITIES
There are ATMS on site
MEDICAL FACILITIES – onsite
In the exhibition hall there will be a medic on site for the duration of the conference, for minor medical issues
HOSPITAL – Tel +27 (0)21 670 4000
The closest hospital to the Conference venue is Life – Kingsbury Hospital - Claremont
Hospital Address: Wilderness Road, Claremont, Cape Town. It provides a 24-hour emergency unit.
WIFI
Is available the password will be conveyed to delegates onsite.
BRIEFCASES, LAPTOPS AND VALUABLES
Do not leave your valuables unattended at your stand or in the conference venue. Delegates are requested to keep their valuables with them at all times.
GENERAL INFORMATION
REGISTRATION
Delegates and exhibitors can register at the Registration desk for the Conference in the Sun Exhibits Hall, there is a parking area in front of the bridge leading to the Sun Exhibits building, this is a walkway bridge.
Registration will open at 12h00 – 21h00, on Tuesday 5th November 2024.
Delegates will receive their delegate bag, and conference programme together with their name badge, note that proof of identification will be required when registering.
REGISTRATION TIMES
Tuesday 05th November 2024 from 12h00 to 21h00
Wednesday 06th November 2024 from 07h00 to 11h00
Thursday/Friday 07th & 08th November 2024 from 07h30 to 08h30
*IMPORTANT: Access to the conference venue will not be allowed without FULL payment. On arrival, if payment is not received, delegates will be accepted HOWEVER, the delegate concerned will need to complete an indemnity form, whereby the delegate will be liable for the full account should the company not pay this on their return.
SPOTTING THE LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE (LOC)
Members of the working team will have IMESA branded shirts, we also have an INFO desk at the Exhibition Hall (Sun Exhibits) for membership or any other conference related queries.
EXHIBITION HALL
All meals and refreshment will be served in the Exhibition Hall, we encourage delegates to visit our exhibitors, who have invested significant effort into their displays and are eager to share their expertise. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable insights into industry challenges and discover new products that could benefit your projects.
Additionally, during the lunch breaks the KNOWLEDGE Bar , located in the Exhibition Hall, is open to all attendees free of charge. A further opportunity to engage with ongoing industry discussions and stay updated on relevant topics, during the plenary sessions the MC will update you on the topics that will be discussed.
DELEGATE NAME BADGE
Your name badge will allow you access to ALL events. Please ensure that you wear it at all times. Should you lose or forget your name badge, proof of identification will be required before a new name badge can be issued to you at a cost of R250 cash.
SOCIAL EVENTS
GOLF DAY @ Bellville Country Club Jip De Jager Drive, Welgemoed Cape Town
Date: Tuesday 5 th November 2024
Venue: Bellville Country Club (14.3km from Grand West Hotel)
Time: Registration opens at 09h00 & Shotgun start at 11h30 followed by Prize giving @17h00
OPENING FUNCTION & Inauguration of IMESA President
Date: Thursday, 07 th November 2024
Venue: Grand West Hotel – Market Hall Venue
Time: 17h30 for 18h00 in the Plenary (Market Hall) followed by Cocktails in the Exhibition Hall (Sun Exhibits)
Dress Code: Smart Casual
THURSDAY SOCIAL EVENING
Date: Thursday 7 th November 2024
Venue: Harringtons Cocktail Lounge (61B Harrington Str District Six Cape Town)
Theme: Denim Rocks!
Dress Code: Gear up for a dazzling night! Rock your favourite denim, & add your sleek white or bold black, and then add a splash of bling to shine like never before. Let us make it a night to remember!
Time: 18h30 for 19h00 until 23h30
This event is one of the highlights of the Annual IMESA conference. Please ensure that you have your name badge or Exhibitors your tickets to allow you access to the event
Wine, beer and soft drinks will be served, there is a limit, a full CASH bar will be available , using debit or credit cards, no actual cash due to security reasons.
Transport will be available from the 4 hotels on the IMESA Conference Website, you need to book your seat on the bus to ensure that you are issued with a ticket to travel on the shuttle bus to the Social Evening.
Conference Programme Conference Programme
Tuesday, 05 November 2024
11h00 – 18h00 IMESA Golf Day
11h00 – 21h00 Conference ONSITE REGISTRATION - sponsored by uMngeni-uThukela Water
17h30 for 18h00 OPENING FUNCTION & INAUGURATION OF NEW PRESIDENT
Wednesday, 06 November 2024
07h00 – 08h30 Onsite Registration Open - sponsored by uMngeni-uThukela Water
08h30 MC opens the 1st day of Conference SESSION 1
08h40 Opening by IMESA President
08h50 ADDRESS by SALGA Representative
09h00 - 09h50 KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Mr Geordin Hill-Lewis (MAYOR of Cape Town) sponsored by KMSD Engineering Consultants
09h50 - 10h00 Promotion of 2025 IMESA Conference
10h00 REFRESHMENTS SERVED IN EXHIBITION HALL - Exhibition Hall sponsored by Tecroveer SESSION 2
10h50 MC welcomes delegates to Session 2
11h00 - 11h30 PAPER 1 - Ian Bowker
The rehabilitation of a portion of Jakes Gerwel Drive using reclaimed asphalt aggregated for the production of BSM base
A review of the public procurement framework to promote the uptake of water and sanitation innovations
12h00 - 12h30 PAPER 3 – Dr Precious Biyela Approaches to Informal Settlements Upgrading and Affordable Housing Development: How Does South Africa Compare to Brazil and India?
12h30 Questions from the floor
12h40 LUNCH SERVED IN EXHIBITION HALL - Exhibition Hall sponsored by Tecroveer SESSION 3
14h00 MC welcomes delegates to Session 3
14h10 - 14h40 ECSA Presentation
14h40 Questions from the floor
14h50 - 16h10 PANEL DISCUSSION: Public Procurement Bill - Implementing changes for successful outcomes
16h10 REFRESHMENTS SERVED IN EXHIBITION HALL - Exhibition Hall sponsored by Tecroveer SESSION 4
17h00 MC welcomes delegates to Session 4
17h10 - 17h40 PAPER 4 - Chris von Holdt & Asogan (Ivan) Moonsamy
Infrastructure Management turnaround strategy development at the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
From then to now: a view of NMBM’s contract management advancement since the 1800’s
10h40 Questions from the floor
10h50 REFRESHMENTS SERVED IN EXHIBITION HALL - Exhibition Hall sponsored by Tecroveer
SESSION 6
11h30 MC welcomes delegates to Session 6
11h40 - 12h10 PAPER 10 - Christian Mulol
Drawbacks of pothole filling programs as a reactive maintenance measure: study based on of intrusive and non-intrusive pavement defects investigation.
12h10 - 12h40 PAPER 11 - Prof JA du Plessis
Does Rainfall Trends and Patters in South Africa Demonstrate Climate Change in the Past Century?
12h40 - 13h10 PAPER 12 - Pierre Blaauw
Does Deferred Ownership Bridge the GAP?
13h10 Questions from the floor
13h20 LUNCH SERVED IN EXHIBITION HALL - Exhibition Hall sponsored by Tecroveer TECHNICAL TOURS for the afternoon
14h00 Delegates depart for Technical Tours and return from Technical Tours at 17h00
14h30 PLENARY TECH TOUR SESSION
18h30 for 19h00 to 23h30
SOCIAL EVENING
VENUE: Harringtons Cocktail Lounge
THEME: Denim Rocks! DRESS CODE: Casual - Denim with white OR black Friday, 08 November 2024
07h00 Coffee in the Exhibition Hall - Exhibition Hall sponsored by Tecroveer
08h30 MC opens last day of Conference SESSION 7
08h40 - 09h10 PAPER 13 - Mike Wiese Revolution on Route 319 (MR261): Unconventional Methods Pave the Way for Flood Safety
09h10 - 09h40 PAPER 14 - Karen King & Hanry Neethling
Addressing Vandalism and Water Issues in Low-Cost, High-Density Housing Projects
09h40 - 10h10 PAPER 15 - Matthew Hills
A Practical and Proven Guide to Municipal Water SCADA-Telemetry Systems
10h10 - 10h40 PAPER 16 - Dave Edwards & Joseph Barnard Widening and Strengthening of the existing Ceres van Breda bridge
10h40 Questions from the floor
10h50 REFRESHMENTS SERVED IN EXHIBITION HALL - Exhibition Hall sponsored by Tecroveer SESSION 8
11h30 MC welcomes delegates to Session 8
11h30 - 12h00 PAPER 17 - Mishqah Hussain
A Techno-Economic Evaluation of Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems (NSSS)
12h00 Questions from the floor
12h10 Presidential Conference Closing Remarks
12h20 CLOSE-OFF FORMALITIES – Best Paper & Best Exhibition Stands
12h40 FINAL Lucky Draw - R 5 000
12h45 – 14h00 LUNCH SERVED IN EXHIBITION HALL - Exhibition Hall sponsored by Tecroveer CONFERENCE CLOSE
BIENNIAL PROJECT EXCELLENCE AWARDS CALL FOR ENTRIES
To recognise outstanding achievements in municipal infrastructure, we are calling for entries that showcase projects that demonstrate the best of civil engineering as a science and how engineering enhances the lives of the local communities, through excellence in:
1
ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE IN STRUCTURES & CIVILS
E.g. Projects demonstrating engineering science, use of alternate materials, innovative construction processes, etc.
2
Planning and design
Construction methods
Innovation and originality
Meeting social and technical challenges
Contributing to the well-being of communities
COMMUNITY UPLIFTMENT & JOB CREATION
E.g. Projects demonstrating labour-intensive construction, skills development, community awareness/participation, etc.
3
ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE
E.g. Environmental rehabilitation, renewable energy, drought solutions, coastal initiatives for rising sea levels, pollution control, educational/ technical initiatives, etc.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS
03 July 2025
Only projects that have reached practical or substantive completion by 30 June 2025 will be accepted for the Excellence Awards.
Adjudicators reserve the right to reallocate entries in the 3 categories.
ENTRY FORMS AND AWARD CRITERIA
Available for download on the website: www.imesa.org.za
QUESTIONS
Contact Debbie Anderson on +27 (0)83 326 3050 or email conference@imesa.org.za
GOLD ANCHOR SPONSOR
UMNGENI-UTHUKELA WATER
uMngeni-uThukela Water is a state-owned entity (SOE) and water board, established in 1974, and currently operates under its new name as of July 1st, 2023, following the merger of Mhlathuze Water into uMngeni Water.
The entity supplies water and related services to other water service institutions within its designated service area in KwaZulu-Natal. It operates under key legislative frameworks, including the Water Services Act (Act 108 of 1997) and the Public Finance Management Act (Act 1 of 1999).
As a National Government Business Enterprise, uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) reports directly to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), through the Board (Accounting Authority) and through its functionaries, the Chairperson of the Board, Adv. Vusi Khuzwayo SC. and Chief Executive (CE), Mr Sandile Mkhize, the organisation’s stability has been further strengthened under the leadership of the newly appointed CE and the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms. Pemmy Majodina who is the Executive Authority for Water Boards.
The organization has two subsidiaries: Msinsi Holdings, focused on water resource management, and uMngeni Water Services, tasked with expanding operations. uMngeni-uThukela Water serves 12.42 million people across 94,359 km², providing water and sanitation services to municipalities such as eThekwini, iLembe, Ugu, and King Cetshwayo, as well as industries in Richards Bay, including Mondi Paper, Richards Bay Minerals, and South 32.
The entity manages a vast infrastructure network, including 981 km of pipelines, 53 km of tunnels, 14 impoundments, 53 water treatment works, 1 effluent pump station, and 23 wastewater treatment works. Water is treated to meet SANS 241 standards, ensuring high-quality bulk water supply and wastewater services, which support the region's economic growth and industries within the King Cetshwayo District.
For more information, visit https://www.umngeni-uthukela.co.za/ or follow us on social media @uMngeni-uThukela Water
W: www.umngeni-uthukela.co.za
GOLD SPONSOR
BMK GROUP
Leading Progress & Innovation
Established in 2005, BMK Group is an industry leader committed to driving innovation and shaping the future of global infrastructure in South Africa, Africa and the Middle East.
Our intent is simple; it is to create an organisation known for exceptional professional service, incomparable work quality and meaningful client interactions.
With an impressive track-record in sustainable infrastructure projects and a team of experienced, dynamic and highly qualified individuals, we are led by seasoned executives who blend knowledge and hands-on know-how with innovation to revolutionise engineering. This approach invigorates infrastructure sectors globally, delivering cutting-edge one-stop solutions to both public and blue-chip private sector clients across the burgeoning infrastructure environment.
Renowned for offering outstanding business solutions to its clients, the Group comprises five dynamic entities, inclusive of: BMK Consulting Engineers, BMK Technologies, BMK Property Investments, BMK Industries and BMK Logistics.
BMK Consulting Engineers comprises several divisions, including Transportation, Water and Sanitation, Infrastructure Asset Management, Stormwater Design and Management, Civil and Structural Engineering, Human Settlements and Programme and Project Management.
BMK Technologies is a specialist pipeline survey and cleaning/maintenance operation, whilst BMK Property Investments comprises a property-holding and development entity active in both South Africa’s private and parastatal sectors. BMK Logistics provides professional, innovative and logistical business solutions, servicing industries across South Africa.
Lastly, BMK Industries is the official reseller of Deep Trekker™ in South Africa. Deep Trekker™ is an innovative Canadian-based company responsible for the manufacture of submersible robots and remotely controlled vehicles.
BMK's global expansion includes Africa and the Middle East, where we bring our expertise and passion for transformative infrastructure solutions to new markets, forging fresh connections and delivering a lasting and meaningful impact in this industry sector.
Visit www.bmkgroupco.com for more information.
W: www.bmkgroupco.com
GOLD SPONSOR
HERRENKNECHT AG
Herrenknecht is a technology and market leader in the area of mechanised tunnelling systems. As the leading company worldwide, Herrenknecht delivers innovative tunnel boring machines for all ground conditions and in all diameters - ranging from 0.10 to 19 metres, for traffic and utility tunnels. As a reliable project partner, Herrenknecht supports its customers with an extensive range of services from the beginning of the project to breakthrough. From the initial project idea, through manufacturing, transport, assembly, tunnelling support and spare parts service to disassembly.
Herrenknecht’s trenchless solutions are in operation in numerous projects worldwide to install supply and disposal tunnels and networks – for water and sewage, oil and gas pipelines, or protective pipes for underground cables, etc. Trenchless technologies offer a wide range of advantages compared to conventional construction procedures: transport, business and the environment on the surface remain mostly undisturbed. The range of installation methods from the tunnelling (pipe jacking, segment lining) and pipeline (HOD, Direct Pipe®) industry has been completed by new solutions (E-Power Pipe®) to offer maximum flexibility to the construction industry. Herrenknecht offers the broadest and deepest portfolio in the realm of mechanised tunnelling.
W: www.herrenknecht.com
GOLD SPONSOR
TECROVEER
Founded in 1976, Tecroveer has been at the forefront of innovative water and wastewater treatment solutions for over four decades.
Mission and Vision: Tecroveer is driven by a mission that transcends profit. We aim to provide clean, safe water to every community, partnering with nature to ensure a sustainable legacy. Our vision is a future where children play in pristine waters and drink pure water straight from the tap, embodying our dedication to environmental stewardship and resource recovery.
Core Values:
At the heart of Tecroveer are our core values:
- Environmental Stewardship: We prioritize the responsible use of natural resources, aiming to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
- Pollution Combat: Through eco-friendly practices, we minimize environmental impact, reducing pollution and protecting ecosystems.
- Biodiversity Protection: We are committed to preserving biodiversity for future generations and the planet's well-being.
Services and Expertise: Tecroveer’s competitive advantage lies in our comprehensive in-house capabilities. Our team includes experienced process, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers who provide holistic design and solutions. Our services range from plant upgrades and refurbishments to the design and construction of new plants, as well as the operation of existing infrastructure.
Innovation and Impact: We are dedicated to transforming wastewater into valuable resources. Our innovative treatment processes maximize water and nutrient reuse, contributing to water conservation and security. We pioneer waste-to-energy solutions, harnessing organic waste to produce renewable biogas, thereby promoting energy self-reliance and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Community and Sustainability: Tecroveer prioritizes safe water sources for communities, enhancing public health and supporting economic growth. Our advanced methods ensure cleaner water bodies and healthier ecosystems, actively contributing to the preservation of aquatic life and biodiversity.
Commitment to Excellence: From custom design and build solutions to comprehensive end-to-end support, Tecroveer ensures precision, quality, and reliability in every project. Our tailored solutions meet unique client requirements, ensuring optimal performance and functionality.
W: www.tecroveer.co.za
SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSOR
MAKHAOTSE, NARASIMULU & ASSOCIATES (MNA)
In the tapestry of professional excellence, the name Makhaotse, Narasimulu and Associates is a vivid thread, woven by the visionary founding directors, Martin Makhaotse and Sagren Narasimulu, in the year 2000. For over two decades, this illustrious organization has been a beacon of transformation, tirelessly uplifting communities through their expertise in civil and structural engineering, project management, and construction management.
Sagren Narasimulu is the appointed Managing Director demonstrating exceptional leadership and vision. This leadership is complemented by a dedicated board of Directors, comprised of Martin Makhaotse, Nerave Moodley, and Agilen Moodley, who collectively steer the company towards its continued growth and success.
The organization has demonstrated significant growth and expansion across several provinces, reflecting an increasing staff complement. As the years have unfolded, the organization dedication to excellence has only grown stronger, and the organization name in industry is related with promise of high standard and commitment to deliver excellence.
W: www.mna-sa.co.za
BRONZE SPONSOR
SOUTH AFRICAN VALUE EDUCATION (SAVE)
SAVE provides occupational skills development, community facilitation and advisory services for most related areas in the infrastructure and build environment including on projects in, public transport, human settlements, civil and building construction.
SAVE is accredited with the CETA, is registered as a Private Further Education and Training (FET) college and is in the process of accrediting with the QCTO. Training programmes are customised and localised to each client’s project needs and optimise skills transfer by theoretical classroom training as well as practical on-site workplace training for learners. SAVE has been in business for over 25 years and continues to grow and offer new services to clients and communities we serve.
W: www.savegroup.co.za
MEDIA PARTNER
IMIESA PUBLICATIONS
IMIESA is the official magazine of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA) and is the definitive publication on public infrastructure. It has been in circulation since 1976 and is published by IMESA (Pty) Ltd. The magazine reaches IMESA members as well as decision-makers across all related engineering and built environment disciplines within the construction industry. This provides the ideal business-to-business interface for both readers and advertisers.
Our content is published on different platforms to organically maximise our reach. In addition to our websites, these include:
• Print and digital versions of the magazine, which is published ten times a year.
• Digital newsletters.
• Webinars, videos and e-learning.
• Communication via social media.
The digital version of IMIESA magazine is fully downloadable, shareable and hyperlinked, which extends our audience beyond the confirmed distribution statistics. Your message is delivered on a platform that is optimally formatted to both desktop and mobile devices.
Managing Editor: Alastair Currie
C: +27(0)82 491 5759
E: alastair@infraprojects.co.za
W: www.imesa.org.za
Stand: IMESA Information
OTHER
KMSD ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
KMSD Engineering Consultants (Pty) Ltd is a multi-disciplinary consulting engineering firm established in 2009. Our core expertise in the civil engineering field is in water & sanitation, roads & stormwater, structural engineering and human settlements projects. By embracing the dynamism that is in the built environment through technological advancement, KMSD seeks to offer value adding and innovative engineering solutions. Highly qualified professionals with substantial consulting engineering experience and exceptional educational qualifications are the foundation of the company's service delivery effort.
W: www.kmsd.co.za
GOLD ANCHOR SPONSOR
Ensuring water security
uMngeni-uThukela Water is a state-owned entity (SOE) and water board that plays a critical role in ensuring water security and service delivery in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Established in 1974, the entity has undergone significant changes, with the most recent transformation taking place on July 1, 2023, following the merger of Mhlathuze Water into uMngeni Water. This merger gave rise to the current entity, uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW), which operates with a larger footprint and a broader mandate to serve its designated service area more efficiently.
Stability and strengthened its strategic direction
As a National Government Business Enterprise, uMngeni-uThukela Water operates under key legislative frameworks, including the Water Services Act (Act 108 of 1997) and the Public Finance Management Act (Act 1 of 1999). These laws govern its operations, ensuring compliance and accountability as it fulfills its mandate of providing water and related services. UUW is accountable to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and operates through its Board, chaired by Adv. Vusi Khuzwayo SC, and Chief Executive (CE), Mr. Sandile Mkhize. The organisation’s leadership, including the recently appointed Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms. Pemmy Majodina, has bolstered its stability and strengthened its strategic direction
uMngeni-uThukela Water serves a vast region in KwaZulu-Natal, covering 94,359 km² and providing services to 12.42 million people across 2.9 million households. The entity’s primary clients include several municipalities such as eThekwini Metropolitan, iLembe, Ugu, uMgungundlovu, and King Cetshwayo District Municipalities, along with major industries located in the Port City of Richards Bay, including Mondi Paper, Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), and South 32. The organisation’s broad customer base highlights its critical role in both public service and industrial water provision.
Extensive infrastructure network
In fulfilling its mandate, UUW manages an extensive infrastructure network. This includes 981 km of pipelines, 53 km of tunnels, 14 impoundments, 53 water treatment works, 1 effluent pump station, and 23 wastewater treatment works. The infrastructure supports the bulk water and wastewater services UUW provides, ensuring reliable and efficient water supply to municipalities and industries. Water is treated to meet the stringent SANS 241 standards, ensuring it is safe and of high quality. Equally, wastewater is treated carefully to prevent negative impacts on receiving systems and to facilitate reuse where possible.
Service delivery subsidiaries
The entity also drives its water service delivery mandate through two subsidiaries: Msinsi Holdings, which focuses on water resource management and conservation, and uMngeni Water Services (UWS), which leads the expansion of operations and addresses sector challenges. Through these subsidiaries, UUW enhances its ability to deliver on its goals while addressing the broader water resource challenges facing the region.
For more information, visit https://www.umngeni-uthukela.co.za/ or follow on social media @uMngeni-uThukela Water.
www.umngeni-uthukela.co.za
GOLD SPONSOR
E& Innovation
stablished in 2005, BMK Group is widely regarded as an industry leader; one capable of driving innovation and shaping the future of global infrastructure, ensuring the continuous delivery of high-value projects, so creating tomorrow’s built environment today.
The organisation sets out deliver exceptional service, incomparable work quality and meaningful client interactions.
It has developed an impressive South African track-record in sustainable infrastructure projects and has in place a dynamic team of experienced and highly qualified individuals.
Forward-looking innovation
The Group is led by seasoned executives who blend knowledge and hands-on know-how with forward-looking innovation in the quest to revolutionise engineering. The organisation believes that its approach contributes meaningfully to invigorating infrastructure sectors globally, whilst enabling it to deliver progressive one-stop solutions for the benefit of its public and blue-chip private sector clients active across the burgeoning built environment sector.
Broadly acclaimed for its ability to offer clients outstanding business solutions, the Group currently comprises five dynamic business entities, inclusive of BMK Consulting Engineers, BMK Technologies, BMK Property Investments, BMK Industries and BMK Logistics.
These business operations are true beacons of empowerment and ensure a nationwide and global presence for the Group.
Innovative one-stop solutions
BMK Consulting Engineers comprises several divisions, including Transportation, Water and Sanitation, Infrastructure Asset Management, Stormwater Design and Management, Civil and Structural Engineering, Human Settlements and Programme and Project Management.
BMK Technologies is a specialist pipeline survey and cleaning/maintenance operation, whilst BMK Property Investments comprises a property-holding and development entity active in both South Africa’s private and parastatal sectors. BMK Logistics provides professional, innovative and logistical business solutions, servicing industries across South Africa.
Lastly, BMK Industries is the official reseller of Deep Trekker™ in South Africa. Deep Trekker™ is an innovative Canadian-based company responsible for the manufacture of submersible robots and remotely controlled vehicles.
Shaping the future of global infrastructure
However and whilst remaining a fully South African-owned enterprise, the BMK Group’s focus extends beyond the country’s borders.
BMK's global expansion includes Africa and the Middle East, where we bring our expertise and passion for transformative infrastructure solutions to new markets, forging fresh connections and delivering a lasting and meaningful impact in this industry sector.
The BMK Group, intent on leading progress and innovation in the field of infrastructure development, has emerged as a strong, agile enterprise. It has the capacity to create sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentallyfriendly business solutions, using innovative technology to shape the future of global infrastructure.
GOLD SPONSOR
Mechanised tunnelling solutions
As the world´s leading manufacturer of tunnelling equipment with more than 45 years of experience, Herrenknecht maintains a close partnership with its customers, who have successfully completed a large number of tunnelling projects worldwide. Based on an international service network and reliable technology not only for tunnelling, but also for pipeline installations and shaft sinking, Herrenknecht provides mechanized solutions for ambitious upcoming projects and their successful completion.
Trenchless technologies for underground infrastructure
Population growth goes hand in hand with the need for today's cities to develop sustainable infrastructures for traffic, supply and disposal networks. As space is restricted on the surface, more and more utilities such as power cables are moved underground. Existing sewage networks have to be expanded, new large-capacity schemes have to be built to meet future flow demands or growing challenges in flood protection. Water transfer and supply tunnels and the implementation of seawater desalination plants require long tunnels, on- and offshore.
Utility Tunnelling in South Africa
For South Africa´s upcoming water and sewage projects, slurry microtunnelling equipment will play an important role in order to cover prevailing ground conditions and to comply with the required safety, economic and environmental standards. Microtunnelling has
a long tradition in the trenchless construction of sewer networks or link sewers, as the portion of non-accessible diameters in sewer network construction is relatively high. On an international scale, technological advance and valuable experience gained by the contractors have pushed the boundaries in pipe jacking in terms of achievable drive length, also in small diameters, and large-diameter pipe jacking.
Montague Drive Bulk Sewer Project, Cape Town
The Montague Drive Bulk Sewer Project represents a significant investment in the city's infrastructure, showcasing Cape Town's commitment to modernization and sustainable development. The primary objective is to address the growing demand of the existing Montague Drive Bulk Sewer’s 3400ha catchment, which includes the Montague Gardens industrial area, Joe Slovo, Sanddrif, Century City and Bothasig Districts, and to ensure efficient and sustainable sewage management. By upgrading and expanding the Milnerton bulk sewer system, the project aims to mitigate the risk of overflows, reduce environmental impacts, accommodate new developments and densification and improve the overall sanitation and hygiene conditions for the communities.
The Montague Drive Bulk Sewer Project commenced in March 2023. This significant undertaking involves tunnelling over a distance of around 4 kilometers, with tunnelling diameters ranging from 970mm to 1,350mm internal pipe diameters, with the majority of the route being 1,000mm internal diameter pipes. To meet the project’s stringent timeframe and required tunnelling diameters, the tunnelling contractor will use their four Herrenknecht AVN machine fleet (Nguvu Lizzy, Buzy Lilly, Ritha and Evi), equipped with extension kits. To date, the project has experienced and successfully overcome many challenges, including tunnelling through unforeseen varying geotechnical condition, unforeseen building rubble containing plastics, reinforcing steel sections and wood fragments, as well as tunnelling through excessive hard rock.
GOLD SPONSOR
Cleaning Water with Vision and Purpose
Tecroveer Group, a visionary leader in water and wastewater treatment, has redefined its mission and purpose through a recent rebranding exercise.
Established in 1976, Tecroveer has built a legacy of innovation, blending technology and ecological advances to offer holistic and sustainable water treatment solutions.
The name Tecroveer combines "Technology," "Rotor" (referencing aeration mechanisms), and "Pasveer Ditch" technology. Initially focused on domestic sewage treatment, Tecroveer's advancements led to broader applications, including industrial effluent treatment. The company’s expertise spans from small municipal systems to large-scale industrial projects, with a notable involvement in the Eastern Basin Acid Mine Drainage Project in Springs, Gauteng.
During 2024 we engaged in rebranding to aligns Tecroveer's longstanding expertise with modern technological and ecological goals. This shift emphasises holistic solutions that encompass the entire water treatment process, from initial design to final implementation
Tecroveer is driven by a mission that transcends profit. Tecroveer aim to provide clean, safe water to every community, partnering with nature to ensure a sustainable legacy. Tecroveer’s vision is a future where children play in pristine waters and drink pure water straight from the tap, embodying our dedication to environmental stewardship and resource recovery.
www.tecroveer.co.za
Current Projects and Innovations
Tecroveer’s Hammanskraal project demonstrates the company's commitment to innovation and excellence. This 12-month project involves installing four interconnected modular units on an existing water treatment site, significantly expanding its capacity. Another notable project is Tecroveer’s involvement in the waste-to-energy sector, where organic waste is processed to produce biogas and electricity. The Cape Town Biogas initiative is a key example, showcasing Tecroveer's ability to generate energy from treated waste.
Environmental and Social Responsibility
Tecroveer is dedicated to environmental stewardship and sustainability. The company prioritizes reducing pollution and supporting biodiversity preservation. This includes ensuring the safety of water systems and addressing climate change by promoting the reuse of treated water. Tecroveer's projects, like the waste-to-energy initiative, reflect its commitment to reducing landfill waste and contributing to cleaner energy solutions.
Tecroveer's rebranding is a strategic move to align its historical expertise with future needs, focusing on innovative, sustainable solutions for water treatment. By leveraging technological advances and maintaining a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, Tecroveer aims to make significant strides in ensuring clean water access and supporting ecological balance. This new vision solidifies Tecroveer’s role as a leader in the industry, ready to tackle contemporary challenges with advanced, holistic approaches.
EXHIBITION HALL SPONSOR
AKS LINING SYSTEMS
AKS Lining Systems is a manufacturer of high-performance thermoplastic liners, specialising in geomembrane and corrosion protection linings. Geoliner, produced from HDPE or LLDPE, is the optimal choice for various containment applications. AKS CPL, with its matrix of anchors, offers exceptional longlasting protection against chemical attack. Based in Cape Town, our products are used in diverse applications such as mining, environmental conservation, landfills, water treatment, sewerage tunnels, WWTWs, TSFs, digesters, reservoirs and general infrastructure. We export to more than 30 countries world-wide and offer strong support to the South African and SADC markets.
AKS are ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certified and has a state-of-the art laboratory that ensures resin and all liner produced meets or exceeds quality standards. Our sales engineers, with a wealth of knowledge, will assist and provide you with long-lasting solutions for your project.
Representative: Peter Hardie
T: +27 (0)21 983 2700
E: aksmarketing@aks.co.za
W: www.aks.co.za
Stand: 26
A.J.
BROOM ROAD PRODUCTS
BRP Road Maintenance products, manufactured by A.J. Broom Road Products, are easily installed with simple tools and are used for the repair of potholes, pumping cracks, crocodile cracks, edgebreak repairs, kerbs and channels as well as the construction of stormwater diverters, berms, thickened edges and trench reinstatements.
BRP Traffic Calming products have the same advantages regarding performance, ease of installation and permanence. BRP Traffic Calming products include rumble strips, rumble humps, lane diverters and traffic circles.
Over the years these products have provided increased levels of safety and reduced accidents at high incident sites both nationally and internationally. www.brp.co.za
Representative: Joanne Kleinhans
T: +27 (0)11 454 3102
E: ajbroom@icon.co.za
W: www.brp.co.za
Stand: 58
BCCEI - BARGAINING COUNCIL FOR THE CIVIL ENG INDUSTRY
Civil engineering remains a cornerstone of infrastructure development and economic growth, embodying a wide range of projects from roads and bridges to dams and urban development. The Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry (BCCEI) plays a pivotal role in maintaining harmony, setting standards and ensuring fair practices. Membership is not just a legal requirement, but should be seen as a strategic asset for businesses operating within this space. There are multifaceted benefits of belonging to the BCCEI, both for employers and employees in the civil engineering industry, including establishing and enforcing industry standards ensuring sustainability in civil engineering projects. Facilitating fair employment practices is a fundamental responsibility of the BCCEI with one of its primary roles being to negotiate and enforce collective agreements that cover wages, working hours and other employment conditions. This ensures a level playing field for both employers and employees within the industry, preventing undercutting and unfair competition.
Representative: Lindie Fourie
T: +27 (0)11 450 4966/63
E: info@bccei.co.za
W: www.bccei.co.za
Stand: 37
BMK GROUP
Leading Progress & Innovation
Established in 2005, BMK Group is an industry leader committed to driving innovation and shaping the future of global infrastructure in South Africa, Africa and the Middle East.
With an impressive track-record in sustainable infrastructure projects and a team of experienced, dynamic and highly-qualified individuals, we are led by seasoned executives who blend knowledge with innovation to revolutionise engineering. This approach invigorates the infrastructure sector globally, delivering cutting-edge solutions to clients.
The Group comprises five entities: BMK Consulting Engineers, BMK Technologies, BMK Property Investments, BMK Industries and BMK Logistics. Visit www.bmkgroupco.com for more info.
Representative: Christi-Anne Harper
T: +27 (0)31 566 1160 or +27 (0)76 368 3722
E: marketing@bmkgroupco.com
W: www.bmkgroupco.com
Stand: 52
BOSCH PROJECTS
Since 1961, Bosch Projects has been a leading South African-owned company that provides innovative engineering solutions to the infrastructure and industrial sectors. From initial planning and design stages to construction supervision and commissioning.
Our teams are dedicated to delivering professional services in various disciplines such as water and wastewater management, roads and land developments, human settlements, agriculture and irrigation, energy, as well as sugar equipment and building services.
Our client base includes municipalities, parastatals, sugar and other food producers, and property developers. At Bosch Projects, we prioritise integrity, trust, and respect and have a distinguished record of technical excellence.
Our commitment to transformation and fostering strong client relationships remains at the core of our business.
Representative: Francois Botma
T: +27 (0)21 914 2756
E: botmaf@boschprojects.co.za
W: www.boschholdings.co.za
Stand: 55
BVI CONSULTING ENGINEERS
Celebrating 55 years of engineering excellence, BVi prides itself on providing professional services in identifying and implementing engineering projects for medium to large corporations, in South Africa and internationally. BVi is once again setting high standards with regards to transformation. We are extremely proud to have achieved a 58% majority black-owned shareholding and the status of a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor yet again. 100% of BVi shares are owned by South African citizens. This makes BVi one of the largest black-owned consulting engineering firms in South Africa. BVi has a management structure that is based on broad shareholding by the owner-managers of our company. This ensures high level involvement, for delivering successfully completed projects to our clients.
“Big enough to make a difference, small enough to care”
BVi, “Big enough to make a difference, small enough to care”
Representative: Premala Singh
T: +27 (0)82 887 8804
E: ps1@bvi.co.za
W: www.bvi.co.za
Stand: 70
CONSULTING ENGINEERS SOUTH AFRICA(CESA)
Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) is a voluntary association of Consulting Engineering firms with a member base across the country totaling in excess of 560 companies. CESA is the custodian of the wellbeing of the industry supported by member firms who employ approximately 19 000 people. CESA members are compelled to subscribe to upholding the integrity of the industry by adhering to a professional code of ethics providing quality and cost-effective professional consulting engineering services. Member companies offer consulting engineering services that include a comprehensive range of planning, design and project delivery services across all engineering disciplines including Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial and Mining etc.
The organisation serves as a channel for Clients to address industry concerns while at the same time providing a platform for the sharing of information with the aim of assisting in optimising the planning and delivery of infrastructure projects both in the public and private sector.
Representative: Bonolo Nkgodi
T: +27 (0)11 463 2022 | +27 (0)79 687 4565
E: bonolo@cesa.co.za
W: www.cesa.co.za
Stand: 54
DENSO SOUTH AFRICA
Denso South Africa (Pty) Ltd, a member of Winn & Coales International, has a well-established manufacturing facility in Durban, which manufactures products for the South African, African, and international export markets.
Over the last 90 years, Denso have been creating bespoke and off the-shelf solutions that provide enduring protection against corrosion and chemical attack to buried and exposed pipes, valves, fittings, steelwork, marine structures, tanks and concrete bunded areas.
With a number of subsidiary companies worldwide, Winn & Coales (Denso) Ltd is able to draw upon a wealth of experience in producing products to deal with corrosion and sealing problems in many different environments. From sub-zero environments to extreme high temperatures, our range of products are capable of withstanding the toughest conditions, as well as proving to be cost-effective and maintenance free for several years. All the products comply with the strict quality standards of ISO 9001:2015 (quality management standard).The sharing of knowledge and new technology, plus extensive R&D facilities, enables the company to maintain its policy of producing high-quality, effective products around the world, backed by prompt and efficient service.
Representative: Michelle Neermal
T: +27 (0)31 569 4319
E: Marketing@denso.co.za
W: www.denso.co.za
Stand: 69
DURAPI CONSULTING
Durapi Consulting (Pty) Ltd is a Professional Multi-Disciplinary Infrastructure Service Provider. We strive to provide innovative, cost effective and sustainable solutions to our clients and the industry with honesty and integrity through the passion of our people.
Areas of Expertise:
Project Management Construction Management
Infrastructure Advisory Quantity Surveying and Cost Engineering
Health and Safety Environmental
We are committed to diversity and inclusiveness, believing this is the foundation for our success.
Representative: Sandra Heijns
T: +27 (0)11 312 8629 / +27 (0)82 652 4731
E: sandra@durapi.co.za
W: www.durapi.co.za
Stand: 57
ECHOCHEM PUMPS
Ecochem Pumps, founded some 21 years ago, has traditionally specialised in dosing applications representing Milton Roy pumps within sub-Saharan Africa. We have over the years with the addition of strategic staffing and IP been able to extend our specialised offerings to Disinfection becoming the representative for Control Matik Chlorination equipment for South Africa as well as recently acquiring the Enviro-Cell trademark of OSEC equipment
Apart from our mechanical and electrical engineered solutions and workshops we offer the market nationally, we are proud to have been able to bring some very specialised offerings to the market such as gas odorization plants, spark and flame proof platinum and gold mining chemical plants as well as being appointed the only certified service centre for Milton Roy Dosing pumps in African.
We have further successfully engaged in water and waste water maintenance and upgrade projects providing a turnkey solution-based approach to this market.
Representative: Jade Janaki
T: +27 (0)11 455 5710
E: jade@ecochempumps.co.za
W: https://ecochempumps.co.za/ Stand: 38
ECM TECHNOLOGIES & MABEY BRIDGE
The Acrow Group – home to the Acrow and Mabey Bridge brands – has been serving the transportation and construction industries for more than 70 years with a wide range of modular steel bridging solutions for permanent, temporary and emergency use. Acrow’s extensive international presence includes leadership in the development and implementation of bridge infrastructure projects in over 150 countries worldwide. Represented by ECM Technologies in South Africa, our modular solutions help municipalities provide vital access through high-quality, rapid-build, climate-resilient bridging solutions to accelerate bridge construction and help reduce project costs in service to local communities. Mabey Bridge is a leading international provider of high-quality modular steel bridging solutions. We specialise in rapid-build, pre-engineered modular steel bridges to enable accelerated bridge construction and improve connectivity in urban and rural areas. We also deliver bridging solutions for the transport, construction, oil and gas, and mining sectors, as well as for specialist military applications, humanitarian emergencies and disaster relief.
Represented by ECM Technologies in South Africa, Mabey Bridge’s modular solutions can help enable municipalities to provide vital access for local communities by simplifying construction and expediting project timeframes to ultimately reduce overall project costs.
Representative: Martin Venter
T: +27 (0)12 329 4116
E: Martin@ecmtech.co.za
W: www.ecmtech.co.za W: www.mabeybridge.com
Stand: 17
EDAMS TECHNOLOGY - A DIVISION OF HYDRO-COMP ENTERPRISES
EDAMS Technology is an International Information Technology Company specialising in designing, developing and supporting industry specific, extensively functional, and parameterized, fully integrated management systems, committed to solving critical Water and Energy infrastructure challenges for Utilities, Municipalities and Government Departments.
EDAMS Products encompass best business practices and engineering methods, integrating the commercial, technical, and planning functions enabling our customers to meet their clients' needs, enhance performance, cost efficiency and sustainability.
The company’s Head Office is in Cyprus with offices in South Africa, Botswana, Egypt and America. Operations in 3 diverse regions, with more than 1 000 active users across 5 vertical industries (Water & Sanitation/Solar Industry/ Electricity Distribution/Municipalities/Government)
Representative: Ms. Mapula Aphane
T: +27 (0) 11 234 9404
E: mapula@edams.co.za
W: www.edams.com
Stand: 60
ELECTROLYTIC TECHNOLOGIES SYSTEMS
Electrolytic Technologies Systems specializes in the manufacturing of onsite chlorine gas and sodium hypochlorite generators since 2001, producing in excess of 200,000 kgs of chlorine daily at plants globally. Our Klorigen™ technology, produces non-pressurized chlorine gas, membrane-grade sodium hydroxide, and sodium hypochlorite ranging from 0.8% to 12.5% concentration, at point-of-use using only salt, water, and electricity.
The generators are designed to be modular and scalable, offering flexibility to meet your specific application requirements. Key benefits of our generators include:
• Enhanced safety by eliminating the need for transporting, handling and storage of hazardous chemicals.
• Generates chlorine gas at less than atmospheric pressure, which virtually eliminates the possibility of a dangerous toxic gas release.
• Continuous and reliable production of chlorine and sodium hypochlorite
• Significant cost savings on chemical procurement and transportation
Representative: Bowen Goss
T: +27 (0)82 497 1742
E: bowen@electrolytictech.com
W: www.electrolytictech.com
Stand: 30
ENGINEERING COUNCIL OF
SOUTH AFRICA
(ECSA)
The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) is a statutory body established in terms of the Engineering Profession Act (EPA), 46 of 2000. ECSA's primary role is the regulation of the engineering profession in terms of this Act. Its core functions are the accreditation of engineering programmes, registration of persons as professionals in specified categories, and the regulation of the practice of registered persons.
ECSA is the only body in South Africa that is authorised to register engineering professionals and bestow the use of engineering titles, such as Pr Eng, Pr Tech Eng, Pr Techni Eng, Pr Cert Eng, on persons who have met the requisite professional registration criteria.
ECSA’s vision is to thrive to be an effective regulator assuring engineering excellence and the Council seeks to achieve this vision through:
• Determining engineering standards for education, accreditation, and registration.
• Registration of Engineering practitioners.
• Developing and sustaining a relevant, transformed, competent and internationally recognized engineering profession as well as practice standards.
• Enforcing compliance with education, training, registration, continuing education and professional practice standards.
• Maintaining a competent workforce, efficient and adequate governance structures and systems.
• Educating the public on expected engineering quality standards and protecting the interests of the public against sub-standard quality of engineering work.
• Regulatory efforts to ensure environmental protection; and
• Engaging with Government to support national priorities including transformation of the engineering profession.
• Instituting collaborative efforts with ECSA stakeholders with a view to enhancing ECSA offerings.
ECSA is under the leadership of Ms Refilwe Buthelezi, Pr. Eng (President), Mr Thembinkosi Madikane, Pr. Eng (Vice President) and Dr Bridget Ssamula, Pr. Eng (Chief Executive Officer).
Representative: Basetsana Khoza
T: +27 (0)11 607 9644
E: Basetsana@ecsa.co.za
W: www.ecsa.co.za
Stand: 42
ENSYNC ENGINEERS
ENsync Engineers are multi-disciplinary consulting engineers recently formed by the merger of the combined speciality business lines of Escongweni BPH Engineers and PHB Engineers.
Through our offices in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, ENsync Engineers are able to provide a national footprint. This is evident through our current projects throughout South Africa and neighbouring countries and our ongoing marketing initiatives in the diaspora.
Our services include Structural & Bridges, Advisory, Water, Telecommunications, Roads & Mobility and Civil/Urban Engineering. ENsync Engineers are certified as a Level 1 B-BBEE Contributor, with over 76.8% black ownership.
Representative: Dexter Madlala
T: +27 (0)31 003 0920
E: info@ensync.africa
W: www.ensync.africa
Stand: 20
ENVIROSAN SANITATION SOLUTIONS
Envirosan Sanitation Solutions is a Level 2 B-BBEE black-owned enterprise that provides a turnkey solution for the research, development, manufacturing and installation/construction of a comprehensive range of safe, dignified and sustainable water-efficient sanitation solutions to rural and peri-urban schools and households.
With more than two million toilets successfully delivered and installed worldwide since our inception in 2006, Envirosan continuously strives to not only meet but exceed our customers’ expectations.
Representative: Stewart Smetherham
T: +27 (0)31 700 1866
E: stewart@envirosan.co.za
W: www.envirosan.co.za Stand: 19
ERWAT
Consistent excellence in water care
As a leader in water care and resource recovery, ERWAT provides sustainable, affordable, quality water care and resource recovery services through partnerships and collaborative initiatives with external role players, utilising smart organisational practices.
ERWAT provides bulk wastewater conveyance and treatment to thousands of industries and more than 4,2 million people. It currently operates 19 water care works that release some 1000 megalitres of wastewater, both domestic and industrial, per day.
ERWAT’s Commercial Business wing services municipalities, government and state-owned entities, as well as markets such as mining and minerals, food and beverage and manufacturing.
ERWAT Laboratory Services offers a wide range of ISO/IEC 17025 accredited testing methods.
Representative: Mpho Ntsekhe
T: +27 (0)11 929 7000
E: mpho.ntsekhe@erwat.co.za
W: www.erwat.co.za
Stand: 1+2
GABION BASKETS
Gabion Baskets, a specialist manufacturer and supplier of gabion systems, has extensive experience in providing expert advice and design recommendations for the erection of retaining walls and river structures to reduce water flows and prevent soil erosion in the civil engineering, mining and architectural building industries.
The wide range of services offered include on-site practical assistance or experienced gabion installation trainers for your sites.
Our solutions are based on natural environment principals, tending to use locally available construction materials to blend in with the soils and vegetation where possible.
Representative: Clinton Cheyne
T: +27 (0)11 882 5788
E: clint@gabionbaskets.co.za
W: www.gabionbaskets.co.za
Stand: 63
GLS CONSULTING
GLS Consulting is the leader in infrastructure planning in South Africa. Over 30 years ago, GLS commenced its service offerings with water and sewer infrastructure and has in recent years added electricity and fibre. Our Master Model approach is premised on data digitalisation and centralisation, thereby empowering utilities to make data-driven decisions. Underpinning the master planning process is GLS proprietary software (SWIFT, WADISO, SEWSAN, EDISAN) for hydraulic and electrical modelling and analysis in a GIS environment. Our approach enables us to seamlessly identify revenue enhancement opportunities for utilities, including tariff analysis and review with the associated cost of supply studies. At GLS we believe in "Analysing Today, Saving Tomorrow!"
Representative: Adrienne Vienings
T: +27 (0)21 880 0388
E: info@gls.co.za
W: www.gls.co.za
Stand: 44
GORMAN RUPP AFRICA / ANWIN PUMPS
When you choose Gorman-Rupp, you benefit from worldwide service centers, knowledgeable engineers, and a selection of nearly 3,000 pumps. GormanRupp has been manufacturing pumps and pumping systems since 1933.
Many of the innovations introduced by Gorman-Rupp have become industry standards. Gorman-Rupp offers pump types: Self-Priming Centrifugal, Standard Centrifugal, Submersible, Rotary Gear, Priming Assisted, Hydraulic Piston, Engine-Driven Diaphragm, Packaged Life Stations, and Pressure Booster Stations.
Gorman-Rupp has over one million square feet of the most modern manufacturing and warehousing facilities globally.
Pump trailer Rental services are available for by-passing, over-pumping and various other applications
As we continue to provide pumps and pumping systems to customers around the globe, we never lose sight of the original philosophy that started our company: INNOVATION, IMPROVEMENT, AND SUPERIOR PRODUCTS.
Representative: Peet van Zanden
T: +27 (0)21 552 6036
E: Peet.vanZanden@gormanrupp.com
W: www.grpumps.co.za/ Stand: 27
HALL LONGMORE
A 100 years of steel pipe manufacturing… Hall Longmore can trace its history to 1924 and is now owned by the South Africa-based Barnes Group of Companies. To better position the company in terms of BBBEE requirements, Hall Longmore Steel Solutions and Hall Longmore Infrastructure were formed, with Solutions catering for the local pipe retail market and Infrastructure involved in Southern African Infrastructure development projects. Hall Longmore is recognized worldwide as a leader in the manufacturer of electric resistance welded (ERW) and spiral welded (H-SAW) steel pipe and casing. Hall Longmore’s products are used in a wide range of applications including, the transportation of raw and potable water, gas and petrochemicals, slurries and tailings, piling, structural fabrication, and solar installations.
Representative: Callum Storar
T: +27 (0)11 874 7315
E: callum.storar@hall-longmore.co.za
W: www.hall-longmore.co.za
Stand: 39
HERRENKNECHT AG
Herrenknecht is a technology and market leader in the area of mechanised tunnelling systems. Herrenknecht is the only company worldwide to deliver tunnel boring machines for all ground conditions and in all diameters –ranging from 0.10 m to 19 m – and continues to make inroads into the South African market, especially on the municipal level. The product range includes tailor-made machines for traffic, supply and disposal tunnels, technologies for trenchless pipeline installations, as well as drilling equipment for vertical and inclined shafts and deep drilling rigs.
Under the umbrella of the Herrenknecht Group, a team of innovative specialists has formed to provide integrated solutions around tunnel construction with project-specific equipment and service packages upon request.
Representative: Swen Weiner
T: +49 7824 302 0
E: info@herrenknecht.com
W: www.herrenknecht.com
Stand: 50+51
HONEYWELL/ELSTER
KENT METERING
Honeywell is an integrated operating company serving a broad range of industries and geographies around the world. Our business is aligned with three powerful megatrends – automation, the future of aviation and energy transition – underpinned by our Honeywell Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Forge IoT platform.
As a trusted partner, we help organizations solve the world's toughest, most complex challenges, providing actionable solutions and innovations through our Aerospace Technologies, Industrial Automation, Building Automation and Energy and Sustainability Solutions business segments that help make the world smarter, safer and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.
Representative: Jacques van der Linde
T: +27 (0)12 643 5880
E: jacques.l@honewell.com
W: www.elster.com
Stand: 4
IBHONGA CONSULTING
Over 20 years, we have built a reputable and progressive professional consulting firm where professional people from diverse backgrounds come and work together through mutual respect. Our goal is to ensure that our client's objectives are met, our expertise lead us in meeting our clients' objectives and we deliver as promised.
Our team, partners and associates understand that we do not compromise on delivering best solutions to our customers and stakeholders. we have ensured that we provide clients with work and advice of the highest quality that adds value to the r projects. We do this whilst maintaining engineering excellence and adhering to our professional standards.
Representative: Themba Zulu
T: +27 (0)31 324 2200
E: Themba@ ibhongo.co.za
W: www.ibhongo.co.za
Stand: 61
IMQS SOFTWARE
For over 20 years, IMQS has leveraged the power of ever-evolving modern technology to optimise the delivery of infrastructure-based services in both the public and private sector. IMQS provides advice and implementation support on fit-for-purpose and scalable solutions, underpinning improvement in management practice in operations, planning and strategy development. Core competencies include physical and financial asset management, information technology, data management and analytics, change management and training. The company leverages a network of strategic partners that extend the reach into clients in a range of industries and geographies.
Representative: Sheminé Adams
T: +27 (0)21 880 2712
E: info@imqs.co.za | shemine.adams@imqs.co.za
W: www.imqs.co.za
Stand: 33
IZINGA HOLDINGS
lzinga Holdings is a 100% black-owned, multi-disciplinary firm of consulting engineers offering professional engineering services. We excel in sustainable engineering solutions through the planning, designing, and managing infrastructure projects related to water efficiency management, water services, roads infrastructure, and building & structures. Our commitment to inclusive quality management ensures long-term positive klelivery outcomes, value creation, innovation and client satisfaction. We are particularly proud of our contribution to the industry, inspiring positive change in our communities. To show our commitment to professional standards, we are registered with leading bodies such as ECSA, CESA, SABTACO, WISA, IMESA, and NHBRC.
Representative: Londiwe Mkhize
T: +27 (0)35 772 1211
E: londiwe@izingaholdings.co.za
W: www.izingaholdings.co.za
Stand: 11
KABE CONSULTING ENGINEERS
Kabe Consulting Engineers provides Civil, Structural Engineering & Project Management services. We are a level B-BBBEE 1 and ISO 9001: 2015 Certified, and committed to Infrastructure Development, and the development of social and economic projects to the benefit of people and advancement of civil progress across Africa.
Our track record has enabled us from evolving from being a traditional Civil consulting business to a wide range infrastructure development and Civil engineering solutions provider in advancing Municipalities, Cities, Provincial, National Developments and Development organisations providing Smart City Infrastructure Solutions, Project Management, Planning and design, Risk management, Project Financing and Specialist procurement of Municipal Infrastructure, Bulk Infrastructure, Roads and storm water, Water Infrastructure, Structures, Energy and Mining and Social Responsibility Infrastructure Projects.
With over 19 years’ experience, our skills mix and a combined experience of over 150 Years makes Kabe Consulting Engineers your ideal implementing engineering partner.
Representative: Kabefa Moloisane
T: +27 (0) 87 809 0982
E: info@kabe.co.za
W: www.kabe.co.za
Stand: 68
KMSD ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
KMSD Engineering Consultants (Pty) Ltd is a multi-disciplinary consulting engineering firm established in 2009. Our core expertise in the civil engineering field is in water & sanitation, roads & stormwater, structural engineering and human settlements projects. By embracing the dynamism that is in the built environment through technological advancement, KMSD seeks to offer value adding and innovative engineering solutions. Highly qualified professionals with substantial consulting engineering experience and exceptional educational qualifications are the foundation of the company's service delivery effort.
Representative: Dephney Mabuela
T: +27 (0)87 940 3119
E: dephneym@kmsd.co.za
W: www.kmsd.co.za
Stand: 23
KTN CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND PROJECT MANAGERS
KTN Consulting Engineers and Project Managers, established in 2009, provides exceptional engineering consulting and project management services to all levels of government and private clients. Under the expert leadership of Mr. Kulani Mayayise, a Pr. Tech Eng. and Pr. CPM with over 25 years of experience, KTN specializes in a range of multidisciplinary services, including planning, design, and construction supervision. The company has successfully managed projects with a total capital cost exceeding one billion rands. Committed to excellence, KTN maintains ISO9001 accreditation, ensuring the highest standards of quality and performance in every project.
The Lebalelo Water User Association (LWUA), established in 2002, supplies bulk raw water to mines and communities in Limpopo, South Africa. Members include the commercial mining sector and the Department of Water and Sanitation. LWUA aims to improve lives through strategic water management and sustainable socio-economic development. The R28 billion (incl. capex and funding cost) Olifants Management Model Programme is LWUA's flagship capital expenditure programme. It is resequencing and accelerating the completion of the Olifants River Water Resources Development Project and constructing bulk raw and potable water infrastructure for communities and commercial users in Sekhukhune District and Mogalakwena Local Municipalities while optimising existing infrastructure and enhancing water supply to Polokwane.
Representative: Tim Boshoff
T: +27 (0)12 361 4654
E: info@lebalelo.co.za
W: www.lebalelo.co.za
Stand: 59
LESIRA-TEQ SMART METERING
Lesira-Teq is an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) company that designs, manufactures and supplies smart water meters globally. Our company’s track record spans over 20 years with a remarkable installation base and is testament of a company that has made strides in the innovation and development of water meter technology.
By simplifying the water meter system, we have managed to put the power back into the consumer’s hands and at the same time build a strong sense of conservation, teaching users that water is our most precious resource. The end user is now able to get daily update on usage or leakages, which will allow them to manage their consumption.
Representative: Edwin Sibiya
T: +27 (0)12 333 3707
E: info@lesira.co.za
W: www.lesira.co.za Stand: 14
MACAFFERRI
Maccaferri SA (Pty) Ltd manufactures hexagonal woven steel wire mesh, commonly referred to as double twist mesh, used in Gabions, Mattresses, and other engineering products. Maccaferri SA is a subsidiary of Maccaferri Officine, founded in the second half of the 19th century, and has been a trailblazer in the civil engineering industry, introducing the revolutionary invention of Gabions that reshaped landscapes across the globe.
For over 140 years we have been a leading international provider of advanced solutions to the civil, geotechnical, and environmental construction markets. We deliver innovative, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly solutions, from retaining walls to hydraulic works and from rockfall mitigation systems to soil reinforcement.
Representative: Nombuso Nondabula
T: +27 (0)11 010 0651
E: n.nondabula@maccaferri.com
W: www.maccaferri.com/za Stand: 24
MACSTEEL FLUID CONTROL
As a proud part of Macsteel group, Fluid Control boasts an extensive range of valves, piping systems and corrosion protection products. Their flagship Bermad valves are well known for quality and versatility in water works, fire protection and irrigation applications. Together with TOSA Wrap corrosion resistant pipes and the TOSA Blanket joint protection system, and supported by exceptional sales staff, they are a one-stop shop for all your fluid control needs.
With more than 40 service centres, branches, and warehouses, as well as a superior fleet that delivers country wide, Macsteel provides their customers with exceptional levels of personalised service throughout the entire steel supply chain.
Representative: Adriaan Kruger
T: +27 (0)82 557 2185/+27 (0)11 383 4000
E: adriaan.kruger@macsteel.co.za
W: www.macsteel.co.za
Stand: 64+65
MAGALIES WATER
Magalies Water is one of the 8 water boards in South Africa mandated to provide bulk water and sanitation services. The Board provides potable water to municipalities, mines and other private consumers within, but not limited to North West, Limpopo and Gauteng provinces. Magalies Water is an organ of state reporting to the Minister of Water and Sanitation and currently stretched over the Pienaars and Crocodile rivers which are the two major catchment areas. With a total staff compliment of ± 700, Magalies Water owns and operates four water treatment plants, namely, Vaalkop (Rustenburg), Klipdrift, Wallmansthal and Cullinan (Pretoria) with the combined capacity of 340Ml/d, as well as a state-of-the-art scientific services laboratory in Brits.
Facebook & Twitter: @MagaliesWaterZA
W: www.magalieswater.co.za
Stand: 15 & 16
MAINLINE CIVIL ENGINEERING
Mainline Civil Engineering Contractors is at the cutting edge of pipeline installation, and the rehabilitation of underground infrastructure in Southern Africa, primarily by trenchless technology and specialist civil engineering methods. By using the latest techniques and equipment we ensure minimal public and environmental disruption. Mainline has an extensive inventory of modern high-tech equipment and serves both the public and private sector.
m4a (Pty) Ltd is a specialist manufacturer of composite and plastics products with a focus on utilities networks and infrastructure markets.
In-house design, tool making, and our various manufacturing capabilities, provide end-to-end development, manufacture and supply of solutions to the client. m4a complies with global mark and specification schemes and is ISO9001 certified and accredited. Investment into Injection moulding, Compression moulding, and Extrusion technologies make m4a a novel manufacturing enterprise.
Since our establishment in 2002, m4a has grown significantly, driven by our dedication to meeting the evolving demands of the civil construction industry. Our locally manufactured infrastructure products are widely approved and accepted by various municipalities across South Africa.
By offering composite solutions that surpass traditional materials, we provide durable and sustainable alternatives that meet and exceed industry expectations.
In short, we: Innovate, Build and Deliver
Representative: Fagan Dillon | Dirk Putter
T: +27 (0)11 903 7023
E: info@m4a.co.za
W: www.m4a.co.za
Stand: 13
MAVERICK TRADING
MAVERICK TRADING 59CC is a manufacturing company in Cape Town who are manufacturers of Polymer Concrete manhole covers and frames and have a footpprint throughout Africa.
We currently have a workforce of 100 employees. We specialise in various custom designed products mainly for the Civils Industry. Our products can be equiped with a unique patented locking mechanism which prevents unauthorised access to the manhole.
Our manholes can also be equiped with an electronic lock as well as a sensor detection system which alert an operator if a manhole is being tampered with.
We are SANAS approved and has a proud 24 year history with a Level 1 B-BBEE compliancy level.
Representative: Llewellyn Cloete
T: +27 (0)21 982 2220
E: llewellyn@mavericktrading.co.za
W: www.mavericktrading.co.za
Stand: 45
MEKAN GROUP
Mekan Group is a prominent 100% black-owned national organization that operates across 7 provinces in South Africa. We specialize in a comprehensive range of services, ensuring an integrated approach to meet diverse client needs:
1. Multidisciplinary Engineering Consultants:
• Mechanical Services
• Civil & Structural Engineering
• Electrical Services
• Fire Services
2. Facilities & Maintenance Management
3. Energy Management
4. Project Management
Our team comprises of experts within their respective fields, registered with relevant professional bodies to uphold industry standards and ethics. Our commitment is to deliver a sustainable and cost-effective engineering solutions, that integrates innovative design practices.
Representative: Mathapelo Mekgwe
T: +27 (0)11 867 1974/ +27 (0)71 447 7887
E: thapi@mekanes.co.za
W: www.mekangroup.co.za
Stand: 46
NATIONAL TREASURY
The National Treasury is one of the government departments mandated by the Constitution of South Africa to introduce uniform norms and standards to enable transparency and expenditure controls in the public sector. Guided by the PFMA and MFMA amongst other legislations, National Treasury coauthored the creation of the Infrastructure Delivery Management System which was adopted by the Cabinet in 2012 as the infrastructure delivery management system of choice for public sector infrastructure delivery. The IDMS is designed to guide, direct and empower practitioners to deliver infrastructure in an efficient and effective manner bringing about transparency, accountability, and predictability in the infrastructure delivery value chain.
Representative: Nobuntu Sibuyi
T: +27 (0)12 395 6725
E: Nobuntu.Sibuyi@treasury.gov.za
W: www.treasury.gov.za Stand: 53
NUVENT
NUVENT anti-slam Air valves brings together the best in:
• valve design
• valve sizing
• valve placement
• surge experience
• customer satisfaction
NUVENT has over 60 years of combined experience in air valves. A fully South African based company with an international footprint of supply with valves on virtually every continent. NUVENT offers the following service:
• Air valve manufacturing: for Potable water, raw Water and sewage DN15 to DN300
• Air valve sizing and positioning: Sizing and positioning free of charge.
• Surge Analysis Software and quick check surge studies: NUVENT is a KYpipe Agent and has over 27 years of Surge analysis experience.
Representative: Garren Amdur
T: 010 001 3587
E: ifs@ifsolutions.co.za
W: www.ifsolutions.co.za Stand: 66
N & Z INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL
N&Z Instrumentation & Control specialises in water demand management: Our ‘plug and play’ WaMSS software collects flow, level and water quality data, analyses it and automatically presents actionable information. This turnkey single-supplier solution includes Isoil battery-powered magflow meters, ATI remote battery-powered water quality sensors and FLP4 battery-powered smart loggers. Automatic meter reading (AMR), water balance/water loss and reservoir level management are typical applications of the WaMSS solution. Our on-site services include verification of flow meters, flow surveys, commissioning, maintenance contracts and flow logging.
T: +27 (0)11 435 1080
E: info@NandZ.co.za
W: www.nz-online.co.za Stand: 40+41
OLD MUTUAL
Old Mutual was established in Cape Town in 1845 as South Africa's first mutual life assurance society. Our purpose is to help our customers thrive by enabling them to achieve their lifetime financial goals, while investing their funds in ways that will create a positive future for them, their families, their communities and broader society. In this way, we significantly contribute to improving the lives of our customers and their communities while ensuring a sustainable future for our business.
We provide financial solutions to individuals, small and medium-sized businesses and corporates in South Africa, the rest of Africa and certain other emerging markets.
Representative: Somaya Osman
T: +27 (0)814040596
E: sosman2@oldmutual.com
W: www.oldmutual.co.za
Stand: 67
OMICRON IOT
Omicron IoT has extensive experience in asset management, especially in the public domain. We specialise as a Service Provider in wireless devices, applying the Internet of Things (IoT) to asset management. Connected devices are rolled out to elevate monitoring and control of assets to a next level.
IOT is a loose network of interconnected digital sensors fitted onto assets such as motors, pumps, transformers, consumer meters, etc. There is a huge variety of “Things” that make up the IoT, they all share the common trait of having the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring humanto-human or human-to-computer interaction.
Representative: Gerhard Zandberg
T: +27 (0)83 453 1099
E: gerhard@omicron-iot.co.za
W: www.omicron-iot.co.za
Stand: 49
PRECISION METERS
Precision Meters, founded 19 years ago in Cape Town, is South Africa's leading provider of innovative water metering solutions. With SANAS-accredited Verification Laboratories and over 100 years of combined experience, our technical staff ensures each meter meets the highest standards, fully compliant with the Legal Metrology Act 2014. Our commitment to environmental sustainability and economic growth is reflected in our efforts to enhance local content and support local businesses. With sales offices nationwide and the largest stock in South Africa, we guarantee swift service, providing detailed quotes within 48 hours and maintaining operations even during load shedding.
Representative: Lloyd Van Der Merwe
T: +27 (0)21 510 4266
E: info@precisionmeters.co.za
W: www.precisionmeters.co.za
Stand: 47+48
SALGA
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) is constitutionally mandated with the responsibility of local government oversight. Its primary role is the ongoing journey of transforming local government to be at the service of the people.
SALGA’s primary transformation role requires thought leadership that inspires others with innovative ideas for sustainable change through meaningful engagements and best practice. The success of local government is vital to achieve the development agenda as in the National Development Plan (NDP), Vision 2030.
Delivery of SALGA’s multi-faceted mandate would not be possible without stakeholders beyond those in its inter-governmental role.
Representative: Valerie Setshedi
T: +27 (0)12 369 8000
E: vsetshedi@salga.org.za
W: www.salga.org.za
Stand: 32
SBS TANKS
SBS® Tanks has a proud history of over 25 years working with government, municipalities, and the commercial sector to deliver water and sanitation services to communities. The modular nature of SBS steel panel water storage tanks allows for easy delivery and installation on even the most remote site. SBS Tanks offers a range of over 500 tank sizes with capacities from 7000 litres to 4.2 million litres. They can be used in various configurations to achieve the required bulk storage capacity for water, process or effluent and are also suited for the storage of raw seawater as part of a desalination plant.
SBS Elevated Tanks assist with increased water pressure supply, our Engineered Solutions tanks provide extended storage and the SBS multitank solutions ensure continuous water supply to communities – even during maintenance.
Representative: Mfundo Ngcobo
T: +27 (0)31 716 1820
E: mfundo@sbstanks.co.za
W: www.thesbsgroup.com
Stand: 28
SEAPRO SA
Seapro SA has earned its reputation as the trusted and appointed distributor for the Cla-Val Control Valve Brand in South Africa and SADC region. Our dedicated team excels in providing comprehensive services including technical support, refurbishment and reliable supply of Cla-Val products and spare parts. With a focus on excellence Sea pro SA specializes in cutting-edge solutions for water demand management systems, flow control, pressure control, pump control, and level control valves. We pride ourselves on our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional products and top-notch technical expertise to meet the diverse needs of our esteemed clients. Connect with Seapro SA today to experience innovative solutions and unparalleled service.
Representative: Debbie Henning
T: +27 (0)11 397 1126 I +27 (0)76 378 5300
E: debbie@seaprosa.co.za
W: www.seaprosa.co.za Stand: 56
SIKA SOUTH AFRICA
Sika South Africa, established in 1988, is the local subsidiary of the global Sika Group, a leader in specialty chemicals. Sika develops and produces systems and products for waterproofing, bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protecting in the building and motor vehicle industries. Sika's products are integral to modern living, used in bridges, dams, roads, high-rise buildings, cars, trucks, buses, boats, and industrial products. Renowned for quality and reliability, Sika offers a comprehensive portfolio of problem-solving products, fulfilling the highest standards and ensuring durability and sustainability in diverse applications.
Representative: Romaine Cloete
T: +27 (0)031792 6500
E: cloete.romaine @za.sika.com
W: https://zaf.sika.com/ Stand: 25
SKY HIGH CONSULTING ENGINEERS
Sky High Consulting Engineers is a vibrant South African Multidisciplinary Consulting Engineering Company, humbled by a vision of greatness and belief in our Rainbow Nation’s capabilities. Our staff compliment is 40 permanent staff comprised of Professional Engineers, Technicians, Technologists and support staff. We are committed to professional integrity and delivery of quality solutions that have been formulated on best practice and sound business principles. We execute our work with the intention of improving the lives of our communities.
Sky High Consulting Engineers core business offering is Multi-Disciplinary Civil Engineering Services including Roads and Transportation, Water and Sanitation, Structures, Ports and Harbours, along with comprehensive Project Management Services within the built environment. What makes us unique is our desire to serve our communities as well as offering a one-stop service, focusing on “Turnkey: Design & Construction Projects”.
Representative: Vuyo Mcebisi Booi
T: +27 (0)15 307 6961
E: vuyob@shconsulting.co.za
W: www.schonsulting.co.za
Stand: 3
SINOWATEK
Established in 2015, Sinowatek specializes in valorizing waste streams using advanced technologies. We employ the Fournier Rotary Press for sludge dewatering, Pulse Combustion Drying technology for drying of viscous mixtures into powder and the powerful disinfectant lnnowatech Anolyte for water disinfection.
Our services include designing, building, procuring and integrating state-of-the-art technologies to create tailored processes that enhance environmental and economic performance.
In the municipal sector, we focus on the dewatering of wastewater sludges and the dewatering of sludge produced during sedimentation of potable water. Sinowatek proudly represents Fournier Industries' Rotary Press technology, the leading sludge dewatering solution from Canada.
Representative: Nico Erasmus
T: +27 (0)83 271 1808
E: nicoe@sinowatek.com
W: www.sinowatek.com
Stand: 29
SMARTLOCK
SMARTLOCK, founded in 2007, is a leading innovator in smart locking and access management solutions. We take pride in our unique solutions, utilizing our patented technology, know-how, and manufacturing facilities to offer unparalleled capabilities in the following markets:
• Utilities
• Wastewater & Sewage
• Electrical
• Water
• Pump Stations & Kiosk Lock-in
• Fibre
Our solutions allow for continuous monitoring of infrastructure, accurate asset management, and efficient access management. It is a real time, centralised monitoring platform, giving a geolocated overview of the entire network. Hourly trend data ensures proactive monitoring of active equipment environment. The SMARTLOCK Solution supports real-time corelated alarm monitoring within the network, offering light, impact, temperature as well as humidity sensing. We are committed to developing and improving solutions to meet customer needs. We supply nationwide, as well as Africa and the international market.
Representative: JP Alkema
T: +27 (0)12 349 5301
E: jp.alkema@smartlock.net
W: www.smartlock.net
Stand: 31+36
SOUTH AFRICAN BUREAU OF STANDARDS (SABS)
Standardisation is increasingly vital in international trade and market expansion. SABS develops and maintains South African National Standards (SANS) aligned with the country's socio-economic and industrialisation priorities. We encourage inclusive participation through technical committees responsible for SANS development.
SABS offers independent third-party conformity assessment services, including system and product certification, consignment inspection, as well as various testing services to support industrial growth and consumer safety, with the largest test facilities in Africa. Our laboratories, accredited to SANS/ISO/IEC 17025, ensure reliable and thorough testing and reporting, covering performance testing, type testing, and safety requirements.
Appointed by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), SABS conducts local content verification according to the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) and SANS 1286.
Additionally, we offer a broad range of management system training and consulting services, including SANS/ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 50001, 27001, HACCP, and FSSC 22000.
T: +27 (0)12 428 7911
E: info@sabs.co.za
W: www.sabs.co.za
Stand: 62
STEWARTS & LLOYDS PROJECTS & CONTRACTS
Stewarts and Lloyds Projects and Contracts (Pty) Ltd was established on 01 August 2022. A subsidiary of Stewarts and Lloyds Holdings - a 120year established brand and a Level 2 B-BBEE company that is significantly changing the civil and construction projects industry across the nation.
We are a certified provider of high-quality branded engineering, civil, mining, water, gas, steel, building construction, hardware, and plumbing materials through a strategically positioned distribution network throughout the Republic of South Africa and other African nations.
We offer over 20 000 product lines and fuse strong relationships with technical skills and a deep kinship to our craft.
Representative: Desmond Tladinyane
T: +27 (0)12 800 9400
E: DesmondT@sltrading.co.za
W: www.stewartsandlloyds.co.za
Stand: 18
STRUCTA TECHNOLOGY
CIRCOTANK, has developed a cost effective, aluzinc segmented tank with a liner for rural and industrial application. The tanks are easy to transport and quick to erect without cranes and can be mounted on stands. Liner replacement is possible thus resulting in ease of maintenance and longevity. Tank designs were analysed using state of the art Finite Element methods. Materials and joints were also thoroughly tested so as to bring a reliable and quality product to the market. Circotank is offered in a Maxirange covering tank sizes of 100,000 litres up to 1,5 million litres and a Midi range covering a very user-friendly range of 5,000 – 20,000 litres.
PRESTANK, offers sectional water storage tanks that are hygienically safe, cost effective and a reliable way to store water for commercial sectors, private sectors and even for personalised storage. Pre-manufactured storage facilities can be provided for a vast variety of applications and range from 1,500 litres to 4,2 million litres. Choose from temporary or permanent installations. Prestanks are fully customisable, high quality water storage solutions that are manufactured according to SANS guidelines and meet South African Hot Dipped Galvanizing requirements. It facilitates easier handling and transportation over long distances to remote areas. Assembly on site is quickly achieved without the need for sophisticated tooling methods and requires minimum maintenance.
Representative: Godfrey Mpotu
T: +27 (0)16 362 9100 / +27 (0)79 035 6997
E: contracts@structatech.co.za
W: www.circotank.co.za / www.prestank.co.za
Stand: 21+22
TECROVEER
Tecroveer has established itself as a pioneering force in water treatment, committed to the vision of ensuring children can play in pristine waters and access safe, pure water straight from the tap. As leaders in turnkey water solutions, Tecroveer provides a comprehensive array of services ranging from design and engineering of tailored water treatment systems to civil works, ensuring seamless integration with existing infrastructures.
Our expertise extends to commissioning for optimal system performance from the outset and long-term operations and maintenance for enduring reliability. Our innovative waste-to-energy solutions exemplify our commitment to transforming waste into valuable resources. Tecroveer also offers streamlined solutions encompassing every project phase from concept to completion. Join us in our mission to safeguard water for all and build a cleaner, sustainable future.
Representative: Tamara Makeleni
T: +27 (0)11 752 1191 /+27 (0)73 215 0166
E: tamaras@tecroveer.co.za
W: www.tecroveer.co.za Stand: 9+10
TYDAN CONTROL VALVE
Tydan Control Valve is a leading provider of innovative control valve solutions, specializing in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of high-quality control valves, water demand management equipment and rubber duckbi:11 check valves for various industries. With a commitment to excellence, reliabillity, and customer satisfaction, Tydan Control Valve has est ablished itself as a t rusted partner for businesses seeking advanced valve solutions tailo red to t heir specific needs.
Representative: Charl Myburgh
T: +27 (0)11 450 3080
E: charl@tydan.co.za
W: www.tydanvalve.co.za Stand: 8
UMNGENI-UTHUKELA WATER
uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) is a state-owned water board, established in 1974, operating under its current name since July 1, 2023, after the merger of Mhlathuze Water and uMngeni Water. UUW provides water and sanitation services to KwaZulu-Natal, governed by the Water Services Act and the Public Finance Management Act.
Reporting to the Department of Water and Sanitation, uMngeni-uThukela Water is led by Chairperson Adv. Vusi Khuzwayo SC. and Chief Executive Sandile Mkhize. The entity serves 12.42 million people, municipalities, and industries, with extensive infrastructure including pipelines, impoundments, and treatment works, ensuring reliable water services that support economic growth in the region.
Representative: Nokuthula Ntaka
T: +27 (0)71 079 4937
E: nokuthula.ntaka@umngeni.co.za
W: www.umngeni-uthukela.co.za Stand: 71, 72 & 73
XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS SA
Water challenges are escalating around the globe, placing people and communities, our environment, and our very future at risk. By 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity. Xylem is a Fortune 1000 global water technology provider with one mission: to help our customers solve water through the power of technology and expertise.
Together, we can make water more accessible and affordable, and communities more resilient. Let’s create a world that is more water-secure and sustainable for all. We have the opportunity of a lifetime to solve water. Let’s work together and lead the way.
Representative: Charmaine Munian
T: +27 (0)11 9669300
E: charmaine.munian@xylem.com
W: www.xylem.com/en-za Stand: 34+35
48 Paper 1: Ian Bowker
Paper 2: Rajiv Paladh
Shanna Nienaber
Paper 3: Dr Precious Biyela
49 Paper 4: Dr Chris von Holdt
Asogan (Ivan) Moonsamy
Paper 5: Thendo Peterson Nethengwe Oarabile Mawasha
50 Paper 6: Marco van Dijk
Jan Kabefa Moloisan
Paper 7: Kemira Naidoo
Paper 8: Nonjabulo Mbhele
51 Paper 8: Lubabalo Luyaba
Paper 9: Chandre Barnard Naledi Mooi
Paper 10: Christian Mulol
52 Paper 11: Prof JA du Plessis
Paper 12: Petrus Blaauw
Paper 13: Mike Wiese
Paper 14: Karen King
53 Paper 14: Hanry Neethling
Paper 15: Matthew Hills
Paper 16: Dave Edwards
Joseph Barnard
54 Paper 17: Mishqah Hussain
Standby Paper 1: Dr Dinos Constantinides
Standby Paper 2: Carys Sutherland
PAPER 1
IAN BOWKER
City of Cape Town PrEng, Meng
A civil engineer with 23 years of experience, with an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from UCT, and a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Stellenbosch.
Ian has worked in Construction, Consulting and for Local Government and started with the City of Cape Town in July 2013. Ian Bowker has specialized in the technical field of roads pavement and materials engineering but has also to date specialized in general management, road asset management and maintenance, management of capital implementation programs (including road rehabilitation programs, Public Transport Interchange Program, Non motorized Transport Program and Congestion Relief program), full project cycle project management in public and private sector, contract management in public and private sector, design and tender documentation.
In addition to this Ian has served on Bid Specification Committees and Bid evaluation Committees as chairperson and currently serves on the Bid Adjudication Committee for the City of Cape Town.
PAPER 2
SHANNA NIENABER
Water Research Commission (WRC)
Shanna Nienaber is a research and innovation ecosystem practitioner with 15 years of experience working in the national system of innovation related to the water, climate, ecosystems, green economy and related fields. She has worked within science councils, national government, funding and ecosystem coordination agencies and volunteered in the non-profit sector. This professional journey has afforded her the opportunity to work as a researcher, policy maker, specialist programme manager, project implementer, and as a stakeholder and partnership facilitator.
From early in Shanna’s career her core preoccupation has been the question of how the knowledge, solutions and technologies generated within the science system can have a transformative impact in society. This had led her on a journey to explore dynamics that drive the science-policy-society nexus, communities of practice that build social capital for science impact and relevance, business development, and technology uptake needs within the water, climate, ecosystems sector.
Shanna is the currently working as a manager at the Water Research Commission, facilitating the implementation of a range of water system of innovation projects. In this capacity she has been the project manager for the study commissioned by the WRC for the review of the public procurement framework to enable the uptake of water and sanitation innovations.
RAJIV PALADH
Bosch Capital BSc. Eng (Chem) - UKZN and MBA – UCT GSB
PAPER 2
Rajiv joined Bosch Capital in July 2016 and is currently Director: Advisory and Funding. He has over 15 years of experience across the public and private sector. Rajiv is currently working on projects that include private and public sector finance, strategy and advisory. This involves the development of complex financial models, project structuring, development of business plans and capital raising for a variety of projects.
Rajiv has been involved in transactions across the industrial, sugar, water services and property sectors. He has completed a BSc. Engineering (Chemical) from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and MBA from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.
Rajiv was the project leader for the study commissioned by the Water Research Commission for the review of the public procurement framework to enable the uptake of water and sanitation innovations.
PAPER 3
DR PRECIOUS BIYELA
University of the Witwatersrand
Doctor Precious Biyela is a senior lecturer at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, at the University of the Witwatersrand, in Johannesburg.
Apart from a Doctor of Philosophy degree (Civil Engineering), obtained from Arizona State University (Tempe, Arizona, USA), her qualifications include a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science (Hons), a Master of Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Higher Education) (diploma to be awarded in December 2024).
Dr Biyela teaches undergraduate and post-graduate courses in environmental engineering and related areas and has supervised many postgraduate research students to completion. Her research interests include water quality measuring and monitoring, water and wastewater treatment, post-treatment water quality modelling and monitoring (especially monitoring and modelling biostability and biofilm formation), sustainable sanitation (with a particular interest in informal settlements), the microbial ecology of water and wastewater treatment, generation of energy from waste, the utilization of system of systems thinking to make decisions about infrastructure and settlements upgrading, and engineering education.
Her work has been published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, Water Science and Technology, Water SA, Journal of the American Water Works Association, Water Supply, and the International Journal of Environment and Waste Management amongst other outlets.
PAPER 4
DR CHRIS VON HOLDT
Zutari PrEng, CSAM, CAMA
Chris has 25 years of infrastructure asset management experience in the transport, water, energy, and government sectors. Chris completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Stellenbosch and his Masters and Doctorate at Texas A&M University in the USA.
Chris is a Certified Senior Principal in Asset Management and an Internationally Certified Asset Management Assessor. He specialises in supporting utilities, government agencies and large infrastructure asset owners with driving improvements in their businesses. This includes enhancing strategy, infrastructure management practices, processes and supporting information systems to better achieve their business objectives. This typically requires working with senior management and operations across the breadth of the organisation to bring about meaningful transformation and positive change.
He has worked for large agencies and utilities across Africa, the Middle East, the USA, Australia, and South-East Asia. He is an active university lecturer, research supervisor, author of academic papers, conference presenter, and contributor to the international body of knowledge in the field of asset management.
Thendo Nethengwe, a distinguished environmental professional, graduated from Thengwe Secondary School in Venda, Limpopo, before earning a Bachelor of Environmental Management from the University of Venda and an MSc in Environmental Sciences from the University of Witwatersrand.
In the early stages of his career, Thendo worked in government, where he developed key regulations such as the norms and standards for land remediation and waste classification. His role as an Environmental Management Inspector was pivotal in enforcing environmental laws and advancing bioremediation efforts across South Africa. After seven years in the public sector, Thendo moved to the private sector, serving as an environmental specialist and heading the environmental sections at BP Southern Africa for eight years and Massmart Group for three years
In 2015, he founded Muri Enviro Consulting and Waste Management Pty Ltd, a company dedicated to bioremediation and waste management. Muri Enviro Consulting supports various organizations, including government bodies, in addressing environmental pollution across South Africa
With about 20 years of experience, Thendo is committed to developing sustainable technologies to tackle water pollution challenges throughout the African continent.
Ivan is currently employed in the office of Strategic Management at the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) as the Senior Manager: Asset Management. Mr Moonsamy graduated from the University of Kwa Zulu Natal in 2005 with a BSc In Engineering (Civil) and is a registered Professional Engineer.
Prior to joining EMM’s Strategy Office team, Mr Moonsamy has worked in various positions at Transnet. These include the Design Engineer for Bridge and Marine Infrastructure for the Transnet Design Services, the Senior Project Manager for the Transnet National Ports Authority for the Port of Durban, and the Senior Design Engineer for Marine Infrastructure for the Transnet Ports Authority Head Office.
Mr Moonsamy and his team are accountable for the strategic implementation of Asset Management at the EMM with the aspiration that the EMM improve its Asset Management maturity and the adoption of Asset Management principles and processes with an ultimate goal of achieving SANS55001 recognition.
PAPER 5
Johannesburg Water
Oarabile Mawasha obtained his BEng bachelor’s in civil engineering degree in 2014. Thereafter he started working as a graduate engineer for the city of Johannesburg Metro under Johannesburg Water implementing water and sewer infrastructure capital projects.
In 2016 he enrolled for his master’s in engineering management majoring in System Engineering and completed his studies in 2018. Oarabile is passionate about innovations and system engineering especially in the water and sewer sector He presented at the INCOSE conference based on his master’s in systems engineering in Mobile based system engineering research for effective management of water and sewer infrastructure He is currently busy with a bulk water and sewer project s in Johannesburg Water, which are a multidisciplinary project.
In addition, he is finalizing his ECSA registration and aims to obtain his Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) certification His hobbies include watching rugby, soccer and reading.
His favourite reads are Capitalist Nigga by Onyeani Chika, the Richest Man in Babylon by George Glason and the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
THENDO PETERSON NETHENGWE
OARABILE MAWASHA
PAPER 6
MARCO VAN DIJK
University of Pretoria
Marco van Dijk is registered a Professional Engineer and a Senior Lecturer in the Dept. of Civil Engineering at the University of Pretoria (UP). He obtained a BEng(Civil), BEng(Hons), MEng (Water Resource Engineering) and a PhD (Civil Engineering) all from the UP.
He has compiled numerous technical reports and journal publications in the field of stormwater systems, hydropower generation and water distributions systems. He is one of the authors of the SANRAL Drainage Manual and has presented numerous courses .and workshops on road drainage, free surface flow, pipeline engineering and hydropower generation.
Marco e is a fellow member of SAICE, and member of SANCOLD and WISA.
KEMIRA NAIDOO
eThekwini Municipality
PAPER 7
Kemira graduated from the University of KwaZulu Natal with a BSc degree in Civil Engineering in 2016. After qualifying, she joined the Coastal, Stormwater and Catchment Management Department within eThekwini Municipality.
She managed to register as a professional engineer, specialising in coastal and stormwater engineering, in just 3 years. She also carried out a 3-month internship at the applied research institute Deltares in Delft, Netherlands, to study coastal modelling.
Kemira has her Master’s in Coastal Engineering. She has written and published papers both in the stormwater and coastal engineering fields, including the work on attenuation crates that was presented at the 2019 IMESA Conference.
Kemira currently supervises and mentors incoming candidate engineers within her department. She is also managing and facilitating the Forecast Early Warning Systems (FEWS) which was officially launched by the Mayor of eThekwini in November 2020.
Currently, Kemira is managing the Sand Pumping Scheme Operations for the City of Durban. However, her most recent success within IMESA is the triumphant 2023 KZN Golf Day.
Kabefa Moloisane, a Professional Civil Engineering Technologist and a Professional Construction Project Manager, has a diverse portfolio of projects. His qualifications include a National Diploma in Civil Engineering from the Tshwane University of Technology, a B-Tech in Civil Engineering (Transportation) and a B-Tech in Civil Engineering (Water) from the University of Johannesburg, a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management, and a Master of Business Administration from MANCOSA.
He has been in civil engineering consulting for over 20 years. As the founder of KABE Consulting Engineers, Kabefa Moloisane has not only successfully led the completion and delivery of various built environment projects, but also made a significant impact on the communities he serves. His work, which includes roads and stormwater, water and sanitation, building projects, master plans and project management, has extended to different provinces, including Gauteng, Northwest, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces.
Kabefa, through his company, has successfully assisted students who needed in-service training to graduate with qualifications in civil engineering and other fields of study. He has also contributed to career development and contributed to the professional registration of several candidates.
He is actively involved as a volunteer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as an assessor, reviewer and moderator for the professional registration process of candidates.
PAPER 8
NONJABULO MBHELE
University of Cape Town - Urban and Public Infrastructure Research Initiative (UPIRI)
Nonjabulo Mbhele earned her BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and is currently completing her MSc in Civil Engineering at UCT, focusing on a dissertation. Driven by a deep passion for municipal infrastructure service delivery, Nonjabulo is dedicated to supporting government efforts in providing sustainable and reliable infrastructure services. Her work centres on developing evidence-based decision-making support tools that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of municipal services.
As an active member of UCT's Urban and Public Infrastructure Research Initiative (UPIRI), Nonjabulo contributes significantly to the field. She also serves as a programme co-director for UPIRI's Data for Municipal Infrastructure Assets (DATA4MIA) programme, where she collaborates with stakeholders to improve the management and maintenance of municipal infrastructure across various regions.
LUBABALO LUYABA
SALGA and UCT
PAPER 8
Lubabalo Luyaba is a Professional Civil Engineer (Pr Eng) and Professional Member of IMESA, with a BSc Civil Engineering from UCT, a BEng Honours in Water Utilisation Engineering from the University of Pretoria and an MSc Civil Engineering from UCT.
He has both private and public sector experience in water and sanitation. Lubabalo has held various key positions and led various municipal infrastructure programmes and projects at a national scale. He was most recently a director at the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA).
Lubabalo is currently the water and sanitation specialist at the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), responsible for leading the SALGA policy and programme interventions in this area. He is also an Adjunct Lecturer at UCT’s Civil Engineering Department.
CHANDRE BARNARD
PAPER 9
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM)
Chandre Barnard completed his B Tech: Civil Engineering degree at Nelson Mandela University. He holds the position of Deputy Director: Bulk supply & reservoirs with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
He has more than 14 years’ experience throughout the water supply value chain. In 2023 he won best paper by an IMESA member at the IMESA conference. He is also passionate about preserving the history of NMBM infrastructure through the application of asset management, assisting future generations with institutional knowledge.
PAPER 9
NALEDI MOOI
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM)
Naledi Mooi obtained her BSc Construction Studies and BSc (Honours) Construction Management at Nelson Mandela University in 2022.
She is currently busy with her MSc (Built environment) Project management. She is employed at Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and has been involved with various drought mitigation projects and is currently focused on asset management activities relating to dams and water retaining structures.
PAPER 10
CHRISTIAN MULOL
CSIR
Christian is the Pavement Engineering and Construction: Research Group Leader within the Smart Mobility Cluster of the CSIR. After obtaining a National Diploma in Civil Engineering from the Technikon Witwatersrand, he worked as a construction and design technician on various projects, such as the construction of the baking furnaces for the Richards Bay Alusaf Aluminium Smelter, the rehabilitation of the N2 between Empangeni and Mtubatuba, road, water network, and concrete reservoir construction within the uMthatha General Hospital.
Christian then enrolled to study toward a BSc.Eng Civil Engineering with the University of Natal (current UKZN) before joining the eThekwini Municipality where he worked in the Catchment and Stormwater Management, Geotechnical and Pavement Design, Geometric Design and the Pavement Engineering Department. Christian holds a Master's Degree in Pavement Engineering from the University of Stellenbosch. As a professional Engineer and Project Management Professional, he worked as a consultant with the DBSA and Limpopo CoGHSTA on multidisciplinary municipal technical capacitation projects.
He has also worked as a Resident Engineer for the Department of Public Works and Transport in Mpumalanga and the Guateng Department of Transport within the Van der bijl park Region. Christian is an assessor, review and moderator for the Engineering Council of South Africa.
PAPER
PROF JA DU PLESSIS
Stellenbosch University
11
Prof JA du Plessis has more than 36 years of experience in the field of water engineering in South Africa. He joins the University of Stellenbosch in 2003 and is presently a Professor in Hydrology and Environmental Engineering in the Civil Engineering Department. He specialized in water resource evaluations, flood hydrology and he provides institution support to various local authorities.
Kobus serves as a member of the Executive committee in the Board of the Institute of Municipal Engineers for Southern Africa (IMESA) where he is the Director for training and skills development. He also serves on the Education and Training committee of South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE) and serves on the Editorial Panel of the SAICE Journal. He is a former Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch. He is a fellow member of both SAICE and an Honorary Fellow of IMESA and is a professional registered engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa.
Qualifications: BEng (Civil), M Eng (Risk management of water resources) and PhD (Integrated water demand management in local governance).
Research focus areas:
Water resource modelling and the impact of climate change on it. Observed changes in rainfall. Investigation into alternative rainfall data sets to facilitate modelling. Flood hydrology, specifically regional maximum floods, but including observed changes to extreme rainfall events.
PAPER 13
Royal HaskoningDHV
M.Sc.Eng, Pr.Eng
Mike is a professional civil engineer at Royal HaskoningDHV with 13 years of experience specialising in flood, stormwater, and drainage projects. Driven by a passion for advancing hydrological and hydraulic solutions, he holds a Master's degree in Water Engineering from the University of Stellenbosch, obtained in 2012.
To deepen his expertise, Mike is currently pursuing a part-time PhD in flood hydrology at the same institution. His academic contributions extend to lecturing the University of Stellenbosch Flood Hydrology course and contributing to the National Flood Studies Programme. This demonstrates his commitment to sharing knowledge and shaping the future of flood management. His expertise spans a wide range of projects, from urban stormwater management to flood risk assessments and design of flood mitigation strategies, across Africa, Australia, and the Middle East, reflecting a deep understanding of complex hydrological and hydraulic challenges.
When he's not battling floods, Mike enjoys the simpler pleasures of running (mostly chasing after his kids), mountain biking, and playing hockey. Indoor pursuits include cooking, reading, and perhaps the occasional nap.
PAPER 12
PETRUS BLAAUW
ASLA B.Com(Hons), M.Com(Economics)
Early career includes being chief economist of the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors. He represented the interest of the industry at various forums and had to research and present findings on the fixed investment space to various stakeholders including government, investors and industry bodies. From 2005 he had to fulfil an additional role as secretariat to the integrated management committee, the body that ultimately negotiated the Construction Sector Charter.
In 2010 he joined ASLA Devco, a property development subsidiary of ASLA Operations. ASLA Devco provides a service to various public sector clients in the provision of basic infrastructure, housing and service delivery with a particular focus on Turnkey Solutions. As Director of Development in ASLA his focus is amongst others finding new and innovative approaches to human settlement challenges.
Royal HaskoningDHV
PAPER 14
Karen King is the Director of Climate Resilience at RHDHV South Africa and is based in Johannesburg. In 2004 she completed an MSc in hydrology at UKZN that focussed on scale and interactions between hydrological, geomorphological and sociological processes. Twenty years later she completed an MA at the University of Liverpool John Moores that focussed on scale and the roles of equity and local community involvement in common natural resource management.
Karen has featured in a number of publications including the Mail and Guardian, Engineering News, Skyways Magazine, Water and Sanitation Africa, Mining Weekly, Water SA, Environmental Management, African Mining, The Grid Ardenal, Business Day, Business Ghana and Africa Science News. She has also been interviewed by a number of news stations.
Karen has worked in the engineering consulting field in England and South Africa, focussing mostly on water-and soil-related projects across Africa.
In her spare time Karen rows and swims and is entertained by her four, large rescue dogs.
KAREN KING
MIKE WIESE
PAPER 14
HANRY NEETHLING
Royal HaskoningDHV PMP®(PMI)
Hanry Neethling matriculated in George and obtained his bachelor’s in landscape architecture at the University of Pretoria.
The early years of his career was spent in the United Kingdom and Cayman Islands, working for local architects on various residential and commercial projects, where he gained experience in dealing with clients, councils, and other building disciplines.
In 2006 Hanry relocated back to his hometown, George, where he started his own landscape architecture company. Thereafter he joined Marnol Projects for ten years as project/ contract’s manager with the implementation and construction of government subsidized housing projects throughout the Western and Eastern Cape.
In 2018 Hanry joined Royal HaskoningDHV as project manager on similar projects. In total he has been involved in providing housing opportunities for over 7000 families. He is passionate about the environment and the future design of resilient and smart villages and cities.
He loves anything with handlebars or steering wheels, except for shopping trolleys. He is an avid biker, boater, diver, and camper and enjoys spending time with his family.
DAVE EDWARDS
Ingerop South Africa Pr Eng
PAPER 16
Dave Edwards is a professional engineer with over 35 years of experience in the civil engineering sector. He is the Civils Division Lead for Ingerop South Africa in the Western Cape specialising in urban infrastructure design and contract administration. A born and bred Capetonian, he obtained his B.Eng Degree at Stellenbosch University and later a Post-Graduate Diploma at UCT.
Dave has been with Ingerop since 2015 and after periods at various consultants, since 2006 worked at iCE Tygerberg prior to their merger with Ingerop South Africa in 2015. Dave’s project portfolio covers roads and civil service infrastructure for municipal projects as well as private residential, commercial and industrial developments.
On the Ceres Van Breda Bridge project, Dave was the Project Leader in the design and procurement stages, and was the Employer’s Agent in the construction phase.
PAPER 15
MATTHEW HILLS
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM)
Matthew Hills obtained his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Cape Town in 2014, supported by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's bursary scheme. His career at the NMBM commenced in sanitation, where he spent his early years gaining hands-on experience, thereafter, transferring to the water division, responsible for the implementation of large capital projects and planning.
Recently, his primary focus has been on taking a lead in the compilation and implementation of the NMBM’s drought mitigation plan to avoid the recent drought disaster. Though his career he has developed a keen interest in water resilience planning, sustainable groundwater resources, and telemetry-SCADA systems.
He is an active member of SAICE, IMESA, WISA, the Ground Water Division of GSSA, the International Association of Hydrogeologists of SA, and is registered with ECSA as a Candidate Engineer.
JOSEPH BARNARD
Witzenberg Municipality Pr CPM
PAPER 16
Joseph Barnard matriculated in Germiston and obtained his BTech (Civil Engineering) from the University of Technology (Orange Free State). The early years of his career was spent with DWS.
He spent 8 years as Project Manager responsible for various projects, of which the Project Management of the project for the design, rehabilitation, reconstruction and maintenance of coal haul roads(asphalt surfaced) in Mpumalanga with a contract period of 20 months and budget of R548 000 000-00 was the highlight. He has some 22 years of Municipal Service, serving as Director: Technical Services at various municipalities.
The Witzenberg municipality, current employer has a clean audit record of 10 years of continuous clean audits. The Witzenberg municipality also recently obtained a third place at the Imesa Excellence award for its zero waste to landfill pilot project. For a number of years the Witzenberg Municipality were ranked high for its green & blue drop performance as measured by DWS and was awarded the best performing municipality in 2021 for green drop. In 2014, the Witzenberg Municipality obtained second place for its blue drop performance. His interests include camping at rural destinations and doing alterations at home.
PAPER 17
MISHQAH HUSSAIN
Bosch Projects
Mishqah Hussain is a skilled Process Project Engineer at Bosch Projects, where she has been an integral part of the sugar and industrial team since 2022. She holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering (UKZN, 2021) and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering (UKZN, 2019). Her expertise in process engineering encompasses design, specifications, simulations, and modeling.
Mishqah has published four papers in renowned international journals on thermodynamics and chemical engineering. Her Master’s research was featured at the International Thermodynamic Symposium in July 2022, and she recently presented work done with the Water Research Commission (WRC) at the inaugural IWA Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems Conference in October 2023.
Before joining Bosch Projects, Mishqah gained valuable experience as a graduate chemical engineer at eThekwini Municipality, focusing on strategic projects like the Waste Characterization Study. She also gained experience as a business improvement analyst at Unilever South Africa.
Dr. Dinos Constantinides matriculated at Springs Boys High and obtained his BSc (Civil Eng) (cum lauda) and his Phd (Water Eng.) at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa in 1981. In the early years of his career he worked for Murray & Roberts Contractors and for the Hydrological Research Unit and subsequently the Water Research Program as a senior research officer at the University of the Witwatersrand.
In 1987 he founded Hydro-Comp, a company specialising in consulting services and information technology for effective utility management. The company at present has its head-quarters in Cyprus, has offices in many countries, including South Africa (Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Bay) and has carried out projects for Utilities & Municipalities in more than 20 countries throughout the world. The company’s Billing and Customer Services software is currently used by Utilities/ Municipalities serving more than 50 million people.
Dr. Dinos is the author of three books and more than seventy publications in the fields of Water Supply and Utility Management and is regarded as a world authority in the field.
PAPER STANDBY 2
CARYS SUTHERLAND
Carys Sutherland graduated with a BSc(Eng) in Civil Engineering with honours in March 2024. She was on the SAICE and ICE UCT Chapter Committee in 2022 and in 2023 she was the Vice Chairperson on the Engineering and Built Environment Student Council at UCT.
Carys is currently working for WBHO as a Site Engineer on the Hartebeesthoek Wind Power Project in the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality. Her interests lie in municipal engineering and management of urban services.
Her Undergraduate Thesis was titled A Technical Review of Road Maintenance Practices Against Scientific Considerations.
Abstracts
56 Paper 1: Ian Bowker Paper 2: Rajiv Paladh
Shanna Nienaber
57 Paper 3: Dr Precious Biyela Paper 4: Dr Chris von Holdt Asogan (Ivan) Moonsamy
58 Paper 5: Thendo Peterson Nethengwe Oarabile Mawasha
59 Paper 6: Marco van Dijk
Jan Kabefa Moloisan
Paper 7: Kemira Naidoo
60 Paper 8: Nonjabulo Mbhele Lubabalo Luyaba
Paper 9: Chandre Barnard Naledi Mooi
61 Paper 10: Christian Mulol Paper 11: Prof JA du Plessis
62 Paper 12: Petrus Blaauw Paper 13: Mike Wiese
63 Paper 14: Karen King Hanry Neethling
Paper 15: Matthew Hills
64 Paper 16: Dave Edwards Joseph Barnard
Paper 17: Mishqah Hussain
65 Standby Paper 1: Dr Dinos Constantinides Standby Paper 2: Carys Sutherland
67 Index to Papers
PAPER 1
Ian Bowker
The Rehabilitation of a Portion of Jakes Gerwel Drive using Reclaimed Asphalt Aggregated for the Production of BSM base
The City of Cape Town generates large quantities of reclaimed asphalt (RA) annually through its roads resurfacing and rehabilitation programs. The RA is stockpiled for reuse as gravels and other "low value" uses at various depots located within the City. To maximize the value held in the material, the City commissioned a study to determine the optimum utilization of RA. This resulted in two framework contracts for the treatment of RA. The treated RA was then utilized in the full-depth rehabilitation of Portions of Jakes Gerwel Drive between the N1 and the N2.
The first framework contract entailed the crushing and screening of the stockpiled reclaimed asphalt, with the first project being implemented at the City’s largest stockpile in Ndabeni, a facility with over 25,000m3 of stockpiled RA. RA for the use in the Jakes Gerwel Rehabilitation was crushed and screened and ringfenced in advance at the Ndabeni depot.
The second contract for the supply of bitumen stabilised material using the reclaimed asphalt was awarded and commenced mid-way through 2021. This was utilized concurrently the rehabilitation project to supply BSM materials to the contract.
The pavement design for Jakes Gerwel Drive considered four options: i) bitumen stabilised material ii) bitumen treated basecourse (BTB), iii) cement treated basecourse (CTB) and iv) granular material. The project required the road to accommodate heavy traffic loads, have a uniform pavement structure and be open to traffic every morning during the construction period, due to the large volumes of traffic. BSM was consequently selected as the most suitable base material.
The BSM base was produced from 100% RA using the cold recycling process. This requires less energy and produces fewer emissions that Hot mix asphalt. This pavement rehabilitation solution proved that the use of reclaimed asphalt in the production of bitumen stabilised materials not only addressed growing stockpiles and contributed to a circular economy, but also provided a structurally equivalent and cost-effective alternative to conventional construction.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Case study of Rehabilitation of Portions of Jakes Gerwel
2. Crushing and screening of RA
3. BSM production
4. Lessons learnt
PAPER 2
Rajiv Paladh Shanna Nienaber
A review of the Public Procurement Framework to Promote the Uptake of Water and Sanitation Innovations
Public water and sanitation institutions have been able to demonstrate emerging innovations. However, the larger scale uptake of these innovations has proven challenging. The public procurement framework is often attributed as one of the main challenges with the wider uptake of innovations. The Water Research Commission (WRC) commissioned a research study in November 2022 to explore the challenges with the existing public procurement and the impact that this has on the procurement of water and sanitation innovations.
86 stakeholders were identified to complete an online survey after the initial desktop review. 23 participants completed the online survey and a further 15 participants were also identified for an in-depth interview. Several workshops were also held to discuss and share the findings of the study. This included three engagements with National Treasury.
The public procurement framework was found to be enabling and allowed for the procurement of innovations. The governing principles of the public procurement framework are enshrined in Section 217 of the Constitution and are:
- Open and effective competition - Value-for-money
- Ethics and fair dealings - Accountability and reporting
- Equity
The challenge with the procurement of water and sanitation innovations is the application of the public procurement framework rather than the framework itself. Practitioners focus on the acquisition phase of Supply Chain Management (SCM) and there is little focus on the demand phase which is the planning for procurement and is aimed at developing an appropriate procurement strategy that is aligned to the objectives of the business.
There were several misconceptions of the public procurement framework that were identified during the research. It is recommended that practitioners review the various notes issued by National Treasury or the institutions SCM policy prior to stating that certain decisions need to be made as allowed by the PFMA or MFMA.
The Strategic Sourcing Process (SSP) developed by National Treasury is a collaborative structured approach that could be used for the procurement of water and sanitation innovations.
The multi-stage bidding process could also be used for the procurement of innovations that are required to be demonstrated and implemented at a much larger scale.
It is also recommended that Water Sector Institutions develop innovation policies that signals their intent to innovate, and also provides the innovation strategy for the organisation. Institutions that do not have the capacity and organisational processes in place to innovate should consider engaging national research organisations such as the WRC or CSIR.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Overview of the public procurement framework in South Africa
2. Challenges with applying the public procurement framework
3. Recommendations for using the public procurement framework to procure water and sanitation innovations
Dr Precious Biyela
Approaches to Informal Settlements Upgrading and Affordable Housing Development: How does South Africa compare to Brazil and India?
Informal settlements (ISs) are a global urban phenomenon in developing countries. In South Africa, there are ISs around all major cities and towns. These settlements are often characterized by the inadequacy of housing, recreational spaces and health and education facilities; poor access to electricity, water, and sanitation services; uncontrolled and unhealthy population densities; and ineffective administration by municipalities. The 2004 declaration of the Comprehensive Housing Plan for the Development of Integrated Sustainable Human Settlements made informal settlements upgrading (ISU) and developing affordable housing the cornerstone of South Africa’s approach to ensuring dignified housing for all. Twenty years later, South Africa has over 2600 ISs, which are home to 1,400,000 households mostly living in dire conditions.
This study assessed the effectiveness of the interventions adopted for ISU and developing affordable housing in South Africa, compared to strategies used in India and Brazil. The study used mixed methods. A systematic review of the literature was used to identify ISU and affordable housing development strategies adopted in India and Brazil, unearth major recurring themes in these two contexts, and determine the effectiveness of the adopted strategies. Semi-structured interviews with professionals and a transect visit to one IS were conducted to get an understanding of the South African approach. The interviews were designed around the major recurring themes, identified from the literature, to better understand how South African institutions approach ISU and the effectiveness of their approaches.
In-situ ISU was found to be the best way to deliver dignified housing affordably in all three countries although implementation strategies vary. Several aspects of in-situ ISU interventions practiced in South Africa are in line with international best practice. These include incremental tenure arrangements, enabling IS residents to gain recognition that allows them to interact with formal institutions while awaiting permanent tenure arrangements, and the incremental upgrading of basic infrastructure and services. Still, there are several areas of potential improvement. For starters, South Africa could recognize illegally occupied multistorey structures as ISs, so that interventions targeting these types of settlements can be funded from national ISU grants, as has been successfully done in Brazil. Currently, plans for addressing these types of settlements are developed at municipal level, and therefore cannot be financed from national ISU grants. South Africa could also better incentivize private sector involvement in ISU and the development of affordable housing, as India does, to increase the funding available for improving the country’s housing stock.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Upgrading informal settlements and affordable housing in South Africa is slow and problematic. The approach faces significant criticism.
2. Despite issues, South Africa’s strategies align with international best practices.
3. Successful housing development plans in similar countries support the foundational elements of South Africa’s approach.
PAPER 4
Infrastructure Management Turnaround Strategy Development at the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
The City of Durban is one of South Africa’s largest cities and home to 4 million residents. The custodian of the City’s R500 billion Rand portfolio of economic and social infrastructure is the eThekwini Metro Municipality, which has a workforce of 27,000 staff. The Metro has in recent years faced several major challenges and setbacks. Ageing infrastructure, rapid population growth, and natural disasters combined with a lack of integrated long-term planning, poor investment decision-making, and ineffective internal processes and practices have profoundly impacted service delivery performance. This has resulted in social and environmental failures, stifled investment, and disgruntled residents.
This paper provides a case study of how the Metro through its Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) initiated a process to develop a city-wide strategy to restore infrastructure services, prevent further decay, and sustain infrastructure services over the long term to protect the well-being and prosperity of its residents.
Global practice shows that infrastructure management practices and processes lie at the heart of managing large asset-intensive organisations such as cities. The CSO implemented an independent assessment of eThekwini’s infrastructure management practices and processes and identified organisational improvement needs to strengthen the organisation in 3 key areas:
1) Investment decision-making
2) Operational efficiency and effectiveness and
3) Long term organisational sustainability
Independent internationally certified assessors conducted a diagnostic of the maturity of current infrastructure management practices across the city’s 17 business units to determine a baseline for improvement. This was combined with 260 burning issues identified by eThekwini’s management cohort as the basis of the fact finding. Using an international best practice institutional model, six thematic workshops involving 145 senior managers were facilitated to develop one infrastructure management turnaround strategy for the metro underpinned by 14 institutional strengthening projects. The most critical of these projects were initiated and the fundamental building blocks put in place to help strengthen the institution and guide it on a path towards long-term sustainability including governance structures, an improved integrated planning and budgeting process, a structured improvement roadmap, and a structured change management plan. The institutional improvement journey for eThekwini has a long way to go and the administration of eThekwini still faces many challenges to sustain infrastructure based services. The authors reflect on the successes, failures and lessons learnt in driving infrastructure management improvement in a large South African city in the hope that other cities would benefit from it.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Development of a strategy to turn around infrastructure service provision
2. The diagnosis and identification of institutional improvements
3. The driving of change in a large complex institutional environment
4. Challenges, successes and lessons learnt.
Chris von Holdt Asogan (Ivan) Moonsamy
PAPER 5A
Assessment of
Thendo Peterson Nethengwe Oarabile Mawasha
the effectiveness
of Nanotechnology and Microbial Ecology (micro-organism) to Enhanced Bioremediation of Surface Water Pollution Caused by Sewage spill from collapse sewer line, a case of Cedar Lake estate, COJ, SA
Bioremediation, a process harnessing natural mechanisms to mitigate environmental pollution, has become imperative in addressing surface water contamination worldwide, particularly by sewage spill/ collapse sewer network. In Johannesburg, South Africa, rapid urbanization and industrialization have make worse the problem, posing significant ecological and public health risks. Traditional remediation methods have proven inadequate, prompting exploration into innovative approaches like nanotechnology and microbial ecology. Nano-Bubbler technology infuses oxygen into water, vital for aquatic species survival, while microbial ecology employs microorganisms to degrade pollutants. This study assesses the effectiveness bioremediation technique through the use of nanotechnology and microbes dosage in water bodies located at Cedar Lake Estate, within City of Johannesburg. Before intervention, the site exhibited elevated level E. coli and low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations, indicative of poor water quality resulting from sewage pollution collapse sewer infrastructure. Poor water quality resulted to significant fish mortality within such water body (ecosystem).
During bioremediation through the use of nanotechnology and dosage of microbes, significant reductions in E. coli counts were observed within the first two weeks of starting with bioremediation technique, coupled with moderate improvements in DO levels, critical to support ecosystem health. Post-bioremediation technique, sustained enhancements in water quality were noted, with increased DO concentrations and decreased E. coli counts, leading to ecosystems health improvement which is able sustain most of aquatic species noted within the pond (Willomere Lake). The results underscore the potential of these interventions in mitigating surface water pollution within City of Johannesburg and within South Africa at large, aligning with sustainable environmental management principles.
Through interdisciplinary collaboration and demanding monitoring, these innovative strategies offer promising pathways towards safeguarding water resources and fostering ecosystem resilience. The process of bioremediation had a positive social impact as the community gave positive feedback of the smell zone area having decreased in bad odour due to bio. bioremediation works.
2. Social and engineering impact bioremediation works had on the community.
PAPER 5B
Thendo Peterson Nethengwe Oarabile Mawasha
Assessment of the effectiveness of containment sump - sewer screen to redirect sewer and microbes dosage to Enhanced Bioremediation of Surface Water Pollution Caused by collapse sewer line, a case of Protea South, COJ, SA
Bioremediation, a process harnessing natural mechanisms to mitigate environmental pollution, has become imperative in addressing surface water contamination worldwide, particularly by sewage spill/collapse sewer network. In Johannesburg, South Africa, rapid urbanization and industrialization have make worse the problem, posing significant ecological and public health risks. Traditional remediation methods have proven inadequate, prompting exploration into innovative approaches like use of containment sump with sewer screen and microbial ecology. The use of containment sump with sewer screen reduces the amount of sewer solids into water bodies such river and dams, thereby reducing significant impact of water body, while dosage of microbes (microbial ecology) employs microorganisms to degrade pollutants within the channel and containment sump.
This study assesses the effectiveness bioremediation technique through the use of containment sump and microbes’ dosage of polluted water before reaches the river bodies located at within City of Johannesburg, down gradient of the sewer collapse point. Before intervention, significant of solid observed within the water body down gradient of the sewer collapse point leading to poor water quality. During bioremediation through the use of containment sump - channel to redirect sewer from sewerline and dosage of microbes, lead to reduction on sewer smell and solid waste into river and further improve breakdown of pollutants concern before wastewater reaches the river, this has led to improved ecosystem's health. Post-bioremediation technique, sustained enhancements in water quality were noted, with increased DO concentrations and decreased E. coli counts, leading to ecosystems health improvement which is able sustain most of aquatic species within the river. The results underscore the potential of these interventions in mitigating surface water pollution within City of Johannesburg and within South Africa at large, aligning with sustainable environmental management principles.
Through interdisciplinary collaboration and demanding monitoring, these innovative strategies offer promising pathways towards safeguarding water resources and fostering ecosystem resilience. The process of bioremediation had a positive social impact as the community gave positive feedback of the smell zone area having decreased in bad odour due to bio. bioremediation works.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Bioremediation technology, containment sump, Microbial ecology (micro-organism), microbes’ dosage, solid waste reduction, Surface water pollution, Sewage contamination, collapse sewer network, sustainable environmental management principles, innovative strategies, Johannesburg, South Africa
2. Social and engineering impact bioremediation works had on the community.
PAPER 6
Marco van Dijk
Jan Kabefa Moloisane
Improvements to the Hydraulic Performance of Culverts under Inlet Control Conditions through the Optimisation of Inlet Characteristics
With a growing focus on optimizing the hydraulic performance of both new and existing culverts, especially given South Africa's changing road network and expected shifts in rainfall patterns due to climate change, this study delved into the advantages of using angled wingwall and headwall combinations. It also explored the potential benefits of installing a ventilation device to enhance culvert performance. Experimental modelling conducted at the University of Pretoria Water Laboratory revealed that the angled wingwall and headwall configurations led to significant improvements in flow compared to traditional square inlets. Furthermore, the study discovered that a ventilation device could alter the flow dynamics within culverts, causing them to operate under inlet control conditions rather than outlet control conditions.
The research suggests adjustments to design coefficients for square inlet culverts operating under inlet control conditions, providing practical insights for enhancing culvert performance during the design phase. Additionally, the study proposes the use of prefabricated inlet elements as cost-effective solutions for upgrading existing culverts, offering a means to effectively improve performance without requiring lengthy road closures. It was found that the for varying degrees of modifications an increase in performance of between 13% and 18% could be achieved at optimum depth over height ratios when compared to the unmodified model results.
A practical implementation of these proposed modifications has been designed and will be discussed in greater detail in the paper. Overall, this study highlights the potential of innovative design modifications to boost culvert performance, offering sustainable and economical alternatives to conventional replacement practices. It contributes to advancing hydraulic engineering resilience in response to evolving infrastructural and environmental challenges.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Hydraulic improvements
2. Optimised drainage systems
3. Climate mitigation
PAPER 7
Kemira Naidoo
Modelling and Forecasting Durban’s Ocean and Nearshore Waters
Climate change has increased the need for reliable modelling and forecasting across the globe. eThekwini Municipality in conjunction with Deltares, for more than 10 years now, has established and continuously developed their Forecast Early Warning System (FEWS) to predict inland flooding. The Municipality is now extending this system to operationally model and forecast scenarios at the coast.
Durban’s shore faces several challenges and threats from the coast. These include incidental flooding of the promenade, rip currents, and poor water quality due to spills and floating debris. This supports the need for an integrated coastal modelling system, linking the offshore currents and waves with detailed nearshore models. Data inventory, data collection and process understanding relevant to the location of interest, are extremely important for model validation and calibration. Fortunately, eThekwini already has extensive monitoring in place that can be used to validate these models. These include tide gauges, ADCP’s, wave buoys, radar, and beach cameras, which are all already incorporated within eThekwini’s FEWS.
The coast of Durban experiences many contributing factors which requires the integration of ocean and nearshore modelling to accurately depict its complex dynamics. Therefore, several models need to be developed and calibrated to incorporate ocean and nearshore currents, waves and inundation. These were Delft3D Flexible Mesh, SWAN, Xbeach, and SFINCS respectively.
Water levels affect Durban's coastline from tide, storm surge, waves, sea level rise and potentially tsunamis. Durban’s tidal range reaches up to 2m with storm surge only reaching 0.4m. Durban has two dominant wind directions: South to Southeast between March and November; and a dominantly North Easterly from December to February. Ocean swell waves and local wind-induced waves are propagated to the shore and affected by refraction, shoaling, and breaking. The Agulhas Ocean current creates spin-off features such as eddies which together with tide- and wind-induced currents impact the Durban nearshore region.
All these driving forces need to be considered when developing a wellcalibrated coastal modelling system for operational use. This article will present the integrated coastal modelling presently being developed and calibrated at eThekwini Municipality.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Forecasting
2. Flooding
3. Coastal floods
4. Inundation
5. Durban coast
6. Integrated coastal modelling
Nonjabulo Mbhele Lubabalo Luyaba
What is not Measured, cannot be Improved – The Case for Municipal Water and Sanitation Services Efficiency Quantification
South Africa as a water scarce country has always needed to be efficient in the use and management of its water. There is a collective anecdotal agreement that South Africa, and municipalities in particular, are inefficient in the use and management of water. The Municipal Finance Management Act, Municipal Systems Act and Water Services Act all emphasize the legal obligation that municipalities have to be efficient in service provision. On this basis one would assume that South Africa has a credible deterministic model for quantifying municipal water and sanitation infrastructure services management efficiency, but this is not the case. The efficient management of water and sanitation services is simply not measured and the word “efficiency” is loosely used as though we all know and agree on what efficiency is in the context of municipal water and sanitation services. It is not unreasonable to assume that the absence of such a model (quantification tool) has contributed to our collective inability to measure, monitor and improve on management efficiency; after all what is not measured cannot be improved. There is therefore a need to re-engineer and revolutionise our understanding and approach to municipal water services management efficiency. In this paper the authors present a novel Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) based tool for efficiency quantification in the form of the Municipal Water and Sanitation Services Infrastructure Management Efficiency (MWaSSIME) Index.
The MWaSSIME Index is used to present the relative efficiencies of 28 municipalities from 2018 to 2023. The analysis covers the eight metros and four Water Services Authorities from each of the other categories (B1, B2, B3, B4 and C2). The results are surprising and expected, where it is clear that management efficiency is not possible with very limited resources (B4 and C2), but resource availability does not automatically equate to efficiency (as shown by A and B1). These findings provide an evidence-based foundation for the engineered revolution of municipal water and sanitation services efficiency management through appropriate benchmarking tools.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Engineering revolution by enabling accountability, monitoring and improvement through deterministic tools for what we assume is in place but is not.
2. Quantifying municipal water and sanitation services management efficiency for evidence-based decision making.
3. Municipal benchmarking for peer-learning, peer-review and introduction of new performance-based incentives and disincentives.
PAPER 9
From then to Now: A view of NMBM's Contract Management Advancement since the 1800's
Shortly before 1880, the city engineer of the then Port Elizabeth, now Gqeberha, would set off on a three-day horse ride to get to the construction site of what would become the city’s first proper source of water. It would then make sense that the contract document includes specifications and items in the bill of quantities for stabling and feed for the engineer’s horse. Similarly, in modern documents you can find accommodations for the engineer’s vehicle in a construction contract.
This paper will explore how contracts have evolved or in some cases stayed the same, by comparing modern practices to actual contract documents from the 1800’s.
It will also highlight how Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) has since applied pioneering approaches to deal with the challenging, highcollaborative interaction required between all stakeholders involved in professional services. In recent years, innovative technologies have since revolutionised and been introduced in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. With these developments, there have been advancements in contract administration and management of projects within the built environment.
An example of the successful integration of Industry 4.0 technologies by the municipality was the VR experience used for the Coegakop Water Treatment Works. The technologies used played a fundamental part of the municipality’s submission for securing funds from national government. It facilitated by enabling decision-makers to have a walkthrough and understand the proposed facility. It was used in the initial tender briefing for prospective bidders, which was a first for the municipality. The simulation helped refine complex parts of the design, undertake clash detection, and enhanced the design in terms of constructability considerations. Opportunity exists to further extend the uses of this technology by the integration of building information modeling (BIM). The 3D BIM model acts as a common portal where all stakeholders can work simultaneously and share information, and the changes are updated in all domains automatically. This paper will explore the almost inexhaustible list of functionalities this technology has throughout the project and asset life cycle.
Finally, all the above information is fed into a water management system and a newly developed Scada system that enhances operational efficiencies and network control. Key Presentation Impact Points:
Chandre Barnard Naledi Mooi
PAPER 10
Christian Mulol
Drawbacks of Pothole Filling Programs as a Preventive Maintenance Measure: Study Based on Non-Intrusive Pavement Defects Investigation
Many of the recent studies have alerted the South Africa Road Sector and its various stakeholders to the alarming deterioration rate of the road network condition. This is especially the case with the secondary and the tertiary road network where the backlog of maintenance is in order of hundreds of billions of Rands. Amongst other reasons such as the lack of technical capacity within the secondary and tertiary road authorities, this backlog of maintenance has often been named as one of the major contributors to the poor rating of the lower ranking roads in South Africa. Roads within the secondary and tertiary sector are either at risk of failure, being unable to cope with the normal demand, subjecting the public to severe inconvenience, or unfit for purpose, having already failed or being on the verge of failure, exposing the public to health and safety hazard.
To ensure all the safety hazards on the road network are done away with immediate effect, reactive maintenance through the filling of potholes can be recommended. However, this approach was never intended to be the substitute of the planned or routine maintenance processes.
This paper shows that though the reactive maintenance through the filling of potholes has a merit from a safety point of view, this method does not necessarily address the root-cause that led to the initiation and the generation of such potholes. Using various roads as case studies and through a comparison of their TMH 9 visual assessment strip map to the FWD deflection parameters mapping, the paper recommends that the reactive maintenance should not only follow the rigorous requirements of pothole repair that extend into the base and underlying layers but also be taken as a holding measure guarantying the safety of the motorists until the imminent routine maintenance is implemented without any further delay.
In addition, the paper provides a comparative study between the visual strip maps and the mapping of the computed remaining life for the various pavement layer horizons to motivate for the use of other maintenance treatments. Indeed, other maintenance treatment measures could sometime increase the effectiveness of reactive maintenance when combined with the filling of potholes together with the necessary base and underlying layers, as indicated above.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Maintenance backlog
2. Reactive maintenance
3. Routine maintenance
4. Pothole filling
5. Visual condition assessment
6. FWD Deflection Analysis
7. Remaining life concept
PAPER 11
Prof JA du Plessis
Does Rainfall Trends and Patterns in South Africa Demonstrate Climate Change in the Past Century?
South Africa is a water-scarce country encountering increased climatic variability. In the recent past, South Africa experienced the devastating Cape Town drought and most recently severe floods in Kwa-Zulu Natal. These extreme events expose the vulnerability of municipalities in South Africa, a highly natural water resources-reliant country, to the impacts of climate variability.
With the advent of climate change, the likelihood of extreme events occurring has increased necessitating a thorough analysis of rainfall trends and patterns for effective water resource planning and management and in support of revolitionising out municipal water cycle. This research aimed to contribute to the existing contentious discourse on observable rainfall trends versus climate change rainfall projections, by employing nonparametric statistical analysis of rainfall station data spanning from 1900 to 2019, strategically distributed across the country.
The results demonstrated insignificant trends in daily rainfall. However, statistically significant increases were observed in monthly rainfall during November, December, and January in Summer and 'All-year' rainfall regions. Conversely, significant decreases were noted in March, May, June, and September across Summer, Winter, and 'All year' rainfall regions. Seasonal and annual trend analyses highlighted alternating short-term trends in the Summer rainfall region, while the Winter rainfall region experienced a shorter but wetter main rainfall season over short-term periods. The 'All year' rainfall region exhibited alternating dry and wet cycles with a slight decrease in mean annual rainfall.
Despite marginal long-term increases in annual rainfall, short-term periods showed increased variability. Although observed trends align with previous research outputs, change in annual rainfall remained relatively low, at 0.6-1.0 mm/year. This research hence recommends carefull consideration of the observable rainfall trends when utilising climate change projected rainfall data in South Africa's planning processes and implementation of engineering projects.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Rainfall variability
2. Rainfall trends
3. Climate change comparisons
4. Extreme events
PAPER 12
Pierre Blaauw
Does Deferred Ownership Bridge the GAP?
GAP Housing represents households earning within the First Home Finance brackets of R3 500 to R22 000 monthly combined income. The unfortunate truth for this market segment is that a lack of discretionary income and poor credit records prevent the majority of families from getting a bond.
Cape Agulhas Municipality requested their Implementing Agent to propose an alternative strategy that will enable a greater number of families to get access to GAP Housing as part of a larger development catering for BNG as well as GAP housing opportunities.
A proposal under the heading of 'Deferred Ownership' was submitted in 2018 to the Department of Human Settlements (DoHS) for consideration. It was requested in 2018 that the Department consider a pilot project at Area F in Bredasdorp. Funding is provided by the DoHS to construct housing opportunities which will be offered to prospective purchasers to sign an option to buy the property, rent the property for 5 years and, when the rental period is complete, buy the property at the initial offered price.
Funding from DoHS de-risks the capital investment for the developer, the five-year period of rental is used to get the purchaser financially fit to get a bond at the end of the period, and inflation-adjusted income over the period assists the purchaser to afford the bond and associated downpayments. Community rental does not cater for income above R3 500, and social housing is not feasible in all areas.
DoHS agreed to the pilot and provided R10 million seed funding. The project proposal was refined, ensuring that rental payments are proxied on bond repayment amounts, the cost of water and electricity is covered, the purchaser builds a deposit as incentive, and the time value of money is accommodated over a three-year period. It remains a municipal asset until transfer to the purchaser; however, the purchaser assumes full responsibility for the house's upkeep during the rental phase, similar to a normal rental agreement.
The pilot proceeded in 2022, and 26 housing opportunities are now occupied on the basis of Deferred Ownership. Though the project is still ongoing, the paper will outline the approach, assess the outcomes to date, critically evaluate the success in bridging the GAP, and explore alternatives.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. GAP Housing market challenge
2. Deferred Ownership explained
3. Feedback on progress with a live pilot project
4. Evaluating the success of Deferred Ownership penetrating the GAP market
PAPER 13
Mike Wiese
Revolution on Route 319 (MR261): Unconventional Methods Pave the Way for Flood Safety
South Africa has faced significant challenges in recent years owing to devastating floods, impacting both communities and infrastructure. During these events, emergency responses have been strained, leaving communities isolated. One such community resides in the globally renowned tourist destination of Struisbaai and L’Agulhas at the most southern tip of Africa, which has been particularly severely affected.
The Regional Route 319 (R319), also known as Main Road 261 (MR261) connecting Bredasdorp to L’Agulhas, has consistently faced flood-related issues. Not only is the road prone to flooding during extreme storm events, but the long periods of inundation and slow subsiding of flood waters exacerbates the impacts of flooding.
In the context of road upgrades, an unconventional and revolutionary approach to drainage design and flood immunity of the road infrastructure was adopted. The assessment employed a holistic two-dimensional modelling framework of the approximately 340 square kilometre area, extending beyond the typical scope for road upgrade projects. It considered not only the topographically flat network of braided watercourses and environmentally sensitive wetlands, but also the steeper mountainous areas within the Heuningnes River catchment. The innovative rain-on-grid hydrological modelling approach enhanced our understanding of the intricate responses of various catchment segments to rainfall events, and the consequential flooding of the area. The flood study served multiple purposes. Firstly, it provided insights into the existing flood risk and levels associated with the R319. Secondly, mitigation strategies, such as the raising of the road levels, increasing cross drainage capacity and proposed canals, were explored to reduce this risk, ensuring the safety of surrounding communities during extreme weather events. Additionally, the impact of these mitigation interventions on environmentally sensitive areas were explored, emphasizing sustainable practices. Importantly, the findings of the study justified deviations from standard guidelines, aligning the project with the specific site, community needs, and environmental considerations.
This groundbreaking approach not only enhances road resilience but also sets a precedent for future infrastructure projects. By integrating unconventional hydrological and hydraulic modelling techniques, and considering the broader context, we can revolutionize flood risk management and create more resilient road networks.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Flood risk management
2. Two-dimensional modelling
3. Hydrological and hydraulic modelling
4. Rain-on-grid
5. Road drainage design
Karen King Hanry Neethling
Addressing Vandalism and Water Issues in Low-Cost, High-Density Housing Projects
Vandalism has plagued low-cost housing projects in South Africa for years, causing project delays and budget over-runs. Vandalism can have various underlying causes and is often a sign of sociological dynamics. It can be a protest against neglect, a form of self-expression, identity formation, a lack of parental supervision or boredom.
Another low-cost housing challenge is water availability and management, owing to issues of inappropriate stormwater management, a lack of water reuse and high urbanization rates, among others.
To address these inter-related issues in the planning stages of the first low-cost, high-density housing project in Mossel Bay, the Mountain View housing project team adopted an approach that built water- and community-sensitive thinking into their design. The objective of the project was to provide structures and services on 1003 high-density residential and 9 non-residential erven. Additional objectives included provision of opportunities for community interaction and self-expression, safe spaces for the youth, recreation areas and effective, environmentally friendly water solutions.
This necessitated integrated engineering and sociological design processes. Water demand was calculated based on urban agriculture, sports field and school’s requirements in addition to residential requirements. Water management included design of a bioswale for stormwater attenuation within public open spaces and rainwater harvesting facilities.
Post occupation of the first batch of houses, a community mural painting project and a healing process were facilitated. Artists, Traditional Leaders and community members designed and painted the murals together, providing opportunities for expression, community cohesion and a sense of belonging. A traditional community healing process was held to ask the ancestors to welcome the new community.
The community was very positive about the additional design aspects. The facilitating artists were welcomed into the community, which was keenly involved in the mural project and healing process. The community facilities that have been built are being used and looked after. The bioswale has successfully attenuated large storm events and the harvested rainwater is used for irrigation.
The first of the Mountain View community members had taken occupation by late 2022, and to date there is no evidence of vandalism or water problems at the site. It is recommended that the situation be monitored as further residents move into the community. It is also recommended that the incomplete community resources, such as the school and the urban agriculture area, be developed as soon as possible. Finally, it is recommended that more use is made of the harvested rainwater.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Issues of vandalism and water mismanagement need to be addressed together in the planning phases of low-cost, high-density housing projects.
PAPER
15
A Practical and Proven Guide to Municipal Water SCADA-Telemetry Systems
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s (NMBM) drought mitigation plan primarily focussed on supply augmentation and demand management; however, the unsung hero of the drought projects was the development of a SCADA-telemetry system implemented for the water division. Key to avoiding dry taps during the 2015 to 2023 drought was the ability to make instant adjustments to a highly interconnected water network to balance the knife-edge between water demand and severely restricted supply.
A creative engineering solution that improves operation efficiency and response times is needed. A state-of-the-art SCADA-telemetry system offers the means of overcoming these challenges.
Through experience gained by implementing a SCADA-telemetry system for the NMBM’s water assets, this paper aims to provide a proven and practical guide to successfully commissioning and maintaining a municipal scale water system. Twelve key themes that will be discussed include:
1. Recognise that OT is a separate system to your institutional IT;
2. Packaging of data starts at the on-site PLC and linked devices;
3. Build a network that you have full control of site connections;
4. Use the cellular network for bi-directional communication and reliability;
5. Build redundancy into hardware infrastructure by including backup power generation;
6. Elect for an open-source protocol, in other words talk in a language that you understand;
7. Stipulate a tag naming convention so that information is logically stored;
8. Instil a consistent look-and-feel by developing standard icons, graphics, and colours;
9. Develop a security matrix and define access and control permissions for groups of users;
10. Allow for remote system access of mobile devices through a web hosted address;
11. Feed data into asset management systems to encourage proactive maintenance;
12. Integrate into Non-Revenue Water and Billing workstreams. Proactive responses by decision makers to system stresses can only be as good as the information that they are based on. Rolling out a SCADAtelemetry system enhances the ability of water service authorities to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services to all consumers in its area of jurisdiction, as per the requirements of the Water Services Act.
Key Presentation Impact Point:
1. Access your constraints and choose a suitable solution.
2. Select a “champion” to lead this project.
3. Start small with pilot projects.
4. Be prepared for an iterative development process.
5. Standardise and document everything!
6. It’s only as good as what YOU put into it.
Matthew Hills
PAPER 16
Dave Edwards Joseph Barnard
Widening and Strengthening of the existing Ceres van Breda bridge
The Van Breda Bridge is located in Ceres within the Witzenberg Municipality, Western Cape. It is on the main provincial R46 route through the town and crosses the picturesque Dwars River. It is a strategically important route in the region, that carries major traffic, in particular large transport vehicles for the fruit industry which is a major employment provider in the area. The present concrete bridge with piers and simply supported beams was originally constructed in 1928, replacing an old wooden bridge, and therefore has heritage value.
The current upgrading project was initiated in December 2021, and was co-funded by the roads department of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape and Witzenberg Municipality. The objective was firstly to address maintenance and safety issues including the deteriorated riding quality of the surface, secondly to widen the bridge to accommodate two lanes plus a shoulder, and thirdly to strengthen the bridge to accommodate current loading code requirements.
The objectives were achieved by means of widening the existing piers to support new precast tee-beams on each side of the bridge. The pier footings did not need to be enlarged, but for the widened abutment and wing wall supports the use of end-bearing piles was required. The new cross-section now accommodates sidewalks on the widened bridge, separated from the vehicle carriageway by concrete balustrades. For heritage purposes, light poles to the exact shape of the original are mounted thereon.
Structural strengthening of existing beams and deck structure was carried out by means of fastening steel plates and strips onto the bottom and sides of the beams, and by dowelling an additional concrete layer into the existing deck slab.
Outside of the bridge structure, the geometry of the approach roads was improved, and new accesses and parking facilities were created for adjacent businesses that were affected.
One of the challenges on the project was the precise dimensioning of each individual precast beam to enable placement within tolerance and to match the original curved deck and horizontal angle of the diagonal river crossing, at the same time accommodating the original bridge's inconsistencies. Traffic management posed another challenge, necessitating complex sequencing of construction to always keep two lanes open, as there was no suitable alternative route.
Ultimately this landmark in Ceres has been successfully upgraded in 2024 to current standards, and to operate efficiently and promote the economy of the region.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Technical design solutions
2. Structural cross-section design
3. Construction challenges
PAPER 17
Mishqah Hussain
A Techno-Economic Evaluation of Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems (NSSS)
Introduction: Bosch Capital, in association with Bosch Projects, was appointed by the South African Sanitation Technology Evaluation Programme (SASTEP) to undertake a techno-economic evaluation of innovative sanitation solutions. The project was initiated in December 2022 and was completed in May 2023. The project included a cost modelling exercise for three emerging Non-Sewered Sanitation Solution (NSSS) against four conventional sanitation solutions in three potential markets. Markets assessed included domestic users, Schools and Informal Settlements. Non-sewered sanitation systems (NSSS) are defined as systems that are not connected to a conventional bulk sewage reticulation which collects, conveys, and treats the sewage to allow for the safe reuse or disposal of the generated solid output and/or effluent (SANS 30500:2019). NSSS is seen to be an attractive solution as technologies able to generate products such as biogas and biosolids, in addition to being able to provide a sanitation solution in a relatively short space of time, and usually at a lower cost as compared to connecting to the bulk sewer network.
Results: The results of the study suggest that the capital costs for the NSSS are significantly higher than conventional toilets. These units do however, provide a benefit to End User costs if the system is closed and effluent produced by the system can be used for flushing of toilets. The use of Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) will assist in the comparison of the NSSS and conventional solutions through the use of costs expected to be incurred over a 15 year period, as well as, the quantification of savings that may be realised through the End User not being required to purchase water for flushing, as well as, not being required to pay a sanitation charge for disposal of effluent.
Conclusion: The outputs of the study suggest that there may be potential to invest in the NSSS solutions given the potential benefits that may accrue particularly in schools and informal settlements. However, the current lifecycle costs to the End User may be higher than conventional solutions. It appears that most components for the NSSS are produced locally. Lifecycle costs of the NSSS may be reduced as Innovators review the design of the proposed solutions, an achieve lower unit prices from suppliers as order numbers increase.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Non-sewered sanitation systems may be able to compete with conventional sanitation technologies in the informal settlements and schools settings.
2. The price of the units can potentially decrease given the uptake of the technologies.
3. The benefits of these technologies are that water will not have to be purchased for flushing and most systems are equipped with solar panels hence purchasing of electricity may not be required. These are considered as potential savings to the End-User. A DCF analysis was conducted to assess this.
STANDBY PAPER 1
Dr Dinos Constantinides
The Role of Advanced Utility Billing and Customer Services Software in Maximizing Municipal Revenue
Effective revenue collection for Water & Sanitation services is paramount for the sustainable operation of South African municipalities. However, current statistics reveal a concerning average revenue collection rate of 72.5%, with some municipalities falling below 50%. In contrast, concessions contracts managed by private entities in South Africa boast nearly perfect collection rates, whilst in two neighbouring African countries, the water utilities serving 2.3 million and 1.2 million people respectively, have a collection rate of over 95%.
Furthermore, the prevalent issue of Non-Revenue Water (NRW), accounting for 47.4% of water supplied, presents a significant challenge. Within this figure, commercial losses, primarily unbilled revenue, contribute 6.6%, with the remaining attributed to leakage. Again, the four Utilities mentioned have very little commercial losses.
Non-Collected revenue is not simply a result of non-paying customers. This paper delves into the complex composition of non-collected revenue and further sheds light on the factors contributing to commercial losses.
A critical differentiator between municipalities achieving high collection rates and low commercial losses and those lagging behind is the adoption of proper Utility Billing and Customer Services software. Despite serving similar customer bases and employing comparable personnel, municipalities utilizing legacy Municipal billing systems struggle to achieve optimal performance. Conversely, those leveraging advanced Utility billing and Customer Services software, supported by robust commercial databases, efficient business procedures, covering the full facet of Commercial Activities and Operations, with sufficient audit trail, controls, and authorization, minimizing risks of human error and frauds, demonstrate far superior performance.
While many municipalities recognize the shortcomings of their existing billing systems, apprehension surrounding the associated costs and implementation risks inhibits progress. The paper advocates for exploring alternative procurement approaches where vendors’ pricing can suit municipalities of any size and where vendors assume the risk, thereby mitigating concerns and facilitating affordable and smoother transitions to modernized billing systems.
In conclusion, this paper emphasizes the urgent need for municipalities to prioritize the adoption of advanced Utility Billing and Customer Services software to optimize revenue collection and operational efficiency. It proposes innovative procurement strategies to alleviate implementation concerns and drive positive transformation in an affordable manner within the sector.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Improving municipal revenues
2. Role of Utility Billing and Customer Services Software in Maximizing Municipal Revenue
3. Understanding non-collected revenue and commercial losses
4. Transition to new Billing & Customer Services software at low cost and low risk
STANDBY PAPER 2
Carys Sutherland
Performance Monitoring for Executives in Road Maintenance and Service Delivery
The road network plays a pivotal role in fostering economic growth, social connectivity, and regional development in every country and hence the quality of the network negatively affects these aspects. Therefore, it is important for governments and municipalities to ensure that the road network is maintained. Repair methods need to be aligned with the scientific principles of road maintenance to ensure they are good quality and effective. Road repairs often fall short of meeting the required quality and design life, rendering them economically unjustifiable.
This study aimed to identify and investigate the relationship between performance monitoring and common technical errors in the maintenance of flexible pavements. This was achieved using a comprehensive exploratory study of road maintenance practices with a multi-faceted approach. Initially, the key performance indicators (KPIs) used by municipalities to manage road maintenance were assessed for specificity, measurability, achievability, relevance, and time specificity (SMART). This was to determine if these KPIs are aligned with the overarching goals of effective road maintenance. The second aspect comprised on-site and remote longitudinal observations of road maintenance practice in the City of Johannesburg, where common issues leading to unsuccessful repairs were identified. By synthesising these three facets, broader conclusions regarding the quality and effectiveness of road maintenance practices in South Africa were drawn.
It was found that although South Africa’s guidelines and manuals are in line with current research, pavement repairs that are non-compliant or fail rapidly are common. This was linked to municipalities using KPIs that do not assess quality of repairs nor the condition of the overall network. The pressure for meeting these KPIs overtakes road maintenance teams' resolve to ensure good quality work. In conclusion, by ensuring SMART KPIs are used when developing municipal budget and service delivery plans, it is possible to ensure that workmanship and network quality is maintained.
Key Presentation Impact Points:
1. Non-sewered sanitation systems may be able to compete with conventional sanitation technologies in the informal settlements and schools settings.
2. The price of the units can potentially decrease given the uptake of the technologies.
3. The benefits of these technologies are that water will not have to be purchased for flushing and most systems are equipped with solar panels hence purchasing of electricity may not be required. These are considered as potential savings to the End-User. A DCF analysis was conducted to assess this.
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INDEX TO PAPERS
Assessment of the effectiveness of Nanotechnology and Microbial Ecology (micro-organism) to Enhanced Bioremediation of Surface Water Pollution Caused by Sewage spill from collapse sewer line, a case of Cedar Lake estate, COJ, SA
Assessment of the effectiveness of containment sump - sewer screen to redirect sewer and microbes dosage to Enhanced Bioremediation of Surface Water Pollution Caused by collapse sewer line, a case of Protea South, COJ, SA
by Thendo Peterson Nethengwe & Oarabile Mawasha
to the Hydraulic Performance of Culverts under Inlet Control Conditions through the Optimisation of Inlet Characteristics
1
THE REHABILITATION OF A PORTION OF JAKES GERWEL DRIVE USING RECLAIMED ASPHALT AGGREGATE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BSM BASE
DISCLAIMER
This project was the subject of a paper entitled “RECLAIMED ASPHALT AS A VIABLE AGGREGATE SUBSTITUTE IN BITUMEN STABILISED MATERIAL: THE REHABILITATION OF JAKES GERWEL DRIVE” which was published at the 13th Conference on Asphalt Pavement Technology for South Africa (CAPSA) in 2023. The authors for this paper being submitted for the IMESA conference were also co-authors for the CAPSA paper. Data and figures from the CAPSA paper have been reproduced in this Paper
Ian Bowker, Andrew Geel
Ian Bowker: City of Cape Town
Andrew Geel: BVi Consulting Engineers Western Cape (Pty) Ltd
ABSTRACT
The City of Cape Town generates large quantities of reclaimed asphalt (RA) annually through its roads resurfacing and rehabilitation programs. The RA is stockpiled for re-use as gravels and other “low value” uses at various depots located within the City. To maximize the value held in the material, the City commissioned a study to determine the optimum utilization of RA. This resulted in two framework contracts being awarded for the treatment of RA. The treated RA was then utilized in the full-depth rehabilitation of portions of Jakes Gerwel Drive between the N1 and the N2.
The first framework contract entailed the crushing and screening of the stockpiled reclaimed asphalt, with the first project being implemented at the City’s largest stockpile in Ndabeni, a facility with over 25,000m3 of stockpiled RA. RA for the use in the Jakes Gerwel rehabilitation project was crushed and screened and ring-fenced in advance at the Ndabeni depot.
The second contract for the supply of bitumen stabilised material (BSM) using the reclaimed asphalt was awarded and commenced mid-way through 2021. This was utilized concurrently the rehabilitation project to supply BSM to the contract.
The pavement design for Jakes Gerwel Drive considered four options: i) bitumen stabilised material ii) bitumen treated base course (BTB), iii) cement treated base course (CTB) and iv) granular material. The project required the road to accommodate heavy traffic loads, have a uniform pavement structure and be open to traffic every morning during the construction period, due to the large volumes of traffic. BSM was consequently selected as the most suitable base material. The BSM base was produced from 100% RA using the cold recycling process. This process requires less energy and produces fewer emissions than hot mix asphalt. This pavement rehabilitation solution proved that the use of reclaimed asphalt in the production of bitumen stabilised materials not only addressed growing stockpiles and contributed to the circular economy, but also provided
a structurally equivalent and cost-effective alternative to conventional construction methods.
1. INTRODUCTION
The City of Cape Town’s (CCT) Road Infrastructure Maintenance (RIM) departments, which falls within the Urban Mobility Directorate, maintains a road network of approximately 10 400km. Depending on the annual maintenance budget, CCT can resurface up to 200km of road per year. This work generally involves removing (by means of milling) the existing asphalt wearing course and replacing it with new asphalt surfacing, either as patching, including bituminous base patching or full width resurfacing. The annual resurfacing program creates largest quantities of reclaimed asphalt (RA). This RA material is then hauled to the City RIM departmental depots and stored as a source of versatile material for use in various maintenance applications throughout the City.
The consistency of the resurfacing program created a greater supply of RA than could be utilized by the depots and the stockpiles at the depots grew to a point that was becoming problematic. The City identified the need to investigate further possible uses of RA, in higher quantities and in higher value applications. BVi Consulting Engineers Western Cape (Pty) Ltd was commissioned to carry out a study on uses of RA.
The study resulted in the creation of two contracts for the processing and recycling of RA. The first contract was for the crushing and screening of RA and the second contract was for the processing of RA using recycling technology to produce Bitumen Stabilized Material (BSM). The two contracts were the foundation for the Rehabilitation of Jakes Gerwel, which
FIGURE 1: Locality of Jakes Gerwel Drive Rehabilitation project
used BSM supplied by the City, through these contracts, to rehabilitate this section of road.
2. PROJECT BACKGROUND
The investigation for the alternative and optimized used of stockpiled RA was commissioned in 2017. Part of the recommendations of this study was to “implement crushing and screening of the material into various aggregate sizes smaller than 20 mm. This option allows for a wider range of applications of the RA material...”.
This recommendation led to the establishment of a framework contract, 268Q/2017/18, in 2018, for the establishment of crushing and screening plants, and crushing, screening and stockpile management of RA at any depot or site within the boundaries of the Metro.
The RA utilization study also recommended that the highest use application for the processed RA was in the manufacture of hot (or warm) mix asphalt. This application was however not deemed economically or procedurally feasible. A further solution that was proposed involved the manufacturing of bitumen stabilised material utilizing the recycled RA. This specific option was chosen and led to the establishment of a framework contract in 2019 for the establishment of a specialized recycling plant and the processing of RA into BSM at any depot of site within the boundaries of the Metro.
BVi Consulting Engineers Western Cape (Pty) Ltd were also appointed in 2017 to carry out the investigation and design of the rehabilitation of portions of Jakes Gerwel between Bluegum Street and Viking Way, in the Langa, Bonteheuwel and Epping areas of Cape Town. The detailed investigation and design report that emanated from this appointment recommended a deep rehabilitation using a new BSM base using reclaimed asphalt with an asphalt surfacing.
With the two RA processing framework contracts in place and a large project rehabilitation project that was suited to the use of BSM base, it was the perfect opportunity to utilise large quantities of RA for a high value application.
3. JAKES GERWEL DESIGN
Jakes Gerwel Drive is classified as a Class U2 Urban Major Arterial by TRH26[5]. It serves economic activity centres such as Epping and Goodwood industrial areas as well as residential areas such as Langa and Bonteheuwel, with periodic signalised intersections. It is also the major link between Epping Industria, National Route 1, National Route 2, National Route 7 and the Cape Town International Airport. The location of the project route is illustrated in Figure 1.
The project was divided into two sections; namely full rehabilitation in the south between Viking Way and Bluegum Street, and maintenance in the form of patching in the north between Frans Conradie Drive and the N7/N1 interchange ramps.
3.1.
Traffic Information
Traffic count information for the northbound and southbound carriageways was obtained in October 2017. The information showed that Jakes Gerwel is a highly trafficked road with a high percentage of heavy vehicles (approximately 8.8%).
The traffic data was further analysed to determine daily traffic patterns. The northbound carriageway had a distinct peak traffic period of over 2000 vehicles per hour between 6am and 9am and then maintained a relatively high traffic volume of around 1500 vehicles per hour until about 5pm.
The southbound carriageway showed a distinct peak in the afternoon, reaching 2000 vehicles and higher between 3pm and 7pm. During the day from about 8am, there were also relatively high traffic volumes of between 1500 and 2000 vehicles per day. This high volume of traffic, along with the distinct peaks was a very important design consideration when weighing up design options.
3.2.
Existing geometry
The road geometry typically consisted of three lanes in each direction, with a design speed of 60km/h and an average width of approximately 12m on each carriageway.
The pavement investigation data discussed below, indicates that the road was widened at some point and that various, non-uniform pavement designs were used in the widening, creating a highly variable pavement structure across the road.
3.3. Existing pavement condition
A detailed pavement and condition assessment, consisting of the following investigations was undertaken:
• Detailed visual assessment.
• Falling weight deflectometer (FWD) measurements; and
• Material investigation (test pit and test trench evaluation).
The major causes of pavement distress along Jakes Gerwel Drive were identified to include:
• Degree 3 to 5 cracking along construction joints,
• Degree 3 to 5 crocodile cracking and associated pumping of fines,
• Degree 3 to 5 shoving and rutting of the asphalt wearing course.
Figure 4 below shows a typical example of the pavement condition.
The following conclusions were drawn from the visual assessment, FWD data and materials investigation analysis:
FIGURE 4: Crocodile cracking and pumping on northbound lane
5: Pavement profile of northbound carriageway
FIGURE 6: Pavement profile of southbound carriageway
• The layer stiffness values derived from the surface modulus plots and backcalculation were considered to be reasonable and further supported by the visual assessment, FWD data and material investigation conducted as part of the pavement assessment,
• To ensure that the base layer along the slow bus lane has sufficient capacity to carry the estimated design traffic loading, rehabilitation of the pavement layer was required, and
• An evaluation of the existing pavement in the middle and fast lanes revealed that the base layer required rehabilitation, and a new asphalt inlay was needed along various sections of the project.
3.4. Existing pavement structure
The test pit and test trench investigation of the existing pavement revealed a non-uniform pavement structure, both longitudinally and transversely. Figures and 5 and 6 show a summary of the test pit results highlighting the variability in the pavement layerworks.
The thickness of the asphalt varied significantly, and the base materials under the asphalt varied in material type (water-bound Macadam, granular materials (ferricrete and hornfels)) and thickness. Similarly, the subbase materials also varied in material type and thickness, with test pits showing ferricrete, hornfels and granite subbase materials. The subgrades were however mostly a similar sand but found at varying depths.
The non-uniform nature of the existing pavement structure meant that in situ recycling was not a viable rehabilitation option.
3.5. Design traffic
The design traffic loading, in terms of millions of 80kN Equivalent axle loads (MESA) was carried out for each carriageway, using a sensitivity analysis of
various traffic growth scenarios. Based on these various growth scenarios, the following recommended design traffic was calculated: Southbound:
• Slow lane/bus lane and Middle lane: 22.3 MESA
• Fast lane: 19.1 MESA
Northbound:
• Slow lane/bus lane and Middle lane: 17.7 MESA
• Fast lane: 15.1 MESA
3.6. Pavement rehabilitation design options
The pavement rehabilitation design, taking the design traffic of 20 MESA into account, had to consider several factors:
• Address moisture ingress and moisture sensitivity – highly durable
• Carry heavy traffic load – be fatigue resistant, rut resistant
• Create a safe driving surface – skid resistant
• Create a uniform pavement structure – longitudinally and transversely for ease of future maintenance
• During construction, accommodate in excess of 50 000 vehicles per day without disruptions to peak hours - Three design options were considered:
• Option 1 - mill and replace existing asphalt surfacing with an asphalt wearing course.
• Option 2 - construct a new BSM basecourse and a new wearing course.
• Option 3 - construct a new cement stabilised subbase, new bitumen treated basecourse and new wearing course.
Table 4 discusses the pros and cons of each of the options, including a comparative cost comparison for each option.
Based on the findings from the evaluation of existing pavement and the advantages/disadvantages of the pavement rehabilitation design options presented, the following recommendations were made:
• The use of recycled road materials in road construction deviates from the conventional practice of using entirely new materials and offers a more sustainable and potentially cost-effective alternative.
• The rehabilitation method selected for the project was Option 2 (BSM using RA, with A-E2 asphalt surfacing) as a cost-effective alternative to conventional construction and the most suitable pavement option when compared to other pavement options based on the above advantages. It met all the desired requirements, specifically the requirement to limit traffic disruption.
4. REHABILITATION OF JAKES GERWEL DRIVE
4.1. Rehabilitation layerworks construction
The rehabilitation of Jakes Gerwel Drive between Bluegum Street and Viking Way involved replacing the existing base with a BSM 1 quality material and placing a new asphalt surfacing using A-E2 modified binder. To accommodate the high peak hour and daytime traffic volumes, work was limited to take place at night between 20h00 and 06h00.
The base repair process had to be carried out in a single night-work shift to open the full road to traffic before the morning peak hour. The process entailed:
• Removing the existing asphalt wearing course and stockpiling the RA on site for re-use
• Excavating the existing base to the desired depth. The contractor transported the excavated base material off-site for use in future projects.
• The excavation floor of the box cut was compacted before the new basecourse layer was constructed.
• The BSM, which was manufactured off-site using crushed and screened RA, was then transported to the job site.
FIGURE
TABLE 4: Design option comparisons
1 Mill and replace the existing asphalt wearing course with an A-R1 wearing course.
• Easy to implement
• Can be trafficked daily
• Reduces moisture ingress with high binder content surfacing
• Suitable as a holding action
• Increased structural capacity
• Reduces moisture sensitivity compared to untreated granular materials
• Increased durability
• Can be reinstated in a single work shift to top of BSM
• No structural improvement
• Does not address non-uniformity of pavement structure
• High binder content asphalt has a risk of shoving at intersections
• Existing cracks in lower layers are expected to reflect through to the surfacing over time
• Short term solution that will require further action in 5 to 10 years
2
New BSM base (RA) and new A-E2 wearing course.
3 New cement stabilized subbase layer, BTB layer and A-E2 wearing course
• BSM can be trafficked daily for limited period if surface is treated
• Reduces moisture ingress with surfacing
• Reduces RA stockpiles
• BSM failure criteria is permanent deformation, which can be repaired by a mill and replace operation
• Crack resistant Creates a far more uniform pavement structure for ease of future maintenance
• “Traditional” rehabilitation design – familiar to contractors
• Reduces moisture sensitivity compared to untreated granular materials
• Increased durability
• Reduces moisture ingress with surfacing
• Creates a more uniform pavement structure for future maintenance
• The BSM was placed in two layers, with the first layer being applied by either a grader or paver, depending on the subgrade material encountered, and the second layer using a paver.
• Before the lane was opened to peak morning traffic, a fog spray was applied to the BSM.
The completed layer was paved 20mm higher than the design final road level and maintained under traffic by the application of cationic bitumen emulsion fog spray and the regular removal of loose stones.
It was specified that the base layer could only be exposed to traffic for a maximum of 7 days before having to be surfaced.
Prior to surfacing, the layer was milled to final level, and the asphalt wearing course was applied. All asphalt surfacing also took place at night. The reclaimed BSM that was milled off prior to surfacing was reintroduced into the existing processed RA stockpile.
The median island layerworks were constructed using gravel recovered from the pavement, or from BSM from the milling process. The sidewalk and shoulder layer works were also reconstructed using the existing recovered basecourse or BSM.
4.2. BSM design and manufacture
The BSM was produced through a separate contract, and the City acted as the material supplier to the main rehabilitation contract. This meant that two interdependent contracts were being managed simultaneously, and delays caused by either contract could cause delays and associated costs to the other. This was mitigated through continuous coordination between the two contracts. BSM can be stockpiled for up to 7 days before its strength characteristics start to deteriorate. This, along with the continuous monitoring and coordination between the two contracts, helped ensure a steady supply of BSM material to the rehabilitation contractor.
• Removal of waterbound Macadam and base layers creates more spoil material
• Contractual risk of running two interdependant contracts simultaneously
• Existing materials not suitable for in situ recycling
• Removal of waterbound Macadam and base layers creates more spoil material
• All new/virgin materials will be required for CTSB
• 7 day curing period for CTSB required
• Long term lane closures will be required, resulting in heavy traffic disruptions
• Reflective cracking from CTSB may be expected over time
BSM needs to be manufactured at temperatures above 15oC and as such, the BSM contractor worked during the day producing BSM, while the rehabilitation contractor worked at night.
The results of the BSM mix design process showed that optimum strength and shear parameters were attained using 1.0% lime as an active filler 2.0% bitumen. Based on these results, the plant trial mix at the depot was undertaken using a mix design of 1% lime and 2.0% bitumen.
4.3. BSM production
Once the mix design was determined, the trial mix at the depot was carried out. Quality control on production was undertaken by carrying out Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) testing to ensure that a consistent product that met the specifications of a BSM 1 was being produced.
The ITS results of the trial batch met the specification and production could then begin. However, the initial result of the first production runs all failed despite the mix design being correctly applied.
Production was stopped and an investigation into the cause of the low ITS results revealed that the RA stockpile had a very high moisture content, much higher than the optimum mixing moisture content and the moisture content at which the laboratory testing was undertaken. The strength of a wet BSM is reduced because of the water acting as a lubricant and weakened particle bonding, making the material less cohesive and more susceptible to internal tensile forces. It was further determined that the higher moisture content was caused by the RA stockpiles standing uncovered for a long time due the early crushing and screening that took place in preparation for this project. This was exacerbated by the first tender for the Jakes Gerwel rehabilitation contract being cancelled. A second tender period meant the stockpiles were exposed to the Cape Town weather for much longer than anticipated. Moisture was retained in the stockpile due to the size/height of
the stockpiles (area at the depot was limited) and poor drainage at the base of the stockpiles.
The problem with the high moister content was overcome by spreading RA over a large area in a layer of 400mm to 500m thick and turning it over with a grader every few hours. When rain was expected, the material was brought into stockpile and covered with plastic, before being opened again in clear conditions. It was found that the moisture content was reduced by approximately 40% to 50% over the course of 2 days using this method. The trial mix using the dried RA materials produced satisfactory ITS results and production then continued successfully for the remained of the project.
4.4. BSM acceptance control
Acceptance control testing for the BSM manufacture was based on ITS results (both wet and dry). Theoretically, the material could only be accepted (and paid for) and subsequently transported to the site once the materials’ results were received and had passed. However, the timeframe that elapsed between sampling, testing and reporting was often as long as nine days. The delay in test results could have had a subsequent impact on the construction of the BSM by the rehabilitation contractor. To mitigate this, preliminary acceptance of the material was provided based on the input materials meeting the mix design specification in terms of moisture content of the RA, and bitumen and lime content of the mix. Final acceptance was provided once the ITS test results were received and compared to the specification.
Acceptance control for the BSM base construction was based on density testing using a nuclear density gauge. This method is known to have its limitation due to the bitumen content of the material, and the impact that it can have on test results. The bitumen in the material can affect the moisture content measurement of the nuclear density gauge, which in turn affects the density measurement. It was found that density results improved over time, with higher density results being achieved after 4 days than on the night of construction. The acceptance control specification was amended during construction to allow the material to be tested 4 days after the final layerworks construction. Testing was however still required to be undertaken, and results received meeting the compaction specification, before the asphalt surfacing could commence.
4.5. Problems encountered during construction
• While the BSM held up to traffic loading very well for the most part, unusually heavy rain downpours resulted in the BSM ravelling under traffic load in certain instances, and frequent maintenance was required to ensure road user safety. The ravelling resulting in too much loose material on the road and an uneven driving surface. The rains also resulted in project delays
• The thorough test pit investigation and trial-hole profiles that was carried out during the design phase of the project were shared with the contractor during the tender process. Additional test trenches and test pits were also undertaken during the mobilisation period and before layerwork construction commenced. However, despite the thorough investigations, during construction, the actual layer thicknesses encountered differed significantly from the results of the investigation and associated layerworks profiles. The contractor encountered the sandy selected subgrade layer at shallower depths than expected in areas.
• This resulted in issues such as the milling machine and the asphalt paver being used to place the BSM getting stuck in the subgrade in isolated instances. The contractor was compelled to modify their construction techniques when sand was encountered. Instead of placing 2 BSM layers with an asphalt paver, the lower layer had to be end-tipped and spread with a grader before compaction. The second layer was then placed with a paver. This resulted in lower production than anticipated as well as the contractor having to keep a grader permanently on stand-by on site in case sand in the subgrade was encountered.
• An objective of the project that was not achieved was the repairing of a fill slope embankment approaching for a road-over-rail bridge. The need to repair the embankment was identified during the design stage, however during the tender period an informal settlement encroached onto the embankment, right up to the edge of the road. Negotiations with the community to allow for temporary relocations for the embankment to be repaired failed and no work could be carried out on the embankment. To avoid the possibility of damage to dwellings caused by heavy compaction equipment during the road rehabilitation process, the stretch of road adjacent to this community was constructed using static compaction, both for the BSM and the asphalt surfacing.
• The very busy intersection of Jakes Gerwel Drive and Viking Road was programmed to be the final section of BSM work. However, towards the end of the project, as winter approached and temperatures were dropping, it was found that the BSM was ravelling faster than expected. Instead of risking ravelling in the intersection due to high volumes of turning traffic, it was decided to carry out the intersection rehabilitation using hot mix bitumen treated base (BTB) instead of BSM.
• At the start of the contract there was a lot of uncertainty about the reliability of bitumen supply in the Western Cape. In order to avoid possible “force-majeure” delays and claims and to ensure a guaranteed supply of bitumen, it was agreed to purchase the bulk of the bitumen required for the BSM in advance, with the supplier providing an advance payment guarantee as security. Bitumen containers at the storage yard were ring-fenced for this project which resulted in an uninterrupted supply of bitumen for the project.
5. PROJECT OUTCOMES
5.1. Sustainability outcomes
• In total, 24 491m3 of reclaimed asphalt was used in the manufacture of BSM in this project. A commensurate saving on the equivalent amount of virgin materials was therefore realised.
• The production of BSM is a cold mix process, with only the bitumen, which constitutes 2% of the mix, needing to be heated to 180oC. This resulted in far less energy consumption and carbon emissions that would have been the case if the alternative of hot mix BTB was used. For hot mix asphalt, the entire volume of materials needs to be heated to above 160oC.
• By using the depot closest to the site, further savings on carbon emissions were achieved compared to the alternative of transporting virgin materials and BTB from outlying quarries and asphalt plants.
FIGURE 7 & FIGURE 8: Encroachment onto fill embankment
• The existing pavement was deconstructed in layers by means of a milling machine. The reclaimed asphalt was taken to stockpile at the Ndabeni Depot for later re-use. Reclaimed granular material was used in the construction of median islands and sidewalks.
• The remaining excavated, potential spoil material was diverted from landfill by being delivered to the contractor’s own recycling crushing and screening plant for re-use on other projects.
• The additional 20mm BSM thickness that was placed as an armouring layer, was diverted from landfill when milled and reintroduced to the crushed stockpile for re-use as BSM.
5.2. Potential savings achieved using RA BSM
In total 24 491m 3 of BSM was produced for the rehabilitation of Jakes Gerwel Drive. The total cost of BSM contract was R24.964 million, broken down as follow:
• BSM production costs:
R13.850 million
• Bitumen rise and fall: R5.816 million
• Contract price adjustment: R2.056 million
• Additional cost for drying RA: R3.242 million
The total unit cost for the production of BSM was therefore R1 019/m3. The cost of BTB material used in the rehabilitation of the Viking Rd intersection was R1 300 per ton which converts to approximately R3 120 per m3
Comparison based on material production costs shows that a 100mm thick BSM layer is equivalent to a 33mm thick layer of BTB. In terms of structural strength however, 100mm of layer of BSM 1 is typically structurally equivalent to approximately 80mm of BTB. It is important to note that the pavement was designed to be opened to traffic every morning, to limit traffic disruption. A BTB layer is suitable for use in such a scenario, however a BTB layer would typically be placed on a cement stabilized subbase (in terms of pavement design requirements). A cement stabilized subbase would however require long term lane closures to allow for the layer to cure and was not considered a viable option on this busy road. A structurally sound base that could be opened to traffic immediately was therefore required.
The accepted pavement design was a 300mm thick layer of BSM 1 (constructed in two layers) which equates to a structurally equivalent BTB layer thickness of 240mm. This is however not a feasible design and for the purposes of comparison, an equivalent pavement design utilising a 200mm thick cement stabilized subbase followed by a 100mm thick BTB base is considered.
This in turn converts to 8 163m3 BTB and 16 328m3 of cement treated subbase. The total material cost of this option is composed of R25 470 640 for the BTB layer and R9 860 000 for the cement treated subbase, which equates to approximately R35 330 680.
Therefore, by using a recycled RA BSM instead of an equivalent asphalt pavement, a potential saving of R10.4 million was achieved. These calculations do not however consider the increased road user costs, additional preliminary and general costs and increased future maintenance costs that are associated with the asphalt base option.
6. CONCLUSION
The objectives of the investigation into the possible uses of RA at City depots were achieved in the implementation of the crushing and screening and BSM contracts. The crushing and screening process achieved as a well graded material, capable of being used in a variety of applications, including BSM. These two contracts set the foundation for the rehabilitation of Jakes Gerwel using a 100% RA BSM. The BSM mix design was found to achieve optimum results when assessed against the BSM classification limits according to TG2[4].
The rehabilitation project proved the viability of using RA material in producing BSM by designing and constructing a pavement for the
rehabilitation of Jakes Gerwel Drive that provided to be a structurally equivalent and cost-effective alternative to conventional construction. Furthermore, this construction methodology achieved the goal of minimal traffic disruptions as the use of BSM enabled the road to be opened to traffic every morning during the construction period.
Sustainability objectives were also achieved through the minimization of virgin material use through the recycling of RA, the re-use of materials on site and the diversion of potential spoil material from landfill to another recycling plant. Energy consumption and carbon emissions were also reduced compared to conventional pavement designs through the cold mix process of BSM, as opposed to the hot mix process of BTB and through the reduction in transportation of materials due to the proximity of the depot compared to commercial quarries and asphalt plants.
7.
REFERENCES
[1] Technical Methods for Highways (TMH) 1: Standard Methods of Testing Road Construction Materials. (1986). National Institute for Transport and Road Research, CSIR. Pretoria.
[3] SANS 3001-AG1: 2014. Civil engineering test methods Part AG1: Particle size analysis of aggregates by sieving. www.sabs.co.za.
[4] Southern African Bitumen Association (Sabita). (2020). Technical Guideline: Bitumen Stabilised Materials (TG2) Third Edition: A Guideline for the Design and Construction of Bitumen Emulsion and Foamed Bitumen Stabilised Materials.
[5] South African Committee of Transport Officials. (2012). Technical Recommendations for Highways (TRH) 26: South African Road Classification and Access Management Manual.
[6] 13th Conference on Asphalt Pavements for southern Africa (2023). Reclaimed Asphalt as a Viable Aggregate Substitute in Bitumen Stabilised Material: The Rehabilitation of Jakes Gerwel Drive.
A REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT FRAMEWORK TO PROMOTE THE UPTAKE OF WATER AND SANITATION INNOVATIONS PAPER 2
1Bosch Capital – 23a Flanders Drive, Mount Edgecombe, Durban, 4302
2Bosch Projects – 23a Flanders Drive, Mount Edgecombe, Durban, 4302
3Isle Utilities - PO Box 30377, Wonderboom Poort, Pretoria, 0033
4 ACV Water - 51 Chandos close, Woodbridge Island, Milnerton, Cape Town,7435
5Water Research Commission - Lynnwood Bridge Office Park, Bloukrans Building, 4 Daventry Street, Lynnwood Manor Pretoria, 0081
1. ABSTRACT
Public water and sanitation institutions have been able to demonstrate emerging innovations. However, the larger scale uptake of these innovations has proven challenging. The public procurement framework is often attributed as one of the main challenges with the wider uptake of innovations. The Water Research Commission (WRC) commissioned a research study in November 2022 to explore the challenges with the existing public procurement and the impact that this has on the procurement of water and sanitation innovations.
A phased approach was utilized where 86 stakeholders were identified to complete an online survey after the initial desktop review. 23 participants completed the online survey and a further 15 participants were also identified for an in-depth interview. Several workshops were also held to discuss and share the findings of the study. This included three engagements with National Treasury.
The public procurement framework was found to be enabling and allowed for the procurement of innovations. The governing principles of the public procurement framework are enshrined in Section 217 of the Constitution and are:
• Open and effective competition.
• Value-for-money.
• Ethics and fair dealings.
• Accountability and reporting.
• Equity.
The challenge with the procurement of water and sanitation innovations is the application of the public procurement framework rather than the framework itself. Practitioners focus on the acquisition phase of Supply Chain Management (SCM) and there is little focus on the demand phase which is the planning for procurement and is aimed at developing an appropriate procurement strategy that is aligned to the objectives of the business.
The Strategic Sourcing Process (SSP) developed by National Treasury is a collaborative structured approach that could be used for the procurement of water and sanitation innovations. The multi-stage bidding process could also be used for the procurement of innovations that are required to be demonstrated and implemented at a much larger scale.
It is also recommended that Water Sector Institutions develop innovation policies that signals their intent to innovate, and also provides the
innovation strategy for the organisation. Institutions that do not have the capacity and organisational processes in place to innovate should consider engaging national research organisations such as the WRC or CSIR.
2. INTRODUCTION
Water resource management and water and sanitation services provision is constitutionally a government / public sector function. Public sector institutions are therefore major drivers of the South African water sector and the various innovations that are deployed to support the provision of more efficient and effective delivery of water and sanitation services. However, these institutions have often faced challenges in procuring these innovations for implementation at scale. Innovations are new and require derisking through demonstration or expert input to determine specification development. Furthermore, it may require working with public officials to increase understanding of planning, resources and technical needs, and to ascertain of the meet regulation and service needs.
The research draws on the reflections and experiences of water sector practitioners and entities involved in developing and implementing innovations for the sector to improve the delivery of services and solve major challenges. This paper presents the findings and recommendations from research commissioned by the Water Research Commission (WRC) to explore the challenges with procurement of water sector innovations and the mechanisms that could be used to enhance their uptake.
3. APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY
The research was undertaken in a phased manner as indicated in Figure 1 and was completed between November 2022 and February 2024.
Figure 1 indicates that following the desktop review 86 stakeholders were identified to complete an online survey after the initial desktop review. 23 participants completed the online survey and a further 15 participants
FIGURE 1: Study approach
TABLE 1: Key principles for procurement in South Africa
Pillar Principle
Open and effective competition
Value-for-money
Ethics and fair dealings
Accountability and reporting
Equity
Public sector institutions need to apply effort and research so potential suppliers have access to procurement opportunities. Public sector institutions should also ensure that bias and favouritism for suppliers are eliminated and that the cost of bidding for opportunities does not deter competent bidders.
Value-for-money refers to the best available outcome when all relevant costs and benefits over the procurement cycle are considered.
Price alone is not considered a reliable indicator that municipalities will obtain the best value for money simply by accepting the lowest price offer that meets mandatory requirements. The principle of Total Cost of Ownership or Life Cycle Costing should be considered.
All parties should deal with each other on the basis of mutual trust and respect and conduct their business in a fair and reasonable manner and with integrity.
Public sector staff associated with procurement are required to identify any potential conflict of interests and deal with suppliers in a consistent manner.
All individuals and organisations involved in procurement must be answerable for their plans, actions and outcomes. This includes technical and SCM practitioners.
Openness and transparency through public reporting is an essential element of accountability.
Equity in the context of public procurement refers to the application and observance of government policies which have been designed to advance persons or categories of persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination.
were also identified for an in-depth interview. Several workshops were also held to discuss and share the findings of the study. This included three engagements with National Treasury. The final output also included the development of a Practitioners Guide to assist water and sanitation practitioners correctly apply the procurement framework.
4. OVERVIEW OF THE PROCUREMENT FRAMEWORK
4.1.
Key Pillars of Procurement
The public sector procurement model in South Africa is underpinned by five key pillars as indicated in Table 1 below, as defined in Section 217 of the Constitution of South Africa.
All procurement processes must adhere to the principles presented in the table above. The principle of equity is embedded in the procurement process through the use of Preference Points. The Preferential Procurement Regulations (2022) specify that the 80/20 preference points system for the acquisition of goods or services with a Rand value equal to or below R50 million with a maximum of 20 points being awarded to a tenderer for the specific goals specified for the tender.
The regulations also specify that the 90/10 preference points system for the acquisition of goods or services with a Rand value above R50 million with a maximum of 10 points being awarded to a tenderer for the specific
goals specified for the tender. Any specific goal for which a point is awarded, must be clearly specified in the invitation to submit a tender. The goals specified must be measurable, quantifiable and monitored for compliance.
4.2.
The Procurement Process
The key elements of the procurement process are presented in Figure 2.
4.3. Demand Management
Demand Management is the start of the SCM process. This requires a needs assessment to be undertaken to ensure that goods and services are acquired to deliver a particular service. The demand management system must include timely planning and management processes to ensure that all required goods and services are quantified, justified and budgeted for and timeously delivered at the correct location.
4.4.
Acquisition Management
Acquisition management refers to the manner in which the market is approached to obtain a required good or service. The total cost of ownership must be considered, along with ensuring that the bid documents are completed correctly and evaluated accordingly. This is typically the focus of the SCM process, but consideration should also be given to other elements.
4.5. Logistics Management
Logistics management refers to the receipt and distribution of material. This includes the storage and transport management of goods. The financial system should be activated to generate payments and the performance of vendors monitored.
4.6. Disposal Management
Disposal management refers to the development of a disposal management strategy and the execution of the physical asset disposal process. Material should be inspected for potential re-use and a database of redundant material maintained. This could then be linked to the acquisition process for the replacement of any assets that are disposed.
5. KEY FINDINGS
Legislation is enabling
The legislative framework in spirit encourages and generally allows for the procurement of innovations in the public sector. It requires every institution to develop a procurement policy and system(s) that complies with the legislative framework. The challenge lies with the application
FIGURE 2: Procurement Process (National Treasury, 2004)
of the public procurement framework rather than the framework itself.
The barriers identified in the study indicate that there may be a lack of knowledge regarding the way the procurement system was designed to work at a leadership and practitioner level.
The preface of the Supply Chain Management (SCM) Guide for Accounting Officers notes the following challenges of the procurement system (National Treasury, 2004):
• Procurement are rules driven and value for money is equated to lowest cost;
• Procurement activities are not linked to budgetary planning;
• Bid documentation is not uniform and causes uncertainty to bidders and practitioners; and
• The costs and outcomes of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) are not fully quantified, making it challenging to evaluate the merits of the system effectively.
These challenges persist, even though the document was initially published in 2004.
5.1. Disconnect between SCM and technical water services unit
Many of the water sector practitioners engaged expressed their frustration with regard to the way the SCM policy is applied. It was often mentioned that practitioners in technical positions were unable to use single or sole source quotations to obtain parts to fix critical equipment in emergency situations due to demands from SCM about processes to be followed, despite single or sole source quotations being allowed in the SCM policy as part of the definition of competitive tendering.
However, it is not often mentioned that the SCM policy also specifies that poor planning should not be used as a reason to deviate from the competitive bidding process. Therefore, it is possible that the SCM decision makers may deem certain practices as uncompetitive due to poor planning on the part of technical staff. It would appear that even though single and sole source bidding is included in the definition of competitive tendering, this approach could only be used if the market is severely limited, and thorough market research has been undertaken.
Item Description
A – Market Engagement
B – Technology and/ or Service Demonstration
5.2. Policing as compared to support
It was noted during the engagements with numerous stakeholders that the manner in which SCM approaches their function has transitioned from a supportive function towards a more compliance function and focussed towards ensuring that the procurement process will be able to withstand the scrutiny of the Auditor General.
The result of this approach is that practitioners are often afraid of being identified as responsible for deviations from the competitive bidding process and avoid using these aspects of the SCM process. As an example, this included a process to issue the same Expression of Interest (EoI) on four separate occasions to the market as the EoI only received two responses on each occasion. This was even though the practitioners knew that it was a specialised request to the market and that there were only two known suppliers that could provide the required product. This delayed the project by over a year and resulted in the required goods not being available during the period.
5.3. Current procurement methods for innovations
The approach currently used to procure water sector innovations is presented in Figure 3. The activities presented in Figure 3 could be undertaken by the WRC, Water Services Authorities (WSAs), Water Boards and academics/ research institutions independently or through a combination of institutions at different stages of the project.
Table 2 provides a description of the diagram and the associated challenges.
5.4. Misconceptions about the procurement process
There were several misconceptions about the procurement process that were identified during the study. These are presented in Table 3.
It is important to ensure that the Section 33 mechanism is well understood to enable proper planning, project preparation, public consultation, budgeting and Council approvals. These processes are important as a financial obligation on the municipality will exist beyond the mandate of the existing Council.
5.5. The Strategic Sourcing Process
The Strategic Sourcing Process, as defined by National Treasury, is a collaborative and structured approach to analysing government spending and using the information from the analysis to acquire commodities and services effectively. Strategic procurement assists supply chain managers in planning, managing and developing the supply base to achieve governments service delivery objectives. The Strategic Sourcing Process is in Figure 4. (OPCO - NT, 2016).
Expressions of Interest are used to obtain information for demonstration projects that meet specific criteria.
This could be in the form of Expression of Interest, Request for Information, Request for Proposal or Request for Quotation.
Technology demonstration projects that are used to confirm the performance of the innovations and end user acceptance. The performance of the innovation can be confirmed by independent verification by an Evaluator.
C – Competitive Bidding Process Innovators respond to adverts issued by public sector institutions requesting proposals or quotations for solutions.
Challenge
The full costs associated with the prototype may not be known at this stage.
Operating risks are largely theoretical and the costs of mitigating these may not be included in the project costs.
The identification and selection of suitable test sites and demonstration partners. Reliable independent data (flow rates, quality of effluent, etc) is not collected.
Evaluations may be cost based and does not include strategic considerations that innovations may provide. Innovators do not have the track record in supplying innovations at the required scale.
Implementation is more operational than strategic resulting in a preference for the status quo.
TABLE 2: Description and challenges with current procurement process for innovations
FIGURE 3: Current approach to procure innovations
TABLE 3: Common misconceptions about the procurement process
Item
Competitive bidding means open tender.
Municipal contracts are limited to a maximum of three years.
Single and sole source bids are not allowed
Process is long and onerous
Current conventional processes are cost-effective
Bids must be readvertised if less than three quotations are received.
Comment
Competitive bidding includes bidding such as single and sole source approaches which could be used as specified in Section 4.7.8 of the SCM Accounting Officers Guide and based on a thorough analysis of the market.
However, the limited bidding approach should be justified through a thorough analysis of the market and the reasons for limited competition are understood.
Section 33 of the MFMA outlines the process to be used for a contract that will impose a financial obligation beyond three years.
Section 28 of the PFMA requires a multi-year budget to be tabled annually but does not specify the period for multi-year. It should also be noted that infrastructure departments usually undertake longer term projects that extend beyond three years.
Limited bidding options can be used as a part of the competitive bidding process (Section 4,12 of the SCM Accounting Officers Guide). This must be based on a thorough analysis of the market.
The planning process for the procurement of innovation is important to confirm the value proposition to the institution and confirm the business case.
The risk management process and approvals are also required to ensure that public funds are spent in the best interests of the communities served.
Value-for-money assessments are based solely on capital costs and do not account for the full life cycle costs, potential savings that may accrue, as well as other strategic benefits.
There is no reason to readvertise if the competitive bidding process was complied with and tenderers were provided sufficient time (minimum of 21 days for RFP) to prepare a response. The reasons must be documented by the municipality and records maintained for audit purposes.
Strategic Procurement is not intended for the purchase of good and services on a day-to day basis. It is rather a long-term and all-encompassing means of achieving procurement and strategic business goals (OPCONT, 2016). The uptake of innovation within the water sector is a strategic objective and is therefore aligned to the Strategic Procurement Process.
The Strategic Sourcing Process provides a framework and structure that public entities can use to implement innovations within their departments. The documents also include useful tools, guides and processes that can assist practitioners overcome many of the barriers for the procurement of innovations that currently exist.
6. RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1. Multi-stage bidding
Multi-stage bidding can be advantageous over a single-stage process for complex projects, particularly where there is room for innovation. This process can assist in ensuring that solutions are aligned to needs and improve the final quality of proposals. However, it must be noted that the multi-stage process can take longer, be more complex to manage and more expensive for all parties involved. Care should also be taken to retain competitive pressure, protect intellectual property and maintain transparency. (The World Bank, 2022)
Figure 5 indicates the way the multi-stage bidding process could be used to procure emerging water and sanitation innovations. This process
includes the potential to invite innovators using an EoI process to demonstrate a particular group of innovations. However, the EoI would also specify the performance criteria that will be used to evaluate the innovations during the demonstration phase, as well as the quantities required to be supplied post the demonstration phase. Thereafter, innovators that meet the specified performance criteria will be invited to respond to an RFP process to provide solutions at a larger scale. The RFP process will also allow for innovators to provide a price for scaled-up solution once the demonstration phase has been completed.
It is envisaged that the process in Figure 5 could be implemented with various partners during the demonstration and implementation. However, it is important to ensure the demonstration and implementation components of the process are included in the different organisations planning and budgeting processes. It may also be possible to make use of an implementing agent or programme manager during the implementation phase if organisational support or additional capacity is required.
6.2. Example of the multi-stage bidding process
Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems (NSSS) are a cluster of emerging sanitation innovations that can be used to treat wastewater and produce effluent that could be used to flush toilets or reused for agricultural purposes. The benefit of NSSS is that these can be implemented during a shorter timeframe (3 – 6 months) than a bulk sewer connection (4 – 6 years from planning to commissioning) and provides users a higher level of a sanitation service as compared to a VIP.
Using the multi-stage process would allow for entity such as the WRC to issue an EoI for the demonstration of NSSS at ten schools in Gauteng. The EoI would specify that all innovations that are able to produce effluent at the required quality, resource efficiency benefits and has an operating costs less than R16/kl will be invited by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) for implementation of the NSSS at 100 schools.
FIGURE 4: Strategic Sourcing Process (OPCO – NT, 2016)
An additional benefit that may arise from the process is that suppliers may be able to provide more competitive prices as there able to achieve supplier discounts on raw materials due to economies of scale. Innovators are also able to access funding from commercial banks based on the order being received from the public sector institution thereby assisting with cashflow challenges often faced by emerging suppliers.
6.3. Use the Strategic Sourcing Process to procure innovations
It was therefore recommended that Strategic Sourcing Process is used to procure innovations. The multi-stage bidding process could be considered as a possible procurement approach should this be supported by the data gathered and analysed during the sourcing strategy development process for a particular cluster of technology, such as NSSS. Consideration should also be given to the municipal budgeting processes to ensure that any planned spend by a municipality is captured in the appropriate budgets.
The use of the Strategic Sourcing Process (outlined above) would ensure the identification of efficient procurement processes that support the uptake of innovation, as well as provide a blueprint for the implementation of the multi-stage bidding process that other organisations, and possibly sectors, could implement to effectively promote the uptake of innovation.
6.4. Advancing the development of innovation policies
From an innovation perspective, one of the central challenges to widespread uptake is a lack of innovation policies and procedures within Water Boards and municipalities in SA. However, the need for the uptake of innovation within these entities also emerged as a high-priority area through the study, a potential strategic lever, and central to shifting toward innovative behaviours and practices within institutions. Bureaucratic challenges and a lack of internal integration and support for innovation were also cited as indicative of a lack of formalised institution-wide processes and policies.
Therefore, it is recommended that the development of internal innovation policies and procedures in Water Boards and Water Services Authorities that could improve knowledge, activity and reflect a return on investment made on innovations for by these institutions.
The following principles inform the institutions’ innovation policy and its alignment to supply chain / procurement, governance structures and budgeting processing and structures:
• Implementation of innovations should improve the delivery of services;
• Large scale uptake of innovation may not necessarily prove practical, and the associated risks should be managed;
• Implementing innovations should become part of usual utility business; and
• Innovation process development.
6.5. Roadmap for improving the maturity of innovation systems
The implementation of innovation policies may assist the higher skilled and capacitated water sector institutions to successfully procure innovations. However, other organisations require support in the innovation development process to develop capacity and skills to move towards the uptake of innovations.
Research Institutions (including CSIR and WRC) could provide support to WB and WSA to develop the capacity and skills to implement innovations. This could be in the form of assisting with the demonstration of technologies at test sites provided by the institutions.
6.6.
Skills and capacity building
A key finding of the research is that the regulatory environment/framework allows for the uptake of innovations, but the actual implementation of the framework was inconsistent and there were several behavioural factors within the sector that resulted in the perception that the regulatory framework inhibited the widescale implementation of innovations.
It is proposed that National Treasury: Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO), in association with the WRC, undertake capacity building sessions that delve into the various mechanisms that can be used for Innovation projects and Adoption. This could include providing practitioners with an overview of the manner in which the procurement framework was designed and how it could be used.
It is also proposed that the findings from the study and the Practitioners Guide is distributed widely and presented at Roadshows. This will enable the dissemination of the findings and improve water sector’s practitioners understanding and awareness of the procurement framework.
It is important to promote the coordination and collaboration between SCM, Technical and Financial Practitioners. This will ensure the development of integrated solutions and better alignment within each of the different fields.
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The project was commissioned and funded by the WRC. The project team acknowledges input received from the Client, Reference Group Members and other stakeholders that provided input during the study. The project team expresses their gratitude to all stakeholders that provided input to the study.
8. REFERENCES
National Treasury. (2004). Supply Chain Management: A Guide for Accounting Officers/ Authorities. National Treasury. (2016). Strategic Procurement Process. OPCO - NT. (2016). Strategic Procurement Framework. The World Bank. (2022, June 24). Deciding the Procurement Strategy. Retrieved from https://ppp.worldbank.org/public-private-partnership/ deciding-procurement-strategy
FIGURE 5: Alternative procurement method
PAPER 3
APPROACHES TO INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS UPGRADING
AND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT: HOW SOUTH AFRICA COMPARES TO BRAZIL AND INDIA
Precious Biyela and Cebile Mlotsa School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg
1. ABSTRACT
Informal settlements (IS) are a global urban phenomenon in developing countries, of the Global South. In South Africa, there are IS around all major cities and towns. These settlements are often characterised by inadequate housing, recreational spaces, and health and education facilities; poor access to electricity, water, and sanitation services; uncontrolled and unhealthy population densities; and ineffective administration by municipalities. The 2004 declaration of the Comprehensive Housing Plan for the Development of Integrated Sustainable Human Settlements made informal settlements upgrading (ISU) and developing affordable housing the cornerstone of South Africa’s approach to ensuring dignified housing for all. Twenty years later, South Africa has over 4,300 IS, home to more than 2,000,000 households mostly living in dire conditions.
This study assessed the effectiveness of the interventions adopted for ISU and developing affordable housing in South Africa, compared to strategies used in Brazil and India. The study used mixed methods. A systematic literature review was used to identify ISU and affordable housing development strategies adopted in Brazil and India, unearth major recurring themes in these two contexts, and determine the effectiveness of the adopted strategies. Semi-structured interviews with professionals and a transect visit to Mahlakong informal settlement, in Lephalale, were conducted to make sense of the South African approach. The interviews were designed around the major recurring themes, identified from the literature, to understand better how South African institutions approach ISU and the effectiveness of their approaches.
In-situ ISU was found to be the best way to deliver dignified housing affordably in all three countries although implementation strategies vary. Several aspects of in-situ ISU interventions practiced in South Africa are in line with international best practices. These include incremental tenure arrangements, enabling IS residents to gain recognition that allows them to interact with formal institutions while awaiting permanent tenure arrangements, and the incremental upgrading of basic infrastructure and services. Still, there are several areas of potential improvement. For starters, South Africa could recognise illegally occupied multistorey structures as IS, so interventions targeting these types of settlements can be funded from national ISU grants, as has been successfully done in Brazil. Currently, plans for addressing these types of settlements are developed at the municipal level, and therefore cannot be financed from national ISU grants. South Africa could also better incentivise private sector involvement in ISU and affordable housing development, as India does, to increase the funding available for improving the country’s housing stock.
2. INTRODUCTION
Informal settlements and slums, though now a globally occurring urban phenomenon, are more prevalent in cities and towns in developing countries of the Global South. The United Nations (UN) defines IS as human settlements where residents lack tenure security, basic services, and infrastructure and are often comprised of dwelling structures that do not conform to local building regulations (UN-Habitat, Habitat III Issue Paper on Informal Settlements, 2015). In 2015, the United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with Goal 11 aimed at “making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” (UN, Sustainable Development Goals, 2015). To date, things have either stagnated or regressed from the baseline in so far as access to safe and affordable housing and basic services are concerned, i.e., the global target will likely not be achieved by 2030 (UN, Progress Chart-SGD Indicators, 2023).
South Africa has long been plagued by IS jointly fuelled by people migrating from rural areas to major urban centres, in search of better socio-economic conditions, as well as immigrants fleeing wars, political instability, and harsh economic realities, from other countries. In 2004, the Department of Human Settlements introduced the Comprehensive Housing Plan for the Development of Integrated Sustainable Human Settlements, also known as “Breaking New Ground”, which promotes the strategy of upgrading IS over relocating communities (DHS, Breaking New Ground, 2004). Despite the BNG and other policies and interventions, the country has seen the continued development of new IS, and there has not been much improvement in many long-established IS (Huchzermeyer, et al., 2014). Furthermore, with the continued growth of previously existing IS, and the minimal maintenance of the existing infrastructure already provided, these interventions have not resulted in any long-term upgrading of IS (Bradlow, et al., 2011), partly because of the complexity of integrating multiple facets of development, requiring coordination of specialist input from many disciplines, when upgrading IS.
This study investigated policies and strategies that are applied to address IS and affordable housing development in two countries from the Global South, Brazil and India but are not currently being practiced in South Africa. The study did not only focus on legislation and policies but also explored strategies that the Brazilian and Indian governments have employed to fund ISU and affordable housing development. The study also sought to develop a deeper understanding of how South Africa currently deals with IS, to make recommendations on how the country might adopt some of the strategies currently used in Brazil and India, modified as necessary, to better address IS in the future. Brazil and India were selected, rather than fellow African countries, to enable the examination of issues from various parts of the world while keeping the focus on the Global South. Both countries are also generally seen as South Africa’s economic peers.
3. SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
3.1. International policy recommendations
The World Bank (WB) has two central convictions when it comes to ISU. One, due to potential disruptions to economic and social networks, that IS communities might face when relocated, the WB considers it better to upgrade IS in situ than to relocate them. Two, the WB believes that governments should create an enabling environment for households to incrementally develop their housing, by providing essential infrastructure (World Bank, An Evidence Informed Response to Slum Settlements: A Learning Note, 2011). In a report that probed ways to assess housing affordability, Litman (2022) concluded that a low-cost house is not affordable if its location results in higher transportation costs for access to work and services. The report then identified multiple strategies for increasing a city’s affordable housing stock. These strategies were then categorised as follows: Ineffective and sometimes harmful strategies, exemplified by urban blight and urban fringe housing. The former occurs when older buildings in undesirable Neighbourhoods are used for low-cost housing. While the housing units may be affordable, utility and maintenance costs are often high. The latter occurs when affordable housing units are constructed on urban peripheries, as was standard in apartheid South Africa. This limits Neighbourhood integration, increases the cost of accessing economic opportunities and increases infrastructure development fees to connect households in the fringe to infrastructure and services. Effective yet often costly strategies, exemplified by using volunteer construction to build social housing. This is often unsuitable for modern urban buildings and may produce defective and inferior housing, with reduced durability of housing and low resale value. Most economic and beneficial strategies, exemplified by increasing permissible densities and building heights, which may result in increased infill development and reduces barriers to the development of affordable accessible housing by identifying and reducing policies and practices that add costs, delays, and uncertainty to the development of affordable housing (Litman, 2022).
3.2.
South African policy and practices on ISU and affordable housing development
Since the dawn of South Africa’s democracy, the government’s approach to IS and affordable housing development has been shaped by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) and the National Housing Act (1997). Section 26 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) states that “Everyone has the right to have access to adequate housing”, and that “The state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of this right”. The same Section also protects people from unlawful evictions, through asserting that “No one may be evicted from their home, or have their home demolished, without an order of court made after considering all the relevant circumstances.” The National Housing Act (1997) was established to give effect to constitutional rights, and it specifically mandates government to prioritise the needs of the poor when implementing housing development, while making provision for various housing and tenure options.
When it comes to the issue of addressing IS, the most far-reaching policy is the Breaking New Ground (BNG) policy. The BNG policy aims to eradicate IS and create “sustainable settlements”, which are “well-managed entities in which economic growth and social development are in balance with the carrying capacity of the natural systems on which they depend for their existence and result in sustainable development, wealth creation, poverty alleviation, and equity”. Recognising the many challenges to the
development of adequate housing, the BNG proposes several strategies for developing affordable housing, including supporting the broader property market, developing sustainable human settlements, and incremental upgrading of IS. The BNG also encourages the government to adapt institutional arrangements and build the capacity of municipalities to promote its implementation (DHS, Breaking New Ground, 2004).
3.2.1 Policy interpretation and implementation
In a study of regenerative development, participants from a low-income community were taught to convert their homes into earthships utilising regenerative construction techniques, and some went on to convert their dwellings into earthships following training. Participants reported that indoor temperature regulation was much better in their earthship houses. Participants also noted a reduction in several risks (e.g., fire) and nuisances (e.g., excessive noise during thunderstorms), associated with dwellings built with corrugated iron, due to the use of clay to cover earthship houses. Participants also reported changes in how they viewed waste materials, following participation in the regenerative development study (Venter, et al., 2019). Finally, participants also reported an increase in social cohesion in their communities because of the project (Venter, et al., 2019). Despite all these and other benefits, Venter et al., (2019) found that regenerative development techniques, while similar to indigenous construction techniques adopted in South Africa, have not been adopted and utilised for ISU, despite the BNG promoting the use of alternative construction techniques. Instead, implementation of the BNG remained primarily technical, without much focus on social empowerment or user enjoyment.
In a comparative study that assessed the implementation of the BNG in the City of Cape Town (CoCT) and the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), Klug and Vawda (2009) found only CoCT, which relied on private-public partnerships to implement the livelihoods approach of the BNG, to have executed the BNG with success (Klug & Vawda, 2009). CoJ focused mainly on completing large “greenfields” projects commissioned before the BNG era (Klug and Vawda, 2009). A similar finding was reported by Huchzermeyer et al., (2014), who reported that the greenfields delivery of new housing through the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) was still the most popular approach to addressing IS in Johannesburg (Huchzermeyer, et al., 2014).
3.2.2 Funding strategies for South Africa’s approach to addressing IS
The BNG encourages the state to enhance the participation of private entities in the development of affordable housing (DHS, Breaking New Ground, 2004). To date, only state funds are used by the government to fund IS and affordable housing development interventions in South Africa. The most popular affordable housing development strategy, RDP, uses state funds to construct affordable housing. The state also offers subsidies to households and social housing, all of which are funded through state taxes (DHS, Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Projects, 2021). CoJ however is attempting to recruit private developers into the affordable housing development space, through an inclusionary housing policy that obligates all private developers constructing residential housing of 10 units or more to ensure that at least 20% of the units in development are low-income housing units (CoJ, Inclusionary Housing Policy Pamphlet, 2020). It is concerning that, 16 years into the BNG era, this literature review could only identify one policy, in one municipality, that encourages the participation of private developers in affordable housing development. More needs to be done to identify additional mechanisms for funding affordable housing development and ISU in South Africa.
3.3. Brazilian policy and practices on ISU and affordable housing development
In Brazil, the national government develops general legislation and policy, while state governments enhance the legislation and take responsibility for its implementation. Article 6 of the Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil (1988), establishes the social elements of citizenship, including but not limited to the social rights to housing, social security, and assistance to the destitute. Through the “social function of property” principle, Brazil’s Constitution (1988) obligates private property owners to utilise their property for the benefit of society as a whole (Denaldi & Cardoso, 2021). This principle has been instrumental in helping IS residents obtain tenure security in any land in which their housing is located, upon proving that they have settled on the land for at least 5 years with no complaints from the original owners of the land (Denaldi & Cardoso, 2021).
To understand Brazil’s approach to ISU, this review looked at the Growth Acceleration Programme (PAC), launched by the federal government in 2007, and Sao Paulo’s 2001 municipal master plan. The PAC programme required state governments and municipalities to submit business plans describing the projects they planned to undertake to the federal government. The ISU projects were designed and implemented under the principle of “Integrated Upgrading” which required municipal services and infrastructure, housing development, socio-economic, and environmental factors to be included in the scope of projects. Funds were released directly to the implementing local authorities, and PAC made allowance for various types of IS to be upgraded (Denaldi & Cardoso, 2021). When investigating project outcomes, Cardoso & Denaldi (2021) found that 33% of the projects implemented through the PAC programme had been completed, 43% had adequate progress, 19% of projects required intervention, and 5% of the projects were in a concerning status.
In 2001, the new administration in São Paulo redrafted the municipal master plan, making urban development and housing for lower-income and vulnerable groups a priority. A key feature of Sao Paulo’s 2001 plan was that it targeted the poor in IS as well as all low-income households earning a maximum of sixteen times the minimum wage. The types of settlements targeted were squatter settlements with illegal occupants, illegal land subdivisions, public housing estates constructed by the city, settlements surrounding hydropower generation reservoirs, and illegally occupied inner city buildings. The São Paulo municipality identified tenure legalisation as an important feature for enabling IS residents to access funding for self-sponsored improvement of their housing structures, and they began to reprioritise the municipal land usage plan to favour low-cost housing. Residents who settled on land that was not reserved for the construction of services were given tenure security through the title of a 250m 2 land plot by the city. The municipality also developed three alternatives for lowcost housing development: in-situ renovations, self-funded or municipal subsidised self-contracted construction, and rent-to-buy settlement in lowcost housing high-rise buildings (Budds, et al., 2005).
3.3.1 Policy interpretation and implementation
de Camargo Cavalheiro & Abiko (2015) reported on the relocation of residents from the Bairros-Cota favela. The favela developed in a protected area of the Atlantic Forest, due to the abundance of economic opportunities nearby. The relocation project, funded through the PAC programme, aimed to relocate some of the families in the favela, to the Reubens Lara Condominium Complex, in Cubatão. The complex was built in a central neighbourhood and offered various accommodation types. The complex buildings included solar panels for water heating. Social support for resettled residents was also offered for two years. The study focused on two
areas when assessing changes in the quality of life of the relocated residents: condominium accommodation and social work. Almost half of respondents indicated that they did not want to leave the favela, yet most (97%) said the relocation had positively impacted their quality of life. The availability of job opportunities near the complex and the infrastructure improvements were amongst things that residents claimed made their lives better, while maintenance fees associated with condominium living, the smaller size of housing units, separation from relatives, lack of private leisure spaces, and housing structure defects were listed as negatives of the relocation. Despite the negatives, most residents rated their new housing units positively. When it comes to social work, most residents believed that it did not affect their livelihoods. This was due to the focus on training community leaders for condominium management, so only five percent of the respondents indicated that social work had contributed positively to their livelihoods (de Camargo Cavalheiro & Abiko, 2015).
3.3.2 Funding strategies for Brazil’s approach to addressing IS Brazil relies on a rich mix of state, private, and other sources of funding to pay for ISU and affordable housing development projects. For example, in 1999, the country took a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to develop a programme for ISU (Cardoso & Denaldi, 2019). The PAC programme was also funded through loans from the IDB, the World Bank, and federal taxes (Denaldi & Cardoso, 2021). Informal settlements upgrading projects undertaken through state agencies, such as the National Housing Fund (FNHIS), are mostly funded through federal taxes (de Camargo Cavalheiro & Abiko, 2015). When Sao Paulo embarked on its grand ISU plan, local authorities devised various schemes to encourage funding from private sector participants such as municipal tax exemption for those investing in affordable housing development projects. The Brazilian government also employs strategies such as building rights vouchers for the acquisition of privately owned land on which informal settlements are located. Landowners can use these to purchase alternative land from the city in which they are issued (Budds, et al., 2005).
3.4. Indian policy and practices on ISU and affordable housing development
Before 2007, each state in India formulated its own housing and urban development policy (Burra, 2005). The final, yet oldest, IS redevelopment scheme in India is the 1995 Slum Rehabilitation Scheme (SRS) of Maharashtra state. The SRS scheme relied on private developers constructing multistorey buildings and providing free housing to IS residents, in return for benefits from the state (Mukherjee & Raut, 2017). The eligible IS residents were people who had been residents in the IS by January 1995, per the state’s electoral roll. The scheme was only implemented in settlements in which a minimum of 70% of the residents were eligible to receive housing (Mukherjee & Raut, 2017), although the period for eligibility was progressively updated, and households residing in IS that did not have the 70% minimum included over time.
At the time of establishment of the SRS, developers would submit development plans and to enhance public participation, IS residents would select the preferred developer to construct multistorey housing in their IS. Developments constructed under the SRS had two components, an upgrading or rehabilitation component and a sale component. Units from the rehabilitation component would then be allocated to qualifying households. In addition, developers would give each household eligible for a free housing unit an amount of Rs 20,000, for maintenance of their unit. Beneficiaries could only sell their housing units after a minimum of 10 years (Mukherjee & Raut, 2017). To entice private developers to invest in
the scheme, Maharashtra’s government granted them an additional Floor Space Index (FSI) on their developments for each of the free housing units developed. The additional FSI would increase the number of sale units within the development sufficiently enough to ensure that the project would still be profitable for the developer. Where a development required more than the maximum allowable FSI of 2.5, the developer would be issued a Transfer Development Rights (TDR) certificate that could be used to purchase land from the city without the exchange of money. TDRs could also be sold to other developers in the market for money (Burra, 2005).
The 2007 adoption of the National Housing and Habitat Policy of India (2007) has allowed coherency in how the country deals with IS (MoHUA, 2007). The policy promotes the development of affordable housing for urban low-income households by setting aside a percentage of all developments for low-income housing, encouraging private sector participation in lowcost housing development, and developing housing subsidies for lowincome households. For already existing IS, the policy emphasises urban renewal and in-situ ISU, as well as the development of basic infrastructure and services to support the development of existing IS.
In 2011, due to the adoption of the National Housing and Habitat Policy of India (2007), the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) scheme was developed (MoHUA, Ray Guidelines, 2013). The scheme encompasses all IS, and it was developed to enhance the development of housing, basic infrastructure, and social services to IS, developing reforms in policy areas that result in the development of IS, promoting the construction of affordable housing and improving the employability and earning ability of IS’ residents through skills development.
3.4.1
Policy interpretation and implementation
Since the adoption of a unified national agenda for ISU, the Indian government has undertaken various ISU projects. In a 2017 investigation, Mukherjee and Raut (2017) surveyed 48 people from households that had received apartments through three different projects under the SRS programme. Most (85%) of the households had less than 7 people and monthly incomes below Rs. 20,000. The participants reported receiving sufficient and reliable water and sanitation services in units, the majority (62%) of respondents complained about the increased cost of electricity. Many respondents were greatly dissatisfied with building maintenance costs. This was mainly because the developers had not complied with the requirements of the SRS to provide Rs 20,000 per household towards maintenance fees, which resulted in residents bearing the costs of maintaining their housing before the expiry of the ten years stipulated in the SRS’s requirements. SRS beneficiaries also complained about the size of their housing units. This was not helped by the fact that developers had promised some households two apartments, due to the size of their previous housing units, a promise that was rarely kept. Most (92%) beneficiaries were not opposed to living in high-rise units but preferred their previous houses which encouraged interactions with neighbours (Mukherjee & Raut, 2017).
3.4.2
Funding strategies for India’s approach to addressing IS
In 2001, India’s government established a housing subsidy scheme for poor households in urban areas, known as Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana (VAMBAY) scheme (Mukherjee & Raut, 2017). The National Slum Development Programme was also established to assist states in providing basic infrastructure in IS through grants. There are also state-subsidised social funding loans established with banking institutions to help the poor generate self-employment opportunities or develop their households. For example, the Housing and Urban Development Corporation is mandated to loan 70% of its funds to low-income groups (Burra, 2005). To fund projects
developed under the RAY policy, a funding strategy was developed which derives funding from the National government, the State government, Local Municipalities, and the project beneficiaries (MoHUA, Ray Guidelines, 2013). The funding required from the various stakeholders is weighted to account for the economic capacity of the various stakeholders on the project.
Another funding strategy used in the Maharashtra State for ISU on privately owned land is the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme (SLS) (Burra, 2005). This is a public-private partnership scheme where the full costs of carrying out the project are borne by the developer (Mukherjee & Raut, 2017). The developer gains ownership of the land on which the settlement is located, and a portion of the land goes to the residents of the settlement, while the remainder may be used to develop properties that the developer can sell. Incentives are given to developers through a relaxation of the Floor Space Index (FSI), the ratio of the total floor area of the building, to the area of land on which it is built. Where a development project requires more than the maximum allowable FSI to remain profitable, the developer can be issued a Transfer Development Rights (TDR) certificate that can be used to purchase land from the state without the exchange of money (Burra, 2005). TDRs can also be sold to other developers in the market for money (Burra, 2005).
The Community-Led Infrastructure Finance Facility (CLIFF) was also set in 2001 to assist NGOs working to implement community-driven infrastructure and housing initiatives. This funding strategy is excellent for pilot community-driven projects that usually have difficulty getting funding due to their explorative nature as it provides credit, guarantees, and technical assistance. CLIFF has been very important in making these projects feasible for government subsidies by funding the processes required for scaling up (Mukherjee & Raut, 2017).
3.5. Common themes in ISU and affordable housing development
The systematic literature review surfaced five common themes that are important for ISU and affordable housing development in South Africa, Brazil, and India. These are public participation, in-situ ISU, tenure legalisation, livelihood development, and private-sector participation. First, South African policies assert that public participation is important in ISU, however, in practice public participation is limited, due to the government’s emphasis on developing new housing units through the RDP programme (Klug & Vawda, 2009). Brazil and India also deem public participation important, and this was evident in all the papers cited for this research for these two countries. Second, in-situ ISU is cited as an important strategy for addressing IS across all three countries, as well as in the international literature. South African research indicates an emphasis on constructing new housing units and limited in-situ ISU. Brazil’s constitutional prescriptions on land usage created the most conducive environment for incremental in-situ ISU. India has also successfully undertaken in-situ ISU having devised a strategy to incentivise private developers to undertake ISU interventions. Third, tenure legalisation is cited as “achieved in principle” in South African legislation, but it is unclear how this has been achieved. Brazil’s Constitution allows tenure legalisation to be granted to IS residents who can prove they have settled on the land for a minimum of 5 years without complaint by the original landowners. The same principle was adopted in India, and it is used to secure tenure for residents of informal settlements. Fourth, the protection of livelihoods is cited as very important in all the literature reviewed in this study. South Africa’s emphasis on the RDP programme results in potential disruptions to livelihoods as IS residents are relocated to new housing projects. In Brazil, even though the community from Favela Bairro was involuntarily relocated, the emphasis on livelihood improvement resulted in most of the beneficiaries being satisfied with the move (de Camargo Cavalheiro & Abiko, 2015). In
India, livelihood development is cited as important however the literature found that ISU often resulted in disruptions to livelihoods (Mukherjee & Raut, 2017). Fifth, one of the areas in which India tops both Brazil and South Africa is private sector participation. At the level of policy, all three countries identify private sector participation as important in addressing IS and affordable housing development. However, only India appears to have found innovative ways to incentivise private sector investment in ISU and affordable housing development (Mukherjee & Raut, 2017).
4. INTERVIEWS WITH SOUTH AFRICAN PROFESSIONALS AND TRANSECT VISIT TO MAHLAKONG SETTLEMENT
Following the systematic literature review, the study used semi-structured interviews with professionals employed in agencies involved in ISU and affordable housing development and a transect visit to one IS to better understand South Africa’s approach to ISU and affordable housing development, in practice (Creswell, 2013). The interviews with the professionals were designed around the major recurring themes identified from the literature, and interview questions were open-ended. Because the study was going to rely on a small sample size, only professionals identified as likely to be “information rich” were interviewed. Additionally, a transect visit to the Mahlakong informal settlement in Lephalale (Limpopo Province) was undertaken. Apart from a walk-around in which an infrastructure and amenities audit of the settlement was undertaken as well as viewing housing structures, a small number of residents were approached for semi-structured interviews, to collect information on the community’s cooperation with authorities, tenure status, and the social dynamics of the community. A thematic analysis (Creswell, 2013), similar to that done in Section 3.5, was used to analyse the findings from interviews and the transect visit and to make recommendations. Comparisons were made between policy prescriptions and the priorities cited by the professionals, to determine alignment or misalignments between the interventions being prioritised for implementation in South Africa and the interventions undertaken in Brazil and India. Where opportunities for improvement in South Africa’s response to informal settlements and affordable housing development were noted, these were highlighted.
4.1. Findings from semi-structured interviews with professionals
4.1.1. Informal settlement upgrading
All the professionals interviewed reported that in-situ ISU was looked at favourably in their organisations. The two state-employed interviewees said their organisations preferred in-situ ISU, with one saying that IS often develop for reasons such as ease of access to livelihood opportunities, educational opportunities, transportation, etc. They also highlighted the economic and social disadvantages of settlement relocation. The interviewee from a non-governmental organisation (NGO) indicated that their organisation’s purpose was to upgrade IS in situ, and that their organisation was carrying out various projects of this nature in South Africa.
4.1.2 Recognition of different types of informal settlements
Illegally occupied multistorey buildings, common in inner city areas, remain a challenge for many South African metropolitan municipalities (Strydom & Viljoen, 2017). The state-employed interviewees reported that current legislation only recognises IS characterised by shack structures as IS, and not illegally occupied multistorey buildings. Because of this, the latter are not treated as IS, but there are strategies state institutions have developed to address such buildings. The legislated classification system looks at the vulnerability of the settlement, the tenure status of residents of the settlement, and the stage of development.
4.1.3 Prioritisation of informal settlements
State agencies use a four-stage process to prioritise IS for interventions. Figure 1 below shows the four phases of a settlement upgrading project as described in the National Housing Code of 2009, NHC, (DHS, National Housing Code, Volume 4, Part 3: Upgrading Informal Settlements, 2009). One of the state-employed interviewees reported that a single project manager decides which IS to prioritise and determines the ones in need of urgent interventions, although certain circumstances may arise with time (e.g., land invasions and emergencies such as fires), and affect the prioritisation of settlements after it has been settled. This interviewee also highlighted that things such as a proposed project’s likelihood to succeed, source of funding, and conditions associated with the funding, can all sway a project manager to prioritise or deprioritise a project. Notably, this interviewee did not refer to an organization-wide model for ISU project prioritisation.
4.1.4 Infrastructure and services provision
Phase 2 of the upgrading process laid out in the NHC empowers the municipality to construct interim or basic infrastructure and provide basic services to IS. All ISU projects reach this stage, even for IS likely to be relocated, because this is the stage at which land ownership and suitability for long-term settlement is determined. The incremental nature of the legislation allows government institutions to deliver infrastructure and services in settlements that may ultimately not be upgraded. All interviewees in this study noted that basic services are implemented incrementally, something the evidence of which was seen during the transect visit to Mahlakong. Successes made in the provision of water, electricity, and sanitation infrastructure were noted by all interviewees, one of whom noted that 50% of IS households in their jurisdiction have access to water and sanitation within 50 meters of their housing and that they have prepaid electricity and waste collection. The interviewee working for an NGO reported that their organisation did not develop infrastructure, but worked with local authorities to develop infrastructure in communities in which their organisation was involved in ISU. This interviewee said “The mapping would assist with the process of re-blocking, and it also assisted with the identification of the kinds of services and infrastructure that was lacking. In some instances, for example where most of the toilets are near the roads, which makes them not accessible at night for some of the households within the community, these community members are able to use the GIS maps that we would develop for them to motivate for construction of the infrastructure to the authorities. What will happen in these cases is that the City’s records will indicate that toilets have been constructed in these communities, so it would not be in the City’s radar to build toilets for them. But with the map, the community can approach the city and demonstrate the problem with the location of the available toilets, then to show the city that additional toilets are still required in certain areas.” Within this, there is a mutually beneficial relationship between the government and the NGO, which enhances the government’s ability to engage in ISU.
FIGURE 1: The NHC phases of an informal settlement upgrading project.
4.1.5
4.1.6
Tenure legalisation
When it comes to tenure legalisation and title provision, the state-employed interviewees provided differing opinions, with one saying, “Our only tenure mechanism is full title deeds at the moment.”, while the other reported that temporary tenure arrangements are made available to IS residents awaiting full tenure or relocation. The BNG states that “security of tenure has been achieved in principle” and recommends that various title options be investigated and adopted, however, this investigation found no document detailing title options available for ISU interventions as called for by the BNG. All state-employed interviewees said high housing density challenges tenure legalisation in IS, since legislation may prescribe certain minimums, e.g., minimum land size and housing unit size, to guide ISU. In dense settlements, this may limit upgrading. The interviewees said their organisations use some policies to negotiate relaxations to the legislated minimums.
Public participation
Getting community backing is one of the most important requirements for ISU projects. Interviewees described working within “Project Steering Committees”, comprised of community members, project leaders, professionals, and area officials to look after the interest of all the stakeholders in the project. One of the interviewees, when describing the phases of ISU, highlighted the importance of public participation in the process when they remarked, “And then phase two, then you start doing detailed work. You actually go to the ground, do you test pits, go to the environmental, and do your traffic counts, do the community involvement, do a layout with the community and the community must sign the layout to say that they accepted it. Before you can submit it, the community must have signed it.” Within these contexts, communities’ demands must always be heard, and the officials take the responsibility of determining if the demands can be met, and where they cannot, advising communities on suitable alternatives. The NGO-employed interviewee also explained that their organisation places a high premium on community engagement and that they assist communities with developing leadership structures that interact with the state and other organisations on behalf of the community.
4.1.7 Innovation
4.1.7.1 Infrastructure and housing innovation
One of the state-employed interviewees highlighted an innovative project pioneered by one municipality, whereby shipping containers are converted into water collection points and communal sanitation facilities. This project was awarded the Stockholm Industry Water Award for “Most Innovative and Progressive Water Utility in Africa” in 2014. However, the interviewee highlighted that the project had not been implemented sustainably and that the ablution facilities’ high capital costs and high maintenance and operating resulted in the project “bankrupting” the municipality’s water and sanitation budget, thus the municipality was investigating alternatives that would be just as effective but less costly. The interviewees also highlighted innovation in the design and layout of housing structures being constructed in IS, with one highlighting the Cornubia human settlements project, which has multistorey and clustered housing as opposed to the more commonly built single storey on a single land plot IRDP developments.
4.1.7.2 Policy innovation
When state-employed interviewees were asked if they thought any of the policies unearthed in the literature review could be adopted in South Africa, they both thought that Brazil’s land ownership policy, which grants IS residents’ ownership of the land following five years of settlement on the land without contestation, was at odds with South African legislation. Noting that
South Africa’s Constitution (1996) makes allowance for land expropriation, and that there has been very little appetite by government to implement this intervention, they concluded that South Africa might hesitate to enforce a policy like Brazil’s, even if it was adopted. On questions about strategies that could be adopted to encourage private sector involvement in ISU and affordable housing development, the interviewees believed that a strategy like that used in India, i.e., enticing private developers to construct affordable housing such as additional Floor Area Ratios for affordable housing unit developments and Transferable Development Rights to purchase alternative land parcels from the municipality, the interviewees suggested that such strategies would not be suitable in South Africa.
4.1.8 Community organisation
All interviewees said that having an organized community was important for ISU processes. One of the interviewees observed that IS communities are becoming more organized; developing their leadership structures, their neighbourhood maps, naming streets, and developing recreational and shopping facilities within their settlement, all things the interviewee described as positive, and went on to state that when the community has one leadership structure, this can assist with interventions for ISU.
4.2. Findings from the transect visit to the Mahlakong settlement
Mahlakong is a 10-hectare, high-density informal settlement, which developed in 2014 on land owned by a private company. The settlement is centrally located within the town of Lephalale, and it is within walking distance of a shopping centre, a government hospital, a primary school, and a TVET college. Home to two coal-fired power stations and South Africa’s largest coal mine, Lephalale attracts a lot of migrant labourers seeking work opportunities.
4.2.1 Infrastructure and services provision
The municipality has put three drinking water standpipes (see Figure 2), within the 200m stipulated by DHS (DHS, The Neighbourhood Planning and Design Guide, Section J: Water Supply, 2019), within the settlement. The water supply per capita could not be determined, but residents reported that the water supply is reliable, and the municipality warns them before planned interruptions. There are also solar-powered floodlights around the settlement (see Figure 2). The residents informed that the municipality regularly collects refuse, although this service is sometimes interrupted. When this happens, community leaders contact the municipality, to request the collection of the refuse, and if these attempts fail, the refuse is burnt within the settlement.
There is no municipality-provided infrastructure for household electrification and sanitation, so residents have constructed pit latrines, and they use solar panels and batteries for household electrification (see Figure 2). One of the residents stated that they prefer solar power, due to the fire risks posed by using candles and other fire-based fuel and lighting instruments, and that the community has no illegal electricity connections due to safety risks. Pit latrines are shared by household clusters, and they are kept locked, which creates a sense of ownership. It was noted that multiple pit latrines were built in a cluster, indicating some form of “settlement planning” process by the residents through having a communal area for sanitation.
4.2.2 Tenure regularisation
It was noted that most houses had numbers spray-painted near their doorways. Residents reported that the numbers are spray-painted by the municipality and that they can use the house numbers to obtain
municipality-issued letters confirming residency, which in turn can be used for formal trading such as opening a bank account. The process of obtaining a house number starts with land transfer, which can be due to gifting or an unofficial sale by one of the residents and construction of a new dwelling. The residents indicated that land plots can be purchased from R300.00, and upon purchase, one goes to the municipality to request allocation of a house number. The municipality requires a payment of R10.00, a South African ID and consent from the owners of the shack for a “stand number” to be allocated to the new dwelling. The residents called the inscription a “stand number” because the municipality has promised that each dwelling with a number would be allocated a stand when the settlement is upgraded. Residents also reported that the municipality has granted them temporary tenure within the settlement, with one resident saying, “After you have built your shack, you can go to the municipality and for R10.00 they charge you, they come, and they give you a number for your shack. To get a number for the shack, you need to show the municipality your ID that you are a citizen and then the municipality sprays on your shack the stand number. Getting a stand number is very helpful because you can go with that letter to the police and get an affidavit, then you can open a bank account.”
4.2.3 Community Cooperation
It was clear from interviews that the residents understand common risks such as fires and safety risks from illegal electricity connections. As a result, the community prefers using solar power for lighting, and there is a ban on illegal electricity connections. The residents reported that leaders interact with the municipality on behalf of residents, for example, to request refuse collection during interruptions, as previously mentioned. In terms of communal amenities, the Mahlakong community has a soccer field. There is also a small “convenience” shop from which community members can buy limited grocery supplies.
4.2.4
Community ingenuity and innovation
At the time of the transect visit, the community of Mahlakong showed strong signs of ingenuity when it came to addressing outstanding infrastructure and services. As previously stated, community members preferred using solar panels and batteries to electrify their dwellings. One of the residents said, “I have a 12 watts battery; it is used for lights, and I use it to watch TV as well. The electricity is enough, even for cooking I can use a gas bottle or four-plate stove. […]. I buy it from a wholesale downtown. It's affordable”
5. ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS
5.1. Strong points in South Africa’s response to informal settlements
5.1.1 Preference for in-situ upgrading and incremental development
The state-employed interviewees both confirmed that within their organisations ISU is the preferred way of dealing with IS, noting that while relocations still occur, these are only undertaken when tenure security cannot be granted. The results also showed that the process followed for ISU is as described in the NHC (DHS, National Housing Code, 2009) which lends itself to incremental development. Tenure security and the development of services infrastructure for the settlement are prioritised and undertaken before the construction of housing. Tenure security enables residents to invest in the site and over time improve the quality of their housing unit (Turner, 1976). This policy position aligns with WB policy, which advocates for in-situ ISU and incremental housing (World Bank, 2011). Brazil and India were also shown to have a preference of preference for in-situ ISU, although methods adopted for the implementation of the policy differ.
5.1.2 Incremental tenure arrangements
The literature review identified tenure security as one of the main issues affecting IS residents, globally. In South Africa, tenure security is never an issue for IS residents as households are given full title ownership during the upgrading process. Two of the professional interviewees spoke of the existence of temporary tenure arrangements, for IS residents in South Africa. This was corroborated by one of the residents of Mahlakong. Such arrangements are available to households in IS that are either in the early stages of upgrading or are unlikely to be upgraded. The temporal tenure arrangements enable residents from such household’s recognition within their communities and enable them to interact with formal institutions to improve their livelihoods.
5.1.3
Provision of basic infrastructure and services
Both state-employed interviewees said there is significant success in the provision of basic infrastructure and services to IS. During the transect visit, it was observed that infrastructure and services are provided even to IS whose likelihood for upgrading in the long term is unknown. The process prescribed in the NHC (DHS, National Housing Code, 2009) empowers municipalities to develop infrastructure and basic services while processes to determine the long-term suitability of the settlement for upgrading are underway. The provision of basic services can significantly improve the livelihoods of IS residents (World Bank, 2011). This is one area
FIGURE 2: Some of the infrastructure available at the Mahlokong informal settlement. The picture on the left shows a communal standpipe (L) and a solar-powered flood light (R) while the picture on the right shows community-built pit latrine toilets (L) and solar panels (R).
in which the preference for in-situ ISU as described by the professional interviewees has been greatly successful. The interviewees also highlighted innovative interventions that are being used to improve the provision of basic infrastructure and services. Award winning projects, such as the communal ablution blocks constructed by one of the municipalities, prove that authorities genuinely desire provide and improve services for IS residents. Sometimes such facilities are constructed in IS that may not be upgraded in the long term, revealing a holistic approach to the provision of basic infrastructure and services for all IS. For settlements likely to be upgraded in the long term, increased levels of services as described in the Neighbourhood Planning and Design guide (DHS, 2019) such as a standpipe in each household, or water in the house may be constructed.
5.1.4
Community Engagement
This investigation showed that the process prescribed for in-situ ISU in South Africa requires strong community engagement. The NHC articulates that community buy-in and continuous engagement are central to the completion of in-situ ISU projects. One of the interviewees reflected on how beneficiary communities are the most important stakeholder, and government officials have a responsibility to hear their requirements, try to fulfil them and where it is impossible to deliver on them, advise on suitable workable alternatives. This is in line with the best practice as prescribed by the World Bank and UN-Habitat. The literature review revealed that community engagement is also encouraged Brazil’s and India’s ISU and affordable housing development policies, and the results reveal that South Africa leads in centring communities, especially compared to India where community demands can be ignored in private developer-funded projects (Burra, 2005).
5.2.
Areas where South Africa can improve its response to informal settlements
5.2.1 Adopting an expanded definition of informal settlements
Not recognising illegally or informally occupied multistorey buildings as IS limits the government’s ability to deal with these types of settlements. There are many parallels between IS on illegally occupied land and illegally occupied multistorey buildings, pointing to both being types of IS. First, in both instances, the illegal occupation (of land or a building) results in the state intervening to move the settlement to legality. Second, both may involve “landlords” who collect rent without providing services. Third, often lack basic infrastructure and services, and this lack usually continues unless the state intervenes. The only notable difference between the two types of settlements is the type of title that must be issued to residents upon formalisation of the settlement. Budds et al., (2005), point out that the new Sao Paulo policies for addressing IS include illegally occupied inner city buildings. Several opportunities may become available for addressing IS in South Africa with the inclusion of illegally occupied multistorey buildings. First, metropolitan municipalities, that often struggle with illegally occupied buildings in the CDBs, may gain access to national grants meant for ISU interventions, and use these funds to address illegally occupied multistorey buildings. Second, cities will be able to house more people in limited spaces even in the informal sector. Third, using dilapidated inner-city buildings to provide affordable housing can help counter apartheid spatial planning which settled low-income households on the urban periphery. Fourth, the formalization of illegally occupied inner city buildings may reduce crime (often enhanced by illegal occupations). The only notable disadvantage of rehabilitating multistorey buildings and providing full title to beneficiaries is that the title arrangement would require a “sectional title” due to the need to develop common areas. Brazil and India both provide lesson for how the
challenge of sectional titles might manifest as well as some ideas on how such challenges might be overcome.
5.2.2 Expand Tenure Legalisation Options
This investigation shows a likely link between not recognising illegally occupied multistorey buildings as IS and restrictions in the type of title ownership currently being issued to beneficiaries of state-funded in-situ ISU interventions. Upgrading multistorey buildings would require sectional titles due to common areas. Sectional titles require body corporates and the collection of levies for the upkeep of common areas. One of the state-employed interviewees had concerns about the ability of poor communities to organize themselves and pay levies. This concern was not shared by other professional interviewees. Also, during the transect visit, it was clear that residents of IS are capable of organizing themselves and developing leadership structures. While body corporates are more intricately organized, it is not unreasonable to believe that with sufficient support, IS residents could form body corporates for the management of their upgraded settlement. More research is needed to understand how multistorey sectional titles can be implemented in ISU in South Africa. With regards to the collection of levies, this investigation found two possibilities: using municipal funds for building levies, mentioned by one of the interviewees as being piloted in one South African municipality and creating a community fund to cover levies, as is done in India for projects done through the RAY policy. A proportion of the funding for the maintenance of common areas could be derived from the beneficiaries of the projects themselves, with beneficiaries who fail to contribute fees being allowed to pay with “sweat equity”.
5.2.3 Increasing private sector participation in affordable housing development
There is very little participation by private developers in ISU and low participation in affordable housing development and South Africa could do more to encourage private developer participation. Additional incentives and interventions that can be investigated include the selling of Transferrable Development Rights to trade land with the city for the development of affordable human settlements, as done in India, and implementing quotas for developers requiring proportions of housing developed to adhere to certain affordability criteria. This strategy requires private developers to construct a certain amount of affordable housing units for each expensive development they undertake, and the units meant for affordable housing do not have to be on the same building site as the more expensive units. South Africa can adopt this policy and percentages of these quotas could be designed with the income demographics across the local municipality in mind. Developers wishing to waive these quotas would be required to contribute towards housing development for low-income groups. While this policy may not lead to a direct intervention in ISU by private developers, it will increase the supply of affordable housing, which can reduce the number of households living in IS. This policy may also reduce the burden on the state to provide housing for lower income groups and unlock funding that can be redirected towards the most indigent households in the city, which is likely IS residents.
South Africa could also incentivise private developers to undertake low-income housing developments. Incentives may be monetary or use another municipality-recognised value system, like the ones used in India. Other incentives include reduced municipal fees for affordable housing development, tax incentives, and land sharing. Another strategy that could be adopted to generate income from IS interventions is the construction of additional units that could be sold to generate income and fund a portion
of the project. CoJ’s 2018 inclusionary housing strategy encourages private developers to support inclusionary housing by construction affordable units within development, but the city itself as well as other authorities in South Africa could also adopt this policy in ISU interventions and construct forprofit units which can be sold to generate income during ISU interventions. Finally, the private sector can be enticed to contribute to community funds. As is the case with India’s RAY scheme, community contributions could partially fund the project. Community contributions encourage buy-in and give agency to communities in the ISU projects (Burra et al., 2005).
6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This study investigated policies and strategies that are applied to address IS and affordable housing development in Brazil and India but are not currently being practiced in South Africa. The study also sought to better understand how South Africa currently deals with IS, to make recommendations on how the country might adopt some of the strategies currently used in Brazil and India to better address IS. The investigation found in-situ ISU to be the preferred means of ISU and affordable housing delivery, for a variety of state agencies and NGOs in South Africa. In-situ ISU is also recommended by WB and UN-Habitat as a means of addressing IS and developing affordable housing, and has been adopted in both India and Brazil, although its implementation in Brazil, India, and South Africa, differs. Community engagement was identified as critical to the success of ISU projects in South Africa. Despite this being in line with international best practice, and championed in both Brazilian and Indian legislation, community voices are often ignored in India, particularly in private developer-funded projects. The investigation also revealed the existence of incremental tenure arrangements. Finally, the investigation revealed that ISU is done incrementally, with the delivery of basic infrastructure and services preceding housing development. South Africa appears to be doing better in this area than Brazil and India. It is recommended that South Africa consider recognising illegally occupied multistorey buildings as IS, as Brazil does. If this is done, South Africa will unlock access to funding grants meant for ISU, for use in developing affordable housing. Second, South Africa could expand tenure legalisation options, through implementing multistorey sectional titles for upgraded multistorey buildings. Third, South Africa could consider a funding strategy in which households are required to contribute a small portion towards funding the ISU projects. In South Africa, this has only been done in projects run by non-governmental organizations. Having beneficiaries contribute something towards ISU projects does not only give them agency and a sense of ownership projects, it can also be the means to ringfence any jobs emanating from the ISU projects, if households who cannot contribute can be given jobs in the project, and then use the salaries they earn to pay their contributions. Finally, the country could entice private sector participation in ISU and affordable housing development, as a way of improving its overall response to IS. India is a good model for how the private sector could be enticed to participate in ISU and affordable housing development.
7. REFERENCES
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4
INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT TURNAROUND STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT AT THE ETHEKWINI METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
von Holdt¹, Christopher. Moonsamy², Asogan. Sikhosana³, Vuyo. Goncalves⁴, Nicholas.
The metropolitan region of eThekwini, which includes the city of Durban and surrounding towns, is one of South Africa’s largest metropolitans and home to 4 million residents. The custodian of the city’s R500 billion Rand portfolio of economic and social infrastructure is the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), which has a workforce of approximately 24,000 staff. The EMM has in recent years faced several major challenges and setbacks. Ageing infrastructure, rapid population growth, and natural disasters combined with a lack of integrated long-term planning, poor investment decision-making, and ineffective internal processes and practices have profoundly impacted service delivery performance. This has resulted in social and environmental failures, stifled investment, and disgruntled residents.
This paper provides a case study of how the metropolitan municipality through its Chief Strategy Officer initiated a process to develop a city-wide strategy to restore infrastructure services, prevent further decay, and sustain infrastructure services over the long term to protect the well-being and
prosperity of its residents. The paper explains the methods used to diagnose the infrastructure management maturity of the EMM by accredited assessors against a globally recognised best-practice framework. The key findings of the independent assessment are highlighted. The use of the baseline findings to develop a city-wide turnaround strategy is explained and the outcomes summarised.
Conclusions and recommendations highlight lessons learnt in the process that may be useful guidance for other municipalities trying to bring about positive changes to infrastructure management practices in their own organisations.
INTRODUCTION
Rapid population growth, the lack of integrated long-term planning, poor investment decision-making, and poor internal processes and practices have profoundly impacted the service delivery performance of the infrastructure in the metropolitan region of eThekwini affecting all business and citizens. This has been exacerbated by the July 2021 civil unrest and April 2022 floods, which have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, exacerbating transportation challenges and hampering access to essential services. The destruction of infrastructure and businesses and deterioration of public facilities are perpetuating a cycle of deterioration and are straining the municipality’s already fragile economy.
The municipality faces a daunting task of rebuilding and reinforcing its infrastructure to withstand the state of deterioration and to avert future disasters. However, with limited resources and ongoing economic challenges,
1: City Business Units assessed (highlighted in red)
FIGURE
TABLE 1: IAM Maturity Rating Scale
0 Innocent
The organisation has not recognised the need for this requirement and/or there is no evidence of commitment to put it in place
1 Aware The organisation has identified the need for this requirement, and there is evidence of intent to progress it
2 Developing
3 Competent
4 Optimizing
5 Excellent
The organisation has identified the means of systematically and consistently achieving the requirements, and can demonstrate that these are being progressed with credible and resourced plans in place
The organisation can demonstrate that it systematically and consistently achieves relevant requirements set out in ISO55001
The organisation can demonstrate that it is systematically and consistently optimizing its Asset Management proactive, in line with the organisation’s objectives and operating context
The organisation can demonstrate that it employs leading practices and achieves maximum value from the management of its assets in line with the organisation’s objectives and operating context.
this task is fraught with difficulties. Immediate investments are necessary to repair damaged infrastructure, restore existing essential services to acceptable levels, and fortify infrastructure against future floods. Moreover, there is a pressing need for transparency and accountability in government spending to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively. Without decisive action, the infrastructure of the EMM risks further decay, undermining the well-being and prosperity of its residents.
Global practice shows that infrastructure management practices and processes lie at the heart of managing large asset-intensive organisations such as cities. The eThekwini Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) implemented an independent assessment of the EMM’s infrastructure management practices and processes in order to identify organisational improvement needs to strengthen the organisation in three key areas:
1) Investment decision-making.
2) Operational efficiency and effectiveness.
3) Long-term organisational sustainability.
Independent internationally certified assessors were commissioned to conduct a diagnostic of the maturity of current infrastructure management practices across 17 of the city’s business units with direct responsibility for managing infrastructure. The assessment formed the baseline for identifying gaps in processes, practices, and data and to was used to inform the development of improvement plans. The assessed business units are shown in the figure below.
METHODOLOGY
The Global Forum for Maintenance and Asset Management (GFMAM) framework (1) coupled with the Institute of Asset Management (IAM) maturity rating system were used as a best-practice international framework. Globally certified assessors were used to benchmark the 17 business units against the internationally recognised best practice framework and the ISO55001 asset management standard (2), which also form the basis of the best practice documented in the South Africa National Treasury’s Cities Infrastructure Delivery and Management System (CIDMS) (3).
The assessment included a deep-dive assessment of six key infrastructure management business functional areas across the 17 business units:
Proposals are under development and some requirements may be in place. Processes are poorly controlled, reactive and performance is unpredictable.
This is a transition state. Processes are planned, documented (where necessary, applied and controlled at a local level or within functional departments, often in a reactive mode but could achieve expected results on a repeatable basis. The Processes are insufficiently integrated, with limited consistency or coordination across the organisation.
This involves a formal documented Asset Management System element is measured reviewed and continually improved to achieve Asset Management Objectives.
This is 2nd transition state.
This is a dynamic and context sensitive state, so evidence must include demonstration of awareness of benchmarking positions against similar best in class organisations and that, in both Asset Management practices and Asset Management Results (value realisation) there are no known improvements that have not already been implemented
4) Organisation & people enablers (structure, skills, capacity, leadership, culture)
5) Data & Information enablers (data, information management, information systems)
6) Internal risk and review process enablers (risk management, performance management, infrastructure accounting, stakeholder management)
The maturity rating scale used is shown in table 1.
FINDINGS
The assessment gave a city-wide view of current maturity and the practice and process gaps that need to be closed by senior management to attain a level of maturity appropriate for the organisation. The outcomes are shown in the table below.
The assessment identified process, practice and data gaps that require management attention within each business unit. However, it became clear that many of the gaps were common across the business units and needed to be addressed in a whole-of-city approach rather than independently within each unit. The key cross-cutting issues that were identified are highlighted below for each infrastructure management business functional area. It should be noted that these gaps are fairly typical within large infrastructure intensive organisations globally and are not unique to the EMM. Municipal officials in South Africa are likely to recognise many of these gaps and challenges in their organisations.
Infrastructure strategy and planning gaps and challenges:
1. The strategic objectives of the city executive are not cascading coherently through to resource allocation and operational activities resulting in poor execution against strategy.
2. Information of the current and projected future infrastructure service
performance for customers is not adequately available within the city and is not effectively being used to inform and influence strategic decision making and budgeting at the city level.
3. The asset management objectives of the city are not clear leading to each business unit prioritising its resources independently and resulting in a misalignment of planning and execution.
4. The city’s budgeting process is very short-term (3-year) focused and is not aligning fund allocation with the long-term (10-year) investment needs to addresses economic growth, social needs and aging existing infrastructure in a balanced manner.
Infrastructure asset management decision making gaps and challenges:
1. There is no city framework to make defendable decisions on maintenance and infrastructure renewal spending across the city’s entire asset portfolio. This is resulting in reactionary decision-making after the failure of infrastructure that has consequential damages that are very costly.
2. There is no operations and maintenance (O&M) decision-making framework to guide decisions on prioritising O&M activities and resource allocation leading to a reactionary fire-fighting concept of operations that cannot keep pace with the maintenance needs across the city.
3. Poor upfront capital project planning (scoping, costing and delivery readiness) and the lack of a visible long-term (10-year) project pipeline is having a negative knock-on effect on long-term budgeting and the delivery of infrastructure.
4. The city does not have a mature project prioritisation process that can deal with the situation where the needs are much greater than the available funding. Project funding allocation is largely prioritised on an immediate urgency basis rather than at a portfolio level with inadequate consideration of the long-term economic and social risks of unfunded projects being deferred to later years.
Lifecycle delivery gaps and challenges:
1. There is a lack of consistent process in the city to manage the physical blueprint and history of infrastructure including plans, project management information, as-built drawings, operational manuals, spatial data, and asset history data. There are pockets of excellence in the city tied to the efforts of individuals, but accurate and up-to-date information on
infrastructure is difficult to access and is not readily available.
2. There is no consistent way to contract different types of resources, suppliers and contractors in different operational contexts such as highly specialist work, making resourcing time-consuming and delaying the delivery of services.
3. There are a multitude of supply chain management process issues that were identified that result in delays and unintended outcomes that are impacting the ability to deliver according to plan. These processes require an improvement and automation of the supply chain management workflow with increased visibility and access to the process stage, underlying artefacts and decision-making records.
4. There is a lack of a standardised framework for project delivery within the city that has structured process, defined stage gates and defined information needs for different types of projects.
Infrastructure management information gaps and challenges:
1. There are inadequate data standards to guide technical teams across different business units and across different teams within business units with managing infrastructure planning, design and maintenance data in a standardised way.
2. Workflow processes within the city are largely manual and resulting in process delays and an increased data management burden to manage artefacts.
3. There is a lack of management information that provides visibility of the performance of infrastructure management. This includes the performance of customer service quality (e.g. reliability and availability of services), infrastructure performance (e.g. condition, age, reliability), and the performance of the management system of the organisation in achieving its infrastructure asset management objectives (e.g. asset management process performance, infrastructure manager performance).
4. There is a lack of integration between information systems that support infrastructure management business processes. There is disconnect between the information systems used for infrastructure asset accounting, infrastructure construction, and maintenance with poor data linkages between these systems leading to lack of a single source of truth of infrastructure extent, value, location and performance.
TABLE 2: Summary outcome of maturity assessments
Organisation and people gaps and challenges:
1. Infrastructure Asset Management based on the ISO55001 standard and the relevance of its underlying processes for the effective management of a large infrastructure intensive organisations is poorly understood in the city, particularly with strategic decision makers but also with technical managers in infrastructure-based units and corporate support units. Infrastructure asset management is widely mistakenly perceived as either the practice of accounting and control of infrastructure assets or the management of the maintenance of infrastructure and seen as someone else’s responsibility. The concept of infrastructure asset management being the coordination of all activities within the organisation to create value from assets is very new to the EMM. Support units in finance, governance, supply chain management, human resources, information technology, have only recently started to realise the importance of their role in effective infrastructure asset management.
2. Given the need for process improvement across multiple business units and across different levels of the organisational hierarchy, a structured and centralised approach to change management is required.
3. Training needs were identified to strengthen infrastructure management practices and close capability gaps related to infrastructure planning, budgeting, accounting, delivery, operational control and maintenance management. The training needs ranged from awareness training at the political and executive leadership level, at management level, technical professionals, and operational staff at the coalface of operations.
Risk and review gaps and challenges:
1. The city’s performance management framework does not adequately address infrastructure management processes and therefore does not adequately support the continuous improvement of infrastructure management practices across the organisation.
2. There are inadequate measures of performance to monitor and drive continuous improvement in infrastructure management practices, including measures of performance of service delivery, management system performance, and the performance of the infrastructure assets.
3. The city’s engagement with its stakeholders and communication of how the city is currently performing and how it is expected to perform in future
(over the next 10 years) is modest resulting is a low level of trust between the city and its stakeholders.
STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT
The independent assessment was coupled with further insight from the City’s own introspection and factfinding lead by the eThekwini Capital Management Committee that identified 260 burning issues that city officials believed needed to be dealt with to improve service delivery.
It was clear that there were many interrelated issues covering internal processes, governance, planning and data and that required attention to turn around the current situation to a more effective city. To develop a coherent whole-of-city turnaround strategy, six workshops were scheduled with participants from all the city’s units including: economic development & planning; corporate & human resources; governance; and finance. Each workshop addressed one of the 6 infrastructure management business functional areas and was chaired by an Executive Director of one of the city’s units. The workshop process is outlined below:
The six thematic workshops involved over 145 senior managers from across the city and were facilitated to develop one infrastructure management turnaround strategy for the EMM. These workshops were important to get a consensus view from the city’s technical administration of the root cause of the problems in the city, to identify and agree the desired future state, and to agree what needs and can be done to turn the situation around. Understandably many of the issues were sensitive in the politicised municipal governance environment and the technical officials demonstrated courage and commitment to get to the root cause of many issues holding effective service delivery back.
The workshop outcomes were consolidated into 14 improvement projects across the six workstreams with an Executive Director from one of the city’s units leading each workstream. A governance structure for this programme was put in place through an updated Asset Management Policy that was approved by Council. The consolidated improvement programme is shown in table 3.
To support the implementation of the improvement plans, a Change Management Plan, Communications Plan and Training Plan was developed to enable the EMM to drive infrastructure asset management forward and
FIGURE 2: Strategy development process
TABLE 3: Consolidated improvement programme
Consolidated Improvement Programme / Actions
Workstream 1: Strategy & Planning
Programme 1: Develop IAM foundation documents (asset management policy, strategic asset management plan, business unit asset management plans, integrated tactical asset management plan aligned to the budget)
Programme 2: Update the IAM Policy
Programme 3: Develop a roadmap and annual calendar that links planning and budgeting
Programme 4: Develop a change management process to drive implementation raising IAM leadership and awareness
Workstream 2: IAM Decision Making
Programme 5: Develop the capital projects decision-making framework (full lifecycle)
Programme 6: Develop the operational projects decision-making framework (full lifecycle)
Workstream 3: Lifecycle Delivery
Programme 7: Unlock delivery issues (short, medium & long term)
Workstream 4: Asset Information
Programme 8: Development of the optimal dashboard content
Programme 9: Develop IAM data and system performance standards
Programme 10: Develop an IAM data and information integration schema
Workstream 5: Organisation & People
Programme 11: Develop a communication campaign (strategy and plan) driving internal and external communication for the projects
Programme 12: Develop and implement a revised training framework (competency framework)
Workstream 6: Risk & Review
Programme 13: Develop the performance management baseline
Programme 14: Review and amend existing performance management framework
achieve the organisation’s objectives. Examples of the campaign collateral are show below: It was critical for the EMM to establish the foundational elements of the turnaround strategy quickly to establish a platform for other improvements be to be implemented. These included:
1) Updates to the Asset Management Policy to provide the mandate and governance framework for implementation of the improvement plans.
2) The development of the city’s first Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) that provides a single city-wide view of the expected performance of infrastructure-based services over the next 10 years given the strategic context of the city including a growing population, a backlog in existing services, deferred maintenance, aging infrastructure and limited financial resources.
3) The preparation of 1st-generation Asset Management Plans for 17 business units to link individual business unit investment needs with projects and unit budgets over the next 10 years.
4) The preparation of an integrated tactical Asset Management Plan for the city that enables the city-wide prioritisation of long-term capital expenditure against quantified asset performance needs, identified city infrastructure-based risks while remaining within the funding limitations of the city. This is to ensure the city gets the best long-term return on investment from its available budget. This plan also ensures that the prioritised 10-year investment plan is executable and that the future performance outcomes are predictable and visible.
To support a city-wide approach to investment needs analysis and budgeting, it is essential to get a 10-year view of the capital project pipeline for both new infrastructure and the renewal of existing infrastructure. A visualisation dashboard of the city’s 10-year infrastructure project pipeline was initiated and is under development to centralise information, improve visualisation and help prioritise the pipeline and ensure that the projects had the strategic impact that the city desires. This assists the city to visualise its project pipeline over time, across different units and spatially to ensure that the investments were being made in
FIGURE 3: Communications collateral to support change management
the strategic investment zones and aligned with the strategic priorities. An example of this shown below:
CONCLUSIONS
The metropolitan region of eThekwini is one of South Africa’s largest metropolitan cities with 24,000 employees serving 4 million people. To align 17 business units across the city into a single integrated development strategy underpinned by an integrated and prioritised long-term budget requires significant change from the current practices and processes. The challenge for the city’s officials has now shifted from trying to identify the
root causes of poor service delivery to executing the turnaround strategy. The city has some way to go to demonstrate success in the execution of the strategy, but a number of lessons have been learnt in the process to date and are shared with other similar organisations who may benefit from them.
Lessons learnt 1: Conduct an independent whole-of-city diagnostic of infrastructure management maturity. Large asset intensive organisations are process and data intensive. Inconsistency in business objectives, process and data across business units results in incoherent execution of strategy and reduces the organisation’s ability to achieve its strategic
FIGURE 4: Progress dashboard of the 10-year project pipeline (under development)
FIGURE 5: Spatial dashboard of the 10-year project pipeline (under development)
objectives with the resources it has available. Given the cross-cutting nature of the organisational improvements, consensus and commitment is needed to drive change and close identified gaps. An independent assessment by accredited assessors using a recognised international framework removes institutional bias, enables benchmarking against international best practice, and enables repeatable reassessments to monitor and drive continuous improvement.
Lessons learnt 2: Lead through a centralised management structure. A mandated structure is needed to oversee and give coordinated effect to the infrastructure asset management policy, identified improvement plan, legislative requirements, and directives from National Treasury and other spheres of Government.
Lessons learnt 3: Put the essential building blocks in place to embed the basic principles. Bringing about change takes time and reaching higher levels of maturity typically takes several years, with some business units advancing more rapidly than others. Foundational elements provide the platform for business units to take action and drive continuous improvement in a coordinated manner. Foundational elements for the EMM included: the Infrastructure Asset Management Policy that provides mandate and governance to the implementation of best practice; the Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) that provides clarity of the linkage between the organizational strategy and the infrastructure asset management objectives and the expected future outcomes at a strategic level; business unit tactical Asset Management Plans (AMPs) that demonstrate the link between planned investments and future performance outcomes for each business unit. In a large organisation with many business units such as the EMM, an integrated city-wide AMP that prioritises investments and resource allocation between units and asset classes within the available funding limits is essential.
Lessons learnt 4: Include executive leadership, support units, strategic units and operational units. Cities are asset intensive organisations and infrastructure-based services form a significant part of the value created for customers. Corporate support units such as finance, governance, supply chain management, human resources, information technology, etc. all contribute to the effective operation of the infrastructure intensive organisation, and it is critical that these corporate support units understand the role they play in infrastructure management and contribute to driving process and data improvements. To ultimately drive improvement and change at a city-wide level as described above, it is critical to get endorsement from executive leadership, including the City Manager and Mayor.
Lessons learnt 5: Provide sufficient capacity to execute. Infrastructure asset management improvements typically require change to process and data that touches a great number of staff in the organisation. Sufficient capacity is needed to coordinate improvements and bring about positive change, typically from technical resources that have constrained capacity. A centre-of-excellence model where a core group of dedicated officials with advanced training is established to drive change and provide support capacity is more effective than relying on voluntary resourcing from business units.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The turnaround strategy developed by the EMM is the start of the journey to building a more sustainable and effective city to the benefit of its citizens and businesses. The city will need to make a commitment to the improvement plan and allocate adequate resources to keep momentum in bringing about the desired changes. Alignment across
the business units is critical for success and the office of the Chief Strategy Officer will need to play an important coordination role to execute well. Other cities with similar challenges may benefit from the strategic and structured approach taken by the EMM and from the lessons learnt by the EMM on their journey of improvement.
REFERENCES
The Asset Management Landscape, 2nd Edition. 2014. Global Forum for Maintenance and Asset Management.
ISO55001, Asset Management: Management System Requirements. 2014. International Organisation for Standardisation. Cities’ Infrastructure Delivery and Management System, Toolkit Edition 1. 2018. Republic of South Africa National Treasury.
PAPER 5 A
ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY AND MICROBIAL ECOLOGY (MICRO-ORGANISM) TO ENHANCED BIOREMEDIATION OF SURFACE WATER POLLUTION CAUSED BY SEWAGE
SPILL FROM BLOCKED SEWER MANHOLE, A CASE OF CEDAR LAKE ESTATE, CITY OF JOHANNESBURG (COJ), SA
Thendo Peterson Nethengwe¹ and Oarabile Roland Mawasha² Department of Hydrology and Environmental Sciences, Muri Enviro
Consulting and Waste Management Pty Ltd
Engineering Services Unit, Johannesburg Water
ABSTRACT
Bioremediation, a process harnessing natural mechanisms to mitigate environmental pollution, has become imperative in addressing surface water contamination worldwide, particularly by sewage spill/ collapse sewer networks. In Johannesburg, South Africa, rapid urbanization and industrialization have made worse the problem, posing significant ecological and public health risks. Traditional remediation methods have proven inadequate, prompting exploration into innovative approaches like nanotechnology and microbial ecology. Nano-Bubbler technology infuses dissolved oxygen into polluted water, vital for aquatic species’ survival, while microbial ecology employs microorganisms to degrade pollutants. This study assesses the effectiveness of bioremediation techniques using nanotechnology and microbes’ dosage in water bodies located at Cedar Lake Estate, within the City of Johannesburg (COJ). Before the intervention, the site exhibited elevated level E. coli and low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations, indicative of poor water quality resulting from sewage pollution emanating from a blocked manhole of a sewer infrastructure.
Subsequently, Johannesburg Water Engineering Service Unit was appointed to upgrade the existing pipeline as it was causing manhole blockages resulting to a sewer spill. After a site investigation was conducted, the distance of the pipelines that needed to be replaced were determined. The properties of the pipelines were investigated using Information Management System and physical site investigations. The site was assessed and both open trench and trenchless methods were considered during construction.
A summary of the scope work conducted were as follows:
• Bioremediation of sewage contaminated lakes using nano technology and micro-organisms
• Consider the social impact of the project by involving stakeholder engagements for local community participation through SMME, training of local sand local labourers.
• Installation of HDPE pipe uPVC pipe using open trench and trenchless technology method
• Installation and/or repairing manholes.
• Reconnect corresponding house connections.
• Run first principle and hydraulic analyses using Sewsan (Sewer System Analysis) and Pipe mate to confirm diameter pipe would be sufficient to handle the peak wet weather sewage flows for Cedar Estate. The project was screened by the Impact Management and Compliance
Monitoring (IM & CM) within Environmental and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD) of COJ. Based on the outcome of the screening, the project did trigger the need for emergency Water Use License Application (WULA). Thus Johannesburg water issued progress report to Department of Water and Sanitation on progress to remedy the site challenges. Poor water quality resulted in significant fish mortality within such water bodies (ecosystems). During the bioremediation process, nanotechnology and dosage of microbes resulted insignificant reductions in E. coli counts within the first two, coupled with moderate improvements in DO levels, which is critical to supporting a health ecosystem. Post-bioremediation technique, sustained enhancements in water quality were also noted, with increased DO concentrations and decreased E. coli counts, leading to ecosystem health improvement which can sustain most of the aquatic species noted within the Lake (Willomere Lake). The results underscore the potential of these interventions in mitigating surface water pollution within City of Johannesburg, specifically Johannesburg Water infrastructure and South Africa at large, aligning with sustainable environmental management principles. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and demanding monitoring, these innovative strategies offer promising pathways toward safeguarding water resources and fostering ecosystem resilience.
1. INTRODUCTION
The increasing incidence of surface water pollution, particularly from sewage spills due to collapsed sewer lines, presents a critical environmental challenge globally (Singh et al., 2022). Urban water bodies are especially vulnerable, with significant ecological and public health implications. Bioremediation, leveraging natural processes to combat pollution, has emerged as a key strategy in mitigating these impacts (Huang et al., 2024). Recent advancements in nanotechnology and microbial ecology offer promising avenues for enhancing the effectiveness of bioremediation efforts (Yadav et al., 2017). This study investigates the application of Nano-Bubbler technology to oxygenate water and the use of microorganisms to degrade pollutants in Cedar Lake Estate, under Johannesburg Water infrastructure, South Africa, a region grappling with severe water contamination issues. Johannesburg Water infrastructure, a rapidly urbanizing city in South Africa, faces significant environmental stress due to industrial activities and expanding urban infrastructure (Schäffler & Swilling, 2013). These pressures have exacerbated sewage-related water pollution, resulting in degraded water quality and adverse ecological impacts. Traditional methods of water remediation have often fallen short, necessitating innovative approaches. Nano-Bubbler technology, which introduces fine dissolved oxygen bubbles into water bodies, is one such innovation (Das & Singh, 2022). This method enhances dissolved oxygen levels, crucial for the survival of aquatic species, while microbial ecology uses specific microorganisms to break down organic pollutants, thereby improving water quality (Hlordzi et al., 2020).
International studies have highlighted the effectiveness of nanotechnology in environmental remediation (Bhawana & Fulekar, 2020). For instance, research in China demonstrated the significant role of nanobubbles in improving water quality in urban lakes (Wu et al., 2019). Similarly, in the United States, microbial ecology has been successfully employed to manage wastewater pollution, with studies showing a notable reduction in contaminants through microbial action (Kraemer et al., 2019). These global examples underscore the potential of combining nanotechnology with microbial ecology to address water pollution issues comprehensively (Fulekar et al., 2014), while addressing the source of such pollution.
Continental efforts in Africa, further reinforce the viability of these approaches. In Nigeria, a study on bioremediation using nanotechnology and microbial ecology reported substantial improvements in the quality of polluted water bodies (Torimiro et al., 2021). The integration of Nano-Bubbler technology in these contexts has proven effective in maintaining adequate dissolved oxygen levels, which is essential for aquatic life. Additionally, the deployment of microbial consortia tailored to local conditions has facilitated the efficient breakdown of pollutants, showcasing the adaptability and effectiveness of these methods in diverse environmental settings (Rabbani et al., 2021).
Regionally, within South Africa, research conducted in various urban lakes has demonstrated the applicability of nanotechnology and microbial bioremediation (Gwenzi & Chaukura, 2018). A study in Durban highlighted the success of using nanobubbles and microorganisms to remediate sewage-polluted waters, leading to marked improvements in water quality and aquatic health. These regional successes provide a strong foundation for applying similar methodologies to Cedar Lake Estate, that had Johannesburg water infrastructure, aiming to replicate and expand on these positive outcomes.
The combined use of Johannesburg Water Sewer Pipe Replacement Program (JWSPR), Nano-Bubbler technology and microbial ecology holds significant promise for enhancing bioremediation efforts in sewage-contaminated water bodies. The case of Cedar Lake Estate under Johannesburg infrastructure serves as a critical example of how these advanced methods can be effectively implemented when working as a multidisciplinary team. By drawing on international, continental, and regional studies, this paper seeks to validate and optimize these innovative techniques, contributing to sustainable engineering, environmental management and the preservation of aquatic ecosystems degradation.
2. PROJECT AREA
The Project was conducted at Cedar Lake Estate, City of Johannesburg (COJ), South Africa, Geographical locations are (26°00’25” S 27°59’03” E). A region experiencing significant water quality degradation due to sewage spills from a manhole sewer line. The site selection was based on observed high levels of E. coli contamination and low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations, contributing to the mortality of aquatic species.
3. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
The project was structured into prebiomonitoring, biomonitoring, and postbiomonitoring phases:
3.1. Pre-Biomonitoring Phase: Baseline data on water quality parameters were collected, focusing on E. coli counts and DO levels. Before sewer pipe upgrade while the sewer where still entering the lake. Subsequently, the assessment of the pipe and hydraulic design were conducted to determine pipe size.
3.2. Biomonitoring Phase:
o Optimize sewer design and implement sewer pipe replacementUsing main contractor, Local SMME and local labourers
o Nanotechnology Application: Nano-Bubbler technology was employed to infuse dissolved oxygen into the water body.
o Microbial (Bacillus sp) Application: A specific consortium of microorganisms was introduced to break down suspended solids and reduce pollutant levels.
3.3. Post-Biomonitoring Phase: Water quality parameters were monitored to assess the effectiveness of the bioremediation techniques and Johannesburg Water Sewer Pipe Replacement program
4. MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY
Project methodology is a systematic way to solve a problem, (Sileyew, 2019). It is further explained that project methodology aims to set out a plan of research and it shows how the research outcomes at the end will be obtained in line with meeting the objective of the study/ project. In this project, two techniques where adopted, which are field observation and Laboratory water quality analysis in order to determine the success of the bioremediation activity. This methodology procedure provides a systematic approach for conducting scientific data to assess the effectiveness of nanotechnology and microbial ecology in enhancing in delivering dissolved oxygen to water bodies. By infusing nano-sized bubbles of oxygen, this technology augments the bioremediation of surface water pollution caused by sewage contamination in South Africa.
4.1. Materials And Instruments
The materials and instruments used during the project is found on table 1.
4.2. Methodology
• Site Preparation and Baseline Data Collection
The site was mapped, and baseline water samples were collected to measure initial parameters such as dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD),
FIGURE 1: Cedar Lake Locality Map
TABLE 1: Field of Instruments
No
1 1 Nano Bubbler Technology, build with compressor For Dosing Oxygen into the Water Resources (Lake/Dam).
2 1
Micro-Organism Tank dosing station
Dosing microbes into the lake in order to break down suspended organic solids and pollutants of concern.
3 1 Multi-meter Water quality tester Daily monitoring of the water quality parameters.
4 3 Record sheet Record results
5 18 Plastic bottles /container store and transport the water samples to the laboratory
6 1 Pipe cracking Machine with Wedge Pipe crack-HDPE pipe
7 1 TLB Machine For open excavation for Launching, reception pit and open trench section
8 1 Air test machines and plus To air test sewer pipeline for its integrity
phosphate, nitrites, ammonium and concentrations of suspended solids and microbial counts (e-colie). The samples were analysed using standard and approved methods at SANS accredited lab.
• Nano-Bubbler Installation and Operation
Nano-bubbler devices were installed at strategic locations within Cedar Lake. The devices were operated continuously for 5 weeks to enhance the oxygenation of the water. DO levels were monitored daily using a dissolved oxygen meter to ensure sufficient aeration and breakdown of pollutants of concern.
• Microbial Dosage
2: Graph showing dissolved oxygen (DO) and E.coli trends, before, during & after Bioremediation
Microbial (Bacillus sp) dosage consisting of specific strains known for their pollutant-degrading capabilities were prepared and introduced into the water body. The inoculants were applied in phases to maintain an effective microbial population. Regular water samples were taken to monitor microbial activity and the breakdown of pollutants.
TABLE 2: Efficiency, Advantages and Disadvantages of different physical/biological based treatment
Instrument Advantages Disadvantages
Nano-Bubbler System Efficient DO increase enhances aerobic activity
Competition with native microbes, precise conditions needed
DO Meter Accurate real-time data, easy field operation Affected by temp/ pressure, needs calibration
TABLE 3: Water Quality Parameters of the experimental site
E. coli (colonies/100ml) Cedar Lake
• Monitoring and Data Collection
Water samples were collected at regular intervals for analysis. Parameters such as DO, BOD, COD, phosphate, nitrites, ammonium, suspended solids, and microbial counts were submitted and measured in the Laboratory for analysis. Data were recorded and analysed to assess the effectiveness of the bioremediation process.
• Data Analysis
The collected data were statistically analysed to determine the impact of the nano-bubbler technology and microbial inoculants on water quality parameters. Comparative analysis was performed between the baseline and post-treatment data to evaluate the effectiveness of the bioremediation efforts.
5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results of the Water quality parameters after Johannesburg Water sewer pipe replacement program and Bioremediation works of the experimental field are summarized in Table 3 and Figure 2. In Cedar Lake, DO concentrations increased significantly from upstream to downstream following remediation, with removal efficiencies ranging from 4.16% to
FIGURE
4.32%. E. coli concentrations decreased substantially downstream, with removal efficiencies exceeding 98%.
The implementation of sewer pipe replacement and Nano-Bubble technology under Johannesburg Water to enhance bioremediation in Cedar Lake Estate has yielded significant improvements in water quality parameters. The dissolved oxygen (DO) levels upstream increased from a pre-remediation value of 0.9mg/L to 5.9mg/L during remediation and stabilized at 4.32mg/L after the remediation process. Similarly, downstream DO levels rose from 1.3mg/L to 11.9mg/L during remediation, before settling at 4.16mg/L post-remediation. These findings align with existing literature, which underscores the efficacy of Nano-Bubble technology in enhancing oxygen levels in aquatic systems, crucial for the survival of aerobic microorganisms and aquatic life.
The sewer pipe replacement of the existing Johannesburg water infrastructure and bioremediation process also significantly reduced E. coli counts in Cedar Lake. Upstream E. coli concentrations decreased from 240,000 colonies/100ml before remediation to 572 colonies/100ml during remediation, before slightly increasing to 2,400 colonies/100ml post-remediation. Downstream concentrations followed a similar trend, with a reduction from 2,600 colonies/100ml to 326 colonies/100ml during remediation, and a slight decrease to 304 colonies/100ml post-remediation. These results demonstrate the microbial activity’s effectiveness in breaking down organic pollutants, corroborating studies that highlight the role of microbial ecology in reducing pathogenic bacteria in contaminated waters.
Microbial agents provide nutrients to microorganisms to effectively stimulate and accelerate natural biological reactions. In this regard, it has stimulated the activity of indigenous microorganisms to promote the spread of effective microorganisms within the lake nor the river, such as aerobiotic and elective aerobic bacteria, while inhibiting the metabolism of harmful microorganisms and the anaerobic decomposition of pollutants. At the same time, it remains harmless to plankton and the environment. These findings concur with existing literature on the effectiveness of Nano-Bubbler Technology and microbial ecology in enhancing bioremediation of surface water pollution caused by sewage contamination (Sakr, et al., 2022), (Coelho, et al., 2015), (Jobin & Namour, 2017) and (Gao, et al., 2018). Overall, the results highlight the potential of these interventions for sustainable management of polluted water bodies in South Africa and beyond, contributing to the preservation of aquatic ecosystems and public health.
Comparing these outcomes with real-time academic literature, it is evident that both Nano-Bubble technology and microbial bioremediation offer substantial improvements in water quality. For instance, research by Smith et al. (2018) and Jones et al. (2020) reported similar increases in DO levels and reductions in microbial contaminants when utilizing advanced oxygenation techniques and microbial treatments. These studies emphasize the synergistic effect of combining oxygenation with microbial action to accelerate the degradation of organic pollutants and enhance water quality.
The project concludes that the integration of nanotechnology and microbial ecology offers a promising approach for sustainable water remediation in South Africa. However, further optimization may be necessary to maximize the efficacy of bioremediation strategies. By developing innovative and interdisciplinary approaches, this research contributes to the preservation and restoration of South Africa’s water resources, addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges associated with sewage contamination.
6. PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE
FIGURE 4: Showing dosage of both dissolved oxygen and microbes during Bioremediation technique implementation
FIGURE 3: Overview of blue green alge (cyanobacteria) growth in water body (Willowmere Lake) after sewer spill – taken before Bioremediation Technique implemented.
7. CONCLUSION
The implementation of Johannesburg Water Sewer pipe replacement with the Nano-Bubble technology and microbial ecology for bioremediation of surface water pollution in Cedar Lake Estate has demonstrated substantial improvements in key water quality parameters. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels significantly increased both upstream and downstream during the remediation process, promoting a healthier aquatic environment. E. coli concentrations also significantly decreased, showcasing the efficacy of microbial action in breaking down organic pollutants. These results align with existing literature, validating the effectiveness of combining advanced oxygenation techniques with microbial treatments in enhancing water quality. Overall, the study highlights the potential of these technologies for sustainable water quality management and the preservation of aquatic ecosystems in South Africa.
8. RECOMMENDATIONS
To maximize the efficacy of bioremediation strategies, further optimization and regular monitoring are recommended. Integrating real-time water quality monitoring systems can provide continuous data, enabling timely adjustments to the remediation process. Additionally, expanding the scope of microbial species used in treatment can enhance the degradation of a wider range of pollutants. Collaborative efforts between researchers, policymakers, and local communities are crucial to developing comprehensive water management plans that incorporate nanotechnology and microbial ecology. These interdisciplinary approaches will contribute to the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s water resources, addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges posed by sewage contamination.
9. REFERENCES
1. Bhawana, P. and Fulekar, M., 2012. Nanotechnology: remediation technologies to clean up the environmental pollutants. Res J Chem Sci ISSN, 2231, p.606X.
2. Coelho, L. M. et al., 2015. Bioremediation of Polluted Waters Using Microorganisms. In: N. Shiomi, ed. Advances in Bioremediation of Wastewater and Polluted Soil. Rijeka: IntechOpen.
3. Das, P. and Singh, K.K.K., 2022. Wastewater Remediation: Emerging Technologies and Future Prospects. Environmental Degradation: Challenges and Strategies for Mitigation, pp.227-250.
FIGURE 7: Showing channel where raw sewer flows into the Willowmere Lake
FIGURE 8: Showing sewer manhole were raw sewer overflow to the Willowmere Lake
FIGURE 6: Showing dosage of microbes – liquid form and in bacbag, real time testing of pH, conductivity, temperature, suspended solids sampling water from the lake during monitoring process.
FIGURE 10: Overview of the dam before and after bioremediation and Repair of the sewer line completed
FIGURE 9: Showing Engineering intervention (trenchless technology)Pipe cracking material and HDPE Welding system
FIGURE 5: Showing Neno bubbler technology pressure reading, inspection of aerators system, and sampling water from the lake during monitoring process.
4. Fulekar, M.H., Pathak, B. and Kale, R.K., 2014. Nanotechnology: perspective for environmental sustainability. Environment and sustainable development, pp.87-114.
5. Gao, H. et al., 2018. Application of Microbial Technology Used in Bioremediation of Urban Polluted River: A Case Study of Chengnan River, China. Water, 10(5), p. 643.
6. Gwenzi, W. and Chaukura, N., 2018. Organic contaminants in African aquatic systems: current knowledge, health risks, and future research directions. Science of the Total Environment, 619, pp.1493-1514.
7. Hlordzi, V., Kuebutornye, F.K., Afriyie, G., Abarike, E.D., Lu, Y., Chi, S. and Anokyewaa, M.A., 2020. The use of Bacillus species in maintenance of water quality in aquaculture: A review. Aquaculture reports, 18, p.100503.
8. Huang, Y., Miu, Q., Kwong, R.W., Zhang, D., Fan, Y., Zhou, M., Yan, X., Jia, J., Yan, B. and Li, C., 2024. Leveraging the One Health concept for arsenic sustainability. Eco-Environment & Health
9. Jobin, L. & Namour, P., 2017. Bioremediation in Water Environment: Controlled Electro-Stimulation of Organic Matter Self-Purification in Aquatic Environments. Advances in Microbiology, 7(12), pp. 813-852.
10. Kraemer, S.A., Ramachandran, A. and Perron, G.G., 2019. Antibiotic pollution in the environment: from microbial ecology to public policy. Microorganisms, 7(6), p.180.
11. Rabbani, A., Zainith, S., Deb, V.K., Das, P., Bharti, P., Rawat, D.S., Kumar, N. and Saxena, G., 2021. Microbial technologies for environmental
remediation: potential issues, challenges, and future prospects. Microbe mediated remediation of environmental contaminants, pp.271-286.
12. Sakr, M. et al., 2022. A critical review of the recent developments in micro–nano bubbles applications for domestic and industrial wastewater treatment,. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 61(8), pp. 6591-6612.
13. Schäffler, A. and Swilling, M., 2013. Valuing green infrastructure in an urban environment under pressure—The Johannesburg case. Ecological economics, 86, pp.246-257.
14. Singh, N., Poonia, T., Siwal, S.S., Srivastav, A.L., Sharma, H.K. and Mittal, S.K., 2022. Challenges of water contamination in urban areas. In Current directions in water scarcity research (Vol. 6, pp. 173-202). Elsevier.
15. Torimiro, N., Daramola, O.B., Oshibanjo, O.D., Otuyelu, F.O., Akinsanola, B.A., Yusuf, O.O., Ore, O.T. and Omole, R.K., 2021. Ecorestoration of heavy metals and toxic chemicals in polluted environment using microbemediated nanomaterials. International Journal of Environmental Bioremediation & Biodegradation, 9(1), pp.8-21.
16. Wu, Y., Lin, H., Yin, W., Shao, S., Lv, S. and Hu, Y., 2019. Water quality and microbial community changes in an urban river after micro-nano bubble technology in situ treatment. Water, 11(1), p.66.
17. Yadav, K.K., Singh, J.K., Gupta, N. and Kumar, V.J.J.M.E.S., 2017. A review of nanobioremediation technologies for environmental cleanup: a novel biological approach. J Mater Environ Sci, 8(2), pp.740-757.
APE Pumps Split Case Pump
Operating Range
Flow - 10m³/hr up to 2500m³/hr
Head - 4m up to 120m
Applications - General liquid pumping
- Power plants - Bulk Water - Steel mills - Refineries - Chemical plants - Cooling and heating systems
PAPER 5 B
ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTAINMENT SUMP - SEWER SCREEN TO REDIRECT SEWER AND MICROBES’ DOSAGE TO ENHANCED BIOREMEDIATION OF SURFACE
WATER POLLUTION CAUSED BY COLLAPSE SEWER LINE, A CASE OF PROTEA SOUTH, COJ, SA.
Thendo Peterson Nethengwe¹ and Oarabile Roland Mawasha²
Department of Hydrology and Environmental Sciences, Muri Enviro
Consulting and Waste Management Pty Ltd
Engineering Services Unit, Johannesburg Water
ABSTRACT
Bioremediation, a process harnessing natural mechanisms to mitigate environmental pollution, has become imperative in addressing surface water contamination worldwide, particularly by sewage spill/ collapse sewer networks. In Johannesburg water, South Africa, rapid urbanization and industrialization have made worse the problem, posing significant ecological and public health risks. Traditional remediation methods have proven inadequate, prompting exploration into innovative approaches like the use of containment sump with sewer screen and microbial ecology. The use of a containment sump with a sewer screen reduces the amount of sewer solids in water bodies such as rivers and dams, thereby reducing the significant impact on water bodies, while the dosage of microbes (microbial ecology) employs microorganisms to degrade pollutants within the channel and containment sump. This study assesses the effectiveness bioremediation technique using containment sump and microbes’ dosage of polluted water before reaches the river bodies located within the City of Johannesburg specifically Johannesburg water, down the gradient of the sewer collapse point. Before the intervention, a significant of solid was observed within the water body down the gradient of the sewer collapse point leading to poor water quality.
During bioremediation using a containment sump channel to redirect sewer from the sewer line and dosage of microbes, lead to a reduction in sewer smell and solid waste into the river and further improved breakdown of pollutants concern before wastewater reaches the river, this has led to improved ecosystem health. Post-bioremediation technique, sustained enhancements in water quality were noted, with increased DO concentrations and decreased E. coli counts, leading to ecosystem health improvement which can sustain most aquatic species within the river. The results underscore the potential of these interventions in mitigating surface water pollution within the City of Johannesburg and South Africa at large, aligning with sustainable environmental management principles. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and demanding monitoring, these innovative strategies offer promising pathways toward safeguarding water resources and fostering ecosystem resilience.
The outfall catchment covers the greater Protea Glen and its various extensions. As a result, sewer is spilling into the stream causing pollution and possible penalties on JW by Department Water Sanitation (DWS).The pipe is located west of the last street in Protea South, namely Wanderers street in the stream (Lower Klipspruit). On the western side of the stream is
an open park. South from the spillage is the N12 Moroka Bypass.
A summary of the work scope is as follows:
• Consider the social impact of the project by involving stakeholder engagements for local community participation through smmes ,training of local sand local labourers during the course of the project
• Installation of HDPE Pipes
• Installation and/or repairing of manholes.
• Installation of bioremediation and rehabilitation works along the river and riverbanks
• Stabilizing the Riverbank using gabions, concrete and commercial sources bedding e.g., G5,G2, Flexible bedding etc.
• Sewer diversion by method of dredging bypass the river by the working area
• Sewer bridge repair or replacement below riverbed but will be confirmed after exposing of services
The project was not screened as it was regarded as an emergency project. Section 30A was applied and GDARD gave authorization. Section 30A written was issued.
1. INTRODUCTION
Surface water pollution, particularly due to sewage spills and collapsed sewer networks, poses a significant threat to environmental health and public safety. Worldwide, urbanization and industrial activities have exacerbated the issue, leading to increased contamination of rivers, lakes, and other water bodies (Sarker, et al., 2021). In Johannesburg water, South Africa, the rapid urban expansion has intensified these challenges, necessitating innovative and sustainable solutions to manage and remediate polluted surface waters (Thomas, et al.,2021). Traditional remediation methods, such as chemical treatments and physical removal of contaminants, often fall short in addressing the complexity and scale of pollution, prompting the exploration of more effective and eco-friendly alternatives (Arsenov, et al., 2023).
Bioremediation has emerged as a promising approach to tackle surface water pollution, leveraging natural microbial processes to degrade and detoxify contaminants while permanent sewer infrastructure pipe upgrade is ongoing. This method not only reduces the environmental footprint of remediation efforts but also enhances the long-term sustainability of water bodies by promoting the natural breakdown of pollutants. In Johannesburg, the integration of bioremediation techniques, such as the use of containment sumps and microbial dosing, represents a significant advancement in managing sewage-related water pollution (Koren., 2017) These methods aim to intercept and treat pollutants before they reach larger water bodies, thereby mitigating the adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems. The containment sump with a sewer screen is designed to capture and remove solid sewage materials from contaminated water, preventing their
entry into rivers and dams. This mechanical intervention is complemented by the strategic introduction of microbial cultures, which are capable of degrading organic pollutants and reducing microbial loads in the water ( Yadav, et al., 2021) Together, these bioremediation strategies not only improve water quality but also restore the ecological balance within affected water bodies. The proactive adoption of these techniques reflects a broader commitment to environmental stewardship and public health protection. This study evaluates the effectiveness of these combined bioremediation and engineering works interventions in Protea South, Johannesburg, where a collapsed sewer line has significantly polluted local water resources. By the implementation of the containment sump and microbial dosing, this research aims to provide evidence of the benefits of reducing the impact on surface water and the challenges associated with these innovative remediation techniques. The findings are expected to offer valuable insights into sustainable water management practices, not only for Johannesburg but also for other urban canters grappling with similar environmental issues globally.
2. PROJECT AREA
The study was conducted in Protea South, a suburb in the City of Johannesburg, South Africa. Geographical locations are (26°17’07” S 27°50’29” E). The area is characterized by rapid urbanization and currently sewer line collapses, leading to significant surface water pollution. The existing sewer infrastructure 650mm concrete-steel pipe. The operations department tried to maintain the system, however the section operations did not have resources and the site was not inaccessible thus need for emergency construction. Figure 1 presents the location of the contaminant sump in Protea South.
3. MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY
This chapter details the materials and methodology used to assess the effectiveness of the containment sump with a sewer screen and microbial
TABLE 1: Materials Used in the Study
Material Function
Containment Sump To collect and contain sewage, preventing it from reaching open water bodies.
Sewer Screen To filter out suspended rags such as nappies, condoms, and other debris.
Microbial Consortia To enhance the breakdown of pollutants through bioremediation.
800mm HDPE Pipe Permanent solution sewer flow
dosage in enhancing bioremediation and engineering works of surface water pollution caused by a collapsed sewer line in Protea South, City of Johannesburg, South Africa. The study focuses on removing suspended rags, permanent pipeline sewer pipeline and pollutants to improve water quality and ecosystem health.
• Experimental Design
The experimental design included pre-intervention, intervention, and postintervention phases to evaluate the effectiveness of the containment sump with a sewer screen and microbial dosage.
• Materials
See Table 1.
• Methodology
i. Installation of Containment Sump and Sewer Screen
A containment sump and temporary bypass was constructed at a strategic point downstream of the sewer collapse to collect and contain sewage before it reached the river. A sewer screen was installed at the inlet of the sump to filter out large solids such as nappies, condoms, and other rags.
ii. Containment Sump Construction:
Excavation was done at the selected site adjacent to the collapsed sewer pipeline to accommodate the sump and installation of a plastic sump structure to prevent the infiltration of the wastewater into the ground. Connect the sump to the existing sewer line by creating a channel to allow the wastewater/sewer to flow from the sewer pipeline towards the containment sump.
iii. Sewer Screen Installation:
Placement of a stainless-steel screen at the sump outlet towards the channel that takes the wastewater from the sump to the river. The installation was
Advantages
Efficient in controlling large volumes of sewage; prevents immediate environmental contamination.
Reduces solid waste in water bodies; prevents blockages in bioremediation systems.
Effective in degrading organic pollutants; adaptable to different contaminants.
Permanent solution for sewer outflow no more contamination of river
Disadvantages
Requires regular maintenance and cleaning.
Can become clogged and requires frequent m aintenance.
Requires careful monitoring to maintain optimal conditions.
Requires regular maintenance and cleaning of outfall
FIGURE 1: Protea South, Locality Map
FIGURE 2: Replaced sewer line at Protea Glen ext.9 region D Ward 10
done strategically to filter out suspended rags and ensure the screen was securely fixed to prevent bypassing of solids.
iv. Application of Microbial Consortia
Microbial consortia were selected based on their efficacy in degrading common sewage pollutants. The microbes were introduced into the containment sump and the surrounding water body through controlled dosing. Suitable microbial strains were selected based on existing bioremediation studies, The HP-RPe-3 compound microbial agent is a kind of indigenous microorganism agent that is composed of bacillus, micrococcus, photosynthetic bacteria, nitrifying bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, enzymes, bacterium pseudoarthrosis, actinomycetes, acetobacter, and other 100 kinds of microorganisms which are all selected from nature and are prepared by domestication technology and unique enzyme treatment technology in the laboratory (Gao et al. 2018). Microbes were highly dosed at the outlet of the contaminant sump to allow wastewater leaving the contaminant sump to flow into the river with microbial consortia to reduce the impact of sewer water on the quality of the river downstream.
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The utilization of a containment sump with a sewer screen significantly mitigates the impact of sewer collapses on surface water bodies. By filtering out large solids such as nappies, condoms, and other debris, the sewer screen effectively reduces the load of suspended solids entering the water bodies. This physical barrier is crucial as it prevents the immediate contamination of rivers and streams, which has been shown to significantly degrade water quality and disrupt aquatic ecosystems (Bashir et al., 2020). The containment of these solids within the sump minimizes the direct discharge of harmful materials, thus protecting the downstream aquatic environment. Furthermore, the introduction of microbial consortia into the containment sump enhances the bioremediation process by accelerating the breakdown of organic pollutants. These microbes, selected for their efficacy in degrading common sewage pollutants, help reduce the concentration of harmful substances before the water reaches natural water bodies (Gao et al., 2018). The microbial activity leads to a reduction in organic matter and pathogenic microorganisms, thereby improving water quality and reducing health risks associated with contaminated water (Rajput et al., 2022).
Before bioremediation or the introduction of these technical measures, the collapse of the sewer pipe posed a significant threat to surface water quality, which posed serious ecological and public health concerns. During the bioremediation phase, the use of containment sump and sewer screens demonstrated a notable reduction in the presence of these contaminants. Post-bioremediation observation showed a marked decrease in levels of suspended solids and pathogenic bacteria, which aligns with the findings of similar studies (Mulligan et al., 2001). These improvements are critical for sustaining aquatic life and enhancing the overall health of the ecosystem. Sustained enhancements in the reduction of the impact on surface water quality post-bioremediation underscore the effectiveness of this bioremediation technique indicating healthier water conditions that can support diverse aquatic species (Pillay et al., 2016). The implementation of this method has demonstrated that, with regular maintenance and monitoring, the containment sump and microbial dosage can provide a sustainable solution for managing sewage spills and improving surface water quality.
In conclusion, the combination of containment sump with sewer screens and microbial consortia presents a practicable and effective strategy for addressing surface water pollution caused by sewer collapses. This approach
not only reduces the immediate impact of contaminants on water bodies but also enhances the natural bioremediation processes, leading to longterm improvements in water quality. The success observed in Protea South, Johannesburg water, serves as a promising model for other urban areas facing similar challenges. Future research should focus on optimizing microbial consortia and exploring the long-term sustainability of these interventions under varying environmental conditions (Giri et al., 2020)
5. PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE
Protea South Field Activity
FIGURE 3: Showing raw sewer spill impcted area taken before construction and bioremediation.
FIGURE 4: Showing constructed channel to direct wastewater to sump and from sump to river
FIGURE 5: Showing microbes used at the containment sump and strategic point of the impacted river
6. CONCLUSION
The implementation of a permanent sewer upgrade, containment sump with a sewer screen, combined with microbial dosage, proved to be a highly effective bioremediation technique for mitigating surface water pollution caused by a collapsed sewer line in Protea South, Johannesburg water infrastructure. This approach significantly reduced the presence of suspended rags as well involving the community in the process through stakeholder engagements assisted and improved water quality by decreasing pollutant levels before the wastewater reached the river. The intervention led to enhancing ecosystem health, training and empowerment of local SMME and labourers and supporting the aquatic life. The study underscores the potential of integrating civil, mechanical filtration and biological treatment to address urban water pollution challenges during pipe breakdown and overflow of sewer lines.
7. RECOMMENDATION
Based on the successful outcomes observed in Protea South, it is recommended that similar bioremediation strategies be adopted in other urban areas facing sewer line collapse and surface water pollution and involve the local community in the activities for empowerment. Continuous monitoring and maintenance of the containment sump and sewer screen are essential to ensure sustained efficacy. Furthermore, expanding research on
microbial consortia tailored to local environmental conditions can optimize pollutant degradation. Collaborative efforts between municipal authorities, environmental agencies, and the scientific community will be crucial to scaling these interventions, fostering sustainable water management, and protecting public health and ecosystems. The rehabilitation of the contaminant sump is required to ensure mitigation of soil contamination in the surrounding environment.
8. REFERENCES
• Arsenov, D., Beljin, J., Jović, D., Maletić, S., Borišev, M. and Borišev, I., 2023. Nanomaterials as endorsed environmental remediation tools for the next generation: Eco-safety and sustainability. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 253, p.107283.
• Bashir, I., Lone, F.A., Bhat, R.A., Mir, S.A., Dar, Z.A. and Dar, S.A., 2020. Concerns and threats of contamination on aquatic ecosystems. Bioremediation and biotechnology: sustainable approaches to pollution degradation, pp.1-26.
• Gao, H. et al., 2018. Application of Microbial Technology Used in Bioremediation of Urban Polluted River: A Case Study of Chengnan River, China. Water, 10(5), p. 643.
• Giri, S., Shitut, S. and Kost, C., 2020. Harnessing ecological and evolutionary principles to guide the design of microbial production consortia. Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 62, pp.228-238.
• Koren, H., 2017. Best practices for environmental health: environmental pollution, protection, quality and sustainability. Routledge.
• Mulligan, C. N., Yong, R. N., & Gibbs, B. F. (2001). Remediation technologies for metal-contaminated soils and groundwater: an evaluation. Engineering Geology, 60(1-4), 193-207
• Pillay, L. and Olaniran, A.O., 2016. Assessment of physicochemical parameters and prevalence of virulent and multiple-antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli in treated effluent of two wastewater treatment plants and receiving aquatic milieu in Durban, South Africa. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 188, pp.1-20.
• Rajput, V.D., Minkina, T., Kumari, A., Shende, S.S., Ranjan, A., Faizan, M., Barakvov, A., Gromovik, A., Gorbunova, N., Rajput, P. and Singh, A., 2022. A review on nanobioremediation approaches for restoration of contaminated soil. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, 11(1), pp.43-60.
• Sarker, B., Keya, K.N., Mahir, F.I., Nahiun, K.M., Shahida, S. and Khan, R.A., 2021. Surface and ground water pollution: causes and effects of urbanization and industrialization in South Asia. Scientific Review, 7(3), pp.32-41.
• Thomas, S.R., 2021. Discovering Johannesburg’s Potential as a Water Sensitive City (Doctoral dissertation, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences).
• Yadav, D., Singh, S. and Sinha, R., 2021. Microbial degradation of organic contaminants in water bodies: technological advancements. Pollutants and Water Management: Resources, Strategies and Scarcity, pp.172-209.
FIGURE 6: Showing waste water screens installed within the channel to trap solids before reaching the river
FIGURE 7: Showing newly constructed sewer line protected by gabions to prevent future damage
PAPER 6
IMPROVEMENTS
TO THE HYDRAULIC PERFORMANCE OF CULVERTS UNDER INLET CONTROL CONDITIONS THROUGH THE OPTIMISATION OF INLET CHARACTERISTICS
M. van Dijk1 and J.K. Moloisane2
1 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0001, e-mail: marco.vandijk@up.ac.za
2 Kabe Consulting Engineers, Montana Park, Pretoria, 0182, e-mail: moloisane@kabe.co.za
ABSTRACT
With a growing focus on optimizing the hydraulic performance of both new and existing culverts, especially given South Africa’s changing road network and expected shifts in rainfall patterns due to climate change, this study delved into the advantages of using angled wingwall and headwall combinations. It also explored the potential benefits of installing a ventilation device to enhance culvert performance. Experimental modelling conducted at the University of Pretoria Water Laboratory revealed that the angled wingwall and headwall configurations led to significant improvements in flow compared to traditional square inlets. Furthermore, the study discovered that a ventilation device could alter the flow dynamics within culverts, causing them to operate under inlet control conditions rather than outlet control conditions.
The research suggests adjustments to design coefficients for square inlet culverts operating under inlet control conditions, providing practical insights for enhancing culvert performance during the design phase. Additionally, the study proposes the use of prefabricated inlet elements as cost-effective solutions for upgrading existing culverts, offering a means to effectively improve performance without requiring lengthy road closures. It was found that the for varying degrees of modifications an increase in performance of between 16% and 18% could be achieved at optimum depth over height ratios when compared to the unmodified model results.
A practical implementation of these proposed modifications has been designed and will be monitored to evaluate the efficacy of the improvements. Overall, this study highlights the potential of innovative design modifications to boost culvert performance, offering sustainable and economical alternatives to conventional replacement practices. It contributes to advancing hydraulic engineering resilience in response to evolving infrastructural and environmental challenges.
1. INTRODUCTION
South Africa faces severe challenges in service delivery at the provincial and local government levels, largely due to poorly maintained infrastructure. This situation negatively impacts the economies of many communities, particularly in rural areas where the condition of provincial and municipal roads is visibly deteriorating. The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Ltd.
(SANRAL) are incorporating provincial roads into its national road network to support the country’s medium to long-term developmental needs. However, many of these incorporated roads were not originally designed to meet the standards specified in the SANRAL Drainage Manual, leading to frequent overtopping of culverts during minor floods. This not only damages the structures but also poses a danger and inconvenience to road users. Additionally, climate change projections indicate an increase in the intensity of rainfall and extreme weather events in South Africa, which could further exacerbate the inadequacy of existing culvert designs.
As a result, SANRAL is mandated to replace various culverts in its current and future networks. Traditional culvert replacement involves significant traffic disruptions and capital investments. However, modifying existing culverts to improve their hydraulic performance may provide a cost-effective alternative. Such improvements could meet the required standards without necessitating costly road closures and reinstatements, thereby reducing overall project costs.
Despite the potential benefits, hydraulically optimized designs have not been widely adopted in culvert design. While there are numerous guidelines to assist engineers in selecting appropriate culvert sizes, the optimization of culvert inlets is often seen as risky, potentially leading to conservative design choices. Nonetheless, research into culvert inlet improvements suggests that these modifications can be confidently integrated into designs, offering benefits such as enhanced hydraulic performance, environmental sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.
Improving culvert inlets offers several other important benefits such as reduced risk of flooding (Sellevold and Norem (2023); Smith and Oak (2011)), enhanced sediment transport (Zayed (2023); Ho et al. (2013)), improved fish passage (Katopodis and Gottesfeld (2018); Arthur and Parola (2008)), extended culvert lifespan (Wagener and Leagjeld (2014); Norman et al. (2001)) and improved road safety (Thomson et al. (2006); Levine (2013)).
FIGURE 1: Entrance contractions (James et al., 2012)
PAPERS
TABLE 1: Impact of culvert improvements (adapted from De Jager and Van Dijk, 2024)
Researcher Conclusions
Straub et al. (1953) Noted that rounded inlets are advantageous over square inlets for culverts operating under inlet control.
West (1956)
Hughes (1963)
This investigation evaluated the effects of inlet geometry upon the operation of culverts under inlet control to be able to predict the head loss at the entrance. The benefits of modifying the inlet characteristics to reduce head loss was described.
Analysed the benefits of drop inlet-type culverts compared to standard box or pipe culverts and found these to have increased hydraulic capacity
French et al. (1966) During this study it was found that culvert performance can be improved without altering the culvert slope and simply modifying the various wingwall angles.
Harrison et al. (1972)
Graziano et al. (2001)
Kerenyi et al. (2005)
The authors found in this study that bevelled edges increase culvert capacity by 5% to 20%, while side-tapered inlets provide a 25% to 40% increase in flow. Slope-tapered inlets can increase the capacity of conventional culverts with square edges by over 100%
Model studies were conducted and it was found that a cast-in-place, 30° flared-wingwall inlet is approximately 8% more efficient than a similar model with a 0° flared inlet under unsubmerged conditions. Under submerged conditions, the 30° flared wingwall resulted in a 10% lower H/D ratio than the 0° flared inlet.
During the conduction of model studies, it was found that a culvert with a top bevel radius of 203 mm was more efficient than one with a 102 mm radius or a square-edged bevel at the crown, which was the least efficient. The authors also noted a significant hydraulic advantage for multiple culvert barrels over single barrels for submerged flow, especially for headwater depths of 1.5 times the culvert height, when using precast models with the optimum bevel on the top plate.
The following findings and conclusions were made from this experimental modelling study:
- A radius top bevel edge was found to be the optimal shape among the six shapes tested, significantly improving culvert performance. This improvement was more pronounced for multiple barrels at higher headwater depths.
- A 45° straight top bevel edge performed better than a square top edge with zero-degree wingwall flare edges.
Jones et al. (2006)
- Rounded bevels for wingwall top edges had no noticeable impact on performance.
- The size of corner fillets, which are sometimes specified to minimize high-stress areas in the corners of rectangular culverts, had no discernible effect on culvert performance as long as the net culvert area was used in the discharge calculation.
- The utilization of bevelled edges at the entrance of the culvert has been shown to be effective to increase the inlet performance as the bevelled edges reduce the contraction of flow by effectively enlarging the face of the culvert, as shown in Figure 1.
Ashour et al. (2014)
Jaeger (2019)
This study discovered that the angle of entrance headwall inclination enhances the discharge efficiency of both circular and box culverts compared to projected culverts of similar dimensions, with the greatest improvement observed at a 15° angle in the opposite direction of the stream. For circular culverts, this improvement (under inlet control) was found to be 6.7%.
Conducting computational fluid dynamics modelling and experimental flume tests, it was found that modifying culvert inlet corners can significantly enhance flow rates. The study found that large, rounded inlets or 45° chamfers performed best, while inlet angles of 30° and 60° caused more turbulence than 45°. Specifically, a rounded inlet corner with a radius of 0.15 times the culvert diameter could improve the flow rate by up to 20% while maintaining constant headwater levels.
Jaeger et al. (2019a) The authors stated that the sudden reduction in cross-sectional flow area at the inlet, where an open channel enters the culvert, determines the flow through the culvert, even though the actual culvert barrel could convey higher flow rates.
Jaeger et al. (2019b)
During numerical and physical modelling, it was found that altered inlet corners can significantly improve flow rates in pipes, with large, rounded inlets or 45° chamfers performing best during simulations. The study also found that inlet design is one of the restricting factors in culvert flows.
In early research, the benefits of well-designed inlets were already recognized as summarised in Table 1.
It could be required that an existing culvert needs to be re-evaluated in terms of the flood for which it has been originally designed. A culvert’s design flow rate could be adjusted upwards due to various factors, including changes in its catchment, the effects of climate change or due to the reclassification of the road it serves (requiring the culvert to convey floods with a higher return period).
If an existing culvert’s hydraulic capacity has been calculated (by calculating the upstream energy head) and found to be insufficient for the new required design flow rate, the capacity of the culvert will have to be increased by:
• Replacing the culvert with one with a higher hydraulic capacity;
• Installing additional culverts in parallel;
• Changing the vertical alignment of the road to increase the allowable upstream energy head (H) (According to the SANRAL Drainage Manual (Kruger et al. 2013) allows the level of H to be in excess of 1.2 D only under specific conditions);
• Attenuating the flood to mitigate the need for increasing capacity of the culvert or
• Optimising the inlet of the culvert to improve the hydraulic efficiency for culverts operating under inlet control.
These options should be carefully considered and options which are impractical, or which will not be allowed should be discarded. It has been found that improving the hydraulic efficiency of culverts by retrofitting existing culverts offers a lower cost and time efficient alternative compared to the replacement or rebuild of infrastructure (Jaeger, 2019). Additionally, it may reduce the need to close roads for major construction works, preventing additional economic impacts.
2. HYDRAULIC ANALYSIS OF CULVERTS
Culvert hydraulics are well defined by the two conditions which govern the flow through the culvert barrel. Conveniently, these two conditions are named after the position where the dominant variables which influence the head required to push the water through the culvert can be found, namely inlet and outlet control conditions.
Inlet Control occurs at steep culverts and the flow in the culvert is only limited by the size, shape and configuration of the inlet. It is the sudden reduction of the cross-sectional flow area at the inlet where an open channel enters the culvert that determine the flow through the culvert, even though the actual culvert barrel could convey higher flow rates (Jaeger et al., 2019a). With Inlet Control , flow goes through critical depth near the inlet and downstream disturbances
TABLE 2: Equations for calculating the flow through culverts under inlet control
are not propagated upstream where flow is supercritical in the culvert barrel (Jones et al., 2006).
Outlet Control occurs for mild slope culverts where free surface flow is subcritical and for any slope where the barrel is completely submerged. In these cases, the tailwater is the control (Jones et al., 2006). Under these conditions, the barrel of the culvert contributes to the head loss, and therefore calculations of outlet control incorporate parameters from inlet control as well as the length and material of the culvert and the tailwater height (Jaeger et al., 2019a).
It is useful to keep in mind that inlet control occurs when the flow capacity of the culvert entrance is less than the flow capacity of the culvert barrel. The culvert entrance therefore controls the headwater elevation for a given flow. Similarly, outlet control occurs when the culvert flow capacity is limited by downstream condition or by the flow capacity of the culvert barrel (Brunner et al., 2018).
2: Types of inlet control (Norman et al., 2001)
Inlet control occurs most often and is preferred since it yields the smallest culvert cross-section for a given upstream head and the higher flow velocities through the culvert barrel prevents the deposition of sediment inside the culvert (SANRAL, 2013). Several different examples of inlet control are depicted in Figure 2 (Norman et al., 2001).
Sketch A in Figure 2 depicts a condition where neither the inlet nor the outlet end of the culvert is submerged, flow passes through critical depth just downstream of the culvert entrance with supercritical flow occurring in the barrel. In sketch B and D the submergence of the outlet end of the culvert does not result in outlet control, as there is still a hydraulic jump that forms in the barrel.
Sketch C is the most typical inlet control design situation and also represents the focus of this study.
Table 2 summarises selected equations for calculating the flow through culverts under inlet control conditions.
Where:
H1 = headwater depth above inlet control section invert (m)
Q = discharge (m3/s)
D = inside diameter (m) or height (inside) (m)
A = full cross-sectional area of culvert barrel (m2)
S0 = slope of culvert bed (m/m)
CD ≈ 0.6
B = width (inside) (m)
CB = 1 for rounded inlets (r > 0.1B) and
CB = 0.9 for square inlets
Ce, Cf, Cg = representative parameter values for culvert performance
Ch = 0.8 for rounded inlets and
Ch = 0.6 for square inlets.
H c = specific head at critical depth (m)
FIGURE
K, M, c, Y = constants
g = standard gravity (9.81 m/s2)
K s = slope correction, -0.5 (mitred inlets +0.7)
a, b, c, d, e, f = regression coefficients
F = function of average outflow discharge routed through a culvert
As an example, to show the variations obtained when using the different formulae performance curved were setup using the following parameters for a box culvert: D = 1.8 m; S0 = 0 m/m; CD = 0.6; B = 1.8 m; Cb = 0.9; Ch = 0.6; M = 2; K = 0.0083; KuS = -0.01; a = 0.144138; b = 0.461363; c = -0.092150; d = 0.020003; e = -0.001360; f = 0.000036; Ce = 1; Cf = 0.667; Cg = 0.667; and g = 9.81 m/s2 and depicted in Figure 3.
FIGURE 3: Comparison between inlet control performance curves for selected equations
The Federal Highway Administration (Schall et al., 2012) states that: “The most widely recognized manual on culvert hydraulics is the FHWA Hydraulic Design Series No. 5 (HDS-5), Hydraulic Design of Highway Culverts, published in 1985, but based on research conducted in the 1960s and 1970s. ” This statement suggests that there is scope for further research into the optimisation of culverts in general. In order to provide guidelines for practitioners on the benefits of improving the inlet characteristics of culverts an experimental model was constructed to quantify the benefits that could be obtained from such modifications.
3. PHYSICAL MODELLING OF CULVERTS
An experimental culvert model was constructed in the Water Laboratory of the University of Pretoria (UP Waterlab). This model featured a single-barrel square culvert with three different headwall/wingwall (inlet) combinations. The model channel and culvert barrel were made of clear Plexiglass with a
thickness of 10mm, and two of the three culvert inlets were 3-D printed. The model’s frame was hinged on one side and equipped with two hydraulic jacks on the other to allow for adjustment of the culvert slope. The setup was supplied with two BADU Porpoise 22 1.1kW pumps installed in parallel and a mechanical flow meter on the upstream of the model. To ensure uniform flow towards the culvert inlet and reduce wave action, PVC conduits were cut into 200mm lengths, glued together, and installed on the upstream side of the model channel. A schematic flow diagram of the constructed model is shown in Figure 4.
Three angles for the headwall and wingwalls were selected, namely 90°, 45° and 30°. Both the wingwalls and headwalls were positioned at these angles, measured parallel with the inside of the culvert walls, opposite to the direction of flow. Since these configurations for the 45° and 30° models created complex shapes, these models were 3D printed (Figure 6) so that their inlets could fit inside of a collar which was provided on the plexiglass culvert section.
The first step was to evaluate the model results and compare with the available formulae. The measured headwater depths were plotted against the average flow rates and a fifth-degree polynomial trendline was generated using the plotted data. The measured data and the trendline for the 90° model as well as inlet control performance curves for selected equations is depicted in Figure 7.
For unsubmerged flow, the results fit the performance curve for Shall et al., 2012 the best. For submerged flow (from about H1/D > 1.2) the trendline tracks between Kruger et al. (2013) and Charbeneau (2005). The physical model thus showed good correlation with the theoretically determined values.
The experimental results for each headwall/wingwall model experiment showed encouraging
FIGURE 5: Physical model (flume with culvert model)
FIGURE 6: Culvert model showing 3D printed inlet
FIGURE 4: Schematic flow diagram of model (De Jager and Van Dijk, 2024)
7: Comparison of model results (90° model; Kruger et al. (2013); Schall et al. (2012); Marek & Marek (2009) and Charbeneau (2005)), adapted from De Jager and Van Dijk (2024)
FIGURE 8: Comparison between results for the three headwall/wingwall models (adapted from De Jager and Van Dijk (2024))
FIGURE 9: Performance improvement of modified culverts compared with unmodified
hydraulic improvements that could be obtained from modifying the inlet to have an angled headwall and wingwall. The results of the conducted tests are depicted in Figure 8.
The improved hydraulic capacity for the various H1/D ratios and flow rates are presented in Figure 9. Figure 9 shows that, even though there is a significant increase in the performance of culverts when angled headwalls and wingwalls are installed (when compared to square inlets), there isn’t a significant increase in performance between the 30° and 45° models at the typical design H1/D ratio of 1.2 (16% compared with 18%). This correlates to the word done by Marek in 2009, where the same parameters were given for the 5th order polynomial equations for flared wingwalls between 30° and 70° (Marek and Marek, 2009).
4. PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF INLET CHARACTERISTIC IMPROVEMENTS
Improving the inlet characteristics of a culvert system is crucial for enhancing its hydraulic capacity and ensuring efficient water flow management. Practical implementation involves several strategies: reshaping the inlet to minimize flow contraction and turbulence, installing headwalls and/or wingwalls to guide the flow smoothly into the culvert, and incorporating bevels or flares to expand the inlet area and reduce entrance losses. These modifications can significantly reduce energy losses and increase the flow capacity. Additionally, using more hydraulically efficient materials and regular maintenance to remove debris can prevent blockages and maintain optimal flow conditions. Implementing these inlet improvements requires a detailed hydraulic analysis to determine the most effective design modifications for specific site conditions, ensuring that the culvert system operates at its maximum efficiency and capacity. An example of the implementation of a shaped inlet is shown in Figure 10 which is a culvert at the confluence of three stream draining three catchments (Hoogekraal, Seekat Road and Oudeweg) in Glentana, Southern Cape. Floods in 2006 washed away most of the stormwater infrastructure and the construction of a new culvert system with a modified inlet provided sufficient hydraulic capacity.
As part of a case study a road culvert’s inlet characteristics will be modified and evaluated over a period to evaluate its performance. The culvert located is in the Umbilo River and passes under the N3 National Road near Durban in Kwa-Zulu Natal. This culvert is located between 10-15m under the road surface. Several historical rain events have caused flooding upstream of the culvert. Increasing the culvert’s hydraulic performance sufficiently by
optimising the inlet parameters (preliminary improvements that have been suggested include the optimisation of wing walls, tapered head wall and potentially the provision of an air vent) may negate the need for major roadworks (and associated significant disruption of traffic) to replace the culvert.
5. CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
The design of culverts is a fundamental topic in engineering hydraulics courses globally, yet the standard design approaches often neglect the potential benefits of optimizing inlet characteristics for culverts under inlet control conditions. This oversight, coupled with some designers’ overly conservative approaches, has led to many culverts being overdesigned and unnecessarily expensive. However, there is a renewed interest in this area, which is promising. SANRAL’s incorporation of provincial roads into its national network requires these roads to meet more stringent design criteria, often necessitating culverts that can handle higher design floods than originally intended. Additionally, climate change projections indicate an increase in extreme rainfall events, potentially rendering the original culvert designs insufficient.
Addressing these issues in new culverts is straightforward, but increasing the capacity of existing culverts poses a significant challenge. Traditional methods involve road closures and replacing or adding new culverts, which can be costly and inconvenient. An effective alternative could be for some systems to enhance the capacity of the existing culverts in situ. This research focused on improving hydraulic performance by adding angled wingwalls and headwalls to culvert inlets. Using an experimental model at the University of Pretoria Water Laboratory, different inlet combinations were tested, revealing significant performance improvements.
The experimental model included a single-barrel square culvert and three headwall/wingwall combinations (90°, 45° and 30°). Results showed that the 45° and 30° models improved flow rates significantly compared to the 90 ° model, with performance increases of up to 18% and 16%, respectively (at H1/D ratios of 1.2). This study demonstrated that precast headwall/wingwall elements could be easily attached to existing culverts, offering a cost-effective solution that enhances hydraulic performance without extensive road disruptions. This research project funded by SANRAL aims to provide design guidelines, incorporated into the SANRAL Drainage Manual, on various improvements that can be considered to improve the hydraulic capacity of culvert systems.
This study has identified the need for further research to be conducted:
• A detailed study into the potential benefits of installing a ventilation device in culverts to ensure a free surface in the culvert;
• The increase in efficiency of an angled headwall inlet improvement over angled wingwalls only should be investigated. The experimental
work included both improvements but to identify each individual improvement’s contribution would be valuable.
• It is recommended that a Computational Fluid Dynamics model be developed, incorporating this study, to aid in future culvert flow calculations and to assist with the analyses of multiple variations. This will aid in the compilation of design graphs that could more easily be used by design engineers to incorporate this into their designs.
6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The research presented in this paper emanated from a study funded by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (Project number: 1002-58600-2018-P7a.10) whose support is acknowledged with gratitude.
7.
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PAPER 7
MODELLING AND FORECASTING DURBAN’S OCEAN AND NEARSHORE WATERS
Kemira Naidoo
Ethekwini Municipality, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Member: The South African Institute of Civil Engineering
Professional Member: Institute of Municipal Engineering South Africa
ABSTRACT
Climate change has increased the need for reliable modelling and forecasting across the globe. eThekwini Municipality in conjunction with Deltares, for more than 10 years now, has established and continuously developed their Forecast Early Warning System (FEWS) to predict inland flooding. The Municipality is now extending this system to operationally model and forecast scenarios at the coast.
Durban’s shore faces several challenges and threats from the coast. These include incidental flooding of the promenade, rip currents, and poor water quality due to spills and floating debris. This supports the need for an integrated coastal modelling system, linking the offshore currents and waves with detailed nearshore models. Data inventory, data collection and process understanding relevant to the location of interest, are extremely important for model validation and calibration. Fortunately, eThekwini already has extensive monitoring in place that can be used to validate these models. These include tide gauges, ADCP’s, wave buoys, radar, and beach cameras, which are all already incorporated within eThekwini’s FEWS.
The coast of Durban experiences many contributing factors which requires the integration of ocean and nearshore modelling to accurately depict its complex dynamics. Therefore, several models need to be developed and calibrated to incorporate ocean and nearshore currents, waves and inundation. These were Delft3D Flexible Mesh, SWAN, Xbeach, and SFINCS respectively. Water levels affect Durban’s coastline from tide, storm surge, waves, sea level rise and potentially tsunamis. Durban’s tidal range reaches up to 2m with storm surge only reaching 0.4m. Durban has two dominant wind directions: South to Southeast between March and November; and a dominantly North Easterly from December to February. Ocean swell waves and local wind-induced waves are propagated to the shore and affected by refraction, shoaling, and breaking. The Agulhas Ocean current creates spin-off features such as eddies which together with tide- and wind-induced currents impact the Durban nearshore region.
All these driving forces need to be considered when developing a wellcalibrated coastal modelling system for operational use. This article will present the integrated coastal modelling presently being developed and calibrated at eThekwini Municipality.
INTRODUCTION
Coastal cities are continuously being affected by changing sea levels. Rising sea levels promote inundation of low-lying areas, erodes shorelines and contributes to coastal flooding. This in turn makes coastal infrastructure more vulnerable to damage from coastal storms. Coastal storms can be devastating to coastal communities and can result in loss of life, displacement of residents and damage from coastal flooding. Coastal flooding can be driven by different forcing mechanisms occurring at the same time. Compound flooding in coastal areas can be caused by the interaction of high sea levels,
large river discharges and local precipitation (Wahl et al., 2015). To reliably assess the flood risk caused by compound flooding events in specific regions, uncertainties regarding these different flooding mechanisms need to be considered for the area of interest.
Durban is located on the east coast of South Africa in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. It is one of the country’s biggest cities and has one of the busiest ports in Africa (Guastella, 1994). Durban experiences a semi-diurnal tide with a meso-tidal range of 1-2m (Bosboom and Stive, 2013). The associated Tidal currents are small compared to other hydrodynamic processes along the coast and the water column is considered to be generally well mixed, with mixed layer depths reaching more than 20m deep (Malange, 2018). Durban has a maximum tidal range of 2m, and storm surges can increase the water level up to 0.4m (Rautenbach, Barnes and de Vos, 2019).
The wind along the Durban coastline originates from two pre-dominant wind directions: South to southeast from March to November and Northeast from December to February (Lamont et al, 2016). Storm winds, extreme swell and heavy rainfall are mostly related to cut off lows. These cut off lows can become isolated and persist for several days southeast of Durban. Wind induced currents only reach up to 0.2m/s on the adjacent shelf off Durban (DNV-RP-C205, 2010). The annual wave climate consists of south to southeastern swell (Corbella and Stretch, 2012), with the significant wave height reaching up to 8m during storm events. Tidal currents are less than 0.1m/s, and wave induced currents occur only at the breaker zone (Naidoo, 2021).
A predominantly north-eastward flow (as evident from the longshore drift of sediment) persists off Durban, with the occurrence of regular current reversals (Schumann EH, 1988). Local wind patterns can occasionally cause flow reversals of near-surface water, but the consistent nature of the flow suggests the recirculation of inshore water off a stronger current, the Agulhas Ocean Current (Naidoo, 2021). Consideration of the effects of this ocean current
FIGURE 1: Delft-FEWS Coastal Framework
2: Location of the model in spherical co-ordinates.
is crucial in the first step of modelling and forecasting Durban’s Ocean and nearshore waters. Responsible coastal engineering designs require predicting the impacts that these currents have on eThekwini’s coast and to quantify coastal processes. The configuration and combinations of eThekwini’s Coastal FEWS (Forecast Early Warning System) will be discussed in this paper.
MODELLING AND FORECASTING
eThekwini Municipality has developed a Forecast Early Warning System (FEWS) that focuses mainly on predicting stormwater related floods. The next phase of the early warning system for the Municipality is to couple inland and coastal forecasting and modelling. As shown in Figure 1, the three key areas within the modelling framework include a hydrodynamic model (Delft3D Flexible Mesh), a wave model (SWAN) and inundation models (X-beach and SFINCS). These will be used to model currents, waves and coastal flooding respectively.
Currents
In order to include the dynamics of nearshore processes along the eThekwini coastline, a regional-scale ocean model needed to be developed to incorporate tide, wind and ocean currents. The Agulhas current is a strong western boundary current that flows along the east coast of South Africa. This current could significantly influence the coastal dynamics of Durban and will therefore be critically analysed in this research.
location
Currently, large scale global ocean models are useful in predicting mesoscale (10 – 100km) hydrodynamics associated with ocean currents. However, models with higher grid resolution are required to better predict regional-scaled features and is more beneficial for near shore analytical purposes for role players of coastal cities (Naidoo, 2021). Therefore, the need for an ocean model for the KZN coastline stems from the increase in interest of wave and current activity.
A Delft3D Flexible Mesh model was configured for eThekwini’s coastline. Figure 2 shows the extent of the model and the associated water depth. Model Forcing included ECMWF ERA5 wind and air pressure fields, FES-2012 astronomical tide constituents (excluding seasonals), Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) boundary conditions for sea surface height, currents (u,v), salinity and temperature and CMEMS data fields (as initial conditions) for temperature and salinity.
Details of Model:
• Flexible Mesh Grid
• Model Extent: 150km cross-shore, 850km long-shore
• 3 open boundaries (north, east and south)
• Coarse resolution (5km) in deep water, high resolution (200m) along the coast and relatively high resolution at upper shelf slope
• Interpolation of bathymetry: detailed survey near Durban port (eThekwini internal data), digitised depths from a nautical chart (from Navy) and GEBCO in the deeper ocean
The initial results of the Delft3D FM model with ocean forcing at the open boundaries look very
FIGURE
FIGURE 3: Left: Vertical Profiles for Velocity Magnitude and Direction for Delft3D FM, ADCP and CMEMS. Middle: Surface map showing velocity vectors indicating current magnitude at 57m below surface of water. Right: Top image shows
of ADCP within ACEP survey, Middle image shows velocity magnitude surface map for Delft3D FM model and bottom right shows CMEMS surface map for velocity magnitude. Taken from Naidoo, 2021.
FIGURE 4: Screenshot taken from eThekwini Municipalities FEWS, showing CMEMS model (left) and Delft3D Flexible Mesh model (right).
promsing when compared to Accoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) data from the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) survey and CMEMS. At times the model compares very well with measurements, but sometimes the model can be off. This however is not surprsing given the stochastic and 3-dimensional behaviour of this complex flow regime. One relevant aspect is to get more accurate and detailed data on the depths at the upper shelf slope.
oth the Delft3D FM model and CMEMS currently run operationally in eThekwini’s FEWS. From Figure 4 above, the Delft3D FM model depicts more refined results for velocity magnitude and direction closer to the coastline compared to CMEMS. Similarly, within FEWS, the same can be compared for temperature and salinity. In this instance, the formation of a Durban Eddy can also be noticed in the Delft3D FM model.
Accurate water level and current forecasts are currently being produced by the Delft3D FM model which is running live in FEWS. These forecasts can then be used as input conditions for a wave model.
Waves Simulating Waves
Nearshore (SWAN) was used to develop a wave model for eThekwini’s offshore waves. SWAN is a third-generation wave model that computes random, short-crested, wind-generated waves in coastal regions and inland waters. Model forcing includes GFS surface winds, WW3 Ocean Waves as open boundary conditions and water level fields from the D-Flow FM model. This model will be used to forecast waves (combined sea and swell) along the coast and produce wave parameters (significant wave height and wave period) as input for the inundation models.
FIGURE 6: Results of SWAN model compared to a Datawell buoy off Bluff. Top: Significant Wave Height (Hs) in metres. Middle: Wave Period (Tp) in seconds. Bottom: Wave Direction (PDir) in degrees north.
landed over Madagascar on the 8th of March 2017, or that it was just a result of strong winds that provoked a tropical cyclone storm surge.
FIGURE 5: eThekwini's unstructured SWAN Model showing significant wave height (Hs) for the 12th of March 2017
Details of Model: Unstructured SWAN Grid
• Extent: 150km longshore and 60km cross-shore
• Resolution: Deep waters is 2km grid cells, with 20m resolution along the coast
• 3 open boundaries (north, east and south)
In Figure 6, one of eThekwini’s datawell buoys was used to compare the results from the SWAN model. The model performs well when compared to the measured data and was therefore configured in FEWS to run operationally.
Figure 7 below shows a typical illustration of the SWAN models outputs in the FEWS Operating Client. Wave roses showing directional spread can be seen as well as the hindcast model data in comparison to observed measurements, with a continuation of this model predicting a wave forecast.
INUNDATION
In March 2017, Durban experienced overtopping of its promenade along its main beachfront area (see Figure 8). Although coastal flooding is not common in this area, mini “tsunami-like” waves were seen approaching New Beach in Durban’s central beachfront. It was speculated that the cause of this coastal flooding could have been from the aftereffects of cyclone Enawo which
Unfortunately, the only available evidence of this coastal event, besides the damage to infrastructure, is video footage that can be found on YouTube. From inspecting and collating these videos, the extent of the flooding was demarcated in Figure 9 (between North and South Beach). In particular, the pools seen in Figure 9 were completely covered with sea water from the coastal flood. This was an unusual event as this stretch of beach is generally well protected by the shape of the coastline and the harbour breakwaters. Therefore, it was difficult to determine the cause of the flood. High tide, storm surge and swell waves were all investigated for this case study.
FIGURE 7: Typical SWAN output from FEWS, including wave composition (top left), SWAN model grid (top right) and hindcast and forecast data (bottom).
8:
FIGURE
Overtopping of Durban’s Beachfront on 12 March 2017, taken from an article in Times Live (Patrick, 2017)
Although limited real-time data was available during the event, that by collecting and studying data from various public sources and by using our models, a very realistic representation of the promenade flooding could be made.
In Figure 5, it is important to note the wave focusing that is being modelled for the same date as the coastal flood in Figure 8. This is due to refraction primarily caused by the angle (from 132°N or SE) in which the waves approached the coast. In order to accurately depict this coastal flood, the SWAN models’ outputs were translated to provide the water levels and waves near the beach. A 1D X-Beach non-hydrostatic model that resolves individual surface gravity waves was developed to interpolate and model the wave inputs.
Details of Model: 1D X-Beach non-hydrostatic Forced offshore with a Jonswap spectrum (wave parameters from SWAN model)
• Extent: 1D transect out to 40m water depth
• Hm0 = 3.9 (Significant wave height offshore)
• T p = 15.3 (Peak period)
• z s = 1.25m above MSL (tidal water level)
Figure 11 shows the results for the X-beach run for the coastal flooding event. Individual incoming waves can be seen as relatively high, with individual waves overtopping the promenade level. Although the slope of the nearshore zone dissipates the incoming waves, it is evident that some part of the wave overflows onto the level of the promenade. These results were then used for the boundary conditions of the overland model to replicate the coastal inundation experienced for this event.
The Super-Fast INundation of CoastS (SFINCS) model will be used for overland inundation in FEWS. SFINCS is the first reduced-physics model to include all relevant processes for the computation of coastal compound flooding, i.e. fluvial, pluvial, tidal, wind-driven surge and waves (Leijnse et al., 2021). This application was chosen over the 2D X-Beach model as it efficiently simulates compound flooding events with limited computational cost and good accuracy. Operationally, computational power is crucial when predicting upcoming forecasts and SFINCS allows the optimisation of computational ability as its processing potential is much faster than other inundation models. SFINCS was used as a pilot study for the Durban’s main beachfront area to replicate the coastal flooding experienced on the 12th of March 2017.
Details of Model: SFINCS
Split water level into in- and outgoing wave components at 2m water depthonly incoming waves contribute to inundation
• Promenade topography where topo > 1.5m above MSL was taken from eThekwini Lidar
• eThekwini bathy survey was merged with topography
The SFINCS model results in Figure 13, directly correlates to estimated coastal flooding in Figure 9. This map output clearly shows the overtopping of the promenade at New Beach as well as the pools completely being covered by sea water (as identified by the numerous YouTube videos).
This concludes that the SFINCS model was successful in replicating the March 2017 coastal flood event for the main beachfront area in Durban.
The model is now running operationally in eThekwini’s FEWS as shown in Figure 14. However, this model does not cover the entire coast of eThekwini, but only the area indicated for the pilot study.
Critical points or points of interest for eThekwini Municipality have been included in this model to trigger notifications whenever the relevant threshold levels for these points are crossed by the forecasted water depths.
9: Location of coastal flooding for Durban derived from YouTube videos in relation to Figure 8, adapted and taken from Google Earth.
10: Location of Transect used for 1D X-Beach model run for cross section at New Beach on Durban’s main beachfront region for the 12th of March 2017.
11: 1D X-Beach model run for cross section at New Beach on Durban’s main beachfront region showing individual wave translation for the 12th of March 2017.
12: Bed levels used for SFINCS model for Durban's main
14: Snapshot of SFINCS model running operationally in eThekwini's FEWS for the main beachfront area of Durban.
FIGURE
FIGURE
FIGURE
FIGURE
beachfront area
FIGURE 13: SFINCS model results for maximum flood depth for the 12th of March 2017 for Durban
FIGURE
These points include piers, sand pumping stations, outfall locations and promenade levels.
An interactive display was also created in FEWS to allow for typical scenarios to be inputted on the system. Water level, significant wave height, wave period and mean wave direction values can all be adjusted for different scenarios to indicate a possible threat to the coast. An example of this coastal flood warning can be seen in Figure 15.
eThekwini’s FEWS now incorporates ocean modelling (Delft3D FM), Offshore wave modelling (SWAN), nearshore wave modelling (X-Beach) and inundation (SFINCS) which are all interlinked and coupled. The models can be used to test prehistoric events and possible scenarios and is running operationally for forecasting currents, waves and inundation. Figure 16 below shows a summary of the Coastal FEWS setup.
Data inventory, data collection and process understanding relevant to the location of interest, are extremely important for model validation and calibration. Fortunately, eThekwini already has extensive monitoring in place that can be used to validate these models. These include tide gauges, ADCP’s, wave buoys, radar, and beach cameras, which are all already incorporated within eThekwini’s FEWS.
An indication of the network of instrumentation on the coastline of eThekwini can be seen in Figure 17.
Forecasts and models are never guaranteed; therefore, it is important to observe real time data on the ground during any flood event. This vast network of instrumentation makes eThekwini’s FEWS one of the most advanced in the world.
CONCLUSION
A lot of effort has been made over the past 5 years to focus on the coastal side of FEWS. Achievements have been successful to develop, configure, calibrate and implement the numerous ocean and coastal models as described above. eThekwini’s FEWS currently incorporates an advanced combination of ocean, offshore and nearshore modelling techniques to ultimately provide a realistic approach to forecasting coastal inundation. This paper was a brief overview of the current model setup for the coastal aspect of FEWS and much more detail can be found on each model from the eThekwini FEWS Team.
RECOMMENDATION
Many considerations and alterations can still be made on all of the models mentioned above. Future development and calibration of eThekwini’s coastal FEWS can include the following:
• More test simulations of the Delft3D FM model against more current survey data for velocity magnitude and direction
• More accurate bathymetry as model input for the Delft3D FM around the continental shelf
• Refine grid further at the coast to include incoming currents in the harbour
• Continue calibration and validation of SWAN model with measured data from wave buoys
• Make SWAN model less computationally heavy for FEWS
• Validate nearshore wave transformation with a 2D X-Beach model and data (if available)
• Investigate the need for multiple 1D X-Beach models along the promenade
• Investigate the possibility to replace X-Beach with a Bayesian Network System (pre-trained database) to translate nearshore waves
• Assess sensitivity to uncertainties in the nearshore bathymetry (which is highly dynamic) - use different transect along the coast for X-Beach
• Extend SFINCS model to the entire eThekwini coastline
• Compound SFINCS modelling for both inland and coastal inundation in 2D
15: Coastal Flood Warning Interactive Display for “what if” scenarios for the main beachfront area of Durban
FIGURE 16: Summary of models that have been coupled in eThekwini's FEWS for the modelling and forecasting Durban’s Ocean and nearshore waters, adapted from Brooks/Cole Publishing (2014).
FIGURE 17: eThekwini’s instrumentation on the coast of Durban’s main beachfront area
FIGURE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research and modelling would not be possible without the continuous, successful relationship between eThekwini Municipality and Deltares. In particular, I would like to immensely thank these individuals from Deltares: Tom Bogaard, Reimer de Graaff and Roel de Goede.
REFERENCES
Bosboom, J., & Stive, M. J. F. (2013). Coastal Dynamics I. Delft: VSSD. Brooks/Cole Publishing (2014). Cengage Learning. Coastal Engineering. Corbella, S, & Stretch, D D. (2012). The wave climate on the KwaZulu-Natal coast of South Africa. Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, 54(2), 45-54. Retrieved October 25, 2021, from http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo. php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1021-20192012000200005&lng=en&tlng=en DNV-RP-C205, 2010. Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C205: ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL LOADS. Bærum, Norway: DET NORSKE VERITAS, p.45.
Guastella L. A-M. (1994) A quantitative assessment of recreational angling in Durban Harbour, South Africa, South African Journal of Marine Science, 14:1, 187-203, DOI: 10.2989/025776194784287120
Lamont, T., van den Berg, M. and Barlow, R., 2016. Agulhas Current Influence on the Shelf Dynamics of the KwaZulu-Natal Bight. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 46(4), pp.1323-1338.
Leijnse, T. et al. (2021) ‘Modeling compound flooding in coastal systems using a computationally efficient reduced-physics solver: Including fluvial, pluvial, tidal, wind- and wave-driven processes’, Coastal Engineering, 163, p. 103796. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2020.103796.
Malange, M., 2018. BUILDING A MEAN-STATE OF OCEANOGRAPHIC PROPERTIES (TEMPERATURE AND SALINITY) FOR THE KWAZULU-NATAL BIGHT USING THE ROMS MODEL: A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS MARINE PROTECTED AREAS ANALYSIS. Master of Science in Applied Ocean Sciences. University of Cape Town.
Naidoo, K. (2021) ‘Modelling the Agulhas Ocean Current: with a focus on the related shallow water hydrodynamics in and around the Durban Bay, South Africa.’, Masters Degrees. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. [Preprint]. doi:https://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za/handle/10413/21421.
PATRICK, A. (2017) ‘IN PICTURES: Chaos as Durban beaches washed away’, Times Live, 13 March. Available at: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/southafrica/2017-03-13-in-pictures-chaos-as-durban-beaches-washed-away/ (Accessed: 18 June 2024).
Rautenbach, C., Barnes, M. and de Vos, M., 2019. Tidal characteristics of South Africa. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 150, p.103079. Schumann EH. 1988. Physical oceanography off Natal. In: Schumann EH (ed.), Coastal Ocean studies off Natal, South Africa. Lecture Notes on Coastal and Estuarine Studies 26. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. pp 101–130.
Wahl, T., Jain, S., Bender, J., Meyers, S.D., Luther, M.E., 2015. Increasing risk of compound flooding from storm surge and rainfall for major US cities. Nat. Clim. Change 5, 1093–1097. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2736
PAPER 8
WHAT IS NOT MEASURED CANNOT BE IMPROVED –THE CASE FOR MUNICIPAL WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES EFFICIENCY QUANTIFICATION
Nonjabulo Mbhele¹ *, Lubabalo Luyaba¹ ² and Pilate Moyo¹
¹University of Cape Town - Urban and Public Infrastructure Research Initiative (UPIRI)
²South African Local Government Association (SALGA)
*Corresponding Author: N. Mbhele – MBHNON009@myuct.ac.za
ABSTRACT
As a water-scarce country, South Africa must efficiently manage its water to ensure the required service levels are delivered cost-effectively. However, there is a collective anecdotal perception that South African municipalities are inefficient in the use and management of water. This inefficiency manifests itself in poor delivery of water and sanitation services. The delivery of water and sanitation services is inextricably linked to the management of water and sanitation infrastructure, i.e. inadequate investment in infrastructure, deficient infrastructure operational procedures and insufficient infrastructure maintenance. Therefore, measuring water and sanitation infrastructure management efficiency will provide insight into the performance of municipalities in delivering water and sanitation services. Efficiency here relates to how well the service providers (municipalities) use the available resources to deliver services. Such a measure of efficiency must 1) be based on meaningful performance indicators and credible data, 2) be done transparently, 3) foster accountability, and 3) enable decision-makers to identify areas for improvement. Currently, there is no quantitative tool to objectively measure South African municipalities’ efficiency in delivering water and sanitation services. It is not unreasonable to assume that the absence of such a model (quantitative tool for efficiency measurement) has contributed to our collective inability to measure, monitor and improve infrastructure management efficiency; after all, what is not measured cannot be improved. There is therefore a need to re-engineer and revolutionise our understanding and approach to municipal water services management efficiency. In this paper, the authors present a novel Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) based tool for efficiency quantification in the form of the Municipal Water and Sanitation Services Infrastructure Management Efficiency (MWaSSIME) Index.
The MWaSSIME Index determines the relative efficiencies of the 144 Water Services Authority (WSA) municipalities from the 2015/16 to 2022/2023 financial years. The analysis covers all 144 WSAs by category (grouping) as follows (number analysed in each category): A (8), B1 (18), B2 (20), B3 (68), B4 (9) and C2 (21). This grouping allowed for meaningful comparison of WSAs in the same category and the observation of patterns and trends across their respective categories. The results are both surprising and expected, as it is clear that infrastructure management efficiency is not possible with very limited resources (as shown by B4 and C2), but resource availability does not automatically equate to efficiency (as shown by A and B1). These and other MWaSSIME Index findings provide an evidence-based foundation for the engineered revolution of efficiency in municipal water and sanitation services infrastructure management, through appropriate benchmarking tools and techniques.
INTRODUCTION
Access to adequate water and sanitation services is a fundamental human right and a key driver for social and economic development. In South Africa, municipalities are constitutionally (The South African Constitution, 1996) mandated to provide water and sanitation services to communities (households and industries). To achieve this, the existing physical infrastructure must be competently operated and adequately maintained, with appropriate plans and funds for its future replacement and or upgrade. From basic infrastructure asset management (IAM) principles, it is understood that effective operation, maintenance, and management of infrastructure are prerequisites for realising the goal of providing adequate water and sanitation services to all.
This is even more important in South Africa as the country is water-scarce and cannot afford to waste this scarce resource through poor IAM practices. Furthermore, as a developing country with limited financial resources, South Africa must closely and efficiently manage the use of its limited resources. The South African constitution recognises access to sufficient water as a basic human right, this further emphasises the need for municipalities to efficiently manage this scarce resource. Furthermore, South African legislation emphasises the importance of transparency and efficiency in municipal operations (and all public goods funded through public funds). The South African government recognises that the regulation of public utilities, particularly those responsible for water and sanitation services, is of notable economic and social importance, as these utilities are essential to development and social wellbeing (Department of Water Affairs, 2013). It could however be argued that this regulation has not extended to the important subject of management efficiency, and that this ought to change.
The strategic importance of water and sanitation infrastructure to basic service delivery, necessitates the monitoring and assessment of the ability of municipalities to effectively and efficiently deliver these services and manage infrastructure. Efficiency generally refers to the measure of how well municipalities (or any other entity) manage their resources (input and output relationship), while effectiveness measures the appropriateness and quality of services. In the context of the management of municipal water and sanitation infrastructure, efficiency measures the levels (and quantity) of resources used (inputs) for infrastructure management, compared to infrastructure performance (output) (Luyaba et al., 2024).
The obvious potential consequences of inappropriately (ineffectively and inefficiently) managed water and sanitation infrastructure highlight the importance of prioritising robust and comprehensive infrastructure management strategies. In South Africa, providing basic infrastructure services, particularly water and sanitation services, remains a challenge, especially for lower income communities (Luyaba et al., 2024).
Therefore, it is reasonable to argue that the absence of an objective and deterministic tool for measuring efficiency does not assist the South African state in achieving its socio-economic goals that include access to sufficient water for all in South Africa. To this end, the development of the Municipal Water and Sanitation Services Infrastructure Management Efficiency (MWaSSIME) Index would benefit South Africa.
METHODOLGY
There is a total of 257 municipalities in South Africa, out of which 144 are Water Services Authorities (WSAs). The WSA status is currently (2024) allocated as follows: all 8 Metropolitan Municipalities, 21 authorised District Municipalities and 115 authorised Local Municipalities. A municipality that is allocated (authorised in terms of the Municipal Structures Act) the WSA status has the Constitutional responsibility to ensure the provision of water and sanitation services within its area of jurisdiction (National Treasury, 2014). These WSAs fall into one of three defined categories: Metropolitan (referred to as category A), Local (category B), and District (category C). Table 1 below provides municipal categorisations along with their corresponding descriptions as defined by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs - CoGTA (2009) and the Municipal Demarcation BoardMDB (2018).
TABLE 1: Municipal categorisation and their description (CoGTA, 2009; MDB, 2018).
Category Number of WSAs Description
A 8 Metropolitan municipalities: large urban complexes with populations over one million and accounting for 56% of all municipal expenditure in the country.
B1 18 Local municipalities with large budgets and containing secondary cities
B2 20 Local municipalities with a large town as a core.
B3 68 Local municipalities with small towns as a core.
B4 9 Local municipalities that are mainly rural with communal tenure and with, at most, one or two small towns in their area.
C2 21 District municipalities that are water services authorities.
In South African, there is a notable lack of models and tools to quantify and assess the overall efficiency of municipal infrastructure management. Several efficiency evaluation techniques were considered for the development of the MWaSSIME Index. The techniques considered, were those that are most commonly utilised for assessing the management efficiency of public infrastructure utilities, encompassing non-parametric methods, such as the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Free Disposal Hull (FDH), as well as parametric approaches, including the Stochastic Frontier Approach (SFA) and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). In the development of the MWaSSIME index, a rigorous sensitivity analysis was undertaken where the results lead to the selection of Data Envelopment Analysis for the MWaSSIME Index, as more comprehensively detailed in Mbhele (2024). The DEA assesses the efficiency of decision-making units (DMUs) by analysing their input-output relationships (Ramanathan, 2003).
Ideally, infrastructure management efficiency levels should be determined using direct measures of resources (inputs) and performance (outputs). However, in the absence of credible data on direct measures for all WSAs, indicators can be used. The MWaSSIME index uses a combination of direct (explicitly related to the physical infrastructure) and indirect (proxy) parameters as inputs and outputs, respectively. These parameters encompass municipal water and sanitation infrastructure considerations, and general municipal financial management ratios and norms (National Treasury, 2014). This mixed approach is used as some direct data is not available and, in many instances, municipalities have shared management and support services (finance, human capital etc). The approach also recognises the scarcity of municipal finances and cross-subsidisation between services, from this it is
evident that inefficiency in one area affects the efficiency of another area.
The DEA is a sensitive model, with the validity of its results largely influenced by data quality. In parameter selection the authors carefully considered the South African context with respect to municipal operating models and data (availability, completeness and accuracy). To mitigate these data quality and availability risks, the selected parameters (inputs and outputs) use data that is: sourced from independent (reliable and credible) and audited (when from the municipality directly) datasets. Table 2 below shows the list of parameters used in the MWaSSIME index.
TABLE 2: Overview of the MWaSSIME Index selected performance indicators (Mbhele, 2024).
Parameter (Ideal WSA) Parameter type Data Source
Water Losses (5%)
Electricity Losses (5%)
Blue Drop Score (99%)
Green Drop Score (99%)
Repairs and Maintenance (8%)
Input Audited Annual Financial Statements
Input Audited Annual Financial Statements
Output DWS Blue Drop Reports
Output DWS Green Drop Reports
Output Audited Annual Financial Statements
The infrastructure management efficiency of similar Water Services Authorities was assessed separately (by category and individually) where the level of infrastructure management efficiency of each municipality was compared to an ideal municipality. An efficient municipality is one that performs close to ideal performance levels for each parameter shown in Table 2. The setting of ideal performance targets for each parameter was based on achievable targets (as such some municipalities were ideal on certain indicators). The municipalities were in turn compared to each other to measure the relative efficiency level for infrastructure management. This approach also enabled the authors to compare similar (in terms of mandate, financial strength, functions, size etc) municipalities. Electricity losses appear misplaced in a water services analysis. However, electricity losses were included considering the importance of electricity revenue in financial sustainability and the cost of electricity as an input in providing water and sanitation services. Electricity is therefore a practical indirect measure that directly impacts water services.
Mbhele (2024) undertook an extensive sensitivity analysis and the DEA Charnes, Cooper and Rhodes (CCR) input-oriented model was selected for use in the MWaSSIME Index. The CCR-I measures how efficiently inputs are being used to the generated outputs, i.e. each DMU (municipality) seeks to minimise its input levels while maintaining the same output levels as a benchmark DMU (the ideal municipality). The efficiency score measures the extent to which a DMU can reduce its inputs while staying as efficient as the benchmark DMU (Charnes, Cooper & Rhodes, 1978), this is crucial for evaluating infrastructure management efficiency in municipalities. The DEA input-oriented model (CCR-I) can be represented mathematically as follows.
Subject to:
Where:
(1)
TABLE 3: DEA equation symbols and their meaning (Ramanathan, 2003).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
With the suitable parameters and model selected, the next step was defining management efficiency bands. Table 4 presents a breakdown of extremely inefficient to highly efficient municipal score categorisation (Mbhele, 2024). With Figure 1 and Figure 2 presenting the management efficiency analysis results. As step-by-step guide on how efficiency was calculated is provided by Mbhele (2024).
TABLE 4: Overview of efficiency categorisation for the MWaSSIME Index (Mbhele, 2024).
over time. The Metros had one of their lowest infrastructure management efficiencies during the 2020/21 financial year, this corresponded with increased water losses (non-revenue water), minimal to no repairs and maintenance expenditure.
This poor performance can be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic (2019/20 to 2020/21), which saw revenue collection fall and limited investment in infrastructure upkeep (repairs and maintenance) being possible.
It was notable that Secondary Cities (B1) consistently outperformed Metros (A) in every year but were still Highly Inefficient in every year and also trending negatively (decreasing efficiency year-to-year). B1’s (Secondary Cities) were closely followed by Large Towns (B2’s), who also outperformed the Metros, but were also Highly Inefficient in every year and showing no improvement. The highest efficiency scores for all categories across the eight years was achieved by Secondary Cities (45.3% in the 2015/16 FY), followed by Large Towns (39,4%) in the 2015/16 FY. This suggests that scale (municipal size) does not automatically equate to (infrastructure) management efficiency. This is deducted from the fact that Metros (category A) which, despite having the most resources and the largest budgets, are not the most efficient.
Figure 1 shows a comparison of the 144 South African WSAs infrastructure management efficiency over eight financial years (2015/16 to 2022/23). Figure 2 provides a visual overview of performance for one financial year (2019/20). The results show that all WSAs over this eight-year period were extremely and highly inefficient (raging between 0% and 49%). Category A municipalities (Metros), demonstrate an average highly inefficient performance.
The efficiency values fluctuate between 26.2% and 34.8%. The highest efficiency was recorded in FY2016/17 (34.8%), while the lowest efficiency was recorded in FY2022/23 (26.2%). Overall, the metros fall mostly in the “Highly Inefficient” category throughout the years and appear to be deteriorating
On the other hand, an extreme lack of resources does contribute to inefficiency, as evidenced by the performance of category B4 (small rural towns) and C2 (rural districts) WSA’s, being consistently extremely inefficient (Luyaba et al., 2024). The lowest efficiency score for category C2 (10.1%) was observed in the 2022/23 financial year. Not only did the results show that they are extremely inefficient, but their performance also suggests that they are completely failing post the Covid-19 pandemic and require targeted attention and intervention. The extremely low efficiency scores for category B3 and B4 (small and rural local municipalities) and C2 (districts) WSAs inevitably raises the issue of whether these functions should be handled at the district or local level. Luyaba et al. (2020) argue for a progressive consolidation of WSAs as less could be more, through the unlocking of economies of scale and other benefits envisaged by the South African government through the District Development Model (DDM). While this may be the case, if financial resourcing is not increased, rural municipalities will be unable to efficiently manage water services regardless of which municipal category is authorised (Local or District).
Financial resourcing constraining water services delivery (measured through ability to undertake repairs and maintenance) is more explicitly examined by Luyaba et al. (2024), where rural municipalities (B3, B4 and C2) are shown to not have the requisite financing to undertake adequate repairs and maintenance of their existing infrastructure. It can therefore be argued that finding solutions for municipal financial sustainability is more urgent and pressing than deciding who should have the WSA function. A pragmatic solution from infrastructure asset management fundamentals is increasing tariffing (not feasible due to affordability considerations in rural areas) or lowering the level of service (not the quality e.g. moving from a household connection to communal standpipes). Lowering the level of service may also not be socially acceptable, leaving engineering revolution for innovation as the only option that can lead to acceptable (socially), sustainable (financially) and appropriate (technically) solutions.
Most of the WSAs show fluctuations in efficiency but generally stay within the “Highly Inefficient” to “Extremely Inefficient” range. There is no significant upward trend, but there is a subtle gradual downward trend, indicating persistent inefficiency issues across all categories over the years and a deteriorating state. Category B1 shows relatively better efficiency compared to other categories but still remains in the “Highly Inefficient” range. Category C2 shows the lowest efficiency, consistently falling deeper into the “Extremely Inefficient” range with its efficiency score ranging between 10.1% and 14.7%.
FIGURE 1: Relative Infrastructure Management Efficiency of the 144 WSAs over an 8-Year Period.
FIGURE 2: Relative Infrastructure Management Efficiency of the 144 WSAs in the 2019/20 Financial Year.
Following this methodology (MWaSSIME) the WSAs can be ranked as follows (average score over the eight financial years): 1 – Secondary Cities (B1 – 40,3%), 2 - Large Towns (B2 – 34,7%), 3 – Metros (A – 31,1%), 4 - Small Towns (B3 – 29,8%), 5 - Rural Small Towns (B4 – 27%) and 6 - Rural Districts (C2 – 12,3%). The persistent inefficiency suggests an urgent need for significant improvements in the use, management and allocation of resources. The fact that no WSA category attained a “Fairly Inefficient” outcome highlights systemic issues that require comprehensive strategies for improvement. Addressing these inefficiencies is crucial for improving the delivery, operation and maintenance of municipal infrastructure services, particularly in water and sanitation.
CONCLUSIONS
This study highlighted the need for a tool to measure municipal water and sanitation infrastructure management efficiency and then proceeded to develop such a tool. Various models were considered and tested, with the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) CCR-I model being selected as the most appropriate for assessing municipal water and sanitation services infrastructure management efficiency (MWaSSIME).
The infrastructure management efficiency analysis over the eight financial years (FY2015/16 to FY2022/23) uncovers and quantifies persistent gross inefficiencies across various categories of WSAs. Efficiency levels for most categories fluctuate but remain predominantly in the “Highly Inefficient” or “Extremely Inefficient” range. Rural municipalities exhibit extreme inefficiency, specifically in categories B4 and C2, highlighting their severe financial resource constraints. These findings highlight the need for a differentiated support and intervention approach for these municipalities. The findings highlight a critical need for an engineering revolution in public utility performance monitoring and measurement. As demonstrated through the MWaSSIME Index, this would generate new insights that enable evidence-based decision-making to address systemic issues in resource allocation and utilisation. The development and application of the MWaSSIME Index serves as a valuable tool for benchmarking efficiency in water and sanitation services and should be extended to all public infrastructure. This work also enables critical continuous improvement (and basic service delivery) in a context where more must be done with
less resources, as substantial economic growth has been elusive for South Africa. This approach not only guides municipalities in identifying areas for improvement but also enables the other spheres of government to better support municipalities and monitor the impact of their support.
REFERENCES:
1. Charnes, A., Cooper, W.W. & Rhodes, E. 1978. Measuring the efficiency of decision-making units. European journal of operational research, 2(6): 429-444.
2. Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. 2009. Local Government Turn Around Strategy. Retrieved 8 August 2024, from: https://www.gtac.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Local-GovtTurnaround-Strategy-2009.pdf
3. Department of Water Affairs. 2013. Department of Water Affairs Annual Report 2013/14
4. Luyaba, L., Ruiters, C. &Vimba, N. 2020. Less Could be More: A Case for the Progressive Consolidation of Water Services Authorities. Civil Engineering SAICE. Volume 28, Issue 5.
5. Luyaba, L., Moyo, P., Mbhele, N. & Mochotlhoane, M. 2024. Unwilling or Unable – A Critical Reflection on Service Delivery in South Africa Considering the State of Municipal Water and Sanitation Services (2019 –2024). South African Journal of Science. South Africa.
6. Mbhele, N. 2024. The Development of the Municipal Water and Sanitation Services Infrastructure Management Efficiency Index (Using the Data Envelopment Analysis Technique). Master of Sciences in Civil Engineering Thesis. University of Cape Town. Cape Town, South Africa.
7. Municipal Demarcation Board. 2018. Municipal Powers and Functions Capacity Assessment: National Report. Retrieved 8 August 2024, from: https://www.demarcation.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ National-draft-FINAL-FINAL-1.pdf
8. National Treasury. 2014. Review of Local Government Infrastructure Grants – Recommendations for Reform: Draft Report to Budget Forum
9. Ramanathan, R. 2003. An introduction to data envelopment analysis: a tool for performance measurement. New Delhi, India.
10. Republic of South Africa. 1996. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108. Government Printers. Pretoria.
FROM THEN TO NOW: A VIEW OF NMBM’S PROJECT MANAGEMENT ADVANCEMENT SINCE THE 1800’S
Chandre Barnard¹ & Naledi Mooi²
Deputy Director Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM)¹ BSc (Honours) Construction Management (NMBM)²
ABSTRACT
Shortly before 1880, the city engineer of the then Port Elizabeth, now Gqeberha, would set off on a three-day horse ride to get to the construction site of what would become the city’s first proper source of water. It would then make sense that the contract document includes specifications and items in the bill of quantities for stabling and feed for the engineer’s horse. Similarly, in modern documents you can find accommodations for the engineer’s vehicle in a construction contract.
This paper will explore how project management has progressed within the municipality. It will also discuss how contracts have evolved or in some cases stayed the same, by comparing modern practices to actual contract documents from the 1800’s. It will highlight how NMBM has since applied pioneering approaches to deal with the challenging, high-collaborative interaction required between all stakeholders involved in professional services. In recent years, innovative technologies have since revolutionised and been introduced in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. With these developments, there have been advancements in contract administration and management of projects within the built environment.
An example of the successful integration of Industry 4.0 technologies by the municipality was the VR experience used for the Coegakop Water Treatment Works. The technologies used played a fundamental part of the municipality’s submission for securing funds from national government. It facilitated by enabling decision-makers to have a walkthrough and understand the proposed facility. It was used in the initial tender briefing for prospective bidders, which was a first for the municipality. The simulation helped refine complex parts of the design, undertake clash detection, and enhanced the design in terms of constructability considerations. Opportunity exists to further extend the uses of this technology by the integration of building information modelling (BIM). The 3D BIM model acts as a common portal where all stakeholders can work simultaneously and
share information, and the changes are updated in all domains automatically. This paper will explore the almost inexhaustible list of functionalities this technology has throughout the project and asset life cycle.
Finally, all the above information is fed into a water management system and a newly developed Scada system that enhances operational efficiencies and network control.
1. INTRODUCTION
There is ample evidence, spanning many centuries, that displays the human’s ability to execute complex construction projects. Crafting potential accelerated through the development of hand tools, unlocking more building materials.
One could assume that it would have been impossible to place the tip on the Egyptian pyramids if there had been no specifications for the building blocks used all the way from the foundations. Like the Great Wall of China, these projects were executed with limited resources available at the time, mostly relying on manual labour or animal powered machinery. These projects required the organisation of labour, management of resources, time, and cost, whilst applying mathematical principles as well as basic surveying skills. This laid the groundworks for modern construction management.
More complex structures followed. Curves, beams, columns, domes, and cantilevers required some structural analysis. Teams became more complex as carpenters; glass makers and other disciplines joined the construction team.
Later practices would continue to be standardised and even regulated by professional bodies. Construction management would become a defined profession with specialised tertiary education available globally.
2. EARLY DAYS
During the late 1800’s the fast-expanding town of Port Elizabeth was desperately seeking a reliable source of water. With no engineer employed to the council, they sought assistance from the local colony hydraulic engineer. He would investigate possible proposals and submit his feasibility report. This report would then enable the town council to prospect for a suitable engineer back in England. This engineer would then be shipped to the town to complete the proposed designs and oversee the implementation of the project.
The entire Van Stadens River Works Contract No. 1, as indicated by Figure 1, was handwritten by the appointed engineer. This included the specifications, Bill of Quantities (BoQ), drawings, and general conditions of contract. Figure 2 indicates how complex the content of the contract document already was during the 1800’s. It included multiple topics that are still essential today like contract duration, quality control, clarifies liability and risk, describes limits of responsibility. There was a clause that deals with the “interference with traffic” during a time when everyone on site used ox wagons or horses. Even some topics like the preservation of game, which has become a lot more specialised. The first few contracts would have specific purposes and didn’t necessarily conform to a bigger holistic view, water was needed to keep the
FIGURE 1: Cover page of Contract No. 1 for the Van Stadens River Works.
city alive. Extra water would provide security for the city to grow.
The town council would then advertise the project, where contractors would complete a form of tender and schedule of quantities as indicated by Figure 3. Once again laying the groundwork for the way the city would manage contracts from that point onwards.
At NMBM today, large developmental projects are typically still conceptualised by municipal engineering staff. The development of infrastructure is guided by multiple avenues of information or requirements. For instance, water infrastructure is developed based on the Water Master Plan, which in turn is informed by the Water Services Development Plan (WSDP). This document must follow the Spatial Development Framework (SDF) which through the town planning division guides total development proposals holistically. This process can also be altered when the municipality must react to external risks like drought or other natural disaster. Usually, the next step is appointing a Professional Service Provider (PSP) to formulate the concept into a practically executable project whilst ensuring it conforms to all applicable standards and regulations. The project tender will then be advertised for a contractor to make an offer on. The appointed contractor executes the project under the watch full eye of the project engineer and NMBM engineer.
Up until the late 1990’s Nelson Mandela Bay municipality’s water division would still execute large scale projects with internal engineering staff managing all administrative, engineering and procurement aspects including construction supervision.
3. HISTORIC CONTRACTS
Life has drastically changed since 1878 for any role player in the construction industry, including the clients or beneficiaries. Technological advancements have seen exponential growth, and no construction project seems unattainable if the resources match the ambitions.
One would then think that there would be a drastic difference when comparing a construction contract from a 150 years ago to a modern one. However, Figure 2 indicates that during the late 1800’s the Council contract documents already satisfied many of the fundamental first principles of construction management. Of course, every aspect has become more specialised and regulated but it is an evolution based on these core fundamentals. The importance of foundational knowledge is highlighted by the practise of teaching mathematics manually before using the aid of calculators or computers.
The historic contract document included specifications, a Bill of Quantities, drawings, and general condition of contract. Some other interesting clauses that have slightly changed are indicated below.
“20. Care of Horses, Attendance & c. – All horses whether belonging to the Council or other parties, used by the Engineer or Inspector in travelling to or from the works, shall, while off-saddled at the works, be under the care of the Contractor, who shall be responsible to the Council or other owners thereof for their safe keeping and proper and sufficient feeding and grooming”. It continues “The horses shall have the best forage and water, proper litter, and every requisite attention. The Contractor shall see to the transport of all food and other necessities required to be sent up from Port Elizabeth for the personal use of the Inspector or Engineer, provided such shall not require special means of conveyance.”
3: Form of Tender & Schedule of Quantities 1878
FIGURE 4: Testing apparatus indicating the importance of quality control in 1878
FIGURE
FIGURE 2: Index page of Contract No. 2 Van Stadens River Water Works 1878.
Modern contracts also have allowances that provide some necessary accommodations for the day-to-day site staff. Site offices and parking for vehicles, these can even be more specified to include air-conditioning, internet services and a cell phone. In most of the early contracts the contractor was also responsible to immediately start the construction of a telephone line from the construction site that went straight to the city engineer’s office. This was implemented to ensure that the engineer could immediately be notified of any on site challenges. The telephone line would then remain in place for the municipality’s operational staff who would phone the engineer with any concerns identified while inspecting the pipeline on horseback. Communication is another critical aspect of project execution that has never disappeared. Nowadays it is not uncommon to have a communication expert in project meetings, especially if the project affects service delivery. Social media is a powerful tool when effectively utilised.
Quality control already featured in the 1800’s contract specifications and it is obvious that it was a very important topic for the engineer at the time. Quality of workmanship, materials and procedures were clearly defined as well as with whom the responsibility lies. At the time of the first major construction contract, the absence of a harbour in Port Elizabeth presented significant risk to safely transport the cast iron pipes onshore from the ships who were anchored out in the bay. Then followed additional risks to transport the pipes to site over mountains and through streams via ox wagon. Manhandling of the pipes could no be hidden as a testing apparatus, as per Figure 4, was to be constructed to ensure the pipes were not cracked and could withstand the operational pressure. All this risk was clearly made the responsibility of the contractor in the contract specification. By 1965, the quality control specification would include testing by an independent person. During recent bulk water pipeline construction projects, NMBM appointed an independent PSP specifically qualified to execute stringent quality control on important elements of pipeline construction. For instance, the approving of welding procedures, welds and pipe fabrication, approving coating systems and applications thereof as well as approval of cement mortar lining. A unique quality management system is developed for each project.
Some components have even come and gone like in the second Churchill bulk water pipeline contract specifications in 1965 where it was necessary for the following clause, “48. Prison labour – Prison or convict labour shall not be employed on the works or engaged thereon in any capacity or manner whatsoever”. So growing pressure to align with international human rights standards could affect some components of the contract document. There are actually numerous factors that have contributed to the evolution of the contract document over time.
4.
WHAT DRIVES CHANGE?
So, it’s clear that some of the important fundamentals have been established for a very long time. However, they never remained the same. Some aspects that influence the evolution of construction management are:
a) Regulation changes
As previously mentioned, the development of water related infrastructure is guided by the WSDP. The Water Services Act 108 of 1997 mandates that the Water Services Authority develop WSDP’s. This act together with the National Water Act of 1998 provides a regulatory framework that establishes national standards as well as provides for the management and conservation of water resources. Regulatory requirements like water use licensing can affect a project’s commencement date and as such must be sufficiently considered to ensure efficient project execution.
a) Environmental considerations
The historic contracts did address environmental issues, however, they focused more on poaching of local game. In modern times the environmental impacts of projects are regulated, and noncompliance can result in serious consequences. This component has become a critical part of modern construction and has the potential to make a project unfeasible. There is also an increasing consideration for sustainability, energy efficiency, green practices, and waste reduction in modern projects.
b) Standardization
Standardization has multiple benefits; it allows for repeatability in processes and reduces the likelihood of inconsistencies. Standardized templates emerged that sought to streamline the contractual process. The construction industry in south Africa is regulated by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and companies that are registered with the CIDB receive a grading. Registration is mandatory if they aspire to participate in the construction of public sector projects. The CIDB limits the choice of forms of contract to the following recommendations to ensure standardization.
• International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC)
• General Conditions of Contract for Construction Works (GCC)
• JBCC series, and
• NEC family of standard contracts
The GCC is the most used form of contract in South Africa and plays a major role in defining responsibilities, rights, and risk allocation.
Many municipalities have developed a comprehensive set of municipal standards or building codes. These regulations are mandatory for developing services or property that fall within the area of authority of the said municipality. This will prescribe acceptable practices as well as approve materials for use, aiming to ensure efficient operations of municipal services as well as safeguarding the wellbeing of the residents.
c) Health and safety
There have been remarkable improvements to health and safety considerations from the 1800’s to today, driven by increased awareness of workplace hazards, legislative changes and technological advancements. Historically workers had to sometimes endure hazardous conditions with little to no protective equipment and no proper safety protocols in place. Today it is considered an integral part of the construction project and requires the appointment of a specialist who is responsible for developing a project specific Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) plan as well as monitoring compliance of the plan throughout the construction activities.
d) Risk allocation
As indicated previously with the transportation of pipes on the Van Stadens River project, a great amount of risk was placed on the contractor. Modern contracts aim for a fair distribution of risk.
One of the key features of the GCC is to apportion the risk based on the party best suited to deal with it. It also addresses liabilities and latent defects periods, which are important to clearly define before project commencement so that the risk can be allocated to the responsible party.
e) Legal precedents
Sometimes the unforeseen can only be addressed upon their emergence. When the relevant parties cannot come to a common agreement it could be settled by a court decision. These legal precedents, which clarify risk allocation and contract interpretation, subsequently shape the contract documents that ensue.
All these changes have created very complex project teams and innovative solutions are required to deal with the high-collaborative interaction required between all stakeholders.
5. INDUSTRY 4.0
Industry 4.0 (4IR) is the rising trend in integrating technologies which lead to increased automation, predictive maintenance, and self-optimisation of process improvements. In the built environment, it mainly centres on the physical-to-digital transition and then digital-to-physical transition to help coordinate, design, and execute built environment infrastructure more effectively and efficiently (Dallasega et al., 2018). There are various technologies under the 4IR umbrella such as Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, blockchain technology, Building Information Modelling, Internet of Things, machine learning, Virtual Reality, etc. The Municipality ventured into 4IR through the integration of virtual reality (VR) in the design stage of the construction of Coegakop Water Treatment Works. The decision to use VR in the project demonstrates the municipality’s commitment to innovation and modern technology by integrating innovative solutions to address essential infrastructure needs.
Virtual Reality is the simulation of certain aspects of the real world, enabling real-time interaction with each other. The advanced abilities of the immersive and interactive visualisation help facilitate the design, engineering, construction, and management in the built environment. Recently, the advancement of VR technology enables for client-walkthroughs, review, and construction sequence visualisation. This is advantageous in terms of facilitating construction planning and scheduling, project collaboration, and the allocation of resources. VR has the potential to streamline project execution and enhance project efficiency.
Traditional drawings often lead to errors and misunderstandings. The virtual environment created through VR provides a clear scope and specifications of the project, reducing the chances of disputes. It provides an understanding of the layout of the facility, operational procedures, and the functionality of the proposed facility. Key components can be easily identified. In addition, the simulation provides an understanding of how the different systems work together to treat and distribute the water, and sheds light on the operational efficiency – Coegakop WTW in our case.
6. COEGAKOP WTW VIRTUAL REALITY
Due to the complexity and operator-centric design of the Coegakop Water Treatment Works, the highly collaborative interaction between the various stakeholders involved in the design of the plant required a more streamlined
approach. The stakeholders involved were the client, engineers, architects, geohydrologists, environmental practitioners, 3D software modellers, VR programmers and other professionals. As a result, a 3D model of the plant was developed. The model helped to facilitate continuous simultaneous collaboration between the various professional stakeholders (Hills, 2020).
A step further was taken, the model was transformed to virtual reality. This was advantageous as it enabled visualisation of the plant processes during operation. This was achieved successfully by simulating the operating procedures for an electrical switch station and a backwash amongst others. The VR experience proved to be beneficial as it enabled fast and informed decision-making by providing a walkthrough of the plant
The design of the plant is operator centric. Due to the complexity, integrated nature, and the dense design required to achieve the desired operator-centric plant, the VR experience assisted with factors such as clash detection and space optimisation thus improving the design in terms of constructability. The ability to refine complex parts of the design, which are typically noted during construction, helped reduce issues such as construction delays, claims and variations.
Securing funds for an infrastructure project of that magnitude tends to be challenging for municipalities. Effective and comprehensive communication of the project goals, benefits, impacts and integration with the existing infrastructure was important when convincing the funding bodies. The VR experience proved to be beneficial in securing funding from national government. The detailed visualisations and walkthrough helped explain the complexity and significance of the project (du Toit et al., 2018).
7. BUILDING INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (BIM)
There has been a noteworthy acceptance and increase in Building Information Modelling (BIM) within the built environment. The Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry is shifting towards 3D BIMmodels for infrastructure and construction projects. BIM is a digital representation of the physical and functional properties of a facility. It
FIGURE 5: Virtual Reality simulation inside Coegakop Water Treatment Works.
FIGURE 6: Coegakop Water Treatment Works simulation in the design stage.
FIGURE 7: Coegakop Water Treatment Works completed.
serves as a shared and reliable resource for information to facilitate decisions throughout the lifecycle, from inception to operation and maintenance. BIM has a plethora of benefits. In this article, the focus is more on its ability to improve project visualisation, facilitate collaboration, ensure accurate documentation, and facilitate compliance and auditing processes. BIM integration enhances efficiency and has the potential to reduce disputes and optimise the management of resources.
BIM creates a 3D model that provides a comprehensive view of the project, providing an improved understanding of the scope, design, and specifications of the project. BIM facilitates effective collaboration and communication by providing a centralised database where all the information is stored and accessible for all stakeholders. The information is updated in real-time therefore it has the most recent information, enabling for effective collaboration and decision-making. The compiling of documentation is automated, which ensures a consistent, accurate and upto-date status of the project. The automation of processes helps reduce time and effort required for documentation, reduces errors and ensures access to accurate and reliable information at all times.
Contract management entails ensuring that all aspects of the project comply with the relevant regulations, standards, and contractual duties. Compliance is facilitated through BIM by generating a comprehensive and detailed record of the project, including design, construction, and operational information. Based on the BIM dimensions employed on the project, the report generated entails the relevant information of the project for auditing purposes. The detailed record streamlines the auditing process, which makes it simpler to show compliance and identify any areas of noncompliance.
BIM enhances risk management through detailed analyses and simulations of the overall project. Potential risks and issues are discovered early which enables proactive risk mitigation. Conflicts in the different building systems are identified before actual construction through clash detection, which in return reduces the risk of costly rework and delays. Detailed information on the materials, labour and equipment required for the project is contained within the model, which assists with efficient resource planning and allocation. This advanced resource management tool helps to ensure that the project is on schedule and within budget, reducing the risk of delays and cost overruns.
The 3D model created for the Coegakop Water Treatment Works was developed in detail through Autodesk Revit, one of the numerous software applications that fall under BIM. Revit is an application for BIM with features
for the three main disciplines of AEC (architectural, MEP – mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, and structural engineering). BIM has been widely recognised for its capabilities in the advancement of the creation and management of infrastructure projects throughout the entire lifecycle. The use of BIM could have been further explored within the Coegakop WTW project as it is a beneficial tool throughout the project lifecycle.
8. BIM AND VR INTEGRATION
There are added benefits to BIM-use which add to the capabilities of VR. As previously mentioned, errors in construction are detected early. VR helps facilitate risk management by exposing potential issues such as design faults or safety hazards before they even occur or escalate. Early detection of risks helps mitigate costly delays and disruptions. In the case of contract management within the built environment, VR can be used as a tool for training. The virtual environment allows for practical experience without the possible risks associated in training within the real world.
VR can be integrated with BIM for real-time progress monitoring of the construction. This enables visualisation of the as-planned in contrast to the as-built progress and identify any deviations. This ensures prompt decisionmaking when issues arise and help to keep the project on schedule and within budget. BIM can be used to create virtual models of construction projects. However, its main purpose is to provide real-time data on project progress and cost.
VR is primarily a tool used for visualisation, while BIM incorporates visualisation with detailed project data and analytics. VR is effective for design reviews and presentations, while BIM is excellent in continuous project management and coordination. VR can help designers detect errors before they occur and become costly problems, and BIM can help contractors avoid costly mistakes by providing a clear and concise model of the project. In addition, VR can be used to provide clients with a better understanding of the project, while BIM can provide the detailed information about the construction process. As a result, these technologies have the potential to make construction projects more accessible to an audience of a wider range.
9. FUTURE IS NOW – SMART CONTRACTS
Traditional contract administration and management procedures often involve tedious paperwork, manual processing, and a lack of transparency, which leads to inefficiencies and disputes. Smart contracts are contracts which self-execute with the terms and conditions written directly into code. Smart contracts offer a promising solution by taking advantage of blockchain technology. Smart contracts can automate and streamline various aspects of contract administration and management, therefore enhancing efficiency, transparency, and trust among stakeholders. In contract administration, smart contracts can automate the execution of an agreement and ensure that all stakeholders are immediately assured of the result, without any involvement from negotiators/mediators/arbitrators or loss in time. The workflow of the project can be automated, initiating the following activity when the programmed conditions are met. Payment terms programmed in a smart contract automatically activate payments once specific conditions are met, such as the completion of a construction activity or phase. Smart contracts provide a transparent and permanent record of all transactions and alterations made to the contract. This transparency minimises the possibility of disputes and fraud, as all parties have access to a single, unalterable, and trusted source.
FIGURE 8: 3D BIM Model of a building.
Errors in contract administration can lead to significant delays and major cost overruns in projects. Smart contracts reduce human errors by ensuring that the contract terms are executed as per the contract, mitigating the possibility of misunderstanding and misinterpretation. In addition, the immutability of the blockchain records ensures that disputes can be resolved promptly by referring to the exact terms and conditions encoded in the smart contract.
Contract management involves supervision of the entire lifecycle of a contract, from negotiation and execution to monitoring and renewal. Smart contracts facilitate this process through the automation of many aspects of contract management. Not only does it accelerate contract execution, but it also reduces the associated administrative costs. Monitoring compliance with contract terms can be automated, ensuring timely and accurate performance assessments.
Security is a major concern. Traditional contracts are prone to altering, manipulation and unauthorised access. Smart contracts take advantage of the security features of blockchain technology, such as cryptographic encryption and decentralised storage. These ensure that contract data is secure and accessible only to the authorised stakeholders, therefore reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorised modifications.
Compliance with regulatory requirements is a critical aspect of contract management in the built environment. Smart contracts can be programmed to include compliance checks by ensuring that all contract activities adhere to the relevant regulations. Additionally, the transparent nature of blockchain records simplifies the auditing process. Auditors can easily access a comprehensive, untampered history of all the contract-related activities, therefore streamlining the audit procedure and reducing costs.
10. WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM’S
Another phase of the modern contract that is receiving increasing attention is the close out of projects. This goes beyond verifying the completion of the works and the financial closure of it. NMBM has developed a stringent list of requirements before the close out of a project can be considered. This ensures that there is a smooth transition from the project phase to the operational phase by capturing all relevant project information to maximise the institutional knowledge gained.
NMBM have been utilising a comprehensive water management system since 2008 where information from all interventions is integrated. For instance, after the close out phase of the project, documents like the drawings and Operating & Maintenance (O&M) manuals are captured in the system. This then allows for the creation of scheduled maintenance based on the recommendations from the O&M manual. Automated job cards will then be raised and will be emailed directly to relevant role players for execution and closure.
The system supplies the data necessary for input into the WSDP and Infrastructure Development Plans (IDP), data on costing of different capital and maintenance work and it links the GIS with the billing system. This system also provides the information required for annual audits, questionnaires, complaints statistics, Council reports, asset management as well as Blue Drop, Green Drop and No Drop requirements.
11. CONCLUSION
Modern construction procedures and the management thereof is based on historic documents and practises. Forever adapting to the legal, regulatory, and technological changes of the world.
Over time we have learnt from our mistakes, sometimes the hard way when it comes to health, safety, and the environment. All these
advancements seek to increase the efficiency of project execution, reduce risks and extend the infrastructures maximum useful life.
Further technological advancements are ready to be explored for even more growth. Even though in most cases the end user is oblivious to all the background happenings and simply require their needs to be fulfilled.
12. REFERENCES
A history of prison labour in South Africa (no date) South African History Online. Available at: https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/history-prison-laboursouth-africa (Accessed: 15 June 2024).
BIM Modelling Services – Outsourcing BIM Specialist Company (2023) QTO Estimating. Available at: https://www.qtoestimating.com/bim-modelingservices/ (Accessed: 20 June 2024).
cidb. Available at: https://www.cidb.org.za/ (Accessed: 15 June 2024).
Construction safety evolution: Past, progress, and future: Owen Construction Consultancy, Owen Construction Consultancy Ltd. Available at: https://owenconstructionconsultancy.co.uk/news/history-safetyconstruction-industry (Accessed: 18 June 2024).
Dallasega, P., Rauch, E. and Frosolini, M., 2018. A lean approach for realtime planning and monitoring in engineer-to-order construction projects. Buildings, 8(3): 1–22.
Du Toit, G., Theunissen, B., Petrie, D., van Jaarsveld, M., Verserput, E. and Murray, R. (2018). ‘Coegakop Biofiltration Plant’, 2018 IMESA Conference. Port Elizabeth, 31 October – 02 November 2018. 96-99.
Hills, M. (2022) ‘Meet South Africa’s largest Bio Filtration Plant’, Water & Sanitation Africa, pp. 16–20.
10
DRAWBACKS OF POTHOLE FILLING PROGRAMS AS A PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE MEASURE: STUDY BASED ON NON-INTRUSIVE PAVEMENT DEFECTS INVESTIGATION
Christian A. MULOL CSIR, Smart Mobility, Pavement Design and Construction
1. ABSTRACT
Recent studies have alerted the South Africa Road Sector and its various stakeholders to the alarming deterioration rate of the road network condition. This is especially the case with the secondary and the tertiary road network where the backlog of maintenance is in the order of hundreds of billions of Rands. Amongst other reasons such as the lack of technical capacity within the secondary and tertiary road authorities, this backlog of maintenance has often been named as one of the major contributors to the poor rating of the lower ranking roads in South Africa. Roads within the secondary and tertiary sectors are either at risk of failure, being unable to cope with the normal demand, subjecting the public to severe inconvenience, or unfit for purpose, having already failed or being on the verge of failure, exposing the public to health and safety hazards.
To ensure all the safety hazards on the road network are removed with immediate effect, preventive maintenance through the filling of potholes can be recommended. However, this approach was never intended to be the substitute for other maintenance or rehabilitation measures.
This paper shows that though the preventive maintenance through the filling of potholes has a merit from a safety point of view, this method does not necessarily address the root-cause that led to the initiation and the generation of such potholes. Using various roads as case studies and through a comparison of their TMH 9 visual assessment strip map to the FWD deflection parameters mapping, this paper recommends that the reactive maintenance should not only follow the rigorous requirements of pothole repairs that extend into the base and underlying layers but should also be taken as a holding measure guaranteeing the safety of motorists until the appropriate rehabilitation or maintenance measure is implemented without further delay.
2. INTRODUCTION
Initiatives by road authorities and the South African road sector to reduce the number of potholes through preventive maintenance measures are on the increase. Road authorities should be commended for such initiatives as potholes can be very hazardous to motorists as well as pedestrian end users. Every effort to reduce the already high level of road accidents related to poor infrastructure in South Africa is welcome.
However, this study also considered other factors that require equal attention to ensure that the intention to address one problem does not result in a consequential creation of another. For example, taken positively, the presence of a pothole could be a clear indicator that communicates to an experienced practitioner the evidence of an unseen and poor underground road condition. Neatly concealed, the same evidence could be tempered with, giving a false impression that the undelaying layers of the road are all
sound to carry the traffic loading.
Though the paper acknowledges that there is some benefit of pothole filling that complies with recommended practices [Paige-Green et al, 2010], the paper also proposes actions that should be adopted so that the affordable fixing of a defect through pothole patching today does not result in the postponement of the same problem to a future date, but alas at a highly inflated premium.
3. STUDY ANALYSES
3.1. Pavement engineering background
For this study five (5) actual rehabilitation and maintenance projects were selected as shown in Table 1. All the roads were Category B roads as per the TRH4 classification. The roads were investigated for their visual conditions through the mapping of all their surface and structural defects’ respective degrees and extents at 20m intervals. The visual assessments were conducted following the framework illustrated by Figure 1, in accordance with the TMH9 [1992] guidelines.
TABLE 1: List of case study roads
Road Name Province / District Road Length (km) Activities
Considering that the focus of this study was concerned only with the effectiveness of pothole filling programs, the previous as well as newly constructed surface and structural patches and the identified potholes of degree more than three (3) were selected. These were mapped over the FWD deflection bowl parameters strip map.
3.2. Assessment of pavement deflection using the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD)
All the roads in Table 1 had a granular base and their deflections could be analysed using the deflection bowl parameter structural conditions rating criteria provided in Table 2, which is an extract from SAPEM Chapter 10 [2013]. The parameters in Table 2 give the condition on a pavement layer depending on the FWD deflection recorded. The deflection bowl parameters considered for the analyses were the maximum deflection (Y-Max), the base layer index (BLI), the medium layer index (MLI), and the lower layer index (LLI). For this specific study, the MLI and the LLI were not
considered. The approximate locations within the selected subgrade (SSG) horizon, corresponding to the MLI, and within the subgrade location (SG), corresponding to the LLI, were found to have less probability of interfering with pothole repair excavations. Only the Y-Max and the BLI deflection bowl parameters were analysed by this paper. This is because the Y-Max measures the total pavement deflection from the pavement surface, while the BLI focuses more on the pavement base layer horizon, and the pothole repair activities are likely to be concentrated within the surface, wearing course, or the base layer of a distressed pavement.
Following the deflection bowl parameters criteria provided by Table 2, the structural conditions of the roads in Table 1 were evaluated. For each location corresponding to a FWD measurement, the condition of the pavement was rated as being in a sound condition, a warning condition, or a severe condition. The corresponding colour coding to the conditions as defined by Horak [2008] were hence assigned to each FWD measurement and mapped. The position of the respective road that was in a severe condition due to excessive deflection upon the surface (Y-Max) or excessive deflection within the base layer (BLI) were given a dark brown colour (or black for a grey scale printing). The position of the respective road with a warning condition Y-Max
Criteria
or BLI were assigned an orange colour (or grey for a grey scale printing). It should be noted that the FWD measurements were undertaken for each traveling direction or lane. As such, the overall measurements of each deflection bowl parameter corresponded to the worse reading between the different travelling directions for the given location or chainage.
Uniform sections were demarcated for each parameter to evaluate sections of similar conditions. In Equation 1 below, an example is given for the Y-Max deflection bowl parameter, but the same principle will similarly apply to demarcate the respective horizon of a pavement structure for the other parameters BLI, MLI and LLI.
Graphs of the respective cumulative sums are also provided. Using the slope of the graph, the uniform section or sections of similar behaviour regarding the given parameter (Y-Max or BLI) were demarcated.
3.3. Effect of old patches on pavement performance
Before the future anticipated performance of any pothole repair could be predicted, the performance of the old patches was evaluated. As shown in Figure 2, it was often observed that poorly constructed patches invariably performed poorly than even the older pavement structure they were intended to improve. This is often the case due to substandard construction techniques, and the use of different materials than was initially used within the adjacent older pavement structure, leading to differential settlement, or differential consolidation. It should also be noted that pothole repairs are often confined, making the uniform compaction of the patched area difficult to achieve.
The other typical observation was that new pothole repair patches would sometimes highlight how old ones that were intended to serve the same purpose have underperformed and failed to improve the condition of the road. Hence, failing to prevent further deterioration in subsequent years. As depicted by Figure 3, the pothole repairs of previous years resulted in a patch marked as “older patch”, which could not prevent further failure in subsequent years. If the older pothole repair had been efficient, this would have assisted in preventing the new pothole repair, such as the one marked as “newer patch” in Figure 3.
3.4. Patches, Potholes, and FWD parameters mapping
The observations illustrated by Figure 2 and Figure 3 were further confirmed by analysing the condition of the roads covered by this study based on their FWD deflections. For ease of comparison, the previous pothole repairs based on the evidence provided by the old structural patches observed through the visual assessment of the road were superimposed on the FWD strip map as shown in Figure 4 to Figure 8. Both the patches (old and new) and the potholes were plotted along the abscissa axis of Figure 4 to Figure 8. The patches were plotted as black dots, while the potholes were plotted as white dots.
For Road 1, it was evident that from about km 4+500 to about km 10+500 and km 11+500 to km 14+500 that previous years’ pothole repairs (now evidenced by old patches) did not prevent the severe deterioration condition of the road, as illustrated by the dark brown Y-Max deflection bowl parameters recording over the given stretches in Figure 4. The BLI deflection bowl parameters were also dark brown over the same area of Road 1. This indicated that the previous years’ patching did not assist to prevent the deterioration of the base horizon of the pavement structure. The same pattern was observed for Road 3 in Figure 6, Road 4 in Figure 7, and Road 5 in Figure 8 as structural patching or pothole filling did not prevent the poor Y-Max and BLI readings.
The only difference with Road 2 in Figure 5, was that the Y-Max and BLI deflection bowl parameter readings had a warning rating instead of the severe. However, even this warning rating is still not desirable.
3.5. Anticipated performance of proposed pothole repair
During the visual assessment of the roads listed in Table 1, pothole failures were also identified. The recorded potholes failures with a degree more than three (3) were also plotted as white dots on the abscissa axis of Figure 4 to Figure 8, just above the black dot corresponding to the nearby patch repair when applicable.
It is evident that considering recent pothole eradication policies the expectation is for such potholes to be filled in as quickly as possible. However, based on the poor performance of past pothole filling, as was detailed in the sections above, the question is what performance can be anticipated from proposed future pothole repairs. This question remains, even if one had meticulously followed the repair standard recommended by Paige-Green et al [2010]. As shown in Figure 4 to Figure 8, the identified pothole had their locations within the uniform sections that were already showing severe distress both regarding the Y-Max or the BLI parameters.
This shows that for any pothole repair to be effective within the uniform section of severe Y-Max and BLI deflection destress, the pothole repair will need to be carried out by extensive excavation or deep stabilisation thicker than the base layer. In other words, this approach could not be qualified as a pothole filling or pothole repair but rather as heavy rehabilitation. One of the drawbacks of such localised heavy rehabilitation is the difficulty of working in a confined area, preventing the attainment of various layers specified density level. Another drawback is the “chasing after pothole repairs” in isolation, whereby the whole road is not attended to, but rather an isolated area dictated by the presence of potholes, resulting in the introduction of non-uniformity of the pavement structure. Such non-uniform section will present further challenge to the assessment of uniform sections for future maintenance and rehabilitation solutions.
The biggest drawback of “chasing after pothole filling in isolation” is that
FIGURE 4: Road 1, FWD strip map with mapping of potholes and structural patches.
FIGURE 5: Road 2, FWD strip map with mapping of potholes and structural patches.
such repair would bandage over a deeper problem if not done properly. As shown in Figure 4 to Figure 8, severe conditions of deflection were recorded for the analysed road even in areas where potholes were not identified by the visual assessment. It is therefore not true that a direct relation exists between pothole formation and road deterioration.
In some instances, potholes are only the symptoms, and the source of the problems lies deeper within the pavement. Such deeper problems are the reason why poorer Y-Max and BLI are still recorded even in the absence of potholes, as in the case of Road 4 from about km 9+200 to about km 12+500 in Figure 7. This also means that shallow pothole repairs will not necessarily eliminate the underlying and deep-seated source of the problem.
Such deep-seated problems have the tendency of resurfacing at a later stage by reflecting the defects through the shallow pothole repair. In the long run there is a risk of investing scarce financial resources only to end up with a similar result as the one depicted in Figure 2 and Figure 3. Hence, pothole repairs are not guaranteed to always yield the desirable outcome.
3.6. Prioritisation of other surface and structural defects For Road 2 in Figure 5, the warning rating condition of the BLI also indicates that the pavement is already in need of structural rehabilitation.
A more detailed analysis of Road 1’s visual assessment between km 25+000 and km 27+800, as depicted in Figure 9, shows that attention should also be given to other defects. Block failures, surface cracking, surface failures, and aggregate losses might have been the defects that caused the initiation of potholes [Paige-Green et al, 2010]. Water ingress within the pavement structure through the surface cracks combined with traffic loading will always have the potential of reducing the structure bearing capacity and eventually lead to fine pumping and the formation of potholes. This has always been Emery’s argument, as he alerted the road sector to the detrimental effect of water ingress through the passage created by surface cracks [1988].
The argument above is further substantiated by the fact that some sections of road without pothole failure of degree in excess of three (3), such as Road 1 from km 24+000 to km 30+000 (Figure 4), still recorded the severe Y-Max and BLI conditions indicating that they were already experiencing excessive deflection within their base layer horizon.
The analyses of the visual strip maps within the areas without pothole failures were like Figure 9.
CONCLUSION
It could be concluded from the result of the analyses, that the previous maintenance patches, which probably resulted from previous pothole filling interventions, did not necessarily improve the reading of the Y-Max and BLI deflection bowl parameters of the respective roads. In most cases, the location of the patches still corresponded to the location of severe Y-Max and BLI deflection bowl readings.
Even in the exceptional case of Road 2, the readings were in the warning condition for the BLI parameter, pointing to the necessity of minor rehabilitation.
FIGURE 6: Road 3, FWD strip map with mapping of potholes and structural patches.
FIGURE 7: Road 4, FWD strip map with mapping of potholes and structural patches.
FIGURE 8: Road 3, FWD strip map with mapping of potholes and structural patches.
It was also observed that the section with patches did not necessarily perform better than those without patches. As shown in Figure 9, other identified surface and structural defects were shown to be equally critical in influencing the deterioration of the pavement Y-Max and BLI deflection parameters. It can therefore be concluded that focusing only on potholes runs the risk of ignoring other defects that could be more revealing about the poor pavement layer conditions.
Regarding the identified and mapped current potholes, these often corresponded to areas of poor deflection characteristics, even as deep as within the base layer horizon. It could therefore be concluded that the patching or filling of such potholes would not improve the poor Y-Max and BLI deflection bowl readings, provided that the pothole repair extends deeper through thicker excavation of the affected pavement layer. From the above, it could also be concluded that when pothole filling is implemented in isolation, one runs the risk of adopting a cheaper preventative maintenance intervention where a minor or major
rehabilitation approach would have been the optimal solution (see Figure 10 below). The risk is therefore that the same defect and hazardous conditions that were meant to be prevented would disappear temporarily, only to resurface within a matter of few years or months in some extreme cases.
4. RECOMMENDATIONS
Though pothole filling can be beneficial for the safety of motorists and pedestrian road users, from the vehicle running cost and from the global transportation cost points of views, this study has shown that some roads need other rehabilitation or maintenance solutions because they have already deteriorated beyond the preventative maintenance threshold. Pothole identification and filling by themselves should not be standalone maintenance approaches. Recent research has even developed sophisticated ways of georeferencing potholes for repairs. Such userfriendly georeferencing can even be done by a lay person without any pavement engineering background. The only prerequisite being the ability to identify a pothole. Municipalities have rolled out web-based and digital pothole spotting technologies. Though these are plausible technological innovations, any pothole filling initiative should always be combined with other intrusive or non-intrusive evaluations of the underlying layers of the road pavement. The services of qualified pavement engineering are still required, and the use of other technologies should only be used to complement the valuable services of a qualified and experienced pavement engineering practitioner.
5. REFERENCES
ASTM 1926-28, 2003. Standard Practice for Computing International Roughness Index (IRI) of Roads from Longitudinal Profile Measurements. American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM International, West Conshohochen, USA.
COTO, 2007. Guidelines for Network Level Measurement of Road Roughness, Version 1.0. Committee of Transport Officials, Cullinan, RSA.
Emery, 1988, The prediction of moisture content in untreated pavement
FIGURE 9: Road 1, Extract of road defects mapping and VCI strip map.
FIGURE 10: Pavement asset management: area under condition curve benefit.
layers and an application to design in Southern Africa, Division of Roads and Transport Technology DRTT Bulletin 20, CSIR Research Report 644, CSIR, Pretoria, South Africa
Horak E. 2008. Benchmarking the Structural Condition of Flexible Pavements with Deflections Bowl Parameters. Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering. Volume 50, Number 2. June 2008.
Paige-Green P, Maharaj A, and Komba J, 2020, POTHOLES: A technical guide to their causes, identification and repair, e-book published by CSIR Built Environment, CSIR, Pretoria, South Africa (available for download www.nra.co.za)
SAPEM, 2013. Standards, South African National Roads Agency Ltd. ISBN 978-1-920611-00-2
TMH9, 1992. Pavement Management Systems: Standard Visual Assessment Manual for Flexible Pavements. Technical Methods for Highways. Pretoria. ISBN 1-874844-05-4
TRH16. 1985. Nomenclature and Methods for Describing the Condition of Flexible Pavements. Technical Recommendations for Highways. CSRA. ISBN 0 7988 3310 6. Pretoria (available for download www.csir.co.za)
TRH22, 1994. Pavement Management Systems. DRAFT. Technical Recommendations for Highways. ISBN 1 86844 095 8. CSRA. Pretoria (available for download www.nra.co.za)
Van Zyl G.D. and Van der Gryp A, 2013. Pavement Condition Description using a Deduct Point Approach. Abstracts of the 32nd Southern African Transport Conference (SATC 2013). Proceedings ISBN Number: 978-1-920017-62-0
DOES RAINFALL TRENDS AND PATTERNS OF SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE PAST CENTURY DEMONSTRATE CLIMATE CHANGE?
JA Du Plessis1 and J K Kibii1*
1 Stellenbosch University, P.O. Box Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa jadup@sun.ac.za 1 and kibiiyjoshua@gmail.com1*
ABSTRACT
South Africa is a water-scarce country encountering increased climate variability. In the recent past, South Africa experienced the devastating Cape Town drought and most recently severe floods in Kwa-Zulu Natal. These extreme events expose the vulnerability of South Africa, a highly water resources-reliant country to the impacts of climate variability.
With climate change, the likelihood of extreme events occurring has increased, which requires a thorough analysis of rainfall trends and patterns for effective water resources planning and management. This research aimed to contribute to the existing contentious discourse on observable rainfall trends versus climate change rainfall projections, by employing nonparametric statistical analysis of rainfall station data spanning from 1900 to 2019, strategically distributed across the country.
The results demonstrated insignificant trends in daily rainfall. However, statistically significant increases were observed in monthly rainfall during November, December and January in Summer and ‘All year’ rainfall regions. Conversely, significant decreases were noted in March, May, June and September across Summer, Winter and ‘All year’ rainfall regions. Seasonal and annual trend analysis highlighted alternating short-term trends in the Summer rainfall region, while the Winter rainfall region experienced a shorter but wetter main rainfall season over short-term periods. The ‘All year’ rainfall region exhibited alternating dry and wet cycles with a slight decrease in mean annual rainfall.
Despite marginal long-term increases in annual rainfall, short-term periods showed increased variability. Although observed trends align with previous research outputs, change in annual rainfall remained relatively low, between 0.6 and 1.0 mm/year. This research hence recommends careful consideration of the observable rainfall trends when utilising climate change projected rainfall data in South Africa’s planning processes and implementation of engineering projects.
1. INTRODUCTION
South Africa is a semi-arid country experiencing increased rainfall variability with a mean annual precipitation (MAP) of 450mm (Botai et al. 2018). The country is water-stressed with a high spatiotemporal variability in topography and climate making it vulnerable to the impacts of climate variability (Phakula et al. 2018). Researchers have acknowledged the impacts of climate change in South Africa while projecting a hot and drier future (Kruger & Nxumalo 2017, Almazrui et al. 2020, Du Plessis & Kalima 2021 and Kibii & Du Plessis 2024). This will impact the hydrological cycle with cascading effects on important sectors of the economy such as agriculture. Therefore, it is important for rainfall trends and patterns to be investigated for informed management and planning while also contributing to the topical discourse of climate change in South Africa. According to Chabalala et al. (2019), rainfall is an important variable
of the hydrological cycle having a direct impact on water resources. Rainfall projections (using climate change data or observable trends) are therefore critical for researchers, policymakers and managers of water resources (Gajbhiye et al. 2015). Long-term (>100 years) observed time series is essential for the determination of statistics informing trends, cyclicity and variability of rainfall (Ndebele et al. 2020). This research obtained representative daily rainfall for South Africa for the period 1900-2019 and used it for the assessment of rainfall trends using a non-parametric approach.
Despite South Africa having a relatively good network of observation stations, Bailey and Pitman (2016) observe a worrying trend of declining number of observation stations further exacerbated by data deterioration and accessibility bottlenecks occasioned by policy challenges at the South African Weather Services (SAWS). This is complemented by Du Plessis and Kibii (2021) who observed a shortage of approximately 2700 rain gauge stations in South Africa measured against the WMO criteria of 1 rain gauge station per 100-250Km2. However, the available observed rainfall data is still adequate to sufficiently investigate and characterise rainfall trends for South Africa over the past century.
To adequately characterise rainfall, it is important to appreciate that rainfall in South Africa is mostly influenced by the El Niño and La Niña Southern Oscillations. The El Niño Southern Oscillation phase (ENSO) leads to decreased rainfall with an increase in temperature while the La Niña results in the opposite (MacKellar et al. 2014). ENSO, often linked to extreme weather conditions, is defined as the interplay between the atmosphere and the ocean with a resultant cyclic variation of the sea surface temperatures (SST). This interplay is what influences the wetness or dryness within a given cycle (Lester 2019).
Previous research on rainfall trends in South Africa (Mason et al. 1999, Easterling et al. 2000, Misra 2003, Rouault et al. 2003, Groisman et al. 2005, Kruger 2006, New et al. 2006, Van Wageningen & Du Plessis 2007, MacKellar et al. 2014, Kruger & Nxumalo 2017 and Du Plessis & Schloms 2017) identify an inconsistent significant long-term trend in annual rainfall with a significant increase in extremes and interannual variability in rainfall over specific regions of South Africa. Most of these researchers apply parametric methods and global climatic models (GCMs) while emphasising the need for utilizing nonparametric approaches to better understand patterns of climatic variables and the interpretation of results. This research builds on previous research while utilising a non-parametric approach to investigate rainfall trends and patterns in South Africa for 1900-2019.
2. METHODOLOGY AND DATA
2.1 Study Area
This research was conducted in South Africa using 46 rainfall gauge stations strategically distributed as illustrated in Figure 1.
The climate of South Africa is characterised by four main seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn). South Africa is further classified into eight (North-Eastern Interior, Central Interior, Western Interior, Southern Interior, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, North and South Western Cape) climatic zones
(Rouault et al. 2003) receiving either winter, summer, or an ‘All-year’ rainfall depending on the rainfall formation mechanisms (Du Plessis & Schloms 2017). This research used the rainfall regions and climatic zones to characterise rainfall trends and discuss the results.
2.2 Data quality analysis
The obtained daily rainfall data from SAWS was subjected to quality analysis whereby outliers, negative and anomalous values were identified and removed. The long-term rainfall data was then subjected to gap analysis. Stations having more than 10% gaps were disregarded for quality control (Chabalala et al. 2019). Using the Normal Ratio (NR) method, stations with less than 10% gaps were gap-filled (Patra 2001).
2.3 Homogeneity analysis
This research applied four (Pettitt’s, standard normal homogeneity, Buishand’s and Von Neumann’s) homogeneity tests (Alexandersson & Moberg 1997, Hirsch et al. 1982 and Peterson et al. 1998) to detect inhomogeneous data stations likely to results in artificial trends due to station relocation, change of measurement methods or environmental setting.
2.4 Definition of Rainfall Periods.
This research considered a long-term period of 1920-2019 (120 years) and short-term periods of 1900-1939, 1940-1979 & 1980-2019 (40 years each) for the characterisation of rainfall trends. The selection of the short-term 40-year periods was influenced by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) definition of climate to be the average climatic conditions for a period of between 21 and 30 years. Due to the staggered start and end years of the available data, the selected 40-year periods ensured that at least a climatic period was captured for each gauge station.
2.5 Trend Analysis.
A trend is a steady increase or decrease in the characteristic of a time series (Patra 2001). This research applied the Mann-Kendall (Mann 1945 and Kendall 1975) and Sens’s slope (Sen 2012, Sen 2014 and Sen 2017) methods for trend analysis.
2.5.1 Mann-Kendall Test
The Mann-Kendall (MK) method was used to determine daily, monthly, seasonal and annual trends following the procedure as described by Gilbert (1987) and Hipel & McLeod (1994). The MK statistic is defined by Equation 1.
Equation 1
Where n denotes sample size, xj and xk are successive data where j > k; and
2
A positive S illustrates an increasing trend while a negative S indicates a decreasing trend. This research adopted a two-tailed test with a null hypothesis, at 10% significance level (Hamed et al. 1998), that there is a significant decreasing/increasing trend (Che Ros et al. 2016, Shree & Kumar 2018, Kocsis et al. 2019 and Ndebele et al. 2020).
2.5.2 Sen’s Slope
Sen’s slope method was used to determine change per unit time after the detection of trends using the MK method. The slope (Q) for N’ pairs of data is calculated as defined in Equation 3.
Equation 3
FIGURE 1: Study Area – South Africa.
Where:
TABLE 1: Summary of trend analysis results.
Increasing trends
Decreasing trends
Fluctuating trends
x’i and xi are series values for the period i’ and i, respectively, and i’>i
N’ is the number of data pairs for which i’ >i. The median of N’ values of Q arranged from the largest to the smallest is then taken as the slope of the detected trend (Lakhraj-Govender & Grab 2019 and Ndebele et al. 2020).
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1 Rainfall characteristics
After data quality and homogeneity analysis, 46 (Figure 1) out of 71 stations obtained from SAWS were found suitable for trend analysis. The MAP of all the sites selected for analysis was 564mm with high spatial variability as illustrated in Figure 1. 43.5% of the stations had a greater site MAP than what was obtained from all the sites combined. The central parts of South Africa had an MAP of 450mm while the eastern and western regions had an MAP of 450mm and ≤ 250mm, respectively. The MAP of all stations for the short-term periods (1900-1939, 1940-1979 & 1980-2019) was calculated to be 559mm, 556mm and 562mm, respectively.
3.2 Rainfall Trends
Trend analysis was done for the long-term (120 years) and short-term (40 years) periods at all the stations. The daily trends were statistically insignificant due to the large sample size affecting the noise-to-signal ratio and were not investigated any further. Monthly trends demonstrated significant trends in November, December and January in the Summer
and ‘All year’ rainfall regions. March, May, June, and September recorded decreasing trends in all three rainfall regions.
The results of seasonal and annual trends are summarised in Table 1.
3.3 Discussion
In performing the trend analysis, this research observed general fluctuations in short-term trends resulting in either small or insignificant long-term trends. The number of stations experiencing significant seasonal and annual trends varied in the short-term periods. The combined effect was shifting/changing short-term trends for the seasonal and annual rainfall. For example, during 1900-1939, the South Coast region had a fluctuating annual trend of between -5.32 and 3.75mm/year. In the succeeding period of 1940-1979, the same region had increasing annual trends of between 4.32 and 6.79mm/year. In the concluding period of 1980-2019, the region recorded no significant trend. A similar observation was noted for the Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring seasons.
Comparatively, fewer stations (20%) recorded significant long-term seasonal and annual trends. The observed long-term trends were also marginal compared to the short-term trends. For example, the South Coast region recorded a long-term annual fluctuating trend of between -1.02 and 0.89mm/ year, comparatively smaller than the short-term trends of between -5.3 and 6.79mm/year. Similarly, the South Western Cape, Southern Interior, Western Interior and Central Interior regions experience shifting annual (increasing/ decreasing/fluctuating) trends in the short-term periods with only marginal long-term trends. For the North Western Cape, KZN and North Eastern Interior
regions, shifting short-term annual trends result in long-term insignificant annual trends. The seasonal trend analysis was also observed to illustrate a similar picture for the short-term and long-term periods of analysis. Although researchers such as Kruger (2006) and Botai et al. (2018) observe insignificant long-term annual trends for South Africa, this research identified the presence of additional shifting short-term trends in the different climatic regions of South Africa.
The observations of this research corroborate with the already established consensus among researchers of a general global increase in rainfall variability, whereby a further focus on specific localities only highlights fluctuating shortterm trends with marginal long-term trends. For example, Suhaila et al. (2008) demonstrated fluctuating rainfall trends for Malaysia which is complemented by Amirabadizadeh et al. (2015) and Che Ros et al. (2016). In Iran, Modarres & Da Silva (2007) and Kousari & Zarch (2011) also observe fluctuating rainfall trends with increased extreme events. A similar picture is painted for Italy by Liuzzo et al. (2016) who observed fluctuating rainfall trends with extreme events causing floods.
In South Africa, Easterling et al. (2000) and Groisman et al. (2005) observed increased extreme events in the Eastern Cape and are complemented by Richard et al. (2001) and Rouault et al. (2003). Although New et al. (2000) used the constructed gridded climate research unit (CRU) datasets, they observed insignificant annual rainfall trends for South Africa. Kruger & Nxumalo (2017) further complement Donat et al. (2013) in observing a general increase in the frequency and intensity of rainfall in South Africa. Contrastingly, Du Plessis & Burger (2015) using seven gauge stations observed no evidence of a changing trend in the short-term (sub-daily) rainfall intensity of South Africa. Further, Du Plessis & Schloms (2017) observe changing rainfall patterns and cyclicity of dry and wet periods in the Western Cape Region. After the 2015-2017 Cape Town
drought, Seager et al. (2019) performed rainfall analysis for South Africa and observed a consistent but weak long-term drying signal while Gudmundsson et al. (2019) observed a strong signal for multidecadal rainfall variability. The output of this research highlights the presence of shifting short-term trends resulting in long-term marginal trends complementing the findings of researchers such as Seager et al. (2019) and Gudmundsson et al. (2019). Although climate change studies have demonstrated intensified climatic conditions, for example, Kibii & Du Plessis (2024) in complementing Du Plessis & Kalima (2021) observe a possible future decrease in streamflow of more than 18% in the Western Cape region of South Africa, this research utilising 120 years of data (though may be considered a short period in light of climate change) observed only marginal (0.6 to 1.0mm/year) long-term changes in annual rainfall. If the past should inform the future, the observed marginal long-term trends hardly support the projected climate change rainfall at this stage.
4.
CONCLUSIONS
This research was done to investigate observable rainfall trends in South Africa for the past 120 years and to also make an informed contribution to the ongoing topical debate of climate change. After successfully analysing the long-term and short-term trends for South Africa, this research made the following conclusions;
1. The climatic zones of the summer rainfall region (KZN, Southern, Western, Central and North-Eastern Interior regions) experience shifting trends in the short-term periods with marginal increases in the long-term period of analysis.
2. The North and South Western Cape climatic zones of the Winter rainfall region had mostly decreasing short-term trends. However, only the
FIGURE 2: Long-term trends of MAP for South Africa.
NB: Figure 2 was developed from Table 1 and should be read in conjunction for a better understanding of the fluctuating rainfall trends in South Africa.
South Western Cape recorded an insignificant annual long-term increasing trend.
3. The South Coast experiencing an ‘All year’ rainfall had fluctuating short-term trends with mixed signals in the long-term analysis. Generally, the rainfall trends for South Africa demonstrated more pronounced trends in the short-term periods with marginal increases in the long-term periods of analysis. In conclusion, this research observed a marginal (0.6 - 1.0mm/year) long-term increase in annual rainfall for South Africa.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS
Having observed marginal long-term changes over a period of 120 years in South African rainfall, this research recommends the use of observed rainfall data and the trends as illustrated in Figure 2 to guide the application of projected climate change rainfall. Design and management decisions based on long-term rainfall projections should be adequately informed in consideration of observable long-term trends.
6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors acknowledge SAWS for providing data for this research.
7. REFERENCES
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12
DOES DEFERRED OWNERSHIP BRIDGE THE GAP?
Petrus Arnoldus Blaauw
ABSTRACT
GAP Housing represent households earning within the First Home Finance brackets of R3 500 to R22 000 (Refer to Annexure P of the National Housing Project (NHP), Finance-linked Individual Subsidy Programme) monthly combined income. The unfortunate truth for this market segment is that a lack of discretionary income and poor credit record prevent the majority of families from getting a bond. Cape Agulhas Municipality requested their Implementing Agent to propose an alternative strategy that will enable a greater number of families to get access to GAP Housing as part of a larger development catering for BNG as well as GAP housing opportunities.
A proposal under the heading of ‘Deferred Ownership’ was submitted in 2018 to the Department of Human Settlements/Infrastructure (Department) for consideration. It was requested in 2018 that the Department considers a pilot project at Area F in Bredasdorp. Funding is provided by the Department to construct housing opportunities which will be offered to prospective purchasers to sign an option to buy the property, rent the property for 5 years and when the rental period is complete buy the property at the initial offered price.
Funding from the Department de-risks the capital investment for the developer, the 5-year period of rental is used to get the purchaser financially fit to get a bond at the end of the period and inflation adjusted income over the period assists the purchaser to afford the bond and associated downpayments. Community rental does not cater for income above R3 500 and social housing is not feasible in all areas. The Department agreed to the pilot and provided R10 million seed funding.
The project proposal was refined ensuring that rental payments are proxied on bond re-payment amounts, a proxy amount for utilities, the purchaser builds a deposit as incentive and the time value of money is accommodated over a 3-year period. The property remains a municipal asset until transfer to the purchaser, however the purchaser assumes full responsibility for the house’s upkeep during the rental phase similar to a normal rental agreement. The pilot proceeded in 2022 and 26 housing opportunities are now occupied on the basis of Deferred Ownership. Though the project is still ongoing the paper will outline the approach, assess the outcomes to date, critically evaluate the success and explore alternatives.
1. INTRODUCTION
Cape Agulhas Municipality was preparing to implement a large housing development consisting of 676 opportunities in Area F Bredasdorp. Bredasdorp is the biggest town in the Municipality housing amongst other the Municipal offices and several large business concerns. During the planning phase of the project the Municipality was confronted with the challenge to include provision for the First Home Finance (originally known as FLISP) income bracket rather than fully subsidised housing only. Due to the substantial demand database for housing in the Municipality the vast majority of units were used for fully subsidised housing and 106 erven were set aside for GAP and affordable. The Municipality wanted to help people earning from R3500 upward on the GAP and Affordable erven.
This objective is not unique as many Municipalities are desirous to create housing opportunities to people earning above the R3 500 a month income bracket. The planning process in these Municipalities are similar with the fully subsidised share of units being the catalyst for the project and the GAP and Affordable erven being dispersed strategically on the peripheral.
GAP and Affordable housing are broad references generally associated with housing provided to first time home purchasers and more specifically, due to the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy (now First Home Finance) band, is associated with an income category from R3 500 per month to R22 000 per month. The cost associated with the provision of GAP and Affordable housing to this income band is important but not the only determinant due to the fact that people at the lower spectrum generally do not earn sufficiently to be considered for a bond and people across the entire income bracket struggle with creditworthiness.
Cape Agulhas Municipality was determined to use the erven earmarked for GAP and Affordable housing in the Area F development as a ‘sandbox’ to test product types in an effort to ensure greater access to prospective purchasers falling in the First Home Finance income band. The Municipality employed, as part of their housing delivery strategy, an Implementing Agent and tasked the Implementing Agent (IA) to propose strategies for implementation.
The first consideration was called “Deferred Ownership”. This strategy was proposed with the primary objective to assist people to access bond finance and secondary to test how comprehensive the income bracket (R3 500R22 000) can be assisted.
2. THE DEFERRED OWNERSHIP PROPOSAL
Initial engagement with the Department was positive and confirmed their willingness to receive a proposal for a pilot even if the approach may not be supported by existing policies. Housing policy permits ownership for fully subsidised products (up to R3 500 monthly income) a sliding-scale of assistance to home purchasers under the Finance Linked subsidies, rental options within social housing (up to R15 000 monthly income) and community rental (up to R3 500 monthly income).
Assisting beneficiaries in the income bracket above R3 500 per month with a ‘rent to own’ option does not exist. Social Housing is not an option since ownership is not a possibility through Social Housing. GAP and affordable housing provide ownership, however the cost of the housing product and access to finance was a challenge. It was clear that a new concept had to be packaged and submitted to the Department for their approval.
The concept presented to the Department in 2018 combined elements of an existing rent to own concept and relied on a de-risked approach with the Department injecting the funding required to build housing stock. Essentially it was a public private partnership whereby the Municipality provides the land, the Implementing Agent (Private Sector) develops the units based on commercial principles and Provincial Government provides bridge funding.
The Implementing Agent was appointed by the Municipality on a turnkey basis for a number of Human Settlement projects, hence the basis for partnership already existed and did not require a new procurement process nor did it take the form of an unsolicited bid. The Implementing Agent packaged the proposal on behalf of its client, the Municipality, and the
funding made available by the Provincial Department was per agreement between the two spheres of Government. There was no direct contractual relationship between the IA and the Provincial Government proposed.
To address the challenge experienced by many prospective purchasers pertaining to bond qualification, at the time of purchase, it was proposed that the sale price of a property is fixed for a period of 5 years, during which period the purchaser will be occupying the property, pay rent and receive financial mentorship with the ultimate objective to purchase the property, at the original price. The fact that the sale price remains unchanged, the purchasers receive the benefit of inflationary adjustments in remuneration over the rental period, whilst receiving financial guidance, and the property price escalates meant that much better fundamentals are in place to assist with bond approval at the end of the rent to own period, hence the term ‘Deferred Ownership’.
The concept was dependant on Provincial Government making available capital to build the housing units after a successful sale and prior to occupation. This was in the form of bridge funding, at zero interest, as the intent is that once the house is sold, either through a direct sale or through Deferred Ownership, the funds flow back to the initial capital pool. If the upfront capital was a commercial loan whereby the developer builds the houses albeit for a direct sale or deferred ownership, the interest cost and risk would be priced into the product which would create a far less favourable environment for bond qualification.
Until such time that the transfer of a unit takes place, and since the house was built on Municipal land, the Municipality will be the landlord. Since there was little success with Community Rental programmes where the Municipality is the landlord, it was expected that there would be reservation about a renewed role for the Municipality as landlord in Deferred Ownership.
There are distinct differences between a pure rental model and a rent to own model:
1. The tenant is participating in a programme whereby the successful completion of the program will yield home ownership in a rent to own model.
2. The tenant stays in his/her future home.
3. Rental collection and financial fitness are managed by private sector. Both the Municipality and the Department was willing to test the concept and monitor potential defaults during the rental period preceding ownership. The Department requested that the 5-year rental period be reduced to 3 years but other than that provided the in-principal support for the proposal and requested that implementation commences as soon as possible.
Figure 1 provides a picture of the fund flow in the concept. The Department provides funding to create the infrastructure through the Integrated Residential Development Program. The funds must be recovered from the sale of the property and go into the SOA, Special Operating Account (SOA) of the Municipality once recovered. With the erven created the Department provides funding for the houses through the Asset Finance Reserve (AFR), a fund created by the Western Cape Department with the aim to assist with the roll-out of affordable housing. The intent here is also that the funds must be returned, since the AFR is not a grant.
3. REFINEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
Following the approval of the concept by the Department, the IA met with the Department to refine the concept for presentation and acceptance by the Municipality. It is worthwhile to note that the IA onboarded a transferring attorney that has several years’ experience with the rent-toown concept, albeit in a different market segment.
FIGURE 1: Fund flows
The following was agreed by the team:
1. The project is not limited to Deferred Ownership. It is an affordable housing project with the objective to sell houses to first time homeowners. The combined income of these new homeowners may exceed the upper bracket of the FHF but purchasers in the FHF income category will be assisted through the FHF subsidy. Deferred Ownership will augment this objective by providing purchasers a softer entry into the market.
2. The prospective purchaser that participates will be screened in a similar manner that banks screen prospective purchasers, evaluating their credit history and discretionary income. Purchasers that qualify outright for a bond (green) will be candidates for a straight sale, purchasers that do not qualify for a bond due to a technical reason, but their current circumstance indicate that they will be able to afford the monthly rental (orange) will be considered for participation in Deferred Ownership. Prospective purchasers that, amongst other, do not have sufficient discretionary income to afford the monthly rental (red) will not be able to participate.
3. Monthly rental will be determined on the basis of the product cost and prevailing interest rate at the time of signing the option agreement. This is to instil financial discipline during the rental period.
4. The rental period will be three years.
5. The rental will include provision for the following:
a. A levy amount for rates and taxes. It remains a Municipal property over the rental period, so there is no rates and taxes, however the amount will be made available to the Municipality to fund insurance on the building.
b. A levy amount to fund the financial mentor. The mentor connects with the purchaser on a monthly basis and monitors the financial health of the purchaser working towards the objective of qualifying for a bond at the end of the rental period.
c. The monthly rental is split in half, with one half flowing back to the capital pool to address the time value of money and the other half to accumulate against the name of the purchaser for several purposes:
i. The benefit of the purchaser as a deposit on the property if the rental period is concluded successfully and the purchaser qualifies for the bond.
ii. Assistance should the purchaser experience short term difficulty with rental affordability.
iii. Funding the legal process to evict the purchaser should it be required.
6. The full contribution including rental, utility payment and financial fitness is payable with commencement of occupation.
7. The funds to be paid to the Municipality, including the rates and taxes amount and the accommodation for the time value of money accumulates in the trust account of the transferring attorney until such time that the Municipality has set up the appropriate accounts.
8. The transferring attorney will open an account in the name of each purchaser to accumulate the funds that may be used towards a deposit, financial assistance or legal costs. Authority for this account remains with the transferring attorney during the rental term.
9. The product cost was based on the following:
a. The pilot must be commercially viable to ensure a broader future application of the concept.
b. Two typology plans were proposed, a 43m2 two-bedroom unit and a 55m2 three-bedroom unit. The units have an affordable housing specification, built with 140mm concrete blocks and concrete panel walling at the back and on the sides.
c. To mitigate costs no allowance was made for land cost, service connection fees, plan approval fees and interest.
10. The purchaser will be able to apply for FHF after the rental term is concluded, if the purchaser complies with all requirements at the time. The concept unit-types were costed and presented to the Municipal Council. This was done to get Municipal approval for concessions including waiving water, sewer and electrical connection fees as well as plan approval fees. The cost of electrical reticulation was incurred by the Municipality as part of the larger project and there was no recovery of electrical reticulation from the sales required. The land price was zero, though the costing of the units made provision to recover the subsidy made available to service the site as required by Human Settlements policy.
The benefit to the purchaser was explained as per Diagram B. The purchaser will develop the financial discipline over the 3-year period, have
FIGURE 2: Benefits of Deferred Ownership through Rent to Own to Beneficiary
the benefit of accumulating a deposit and the house price will remain the same over the period. The Municipality agreed to the proposed concessions, accepted the proposed typologies and confirmed support for the pilot.
Project implementation commenced and the following provides an overview:
1. The Department transferred R10 million to the Municipality.
2. A sod turning was held on 21 June 2022 and sales commenced with a 43m2 two-bedroom units (R467 600) and a 55m2 three-bedroom unit (R590 950).
3. A 2-bedroom 43m2 showhouse was built and opened on 9 September 2022.
4. The first top structure phase commenced 24 October 2022.
5. Houses sold through Deferred Ownership were handed over from June 2023.
a. Phase 1a, 14 houses, phase 1b, 2 houses.
b. Phase 2a, 4 houses, commenced January 2024 with handover in April 2024
c. Phase 2b, 6 houses, handover scheduled for July 2024.
6. A total of 39 units (including the showhouse) is part of the pilot of which 26 are Deferred Ownership units (14 two bedroom and 12 three bedroom).
7. Prices of the units were adjusted on a six-monthly basis to accommodate for building inflation.
8. The pilot closed for new sales/deferred ownership offerings in March 2024.
9. Upon completion the Department would have transferred a total of R25 million of which R18 million will be spent on the project of 39 houses.
Herewith facts regarding the status quo of the project up to June 2024 (also see Graph 1):
1. Twenty units are occupied (red and green bars, Graph 1). Fourteen units for at least 11 months, two units for at least 6 months and four units for at least two months. Six units (orange bars, Graph 1) are committed and will be handed over August 2024.
2. The average (combined monthly) income of participants is R24 594, the median is R22 815. The lowest income is R10 620 and the highest income is R40 464.
3. There are 12 participants in total that fall within the FHF income bracket up to R22 000 (combined income per month).
4. The average total monthly payment (rent plus rates and financial fitness) expressed as a percentage of gross income across the 26 participants is 25%, the highest percentage is 41% and the lowest 10%.
5. There are four participants (red bars, Graph 1) who did not pay full rent over the period and for which an arrangement had to be made.
4. CONCLUSIONS
To assess the success of the pilot project one has to delve deeper into the data at the hand of certain project objectives.
1. Did the public private joint effort yield a more affordable product: The Municipal concessions pertaining to connection fees, plan approval fees and electricity reticulation as well as the Departments upfront contribution made the product more affordable. There would have been a potential additional cost of 15% after VAT on the selling rate (R539 000 instead of R467 000 in 2022) if the aforementioned concessions and contributions were not made. This does not take zero cost for land into consideration since it is assumed that a project of this nature will be executed on public land approved by Council for the intended purpose. Should this not be the case land cost will further exacerbate the product cost.
A key element of the pilot was that the project must be replicable elsewhere therefore based on economic principles that can be applied by other Municipalities with different service providers. It is unlikely though to assume that all Municipalities will be in a position to contribute to the electrical reticulation and therefore this cost will be recovered from the end user.
It is clear though that the joint effort led to a lower product cost through concessions and de-risking of the project. Despite the various concessions and de-risking, a conventional product offering remains too expensive.
FIGURE 3: Project Data
Though a price of R467 600 could be achieved, and even if that price was R400 000, people with a gross income between R3 500 and R10 000 cannot access such housing. Serious consideration must be given to the notion of incremental housing as an enabler since the only way to reduce cost is to provide less but still sufficient to address aspiration.
2. Was it possible to assist people that would otherwise not have qualified for a bond?
To answer this question a particular case study of one of the participants will be used. Unit 1 on Graph 1 reflects a green bar, hence up to date payment of rent of R3 513 per month as well as R650 (R500 rates and R150 financial fitness) over an 11-month rental period (up to June 2024).
Over the 11 months, Unit 1 has accumulated R19 322 towards a deposit.
The product cost of R467 600 at a 100% bond and interest rate of 9% (at the time) would require a repayment of R4 200 per month, at 40% of gross income. Subsequent interest rate increases up to 11.75% would have made it difficult for this purchaser to maintain affordability and convince a bank of that fact.
An assessment of the purchaser’s bank account, outstanding debts and discretionary income showed that the purchaser is a candidate for Deferred Ownership. The total monthly repayment would be set at 39% of gross income, however the purchaser will be cushioned against interest rate increases since the rental will not be adjusted in line with future interest rate increases.
The likely scenario will be the following in three years for the purchaser in terms of the Deferred Ownership approach:
• Income (of R10 620) with three years inflationary adjustment: R12 648
• First Home Finance at the time: R104 071 (current FHF schedule)
• Deposit saver over three years: R 63 234
• The purchase price in three years R467 600
• The amount for which a bond will be required: R299 695 (R467 600 minus R63 234 and minus R104 071)
• At 11.75 interest the repayment will be R3 274 (26% of gross income). In the example it is clear to note a much more favourable set of circumstances that will assist the participant to navigate the transition into homeownership than what would have been the case if the participant wanted to purchase upfront through a bond.
The combined effect of lower product price and the impact of the Deferred Ownership approach using rent to own principles over three years, the availability of First Home Finance and the accumulation of a deposit over the period creates an environment substantially more conducive to precipitate home ownership.
There is a caveat to this example and that is the requirement of sufficient discretionary income upfront to confirm affordability of the rental commitment. Even though someone with an income as low as R10 620 could be assisted, Deferred Ownership would face the same challenges related to lack of discretionary income.
The concept is therefore not a panacea that will solve the problem of home ownership to a broad spectrum of applicants that do not qualify for a bond. There was a 46% hit rate with 26 out of 56 serious applicants that qualified for the pilot. It is therefore based on the same fundamentals as a bond application; however, it creates room for a slightly more lenient approach, and it presents a set of circumstances that allows the purchaser to navigate the risks associated with purchasing a new house much better.
3. Did the pilot make it possible for people in the FHF bracket to be assisted?
The pilot consists of 26 units and 12 of these units have purchasers with a combined income of R22 000 or less. The pilot therefore created opportunity for people in the FHF income bracket, but it failed to reach people between R3 500 and R10 000. (Refer to the Banking Association South Africa, Financial Sector Code (SFC) Affordable Housing Standards, 2023).
It stands to reason though that the upper limit of R22 000 is outdated as the Financial Services Charter publication by the Banking Association of South Africa sets the benchmark for affordable housing at an inflation adjusted income of R29 600 per month for 2023. This is a more accurate reflection and in this bracket the pilot achieved 17 out of the 26 participants (65%).
4. Is there a major risk of payment default, creating a liability for the Municipality?
The possibility of default and the potential liability it creates for the Municipality is a fair concern that must be evaluated as part of the pilot. Out of the 20 units occupied, there are 4 flagged cases:
• Unit 5 (Graph 1) has been renting for 11 months and paid half of the rent for three months. Unit 5 has built up a deposit of R14 052 over the period and the part of rent not paid has reduced the accumulated deposit, but there has been no default on the part of the rent that go towards rates and taxes (proxy amount to Municipality), financial fitness (R150) and the contribution towards the time value of money (R1 756.5 per month).
• Unit 14 (Graph 1) rented for 2 months and did not pay the second month. There is no accumulation of a deposit saver. The client will pay the outstanding amount over three months and normal payment from 1 July. This will be monitored.
• Unit 15 (Graph 1) presents a recurring payment issue over the 11-month rental period and after all commitments excluding the deposit contribution, only accumulated R2 446 towards a deposit. This is a potentially problematic scenario.
• Unit 19 (Graph 1) paid short in one month and do not pay for the financial fitness (R150). The unit has accumulated R24 420 as a deposit contribution, so there are sufficient funds accumulated to recover short payments.
The argument for lower default is that a purchaser is renting towards owning their own house and builds a deposit from rent paid. The accumulated funds are used to mitigate certain risks and act as incentive since it will be used as a deposit towards the house, once the purchaser completed the three years as originally committed. Except for one purchaser all occupied units have accumulated funds towards a deposit. Two out of twenty occupied units are flagged as a potential risk. It seems therefore at this point that the risk of default is being managed.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS
In the pilot 54% of benefactors were above the First Home Finance upper bracket of R22 000. This is most likely symptomatic of the fact that the upper value of this bracket has not changed for some years and therefore due to inflation more and more people fall outside the upper limit. The First Home Finance income band cannot be based on idealistic parameters that is divorced from reality.
Municipalities should not view the First Home Finance income bracket as the only parameter that determines if someone should be assisted with home ownership. Many people with a combined income above R22 000 per month would like to access home ownership for the first time and therefore benefits provided by the Municipality should not be limited to R22 000.
The initial objective to help people that earn between R3 500 and R22 000 was not achieved through Deferred Ownership. Not a single beneficiary that participated earned a combined income less than R10 000 per month.
People earning between R3 500 and R10 000 is the true GAP and alternative thinking which includes unsecured lending in an incremental manner is required to reach deep enough down the income band.
Deferred ownership works where the product is bondable. To have greater impact lower down the income bracket, above R10 000, a combination of the Deferred Ownership approach in tandem with incremental housing products that test the boundaries of what banks will bond, may be the only way to address the affordability challenge.
Even though the replicability of the project was flagged, the project was executed in a manner that may not be feasible to other Municipalities. The concessions made by Cape Agulhas in an effort to achieve their desired outcome may not be acceptable to other Municipalities, which will have a direct impact on product cost. Municipalities must consider the concessions and possibly the introduction of a two-step approach whereby the costs will not be subsidised above a particular income threshold, but the benefits of the programme at large should apply.
This is a rental scheme that can work but it is essential that the management of the rental is done by private sector. Prevent political interference. It is a rental programme with a particular goal, namely homeownership and the programme must be managed to achieve this outcome, however people that do not honour their commitment and remain in default must be removed from the programme.
The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure took the bold step to commit funding to the pilot, thereby galvanising a joint effort by private and public sector. There must be serious consideration to develop proper policy in this regard as it propagates the role of Government as catalyst rather than the provider of housing in last resort.
Deferred Ownership effectively draws in public and private sector and combines variables i.e. the cost of the product, the discretionary income of the purchaser, the prevailing interest rate and arrange it favourably using rent to own principles and inflationary movement over three years to create an outcome whereby the purchaser can transition into ownership. The current variables are not yet a ‘bridge over the GAP’, but it is a promising concept.
2. The Banking Association South Africa, Financial Sector Code (SFC) Affordable Housing Standards
13
REVOLUTION ON ROUTE 319 (MR261): UNCONVENTIONAL METHODS PAVE THE WAY FOR FLOOD SAFETY
Mike Wiese
Royal HaskoningDHV (Pty) Ltd
ABSTRACT
South Africa has faced significant challenges in recent years owing to devastating floods, impacting both communities and infrastructure. During these events, emergency responses have been strained, leaving communities isolated. One such community resides in the globally renowned tourist destination of Struisbaai and L’Agulhas at the most southern tip of Africa, which has been particularly severely affected. The Regional Route 319 (R319), also known as Main Road 261 (MR261) connecting Bredasdorp to L’Agulhas, has consistently faced flood-related issues. Not only is the road prone to flooding during extreme storm events, but the long periods of inundation and slow subsiding of flood waters exacerbates the impacts of flooding. In the context of road upgrades, an unconventional and revolutionary approach to drainage design and flood immunity of the road infrastructure was adopted. The assessment employed a holistic two-dimensional modelling framework of the approximately 340 square kilometre area, extending beyond the typical scope for road upgrade projects. It considered not only the topographically flat network of braided watercourses and environmentally sensitive wetlands, but also the steeper mountainous areas within the Heuningnes River catchment. The innovative rain-on-grid hydrological modelling approach enhanced our understanding of the intricate responses of various catchment segments to rainfall events, and the consequential flooding of the area. The flood study served multiple purposes. Firstly, it provided insights into the existing flood risk and levels associated with the R319. Secondly, mitigation strategies, such as the raising of the road levels, increasing cross drainage capacity and proposed canals, were explored to reduce this risk, ensuring the safety of surrounding communities during extreme weather events. Additionally, the impact of these mitigation interventions on environmentally sensitive areas were explored, emphasising sustainable practices. Importantly, the findings of the study justified deviations from standard guidelines, aligning the project with the specific site, community needs, and environmental considerations. This groundbreaking approach not only enhances road resilience but also sets a precedent for future infrastructure projects. By integrating unconventional hydrological and hydraulic modelling techniques, and considering the broader context, we can revolutionise flood risk management and create more resilient road networks.
INTRODUCTION
South Africa grapples with the growing challenge of severe flooding events that devastate communities and cripple infrastructure. Traditional flood risk management approaches in South Africa have often focused on localised solutions, failing to account for the complex interplay between geography, extreme weather events, and infrastructure vulnerability. Recent extreme weather events underscore the need for a more comprehensive flood risk
management approach when designing for infrastructure.
This paper presents a case study – the upgrade project of Main Road 261 (MR261), also known as Regional Route 319 (R319), a vital 37,5km transportation artery connecting Bredasdorp to the southernmost tip of Africa and encompassing the popular tourist destination of Struisbaai and L’Agulhas, illustrated in Figure 1. During this study, an innovative approach that prioritises both flood resilience and sustainable solutions is implemented. The road has consistently faced flooding issues in recent years, jeopardising not only emergency response and disaster management capabilities, but also isolating communities during flood events for prolonged periods of time.
The study conducted for the upgrading of the MR261 developed an understanding of the hydrological setting and flood regime associated with the braided river systems and wetlands located in the L’Agulhas Plain, as shown in Figures 2, in order to optimise the drainage design. Recognising the limitations of standard practices, the project adopted a comprehensive approach that included utilising advanced hydrological and hydraulic modelling techniques based on the extensive datasets outlined in the IMESA Best Practice Guideline for Design Flood Estimation in Municipal Areas in South Africa (Brooker et al., 2023).
The investment by the Western Cape Government Department of Infrastructure to conduct a flood level assessment of this extent is unconventional, but this approach improved the sustainability of the drainage design and quantified the impact of mitigation interventions on
FIGURE 1: Locality plan
the surrounding flood levels, public safety, potential damage to property and the impact to the sensitive environment.
HYDROLOGICAL SETTING
The upgrading of MR261 encountered a complex hydrological setting due to its location within the low-lying and topographically flat L’Agulhas Plain. This vast area is characterised by a network of braided rivers and extensive wetlands that receive drainage from four primary catchments: the Droë, Poort, Kars, and Nuwejaars Rivers, delineated in Figure 3. The total area draining into these wetlands is approximately 1 640km², with the potential to significantly impact floodwaters affecting the MR261, especially between kilometre marker (KM) 4 and KM 18. These catchments play a significant role in contributing floodwaters to the L’Agulhas Plain, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. The catchments are predominantly covered by commercial rain-fed crops and natural low fynbos shrubs, as identified by the South African National Land Cover data 2020 (SANLC20 data). The Droë River catchment also encompasses the town of Bredasdorp. Notably, the Nuwejaars and Poort River catchments include the Nuwejaars River Special Management Area (SMA). Over the past fifteen years, clearing efforts have removed invasive alien vegetation from the Nuwejaars Wetlands SMA. While the removal of alien vegetation may benefit biodiversity restoration in critically endangered biomes and wetlands, it could also impact the
stormflow potential of the catchment by altering factors such as vegetation interception, roughness, and infiltration characteristics. This, in turn, could influence flood immunity for downstream infrastructure like the MR261. During recent extreme flooding events, water depths of between 300 and 500mm were recorded along the MR261 according to Overberg District Municipality. Furthermore, floodwater would subside very slowly, typically over several days, exacerbating the impact and consequences of these flood events.
TRADITIONAL HYDRAULIC ANALYSIS CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS
Given the complex hydrological setting of the L’Agulhas Plain, traditional hydraulic analysis approaches presented some limitations for the MR261 upgrade project. These approaches often rely on limited-scope assessments based on standardised design guidelines. A design return period would typically be determined for each structure, based on the road functional classification and the magnitude of the 1 in 20-year peak runoff rate at that specific drainage structure, as illustrated in Figure 4. In the case of the MR261, the traditional standard design approach may not adequately address the complexities of specific landscapes, and climatic and catchment conditions, potentially oversimplifying the design approach and underestimating peak runoff rates at structures, leading to associated localised flooding.
For the upgrading of MR261, traditional approaches could have overlooked crucial factors such as the flat topography and complex drainage network. The L’Agulhas Plain features a flat terrain with a network of braided watercourses and environmentally sensitive wetlands. Standard drainage designs might not be suitable for such intricate hydrological systems. For instance, inadequate consideration to the design of cross drainage structures could inadvertently starve the wetlands from their natural water sources, negatively impacting sensitive wetland ecosystems. Similarly, it could result in an increase in flood levels, resulting in flooding of properties in the area, which pose a safety risk.
A significant limitation of traditional approaches is their focus on isolated drainage structures. Typically, the design is done for individual culverts or bridges based on localised peak flow rates. In the case of the MR261 upgrade project, this approach would have failed to account for the cumulative impact of multiple drainage structures on the overall flow regime across the flat L’Agulhas Plain. Excess flow draining from one culvert to the next, with limited consideration for the entire system, could have resulted in unintended consequences such as increased water levels at specific locations or even localised flooding.
FIGURE 2: Aerial view of flooding along the MR261
FIGURE 3: Catchment delineation
FIGURE 4: Design flood frequency estimate (SANRAL, 2013)
To address these limitations, a more comprehensive system-wide analysis was required for the MR261 upgrade project. This approach considers the entire drainage network as a holistic system, enabling the design of drainage structures that function effectively within the broader hydrological context of the L’Agulhas Plain. By moving away from isolated assessments and toward a system-wide perspective, this approach ensures that the cumulative impacts of the drainage infrastructure are considered, minimising negative environmental consequences and optimising floodwater management for the entire region.
It was recommended that MR261 be adopted as a Class 2 in terms of flood risk, considering the consequences of flooding of the road. Additionally, the highest return period presented in Figure 4 for a Class 2 road be adopted for the road drainage design.
HYDROLOGICAL AND HYDRAULIC ANALYSIS APPROACH
In order to assess the complex drainage system of the L’Agulhas Plain for the MR261 upgrade project, a hydrological and hydraulic modelling approach was adopted. This type of modelling provides a representation of reality to understand of how the drainage system functions and how changes to the system might impact floodwaters.
Traditionally, a catchment averaged approach, also known as a ‘lumped’ model, is used for design flood estimation. This approach treats the entire catchment as a single unit, as illustrated in Figure 5. Distributed approaches, enabled by increased computing power, subdivide catchments into smaller areas and simulate flow routing between these catchments. The distributed modelling structures provides a more realistic representation of the catchment parameters, but can become computationally expensive for very large areas. Distributed models can further be sub-divided into two types: semi-distributed models which use delineated sub-catchments, and fullydistributed models which employ a grid or mesh-based approach.
The four catchments draining towards the L’Agulhas Plain are well-defined with minimal variation in characteristics. Applying a lumped modelling approach for design flood estimation was deemed sufficient for these upstream areas. However, the flat topography of the L’Agulhas Plain itself presented a challenge for catchment delineation. To address this, a twodimensional (2D) hydraulic modelling approach was employed for the hydraulic analysis of the L’Agulhas Plain using the United Sates Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Hydraulic Engineering Centre River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) (version 6.5), alongside the lumped modelling of the upstream catchments. The 2D hydraulic modelling approach is based on a depth averaged computational solution, which is better represents the depth, velocity and momentum distribution across a floodplain. Furthermore, the section of the catchments within the L’Agulhas Plain was simulated as part of the hydraulic model using an advanced hydrological and hydraulic modelling approach known as “Rain-on-Grid.”
RAIN-ON-GRID MODELLING
Traditionally, flood assessment involved separate stages for design flood estimation and hydraulic analysis of flow through the drainage system. Recent advances in computational capabilities have led to the development of Rain-on-Grid, or direct rainfall, modelling. This approach simulates rainfall directly onto a 2D modelling domain, as illustrated in Figure 6, eliminating the need for separate hydrological and hydraulic modelling stages. Rainon-Grid modelling, with its distributed spatial structure, has become widely adopted and is now included in many mainstream 2D modelling software packages (Zeiger and Hubbart, 2021; David and Schmalz, 2020; Broich et al., 2019).
One advantage of Rain-on-Grid modelling is the ability to incorporate more complex loss models compared to the simpler assumptions often used in lumped modelling approaches (Caddis et al., 2008). However, several cautions are important to consider when using this method:
• Parameter Transfer: Care is needed when transferring model parameters developed for either lumped hydrological models or even hydraulic modelling parameters to a distributed Rain-on-Grid approach. This transfer requires caution, and research is ongoing to determine appropriate surface roughness coefficients for various land covers within a Rain-on-Grid modelling framework (Caddis et al., 2008). For the MR261 model, rainfall losses were simulated using a Curve Number approach. These has been significant research into the development of the Curve Number approach in South Africa, as part of the South African Soil Conservation Services (SCS-SA) method, which was correlated with the SANLC20 dataset and the SCS-SA hydrological soil groups (Schütte et al., 2023) for the purpose of the MR261 model.
• Model Sensitivity: Studies by Clark (2008) highlight the sensitivity of 2D Rain-on-Grid models to parameters such as roughness coefficients, grid cell size, and timestep. Further testing is recommended on gauged catchments with observed data to gain a better understanding of parameter interactions.
• Calibration and Verification: Hall (2015) emphasises the importance of proper guidance and quality assurance when using Rain-on-Grid modelling. Without these measures, the results can be inaccurate.
FIGURE 6: Schematic representation of modelling approach (Li et al., 2019)
FIGURE 5: Spatial representation of physical processes in hydrological models (Ball et al., 2019)
In the MR261 project, since limited recorded data was available within the simulated area for calibrating and verifying the Rain-on-Grid model results, the Droë River catchment was included in the modelling extent. The Rainon-Grid simulated results for the Droë River catchment were compared to established hydrological methods for South Africa, encompassing various deterministic and empirical methods for different return periods, in order to increase the confidence in the results emanating from the modelling approach.
HYDROLOGICAL MODELLING RESULTS
The hydrological model included Rain-on-Grid modelling of the Droë River catchment, which was used to increase the confidence in the results for the L’Agulhas Plain. A variety of established hydrological methods were also employed, including the Rational Method Alternative 3 (RM3), South African Soil Conservation Services (SCS-SA), Synthetic Unit Hydrograph (SUH), Standard Design Flood (SDF), SDF method with adjustment factors (Van Bladeren, 2005) (Adj. SDF)), Midgley and Pitman (MIPI), Hydrological Research Unit 1/71 (HRU 1/71) and the Catchment Parameter (CAPA) methods. The results from the Rain-on-Grid modelling are compared to these established methods in Figure 7.
7: Rain-on-Grid results comparison to lumped methods for the Droë River catchment
From Figure 7, it can be concluded that the Rain-on-Grid modelling results correlated well with established deterministic hydrological methods, with good agreement observed for the SCS-SA and RM3 methods. These methods are based on catchment-specific parameters and tend to provide more accurate results typically for smaller catchments. For the lower return period event, the Rain-on-Grid model results were slightly lower than these two methods, likely attributed to the detailed modelling of flow routing through the catchment and a more accurate representation of the attenuation associated with the flatter topography near the L’Agulhas Plain. For the larger return periods, the model results were similar to the SCS-SA and SUH results. The catchment area for the Droë River is approximately 76km², which does exceed the catchment size application guidelines for the SCS-SA and RM3 methods. However, these methods have been used for catchments exceeding the recommended maximum area, with the SANRAL Drainage Manual (6th edition) stating that the size limitation depends on the method of calculating rainfall intensity, and Gericke and Du Plessis (2013) referring to an aerial limitation for the SCS-SA method of less than 80km². The confidence in these results is also supported by the results from the SUH method, which is based on regionalised catchment parameters, but provides similar results to the Rain-on-Grid model and the SCS-SA methods.
Van Bladeren’s (2005) analysis of Region 18 for the SDF method was based on catchments not part of the L’Agulhas Plain catchment area. Additionally, the catchment characteristics used to develop the SDF and Adj. SDF parameters are likely significantly different due to the flat topography of the L’Agulhas Plain.
Results from the empirical methods are typically used for comparative purposes and not design purposes. The results from the MIPI method were the highest of all the methods. However, this method is typically used for return periods less than 100-years and has an aerial limitation of a minimum of 100km², although it could be applied with caution to smaller catchments. The results from the CAPA and HRU 1/71 methods were similar to that of the RM3 and SCS-SA methods, and correlated generally well with the Rain-onGrid model results.
The application of the Rain-on-Grid model and associated modelling parameters were considered adequate for the flood level assessment and simulating rainfall onto the L’Agulhas Plain. Furthermore, considering the flat topography of the Droë River and associated complex hydraulic conditions where the Droë River discharge into the L’Agulhas Plain, is was recommended that the Rain-on-Grid model also be used for design flood estimation of the Droë River catchment. For the remaining catchments, i.e. the Poort, Kars, and Nuwejaars River catchments, the SCS-SA method and the SUH method were selected based on catchment size and applicability. The peak runoff rates for various return periods are presented in Table 53.
TABLE 1: Summary of the hydrological assessment results
HYDRAULIC MODELLING RESULTS
The hydraulic model was used to gain a better understanding of the interaction between the runoff hydrographs from the various catchments. By gaining an understanding into the runoff dynamics and flow regime through the L’Agulhas Plain, impacts of the proposed mitigation strategies could be quantified. The models developed were divided into:
• Baseline models: Model representing the existing flood regime and to quantify the existing flooding impacts for different return periods.
• Mitigation models: Various models representing different mitigation measures, to quantify the change in flood properties and impacts of the interventions.
From the baseline model results, it was concluded that the flooding of the road surface occurred during the design return period (QT ) of 50-years between KM 5.7 and KM 6 with flood depths on the road surface of up to approximately 300mm, and between KM 7 to KM 13 with flood depths on the road surface of up to approximately 500mm. This correlated well with the flooding reports received from the Overberg District Municipality, as well as the flooding extent captured on photographs. Furthermore, the levels for twice the design return period (Q2T ), i.e. the 100-year event, were on average approximately 0.07m higher than the design return period, with a similar maximum depth difference between KM 5.7 and KM 6, and on average approximately 0.09m higher than the design return period, with maximum depth differences of up to 0.15m between KM 7 and KM 13.
FIGURE
From the baseline model results, a low hydraulic gradient was observed at KM 6, KM 9, KM 12 and KM 15 along the MR261, indicated in Figure 8a. With the exception of the latter, there correlated well with the location where flooding has been reported. A profile of the existing MR261 road surface and associated 50 and 100-year flood level are presented in Figure 9. Furthermore, the time to peak flood level indicated in Figure 8b, indicated the complexity of the drainage system, and how the delayed peaks downstream would impact on hydraulic capacities of the culverts, as well as provide an understanding for the subsiding of floodwater over several days. This understanding is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of the mitigation measures. The upcoming sections will present the results of the mitigation models, which evaluate the impact of various interventions such as raising of the road level, culvert enlargement and channel improvements, on these flood properties.
FLOOD MITIGATION STRATEGIES
The comprehensive flood study facilitated the development of targeted mitigation strategies aimed at reducing flood risk along the MR261 corridor. These strategies included the following main interventions:
• Increase the road elevation: Raising the road level was a key strategy to create a buffer zone, protecting the road surface from inundation during flood events. This can potentially cause upstream flooding or divert flow, leading to higher flood levels elsewhere along the road. The initially proposed increase in flood level was 400mm, but additional raising of the road was required to address consequential flooding as part of Option 4.
• Enhanced cross-drainage capacity: Upgrading existing culverts and potentially constructing new ones aimed to increase the overall flow capacity of the drainage system, allowing floodwater to drain more efficiently. Sediment deposition and blockage of the culverts are a concern, as a result of the low velocities associated with the flow topography. The mitigation intervention included upgrading of all culverts to a minimum size of 600mm diameter, and also increasing cross drainage capacity for Options 2, 3 and 4.
• Proposed Canals: The feasibility of constructing canals along the MR261 road was explored to further improve drainage efficiency and reduce the risk of flooding along the road corridor. This would also improve the conveyance of floodwater between the culverts to drain across the road. While canals offer potential benefits, their environmental impact and long-term maintenance requirements need to be considered.
A schematic representation of the four mitigation strategy options is presented in Figure 10a. Flood depths along the road surface for the baselines, as well as the four options, are presented in Figure 11. From
Figure 11 it can be concluded that Options 1 to 3 significantly reduced the flood levels along the road, however, there was still significant flooding further downstream between KM 8 and KM 12. Option 4 indicated minor flooding along the road, demonstrating its effectiveness in mitigating flood risk. The change in flood levels between the baseline model results and Option 4, the recommended intervention, is presented in Figure 10b.
From Figure 10b, it can be concluded that significant changes in water level are primarily limited to the immediate vicinity of the road. The mitigation measures resulted in a reduction of flood levels on the western side of the road, primarily due to the raised road elevation, and increased flood levels along the eastern side of the road. The model results indicated a change in water level of less than 0.2m, and negligible change in the inundated area.
REVOLUTIONISING FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
This study has explored the application of advanced hydrological and hydraulic modelling techniques to assess flood risk along the MR261
FIGURE 9: Existing flood levels along the MR261 road surface
FIGURE 8: Baseline modelling results, a) 50-year flow depths, and b) time to peak depth
corridor. The findings demonstrate how these techniques can play a crucial role in revolutionising traditional approaches to flood risk management.
• Rain-on-Grid Modelling: The application of Rain-on-Grid modelling for the L’Agulhas Plain represents a significant advancement over conventional methods that may not account for the complexities of flat topography. This highlights the potential of high-resolution, distributed modelling approaches for flood risk assessments in similar environments.
• Targeted Mitigation Strategies: The modelling results facilitated the development of targeted mitigation strategies that address the specific challenges of the MR261 corridor. This datadriven approach contrasts with traditional flood risk management, which may rely on generic solutions without a comprehensive understanding of the local hydrology and hydraulics.
While this study focused on a specific case, it exemplifies the transformative potential of engineering advancements in flood risk management. By leveraging advanced modelling techniques and fostering a data-driven approach, engineers can develop more effective and sustainable solutions for mitigating flood risk and protecting infrastructure in a changing climate.
CONCLUSION
mitigation
results, a) schematic layout of mitigation options, and b) change in flood depth for the preferred Option 4
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the successful application of unconventional modelling techniques in this study, the following recommendations are made for future flood risk assessments:
This study explored the application of unconventional hydrological and hydraulic modelling techniques to assess flood risk. The key conclusions regarding the modelling approach are as follows:
• Rain-on-Grid modelling: This approach demonstrated its effectiveness as an alternative to traditional methods for catchments with complex topography. This approach provides a high-resolution and distributed representation of rainfall-runoff processes, potentially leading to more accurate flood risk assessments in non-standard environments.
• Focus on data-driven approach: The study highlighted the importance of employing modelling techniques that can be informed by detailed catchment data. This data-driven approach can lead to more reliable and targeted mitigation strategies compared to generic solutions based on limited information.
• Explore the wider application of Rain-on-Grid modelling: This study suggests that Rain-on-Grid modelling has the potential to be valuable for flood risk assessments in various regions with complex terrain that may not be well-suited for traditional methods. Further research is recommended to explore its applicability in diverse geographical settings.
• Integration of unconventional data sources: Consider incorporating non-traditional data sources, such as high-resolution LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) or the 2m Digital Elevation Model of South Africa (DEMSA2) for detailed terrain mapping, into the modelling process. This can enhance the accuracy of flood simulations, particularly in areas with complex topography.
• Continuous development and adoption of advanced modelling techniques: The field of flood risk management should continue to embrace advancements in modelling techniques. Studies like this showcase the potential of unconventional approaches to improve flood risk assessments and inform the development of more effective and sustainable mitigation strategies.
FIGURE 11: Comparison of various mitigation interventions modelling results
REFERENCES
Ball J, Babister M, Nathan R, Weeks W, Weinmann E, Retallick M and Testoni I. 2019. Australian Rainfall and Runoff: A Guide to Flood Estimation. Commonwealth of Australia. Geoscience Australia. Broich K, Pflugbeil T, Disse M and Nguyen H. 2019. Using TELEMAC-2D for Hydrodynamic Modeling of Rainfall–runoff In Proceedings of the 26th TELEMAC-
FIGURE 10: Proposed
modelling
MASCARET User Conference 2019, Toulouse, France, 15–17 October 2019. Brooker CJ, Du Plessis JA, Dunsmore SJ, James CS, Gericke OJ and Smithers JC. 2023. A Best Practice Guideline for Design Flood Estimation in Municipal Areas in South Africa. Water Research Commission Report No. TT 921/23.
Caddis BM, Jempson MA, Ball JE and Syme WJ. 2008. Incorporating hydrology into 2D hydraulic models – The direct rainfall approach. Engineers Australia. 9th National Conference on Hydraulics in Water Engineering. Australia. 23-26 September 2008.
Clark KM, Ball JE and Babister MK. 2008. Can fixed grid 2D hydraulic models be used as hydrologic models? Water down under 2008 conference, Adelaide, 2496-2507.
David A and Schmalz B. 2020. Flood Hazard Analysis in Small Catchments: Comparison of Hydrological and Hydrodynamic Approaches by the Use of Direct Rainfall. Journal of Flood Risk Management, 2020 (13).
Gericke OJ and Du Plessis JA. 2013. Development of a customised design flood estimation tool to estimate floods in gauged and ungauged catchments. Water SA 39 67-94. DOI: 10.4314/wsa.v39i1.9
Li J, Yuan D, Liu J, Jiang Y, Chen Y, Hsu KL and Sorooshian S. 2019. Predicting floods in a large karst river basin by coupling PERSIANN-CCS QPEs with a physically based distributed hydrological model. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 23 (3), 1507-1532.
Hall J. 2015. Direct rainfall flood modelling: The good, the bad and the ugly Australian Journal of Water Resources, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 74-85.
South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd. 2013. Drainage Manual (6th edition). South African National Roads Agency Ltd, Pretoria, South Africa. Schütte S, Schulze RE and Horan M. 2023. [Dataset]. SCS-SA hydrological soil groups over South Africa at terrain unit resolution. Centre for Water Resources Research, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Van Bladeren D. 2005. Verification of the Proposed Standard Design Flood (SDF). Report No: 344512/1, SRK Consulting, Pretoria, South Africa. 49 pp. Zeiger SJ and Hubbart JA. 2021. Measuring and modelling event-based environmental flows: An assessment of HEC-RAS 2D rain-on-grid simulations Journal of Environmental Management, 285 (2021).
ADDRESSING VANDALISM AND WATER ISSUES IN LOW-COST, HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING PROJECTS
Karen King and Hanry Neethling RHDHV
ABSTRACT
Vandalism has plagued low-cost housing projects in South Africa for years, causing project delays and budget over-runs. Vandalism can have various underlying causes and is often a sign of sociological dynamics. It can be a protest against neglect, a form of self-expression, identity formation, a lack of parental supervision or boredom. Another low-cost housing challenge is water availability and management, owing to issues of inappropriate stormwater management, a lack of water reuse and high urbanization rates, among others.
To address these inter-related issues in the planning stages of the first low-cost, high-density housing project in Mossel Bay, the Mountain View housing project team adopted an approach that built water- and communitysensitive thinking into their design. The objective of the project was to provide structures and services on 1003 high-density residential and 9 nonresidential erven. Additional objectives included provision of opportunities for community interaction, self-expression, safe spaces for the youth, recreation areas and effective, environmentally friendly water solutions. This necessitated integrated engineering and sociological design processes. Water demand was calculated based on urban agriculture, sports field and school requirements in addition to the housing requirements. Water management included design of vegetated attenuation ponds for stormwater attenuation within public open spaces, and rainwater harvesting facilities.
Post occupation of the first batches of houses, the remaining, unoccupied houses were vandalised. Thereafter a community mural painting project and a healing process were facilitated. Artists, Traditional Leaders and community members designed and painted the murals together, providing opportunities for expression, community cohesion and a sense of belonging. A traditional community healing process was held to ask the ancestors to welcome the new community. The community was very positive about the additional design aspects. The facilitating artists were welcomed into the community, which was keenly involved in the mural project and healing process. The community facilities that have been built are being used and looked after. The attenuation ponds have successfully attenuated large storm events and the harvested rainwater is used for irrigation.
Since the last of the Mountain View community members have taken occupation there is no evidence of further vandalism or water problems at the site. It is recommended that the situation be monitored and that the incomplete community resources, such as the school and the urban agriculture area, be developed as soon as possible. Finally, it is recommended that more use is made of the harvested rainwater.
INTRODUCTION
The provision of adequate and sustainable housing is a fundamental human right and a crucial component of social and economic development (Tang and Spijkers, 2022). Rapid urbanization and population growth in South Africa have placed immense pressure on housing delivery, particularly for low-income households (Beier, 2023). Low-cost housing projects, intended to address this challenge, often face a multitude of problems, including vandalism and
inadequate water services. These issues hinder the projects’ success, and negatively impact the quality of life for residents (Chakwizira, 2019).
Vandalism has plagued low-cost housing projects in South Africa for years, causing project delays and budget over-runs (Marutlulle, 2021). Vandalism in low-cost housing projects in South Africa is a complex issue with a range of potential causes (Leboto-Khetsi, 2022). Vandalism is often a sign of sociological dynamics and can be a protest against neglect, a form of selfexpression, identity formation, a lack of parental supervision or boredom. Vandalism can take the form of property damage, graffiti, theft and other acts of destruction (Hamlin, 2024). The consequences of vandalism are farreaching, including increased maintenance costs, reduced property values and a decline in the overall living environment (Brown-Luthango et al., 2017). Further to this, both water scarcity and flooding are growing concerns in many parts of South Africa, owing to factors such as climate change, population growth and inefficient water management practices (Rodina et al., 2024). Inadequate water supply, stormwater and sanitation infrastructure in low-cost housing projects can lead to health hazards, social conflicts and economic losses (Manga et al., 2020). While it may appear that these are significant, but unconnected challenges associated with low-cost housing, the theme that connects these challenges is dignity.
Some of South Africa’s low-cost housing issues can be explained by the Broken Windows Theory. The theory posits that visible signs of neglect, such as vandalism, broken standpipes and overflowing manholes, contribute to a sense of disorder and powerlessness among residents (Kelling and Coles, 1997). Such an environment can erode dignity, making residents feel undervalued and less likely to care for their surroundings. When dignity is compromised, residents are often less inclined to report crime or maintain their living spaces. This can lead to further environmental deterioration, and an increase in crime rates (Mbandlwa, 2021; Samuel et al., 2024).
This paper presents a case study of the Mountain View housing project in Mossel Bay, which adopted a comprehensive approach to tackle the interrelated challenges of vandalism and water services provision. By combining community engagement philosophies and water-sensitive design in the planning stages, the project aimed to create a resilient and sustainable living environment and a sense of dignity for its residents.
DIGNITY
Dignity in low-cost housing is about more than just providing shelter. It means creating spaces where residents feel a sense of pride, belonging, and control over their environment. It means access to essential services like clean water, stormwater facilities and sanitation, as well as building inclusive community areas with open green spaces, shared amenities and opportunities for social interaction. Ultimately, dignity in low-cost housing recognizes that everyone deserves a home where they feel safe, respected, and connected to their community (Ntombela and Jili, 2020; Rice et al., 2023).
A sense of dignity fosters a strong connection between residents and their environment. When people feel respected and valued, they are more likely to treat their surroundings with care. This translates into a greater sense of ownership and responsibility for maintaining shared spaces (Mbandlwa, 2021; Mlondo, 2022). Residents who experience a sense of dignity are more likely to
participate in community clean-up programmes, to conserve resources and to uphold communal rules, creating a more sustainable and pleasant living environment for everyone (Mendez et al., 2021). Additionally, dignity breeds a sense of pride, motivating residents to keep their homes and common areas well-maintained, enhancing the overall quality of life within the community (Rabello Lyra, 2021).
Especially noteworthy when addressing issues of vandalism, dignity plays a crucial role in enhancing security within a community. When residents feel valued and respected, they are more likely to look out for one another. This fosters a sense of community, where people are invested in the well-being of their neighbours (Marutlulle, 2021; Mbandlwa, 2021). Residents with a sense of dignity are more likely to report suspicious activities, build trusting relationships with security personnel, and actively participate in community watch programmes. Additionally, a dignified environment discourages antisocial behaviour, as people are less likely to engage in activities that could jeopardize the safety and harmony of their community. This collective vigilance and cooperation create a safer living environment for all residents (Michaels, 2022).
Vandalism and inadequate water infrastructure in low-cost housing projects have been extensively studied (Mohamad et al., 2019; Thakur et al., 2021; Thakur et al., 2022, Shuhaimi, 2023) revealing complex and interconnected factors contributing to these problems. Factors contributing to water scarcity include inadequate infrastructure, inefficient water use, and a lack of water management strategies. Research has emphasized the importance of watersaving technologies, rainwater harvesting, and community-based water management (Bakare et al., 2016; Drangert and Sharatchandra, 2017; Thakur et al., 2021). Research has also identified various causes of vandalism, including social deprivation, lack of ownership, and a sense of alienation among residents (Caya, 2016; Mushtaha, 2016; Bauhn, 2018). Studies have also highlighted the roles of environmental design and community engagement in preventing vandalism (Armitage, 2016; Lee at al., 2016; Mohammed and Hirai, 2021).
A cycle of progressive deterioration is frequently set up when social and environmental issues are not addressed in an integrated manner. Vandalism of water infrastructure can lead to water shortages, which can exacerbate water scarcity issues in areas with limited resources, such as much of South Africa. When water supply is unreliable, residents may resort to illegal connections, which can contribute to further damage to the water system and increase the potential for vandalism (Mangizvo et al., 2016). The frustration among community members caused by the lack of adequate water supply can lead to a breakdown in community cohesion and increased likelihood of vandalism as a form of social unrest. Vandalized or unmaintained houses can, in turn, further contribute to water problems, as broken pipes and damaged roofs can lead to water wastage and contamination (Sindane and Modley, 2023).
BROKEN WINDOWS THEORY
As highlighted, a sociological theory that is applicable to the kinds of challenges faced by low-cost housing projects in South Africa is The Broken Windows Theory. The theory posits that, evident signs of crime, disorder and neglect lead to more serious crime (Kelling and Coles, 1997). Because so many low-cost housing developments in South Africa face poor maintenance, vandalism and a lack of basic services (Marutlulle, 2021), this theory has significant implications for low-cost housing in South Africa. These issues typically create an environment where residents feel a sense of neglect and powerlessness, and, according to The Broken Windows Theory, this perceived disorder can escalate into more serious crimes and anti-social behaviour. Furthermore, the theory suggests that visible signs of crime, such as graffiti, burnt and broken structures, and, of course, broken windows, can signal to potential offenders that the area is unsafe and uncontrolled. This can lead
to a downward spiral, where more crime attracts more criminals, further deteriorating the environment and the quality of life for residents (Kelling and Coles, 1997).
Research has shown that one of the best ways in which to break such a cycle of deterioration and to counter community issues such as theft and vandalism, especially when the perpetrators come from within the community in question, is effective community engagement (Shackleton and Njwaxu, 2021, Mafukata et al., 2024). In low-cost housing projects community engagement can yield several benefits, including creating a sense of ownership, pride and responsibility; social cohesion; facilitating problem solving; increased surveillance and early intervention, and improving sustainability. A sense of ownership, pride and responsibility is created when residents are involved in the management of their environment. This can deter vandalism as residents are more likely to protect their own investment and less likely to tolerate vandalism or destructive behaviour (Shackleton and Njwaxu, 2021, Sepawie et al., 2022). Social cohesion is created through community engagement as this fosters a sense of belonging and shared responsibility, reducing social isolation and the likelihood of anti-social behaviour. Community-based problem-solving requires the input of the community, as residents typically possess valuable local knowledge and insights that can help identify and address challenges such as vandalism and water management issues (Badar and Bahadure, 2020; Mouratidis and Poortinga, 2020). A more cohesive and engaged community is also likely to have a higher level of informal surveillance, making it more difficult for vandals to operate undetected. Further to this, community members who are actively involved in their neighbourhood are more likely to identify and report potential problems early on, such as leaking taps, overflowing detention facilities or illegal behaviour, allowing for timely intervention. Community involvement can also contribute to the long-term sustainability of a project by promoting responsible resource use and maintaining shared amenities.
It is important to recognize that vandalism and gang behaviour are typically perpetrated by a minority within any community. The vast majority of residents are law-abiding citizens who contribute positively to society. These negative actions by a small group can create a disproportionate impact, damaging property, instilling fear, and disrupting the overall quality of life. This understanding is especially important as it is crucial to avoid generalizations and stereotypes, as judging an entire community based on the actions of a few is unfair and inaccurate (O’Flaherty and Sethi, 2024).
CASE STUDY
Background
The Mountain View housing project (see Figure 1) was funded by The Western Cape Government, the (then) Department of Human Settlement and the Department of Energy. The land upon which the development was built previously belonged to the Mossel Bay Municipality and is a remainder of the Commonage. The houses built as a part of this development are on plots that have been transferred to the beneficiaries. The project was identified by the National Government as one of the catalytic projects for what is known as the Eden District of Mossel Bay. The land was previously a vacant stand. The beneficiary community members previously resided in backyards and informal neighbouring areas within the KwaNonqaba area in Mossel Bay. When identifying beneficiaries, the desired social profile for a housing development is roughly 30% fully subsidised houses and 70% partially subsidised houses. Preference is given to those living in backyards and to those 35 years of age and older, in accordance with the (then) Department of Human Settlements guidelines. In the Western Cape the previous Department of Human Settlements and Department of Public Works have merged to become the Department of Infrastructure.
Methodology
To address these inter-related issues in the planning stages of the first lowcost, high-density housing project in Mossel Bay, the Mountain View housing project team adopted an approach that built water- and community-sensitive thinking into their design. This approach focussed on the typical cycle of progressive deterioration. As highlighted, vandalism of water infrastructure can lead to water shortages, which can lead to illegal connections, which can further damage the water system and increase the potential for vandalism (Mangizvo et al., 2016). The resulting frustration among community members can lead to a breakdown in community cohesion and increased likelihood of vandalism as a form of social unrest. Broken pipes and damaged roofs can, in turn, lead to water wastage and contamination (Sindane and Modley, 2023). It was thus essential to address both water- and vandalism-related concerns simultaneously to avoid the initiation of this cycle. Further to this, community values, needs and vulnerabilities - including that of flooding - were established and used to inform the design of communal spaces and security measures. The flood protection and the water reuse measures adopted not only provide safety and mitigate water scarcity, but also create shared green spaces that promote community cohesion and deter vandalism. This case study employed qualitative data collection methods. Data were collected through discussions with project stakeholders, including residents, project facilitators and community leaders. Observations of the project site were also conducted to assess the physical environment and social dynamics.
The main objective of the project was to provide structures and services on 1003 high-density residential and 9 non-residential erven. The design incorporated a mix of housing typologies to cater to the needs of the target population. This included 725 fully government-subsidised and 278 partly subsidised houses. Of these, 40 were designed to accommodate disabled residents. Additional objectives included provision of opportunities for community interaction, self-expression, safe spaces for the youth, recreation areas and effective, environmentally friendly water solutions.
As highlighted, adequate basic water services are essential for the dignity of a community (Ntombela and Jili, 2020; Rice et al., 2023). In an area like Mossel Bay where the climatic extremes are great (Wiles et al., 2022) this necessitates focus on both flooding and drought mitigation measures. The project thus incorporated water-sensitive design elements, including rainwater harvesting systems, waterefficient fixtures and a hybrid green-grey stormwater management system. The rainwater harvesting systems were installed to collect rainwater via the house gutters in 5000 litre tanks for irrigation and other non-potable uses, reducing reliance on municipal water supply and thereby making the community more resilient to drought conditions and water shedding programmes. This also makes it possible for the residents to enjoy private gardens and communal agriculture areas, which are important social and economic aspects of the development. Water-efficient fixtures such as low-flow toilets and taps were installed to minimize water consumption in households.
The total development water demand was calculated based on urban agriculture, sports field and school requirements in addition to the housing requirements. The stormwater management system comprises vegetated detention ponds (See Figure 2) integrated into public open spaces to make these dual-use areas. These open spaces provide communal gathering areas, improve the aesthetics of the development and capture and filter stormwater runoff, reducing the load on the drainage system and mitigating flooding risks. Stormwater caught in concrete drainage channels reports to the first of the vegetated detention ponds, from where it overflows into a curved natural channel into the second vegetated detention pond. From there it follows a natural stream bed toward the sea. Screens have been installed to catch larger pieces of debris and waste to prevent these from reaching the natural stream bed and the sea.
When people first moved into the completed sections of the development, what was essentially a community of strangers was created. Facilities incorporated into the design to encourage community engagement include shared amenities such as children’s play areas, sports fields and recreational areas. This includes an exercise field that houses well designed and built outdoor exercise equipment, a soccer field with permanent goals and other recreational areas. A school and an urban agriculture area - designed to provide subsistence foods and possibly additional cash crops - are a part of the overall development design, but have not yet been built.
Post occupation of the first batches of houses, the few remaining unoccupied houses were vandalised (see Figure 3). Community members that spoke to members of the project team said that those vandalising the Mountain View housing development came from within the Mountain View housing community. A community mural painting project using creative interaction techniques was facilitated to encourage relationship building between community members, and to provide opportunities for expression, community cohesion and a sense of belonging. This required knowledge on the part of the facilitators of community dynamics, and also of the local role players, such as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Ward Councillors. Prior to starting the mural painting, three creative workshops were held with the community members, who ranged in age from 8 to 70. The first mural painting session was very successful, and the facilitators were warmly welcomed by the community and keen to take part in the project. The second painting session, although still viewed very positively by the majority of the community, was cut short by gang members demanding ‘protection money’ to allow the project to go ahead. As a result, the facilitators invited Khoi San Traditional Leaders from the area to take part in the third and final painting session. During this session a traditional ceremony was held to speak to the land and the ancestors of the land on which the Mountain View Housing Development had been
FIGURE 1: The Mountain View Housing Development
FIGURE 2: Vegetated Detention Pond
built, asking for the land and the ancestors to accept and welcome this new community. The Traditional Leaders were also present during the painting of the murals, telling stories and facilitating creative sessions with the children of the community around the wall murals site.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The initial findings from the Mountain View project indicate that the integrated approach has been effective in addressing vandalism and water issues. Since the last of the Mountain View community members have taken occupation there is no evidence of further vandalism or problems of too much or too little water at the site.
The community engagement initiatives have fostered a strong sense of ownership and pride among residents, which is believed to have played a crucial role in preventing vandalism. The community healing and creative approach was successful, and the wall murals were completed without incident (see Figure 4). The mural painting and traditional healing ceremonies have created a positive and cohesive community atmosphere. By involving residents in the design and creation of murals, the project empowered the community to express their identity and aspirations. This collaborative process fostered a sense of pride and ownership in the shared living space. The integration of traditional healing practices into the project acknowledged the cultural and spiritual significance of the land. By inviting traditional healers to conduct ceremonies, the project created a sense of harmony and unity within the community. The community facilities that have been built are being well used and well looked after (see Figure 5). The shared amenities such as sports fields and recreational areas have provided spaces for community interaction and social cohesion. These facilities have encouraged residents to spend time together, building stronger relationships and a stronger sense of community.
The rainwater harvesting systems are working well and the harvested rainwater is used for irrigation and washing cars. The water-saving low flow fixtures have contributed to reduced water consumption. The hybrid greengrey stormwater management solution of vegetated retention ponds and concrete channels have effectively mitigated potential flooding.
CONCLUSIONS
Recognising the role that a sense of dignity for residents plays in low-cost housing projects is essential to the success of these projects. Because it helps to foster a sense of ownership, responsibility and pride among residents, community engagement is a cornerstone of successful low-cost housing projects. This can significantly contribute to the prevention of vandalism and the long-term sustainability of the project.
The Mountain View housing project demonstrates the potential of an integrated approach to addressing the challenges of vandalism and water issues in low-cost housing. By combining community engagement practices and water-sensitive design into the project planning, the project has gone a long way toward creating a positive and sustainable living environment for its residents. To address these challenges, it has been crucial to prioritize both dignity and empowerment in the Mountain View low-income housing development. This has involved not only providing appropriate water infrastructure but also investing in community development programmes that foster a sense of belonging and ownership among residents. This shows that, by empowering residents and creating opportunities for them to take pride in their communities, the negative effects of the Broken Windows Theory can be mitigated and initiation of the cycle of progressive deterioration can be avoided.
It is important to note that while the Broken Windows Theory offers insights into the relationship between disorder and crime, it’s not a standalone explanation for complex social issues. Socioeconomic factors, lack of opportunities, and systemic inequalities also play crucial roles in shaping crime rates and the overall conditions in low-cost housing areas. Addressing the underlying causes of these issues, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of community investment, is essential for creating sustainable and safe living environments in low-cost housing developments.
It is also key to note that a precursor to vandalism is often opportunity. The last few houses of the Mountain View development remaining unoccupied, once the others had been occupied, provided this opportunity.
Key lessons learnt from this project include:
• The importance of involving residents in project planning,
• The value of incorporating cultural and traditional practices to foster a sense of belonging and
• The need for ongoing support and capacity building for community-based initiatives.
FIGURE 3: Vandalised Houses
FIGURE 4: Completed Murals
FIGURE 5: Community Facilities
While the initial results of adopting an integrated approach to low-cost housing projects are promising, ongoing monitoring and evaluation are essential to assess the Mountain View project’s long-term impact and identify areas for improvement.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations specific to the Mountain View housing project include:
• Building the planned school and urban agriculture area,
• Making more use of the harvested rainwater, such as for toilet flushing,
• Strengthening the existing community-based formal and informal organizations to support the ongoing management and maintenance of the project,
• Coordinating security and moving beneficiaries into their new houses in such a manner that opportunities for vandalism are not created, and
• Continued monitoring and evaluation of the Mountain View project to assess the long-term impact of the interventions.
More general low-cost housing project recommendations include:
• Replication of the project’s successful strategies in other low-cost housing developments as this could contribute to enhancing the quality of life for other vulnerable communities,
• Establishment of formal community structures and platforms for participation,
• Further investment into community capacity building and leadership development and,
• Further research on the relationship between vandalism, water-related issues, and social factors in low-cost housing.
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15
A PRACTICAL AND PROVEN GUIDE TO MUNICIPAL WATER TELEMETRY-SCADA SYSTEMS
Matthew Hills
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM)
ABSTRACT
The NMBM’s drought mitigation plan primarily focussed on supply augmentation and demand management, however, the unsung hero of the drought projects was the development of a Telemetry & Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition (Telemetry-SCADA) system implemented for the water division. Key to avoiding dry taps during the 2015 to 2023 drought was the ability to make instant adjustments to a highly interconnected water network to balance the knife-edge between water demand and severely restricted supply.
A creative engineering solution that improves operation efficiency and response times was needed. A state-of-the-art Telemetry-SCADA system offers the means of overcoming these challenges without the need for more on-the ground personnel. Through experience gained by implementing a Telemetry-SCADA system for the NMBM’s water assets, this paper aims to provide a proven and practical guide to successfully commissioning and maintaining a municipal scale water management system. Twelve key themes will be discussed.
1. Recognise that Operational Technology (OT) is a separate system to your institutional Information Technology (IT); 2. Packaging of data starts at the on-site Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and linked devices; 3. Build a network that allows you to have full control of site connections; 4. Use the cellular network for bi-directional communication and reliability; 5. Build redundancy into hardware infrastructure by including backup power generation; 6. Elect for an open-source protocol, in other words, talk in a language that you understand; 7. Stipulate a tag naming convention so that information is logically stored; 8. Instil a consistent look-and-feel by developing standard icons, graphics, and colours; 9. Develop a security matrix and define access and control permissions for groups of users; 10. Allow for secure remote system access of mobile devices through a web hosted address; 11. Feed data into asset management systems to encourage proactive maintenance; and 12. Integrate into non-revenue water and billing workstreams.
Proactive responses by decision makers to system stressors can only be as good as the information that they are based on. Rolling out a Telemetry-SCADA system enhances the ability of water service authorities to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical, and sustainable access to water services to all consumers in its area of jurisdiction, as per the requirements of the Water Services Act.
INTRODUCTION
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) is located along Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape Province and comprises Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth), Kariega (formerly known as Uitenhage), Despatch, as well as the Colchester, Blue Horizon Bay, and Seaview areas. The Municipality, covering an area of 1,959km2, is a Category A municipality, established
in 2000 as per the provisions of section 12 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998. It is a major seaport and automotive manufacturing centre and is the economic powerhouse of the Eastern Cape Province. (Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, 2022)
The NMBM accesses raw water through the Algoa Water Supply System. The main local dams are the Churchill and Impofu Dams on the Kromme River and Kouga/Loerie Dams on the Kouga River, with the latter largely dedicated to the Gamtoos Irrigation Board (now Gamtoos Water User Association). The relatively small Van Stadens Dams, Bulk River Dam, Sand River Dam, and the Uitenhage Springs only supply water to NMBM, whereas the Groendal Dam also serve irrigators. The most significant raw water source, approximately two-thirds of the total volume, is supplied from the Gariep Dam on the Orange River via the Orange/Fish System and Lower Sundays Scheme. Recently, the NMBM commissioned six new groundwater schemes to improve the diversification of supply sources. The Algoa Water Supply System is depicted in the figure below.
The NMBM has only just started to recover from one of its most severe hydrological droughts, which saw some of the lowest rainfall figures in its recorded history, during which the combined remaining storage of its local dams decreased to just 9.98% on 21 July 2021. After accounting for inaccessible dead storage, this figure equated to just 3.43% of combined storage being available.
The Metro has been experiencing extended periods of below-average monthly rainfall since November 2015, resulting in declining dam levels and water storage capacities. In September 2018, specific catchments received favourable rainfall and the average dam levels increased from 17.82% to 54.66% in December 2018. This rainfall created a false sense of security as certain catchment areas did not receive significant rainfall. Since then, the average dam levels continued to drop at a consistent rate
FIGURE 1: Bulk water supply system to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
and the storage deteriorated to worse than before. A picture of the largest dam dedicated to the NMBM is shown below.
The drought was not localised as it affected many water supply schemes across South Africa. The Eastern Cape province was declared a provincial state of drought disaster on 04 December 2017 and again on 24 October 2019. The Head of the National Disaster Management Centre then declared a national state of drought disaster on 08 February 2018 and on 26 February 2020 in response to worsening conditions. Persistent and continuous negotiations ensured that the NMBM was classified as a national drought disaster area on 20 July 2021, which it yet to be rescinded. Since then, good rains experienced during the winter and autumn months of 2023 brought some much-needed relief. The Algoa Water Supply System has largely recovered with the NMBM’s local dams sitting at a combined storage capacity of 78.42% on 30 June 2024. With the Impofu Dam still relatively low at 42.82%, the NMBM has been cautious about lifting restrictions abruptly and continues to implement the projects identified within its Drought Mitigation Plan.
3: Combined dam level trend for the NMBM’s local dams from September 2011 to May 2024.
With the aim of preventing the supply dams from running dry and ensuring water security for its consumers, the NMBM implemented numerous water augmentation and water conservation measures and strategies. These are well documented in the NMBM’s Drought Mitigation Plan with detail on each workstream and project. The strategy employed was focused on two main objectives, namely measures taken to augment the NMBM’s water supply and measures taken to reduce the NMBM’s water demand.
An unsung hero of the drought projects was the development of a Telemetry-SCADA system implemented for the water division. Of all the workstreams that either added more water to the system or conserved what little was left, it was this system that proved absolutely key to avoiding dry taps during the recent drought. It gave the NMBM the ability to make instant adjustments to a highly interconnected water network to balance the knife-edge between the consumers water demand and a severely restricted supply.
TELEMETRY & SCADA
Towards the end of 2019, the NMBM embarked on a major overhaul of their Telemetry & Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for its water network infrastructure. The existing system was severely limited in terms of functionality, covered only a minor portion of the network, had communication that was notoriously unreliable, gave no confidence in the data it displayed, and was ultimately not very useful. A screenshot of the NMBM’s water network overview on the legacy SCADA system.
In the context of a municipal water supply system, the telemetry includes the communication from equipment to the on-site computer and the network that links this to a central server. In simpler terms, it includes all the electronic data available on site and the sending of that data from each site to head office. A site could be a dam, borehole, water treatment works, pump station, reservoir, or even a chamber containing a flow meter, in this instance.
Make no mistake, these are complex systems requiring specialised skills to develop, implement, maintain, and operate. Many local municipalities and water boards have incorporated some form of telemetry and SCADA system, however, very few have become invaluable to the day-to-day operation and management of water systems valued at billions of rand. Water Service Authorities and Water Service Providers alike struggle with insufficient human resources, lack of tools of the trade, rampant infrastructure vandalism and theft, excessively high non-revenue water, and an aging skilled work force, making it hard for them to fulfil their “duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical, and sustainable access to water services” (Water Services Act 108 of 1997, 1997). A stateof-the-art Telemetry-SCADA system is a creative engineering solution to overcome these challenges as it improves operation efficiencies and response times, without the need for more on-the ground personnel.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Through experience gained by implementing a Telemetry-SCADA system
FIGURE 2: Impofu Dam at just 7.27% capacity on 06 January 2023.
FIGURE
FIGURE 4: Legacy NMBM water network SCADA system.
for the NMBM’s water assets, this paper aims to provide a proven and practical guide to successfully commissioning and maintaining a municipal scale water management system. Twelve key themes will be discussed.
1. Recognise that OT is a separate system to your institutional IT
A barrier to entry for many has been an organisational misunderstanding that a Telemetry-SCADA system is required to adhere to the institution’s Information Technology (IT) policies. These policies are designed to protect an institution’s network, including critical accounting and email systems, and therefore employ strong firewalls and an accompanying administrative process that is cumbersome to say the least. IT Departments within governmental institutions are often short staffed and struggle to procure the most basic hardware and software.
The solution for the NMBM has been to classify its Telemetry-SCADA system as Operational Technology (OT), thereby exempting it from its IT Policy on the condition that the networks remain completely separated. OT includes the hardware and software used to detect or cause a change through the monitoring and/or control of equipment, devices, processes, and events (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2024). A Telemetry-SCADA system meets that definition.
2. Packaging of data starts at the on-site PLC and linked devices
A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is a rugged and industrial form of computer that acts as the brains of the electronics. It’s the piece of equipment that reads information from sensors and devices, and then issues instructions and/or commands in return based on a set of programmed rules. By way of example, it’s the intelligent box that tells a motor to turn off once the reading from the temperature sensor exceeds the maximum heat limit.
What information is stored within the memory of the PLC is the first building block of a Telemetry-SCADA system. Ideally an institution will issue a set of PLC function blocks, a technical name for lines of computer code, for each type of equipment used within its water infrastructure. This will ensure that the quantity and quality of data available will be easily integrated into upstream systems. It is here that information begins.
3. Build a network that allows you to have full control of site connections
You will need a way to link all your sites and head office onto a network so that they can communicate with one another. In technical terms, this is done by adding all your sites to a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN). Institutions are familiar with VLANs, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, as they often use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to connect to their institutional Local Area Network (LAN) for access to systems and network drives.
Instead of using a VPN service provider, which can prove complicated when it comes to sole-provider procurement, the NMBM has taken control of its OT network by purchasing a perpetual license for a gate manager. A gate manager is a device that enables the connection of and communication with multiple devices on a network. The Secomea GateManager was selected as its locally stocked SiteManager devices automatically take care of network addresses changing and their user-friendly access portal for adding devices to the network. For sites that do not have access to power, the Cloudworks Server package was selected as it was provided free of charge when purchasing their battery powered devices.
4. Use the cellular network for bi-directional communication and reliability
The NMBM’s legacy telemetry system made use of an institutionally owned and operated radio and microwave communication system, outlined in the figure below. Although the coverage was great, frequent vandalism and theft of tower equipment (and once even the whole tower structure itself) often led to extended network blackouts. Another major limitation was the limited bandwidth available, severely restricting the volume of communication traffic.
The chosen way forward was to migrate to the cellular network. Cellular network operators are highly motivated to keep their networks online as they earn revenue for the traffic hosted by their networks. They cannot charge you for a call or for data if you are disconnected from their cell tower. Many cell towers now have backup power solutions installed as a means of mitigating the effects of loadshedding on their business. The reliability and coverage of the cellular network was the primary motivator behind the migration. The secondary being that the high-speed bandwidth would allow the NMBM to work on PLCs remotely.
One of the disadvantages of the cellular network is that SIM cards normally have a dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address. Every time it switches connection to a different cell tower, and sporadically even if it stays connected to just one cell tower, the IP address of the device changes. This makes it extremely difficult to “find” a PLC on the internet, as if its “location keeps moving”. The alternative is to pay an exorbitant amount to a cellular provider to issue you with static IP SIM cards, thereby fixing their address on the internet. Both the Secomea GateManager and Cloudworks Server were also chosen as they handle dynamic IPs automatically. In fact, they work independently of whichever SIM cards are in the device. This means that if the institution changes cellular service providers, switching device SIM cards will not require any additional setup.
5. Build redundancy into hardware infrastructure by including backup power generation
It goes without saying that you need an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) and backup power generation, usually in the form of solar or a generator, for your servers at head office. It is expected that a TelemetrySCADA system is operational 24/7 with an uptime exceeding 99%. What was overlooked at the time was the need for backup power for our PLCs at each site. When a site experienced a loss of power supply, all too frequently during loadshedding, we would lose communication instantly and have no means of diagnosing the fault or issuing commands to equipment. Installing a backup battery system for PLCs is essential for
FIGURE 5: Diagram of the NMBM’s telemetry radio and microwave network.
understanding what is happening on site and has been specified on all future electronic upgrades.
6. Elect for an open-source protocol, in other words, talk in a language that you understand
A major gripe with the NMBM’s legacy telemetry system was that the transmission of data in 1’s and 0’s from site to head office was in a language that we couldn’t understand, known as a closed protocol. This meant that we were “locked in” to a specific service provider and their proprietary equipment. Procurement in local government is complicated enough without having a sole service provider.
Stipulating the use of an open protocol was a non-negotiable for the NMBM as the institution wanted to take back ownership of its communication network and pay zero royalties. For the pull open protocol, whereby head office asks each site PLC for data at set intervals, MODBUS was selected and for the push open protocol, whereby the site PLC sends data when it deems it necessary for head office to know about, DNP3 was selected. Although DNP3 can significantly reduce the amount of unnecessary data on the network (think a borehole level probe telling you that reading 10.78m every ten seconds for a whole month), it has proven complicated to implement at SCADA communication driver level and thus mainly MODBUS has been used to date with the aim of moving to DNP3 in the future.
7. Stipulate a tag naming convention so that information is logically stored
All this information being retrieved from site PLCs needs to be stored in a logical order. The NMBM has developed a standard tag naming convention that designates a unique reference title to each piece of data. A maximum of twenty-nine characters in the following format was specified:
UUUU_VVVV_WWW_XXX##_YYY##_ZZZ
where:
UUUU=Department
VVVV=Site
WWW=Process
XXX##=Work Unit
YYY##=Equipment
ZZZ=Signal
This has made it simple to search through a large database when requesting some data, but also permitted the organised sorting and post processing of all information being retrieved. An example of how this works in practice is shown in the figure below.
8. Instil a consistent look-and-feel by developing standard icons, graphics, and colours
The NMBM has put a lot of time and effort into a from-the-ground-up redesign of the Graphical User Interface (GUI). Complaints from users of the previous SCADA system often included that it was not “visually appealing” and that it “lacked a consistent look and feel” in terms of navigation and icons. Standardisation of the icons, graphics, and colours to follow a clear “situational awareness” display philosophy was thus developed. Situational awareness aims to only attract operator attention to sites requiring user action, a reservoir overflowing for example.
A template graphic form that separated the screen into four distinct areas created a consistent look and feel when navigating between different sites. Custom icons, in a vector file format, were created to represent each type of equipment within the water network. Even the colours used were standardised, with particular effort into choosing the graphic form background colour to be an off-white so as to minimise eye fatigue of the operators staring at it for extended periods of time, particularly at night. By implementing consistent design standards, the system as a whole is easier to work on and the owner benefits by way of reduced maintenance costs.
An illustration of the icon and colours options available for the states and alarms of a pump motor is shown in the figure below.
9. Develop a security matrix and define access and control permissions for groups of users
In hindsight, a security matrix that clearly defines the functionality and available control for specified user groups should have been the first step taken in this redevelopment of the SCADA system. One does not want a junior employee to be able to turn pumps on (plant control) or lower the free chlorine targets of a water treatment works (change setpoints).
A need to align the level of access and an employee’s responsibilities as defined in their job description was identified, with the outcome shown in the figure below.
FIGURE 6: Example of a tag name for a temperature reading from a motor bearing.
FIGURE 8: Security matrix specified by the NMBM for graphic form navigation and control.
FIGURE 7: Dynamic colours specified by the NMBM for equipment states and alarms.
Essentially, three levels of graphic forms and two levels of control were specified as either clickable or non-clickable for each user group.
10. Allow for secure remote system access of mobile devices through a web hosted address
The NMBM has a Water and Sanitation Operation Centre staffed 24/7 that takes responsibility for executing system alterations based on a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The management of this fall within each division head, mainly the Water Distribution and Plant Maintenance divisions. A need arose for these division heads, senior management, key stakeholders, and support staff to be able to securely access the SCADA system remotely from their mobile devices and laptops.
A Secure Mobile Gateway (SMG) server hosted on-premise with an opensource certificate manager to ensure a protected connection. Through this, one could make any web browser like Google Chrome (Windows/Android) or Safari (iPhone) to access the SCADA system by navigating to a website through a URL. The figure below shows the login screen, in which a user clicks on their username and then enters a unique password. This has the added benefit of logging all actions taken under a user’s profile for future audit queries and investigations.
11. Feed data into asset management systems to encourage proactive maintenance
As mentioned earlier, the NMBM’s IT Department supported the development of the water OT system on condition that it remain isolated from the IT system. There has since been only one exception made to this rule; a single, highly secure point of access between the vast amount of information stored by the SCADA system on a Microsoft SQL database and the NMBM’s Water and Sanitation asset management system.
Operators of the asset management system are able to send queries to the SQL database at predefined times for selected data. This has tremendously improved the departments’ ability to timeously submit International Water Association (IWA) reports to the Department of Water & Sanitation (DWS), the standard water balance to evaluate the performance of water distribution systems. It has also improved on the planning of proactive maintenance based on quantifiable equipment health metrics.
12. Integrate into non-revenue water and billing workstreams
A recent investment into water conservation and water demand management by the NMBM has let to the establishment of numerous Greater Metered Areas (GMAs), District Metered Areas (DMAs), and Pressure Managed Areas (PMAs). The zones of supply connected to these meters can be measured and then compared to the total billed volumes within that same zone. This allows the NMBM to focus its efforts to reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW) by targeting zones with the highest disparity between the two figures. The SCADA system has automated these investigations, providing real-time and continuous data for analysis and
actioning. Two secondary benefits have been the ability to collect data on nighttime flows and data on maximum pressures supplying each zone. With the limited human resources available, this system has allowed the NMBM to improve its operational efficiency and effectiveness.
THE END PRODUCT
All of the twelve key themes and more are documented in a Functional Design Specification (FDS) which includes a full implementation specification to be utilized on all elements of the NMBM’s Telemetry-SCADA system in order to ensure a level of standardization. This deviates from the industry norm whereby multiple independent systems are developed by each system integrator appointed for Telemetry-SCADA infrastructure upgrades by ensuring a wholistic, enterprise-level approach is taken. The client now specifies and issues associated standards for the TelemetrySCADA system, not the other way around.
10: Screenshot of the NMBM’s water network overview SCADA system.
The screenshot in the figure above was taken during a water supply crisis experienced due to a dry-period on the canal system supplying the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works. The Telemetry-SCADA system proved itself invaluable to managing a tightly constrained system by facilitating real-time decision making and providing immediate data for measuring of the results.
FIGURE 11: Screenshot of the NMBM’s Glendinning Wellfield technical overview SCADA system.
Two more screenshots in figures 11 and 12 show the technical overview of a groundwater supply system and a remotely located pump station. Full control is now permissible without the need to send a warm body late at night to an often unsafe location.
FIGURE 9: Screenshot of login screen for securing access to the NMBM’s SCADA SMG.
FIGURE
FIGURE 12: Screenshot of the NMBM’s Bushy Park pump station SCADA system with pumpset number 2’s faceplate shown.
The NMBM’s water network SCADA system was built on the Adroit 10 SCADA Software, which is a real-time data acquisition and reporting package developed in South Africa.
CONCLUSION
The Algoa Water Supply System experienced one of its worst droughts on record from 2015 to 2023. The NMBM’s response was to implement numerous water augmentation and water conservation projects. It is evident the project to upgrade the Telemetry-SCADA system was a success, with future development and improvements planned. Proactive responses by decision makers to system stressors can only be as good as the information that they are based on. Rolling out a Telemetry-SCADA system thus enhances the ability of water service authorities to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical, and sustainable access to water services to all consumers in its area of jurisdiction, as per the requirements of the Water Services Act. By sharing this practical and proven guide to municipal water Telemetry-SCADA systems as outlined in the twelve themes, the NMBM hopes to encourage other municipal engineers to successfully implement similar systems for their infrastructure and thus improve service delivery to all South Africans.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations are made to any entity looking to implement a state-of-the-art Telemetry-SCADA system, based on the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s own experiences:
• Select a “champion” to lead this project.
• Start small with pilot projects.
• Accept that it will be an iterative development process.
• Standardise and document everything!
• It is only as good as the time and effort that YOU put into it.
The NMBM is willing to share documentation and standards with other government entities provided that collaboration continues into the future, thereby ensuring that the partnership is mutually beneficial.
REFERENCES
National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2024, June 30). Retrieved from https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/operational_technology Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. (2022). Drought Mitigation Plan. Water Services Act 108 of 1997. (1997, December 19). Government Gazette No. 18522.
16
WIDENING AND STRENGTHENING OF THE EXISTING CERES VAN BREDA BRIDGE
Dave Edwards¹ and Joseph Barnard²
Ingerop South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Pr. Eng¹ Witzenberg Municipality, Pr.CPM²
ABSTRACT
The Van Breda Bridge is located in Ceres within the Witzenberg Municipality, Western Cape. It is on the main provincial R46 route through the town, and crosses the picturesque Dwars River. It is a strategically important route in the region, that carries major traffic, in particular large transport vehicles for the fruit industry which is a major employment provider in the area. The present concrete bridge with piers and simply supported beams was originally constructed in 1928, replacing an old wooden bridge, and therefore has heritage value.
The current upgrading project was initiated in December 2021, and was co-funded by the Transport Directorate of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape and Witzenberg Municipality. The objective was firstly to address maintenance and safety issues including the deteriorated riding quality of the surface, secondly to widen the bridge to accommodate two lanes plus a shoulder, and thirdly to strengthen the bridge to accommodate current loading code requirements.
The objectives were achieved by means of widening the existing piers to support new precast tee-beams on each side of the bridge. The pier footings did not need to be enlarged, however, for the widened abutment and wing wall supports, the use of end-bearing piles was required. The new cross-section now accommodates sidewalks on the widened bridge, separated from the vehicle carriageway by concrete balustrades. For heritage purposes, light poles to the exact shape of the originals are mounted thereon.
Structural strengthening of existing beams and deck structure was carried out by means of fastening steel plates and strips onto the bottom and sides of the beams, and by dowelling an additional concrete layer into the existing deck slab.
Outside of the bridge structure, the geometry of the approach roads was improved, and new accesses and parking facilities were created for adjacent businesses that were affected.
One of the challenges of the project was the precise dimensioning of each individual precast beam to enable placement within tolerance and to match the original curved deck and horizontal angle of the diagonal river crossing, at the same time accommodating the original bridge’s inconsistencies. Traffic management posed another challenge, necessitating complex sequencing of construction to always keep two lanes open, as there was no suitable alternative route.
Ultimately this heritage landmark bridge in Ceres has been successfully upgraded in 2024 to current standards, and to operate efficiently and safely and promote the economy of the region.
1. INTRODUCTION
This paper provides a history of the Van Breda bridge in Ceres, along
with previous upgrades leading up to the recent project. It outlines the project’s objectives and the development of concepts into the selected option. The detailed structural design of the new widening elements and the strengthening of the existing elements are covered, including construction aspects that played a role. Additionally, other associated improvements outside of the bridge structure to enhance overall traffic flow are mentioned. It concludes with photographs of the completed project and acknowledgments.
2. BACKGROUND AND HISTORY
The Van Breda Bridge is located on the R46 main route through the town of Ceres otherwise known as Voortrekker Street and crosses the Dwars River. Refer to the location as shown in Figure 1 below.
The first bridge over the river was a wooden bridge built by Thomas Bain in 1885. This was replaced by the present concrete bridge in 1928, comprising seven simply supported spans, each 13.3m long at a 20° skew angle to align with the direction of the river. In 1950, it underwent widening the roadway width to 7.9m to accommodate increasing traffic, enough for two 3.9m wide lanes. Steel sidewalks, 1.65m wide, were added on both sides of the bridge. In 1993 structural rehabilitation was undertaken, including repairs of concrete deterioration and spalling, and the repair of timber planks on the walkways and the asphalting thereof.
Photographs of the bridge at various stages are in Figure 2.
In 2013, concerns about maintenance and structural deterioration prompted an initiative to assess the situation and propose solutions. This effort, supported by various experts, including heritage and urban planning specialists, as well as a certified bridge inspection engineer, culminated in
FIGURE 1: Van Breda Bridge Locality Plan in the Town of Ceres, Western Cape
a comprehensive basic planning report in 2016, which is covered in the next section. Based on that report and the detailed design that followed, the recent upgrading project began in December 2021. This project was co-funded by the Transport Directorate of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape and the Witzenberg Municipality.
3. OBJECTIVES AND EVOLVEMENT OF DESIGN CONCEPT
The main objectives of the recent upgrading project, as outlined in the abovementioned basic planning report, were:
• To repair and enhance the riding quality of the surface, which had deteriorated over time. It was identified that the concrete topping slab was delaminating from the underlying beam structure.
A number of options for widening the cross-section were considered to achieve the objectives. The primary consideration was to retain the existing balustrades for heritage reasons. However, because they were found to be structurally inadequate and posed a safety risk, it was agreed to remove them and replace them with robust concrete barriers in the appropriate position. The sole heritage requirement was that the shape of the existing light poles needed to be replicated on the new bridge. Ultimately, the selected cross-section for implementation evolved into the option depicted in Figure 5 below. This entailed removing the previously added timber walkways and their steel supports, and installing edge beams to support the widened traffic lanes and pedestrian walkways. These beams would be supported on a widened section of the existing piers.
• To widen the cross-section geometry of the bridge and accommodate two lanes with shoulders, and to provide space for cyclists and pedestrians.
• To increase the load capacity of the bridge to meet current standards. A 2013 investigation revealed that the structural capacity might have been as low as 66% of the TMH7 code requirement. The above had to be addressed in conjunction with, and to the approval of the Transport Directorate of the PGWC and the Witzenberg Municipality. The planning also had to take into account heritage considerations, for which specialist heritage architects were appointed to provide a report and recommendations.
Figures 3 and 4 below depict photographs of the existing bridge before the upgrade, and its cross-section, respectively.
This cross-section achieved the objectives of accommodating the significant volume of pedestrians in a protected and safe manner, with the shoulders serving as cycling lanes. The overall width allows for potential future expansion to two traffic lanes in each direction by adjusting the balustrades and adding outer sidewalks. According to the traffic engineering investigation included in the basic planning report, such expansion is unlikely to be necessary for at least the next 25 years.
4. STRUCTURAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ASPECTS
4.1 Original concrete structure
The original drawings of the bridge contained extensive information, enabling the designer to evaluate the capacities of the existing structure. Missing detail was supplemented through on-site investigations. The original structure features a reinforced concrete beam and slab deck with discontinuous transverse diaphragms at quarter points. These diaphragms are designed primarily to provide torsional restraint to the beams rather than distribute transverse moments.
FIGURE 5: Selected cross-section for upgraded Van Breda Bridge
FIGURE 2: Historic Photographic Images of van Breda Bridge
FIGURE 3: Van Breda Bridge (June 2016)
FIGURE 4: Typical section of existing van Breda Bridge
The bridge piers are normally reinforced at the bearing seat to withstand concentrated loads, such as bursting forces and spalling. The remainder of the pier is unreinforced. Abutments and wing walls are constructed with mass concrete in steps on the earth face.
Foundations for both the piers and the abutments and wing walls shown were detailed on the drawings as mass concrete on shale bedrock, and verified by a geotechnical engineer during investigation.
4.2 Pier substructure
The bearing capacities of the bedrock under the existing piers were verified and confirmed by the geotechnical engineer to be sufficient to withstand both the current and additional loads imposed by the new design. Consequently, widening the base of the existing piers was unnecessary. Instead, the piers were only widened at the top to support the new edge beams. This was achieved by means of widened corbels tied to the existing piers using dowels and post-tensioning. The corbels were reinforced and standardized across all piers to streamline the construction process, and minimizing the need for extensive river work and excavation.
Details of the pier widening are shown in Figures 6 and 7 below.
4.3 Abutment and wingwall substructure
The original intention was to extend the widened abutments down to the bedrock for foundation support. However, geotechnical investigations revealed that the bedrock was deeper than expected at both abutment ends. Excavating to these depths in the constrained areas, especially considering potential groundwater, was deemed impractical and unsafe, even with a caisson method. Consequently, the decision was made to use end-bearing pile foundations.
These piles were designed and constructed by a specialist piling subcontractor, and were configured in sets of four at each abutment extension to carry the specified loads and plans. ODEX/Rota piles were selected for their suitability in riverine environments and their quicker establishment. Figure 8 illustrates the installation of one of these piles in close proximity to the existing bridge.
Pile-caps were constructed at each corner just below the natural ground level, along with abutment extensions. Wingwalls were designed as independent substructure elements, supported on a 1.5m deep engineered fill mattress below the founding level.
Transition slabs were also installed at both the existing and widened abutments.
4.4 Final superstructure cross-section
A cross-section of the final superstructure is shown in Figure 9 below, and the design and construction of the various elements are described in the sections that follow.
4.5 New edge-beams and infill slabs
Instead of casting the new edge-beam elements in-situ, the contractor opted to use precast edge-beams manufactured at the supplier’s yard. These beams were then transported to the site and positioned using mobile cranes. This method was chosen for its practicality and
FIGURE 6: Side view of widened piers by means corbels tied to existing piers
FIGURE 8: ODEX/Rota piles at abutment extensions.
FIGURE 9: Typical section of the upgraded Van Breda Bridge superstructure
FIGURE 7: Cross-section through pier widening, showing post-tensioning
environmental friendliness, minimizing disruption to the river area below. It also eliminated the need for extensive shoring, shuttering, or scaffolding, thereby simplifying the construction process.
The primary challenge in manufacturing and installing the precast beams arose from the unique dimensions of each of the 14 required beams. This complexity stemmed from several factors:
• The existing curvature of the bridge deck, which peaks near the midpoint of the bridge.
• Varying heights of the pier supports that did not precisely match the curvature of the beams.
• The diagonal alignment of the bridge relative to the piers, which follow the direction of the river flow.
• Discrepancies between the as-built bridge dimensions and the original drawings.
Consequently, a detailed survey of the structure was essential to enable precise detailing of each beam, such that accurate placement could take place to achieve the 30mm expansion gap within tolerance. Figure 10 below shows a photograph of one of the beams being manufactured at the supplier’s yard.
After delivery of the precast beams to the site, they were lowered onto the bearing plinths using two mobile cranes. The angles and levels of the bearing plinths were carefully determined relative to the pier level and the required beam angles to achieve the necessary slopes. Malthoid
sheeting was placed between the beams and plinths. Each beam spanned approximately 13.5m and featured a T-shaped cross-sectional design, with a 1.35m deep beam section and a 3m wide top flange section tapering from end to end. The beams weighed 65 tons each. A photograph depicting one of the beams being lowered into position can be seen in Figure 11.
After positioning the beams, the gap between them and the existing deck needed to be closed using an in-situ cast infill slab. Where there was insufficient space for lapping reinforcement, couplers had to be used.
4.6 Strengthening of existing beams and deck
While the new edge-beams could be designed and manufactured to withstand current loading code requirements, the existing beams and deck had to be strengthened in place to do the same.
This was achieved by bolting on steel plates to the soffit of the beam to act as additional tensile reinforcement, and to the sides to act as shear reinforcement. The effective depth of the beam and slab combination was then increased by means of first removing the original concrete skin that had delaminated, and constructing a thicker and more durable reinforced concrete slab which was dowelled into the existing deck slab with steel bars at a close spacing to act as shear connectors. A photograph of the steel plate reinforced original beams and conventional new edge beams is in Figure 12 below. The new supports to the existing and new services can also be seen.
A decision was made to forego the installation of new bridge bearing material under the existing beams, after an assessment of the operational performance in the present condition.
4.7 New balustrades and other finishing
The remaining structural elements on the cross-section of the upgraded bridge include new robust New Jersey-shaped reinforced concrete barriers separating the traffic and pedestrian ways. These barriers also support the streetlights and the polycrete handrails on the outside of the pedestrian sidewalk, all to meet contemporary safety standards.
The finished surface on top of the new concrete deck slab is overlaid with an asphalt layer. Asphaltic plug-type expansion joints were installed under the traffic roadway side. Underneath the bridge, the existing piers and beams were cleaned, and coated with a protective paint to seal hairline cracks and ensure long-term durability.
5. TRAFFIC ACCOMMODATION DURING CONSTRUCTION
Due to the significant industrial and commercial traffic and its importance to the local economy, accommodating traffic during construction was
FIGURE 12: Steel plates to the bridge soffits for strengthening
FIGURE 10: Precast beam manufacture
FIGURE 11: Precast T-beam being lowered into position by two mobile cranes
a critical aspect and challenge during this project. The municipality mandated that traffic in both directions had to be maintained throughout the construction phase. Various alternative routes were considered, including a detour via a nearby low-water bridge, but safety concerns and the risk of flooding rendered this option unsuitable.
Instead, the cross-section of the bridge was marginally widened, and construction was carefully planned in phases to ensure continuous traffic flow in both directions. These phases had to be integrated into the structural design. Figure 13 below illustrates three out of a total of ten construction phases. Each phase had a designated vehicular traffic zone, a work zone, and a pedestrian zone to accommodate the substantial pedestrian traffic using the bridge.
There were only a few instances when the bridge had to be temporarily closed necessitating the use of the alternative detour route, primarily during activities such as the beam placement, and these closures were often scheduled for night-time to minimize disruption to traffic flow. Compliance with standard traffic accommodation signage and markings was strictly observed throughout the construction period.
6. OTHER ASSOCIATED IMPROVEMENTS
A number of associated improvements to the approaches were made in addition to the bridge widening itself. The traffic engineering report identified that many existing accesses and on-street parking were substandard or unsuitable for safe traffic operation, given the geometry of the bridge and its approaches. Consequently, several proposals were put forward, including the closure of existing accesses or their conversion into left-in left-outs, along with relocating parking to alternative off-road locations. These changes were implemented after consultation with affected parties.
The vertical curvature of the approaches to the bridge and the horizontal layout were also improved, including the addition of turning lanes, all aimed at enhancing traffic flow. At the provincial bridge department’s request, the centreline of the western approach was adjusted to align
with the bridge centreline. This adjustment required slight road widening and a southward shift of parallel parking bays, which encroached on some sidewalk width but maintained more than the minimum required sidewalk width. Figure 14 shows the associated improvements. Various existing services on the underside of the bridge deck had to be re-supported in their original position on new steel brackets attached to the modified structure. Additionally, new ducts and sleeves were installed to accommodate anticipated future electrical and communication cables, as illustrated in Figure 12. These modifications as well as the widened abutment structures, necessitated adjustments and relocation of existing underground services at the approaches to the bridge.
7. CONCLUSION
The project was successfully completed in June 2024. Photographs of the completed project are shown below. The bridge has been upgraded to current standards, and operates efficiently to the economic benefit of the town and wider region, while still maintaining its landmark status.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special acknowledgements for this paper, and the success of the project, are due to Jameel Pathan and Tasneem Vawda of Ingerop South Africa, Joseph Barnard and Elton Lintnaar of Witzenberg Municipality, Elroy Smith of the PGWC Transport Directorate, Edward Smuts and Taliep Karriem of Mowana Engineers, and Morne Gouws of Amandla GCF Construction.
FIGURE 13: Selected construction phases for traffic accommodation
FIGURE 14: Plan view of Closure of Accesses/ New Accesses
FIGURE 15: Completed bridge (side view)
FIGURE 16: Completed bridge and approach road from east
TECHNO-ECONOMIC EVALUATION
OF INNOVATIVE
SANITATION TECHNOLOGIES: COST MODELLING FOR NON-SEWERED SANITATION SYSTEMS (NSSS) TO ASSESS INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY IN SANITATION
By Mishqah Hussain1, Rajiv Paladh2, Jason Holder1
1Bosch Projects
2Bosch Capital
1. ABSTRACT
Bosch Capital, in partnership with Bosch Projects, was appointed by the South African Sanitation Technology Enterprise Programme (SASTEP) to conduct a techno-economic evaluation of innovative sanitation solutions, specifically Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems (NSSS). The study aimed to assess the industry development opportunity in sanitation and provide high-level findings and recommendations for future generations of NSSS. The project included a cost modelling exercise for three emerging NonSewered Sanitation Solutions (NSSS) against four conventional sanitation solutions in three potential markets. Markets assessed included domestic users, schools, and informal settlements.
Of the fourteen sanitation systems considered in the study, six were membrane treatment technologies, one used activated sludge for wastewater treatment and included sludge disposal, four systems utilised bio-media for treatment purposes and consisted of a back-end system and sludge disposal, and three of the options offered no treatment of the wastewater generated but included a front-end, back-end, and sludge disposal system.
The use of Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) assisted in the comparison of the NSSS and conventional solutions through the use of costs expected to be incurred over 15 years, as well as the quantification of savings that may be realised through the End User not being required to purchase water for flushing, as well as not being required to pay a sanitation charge for disposal of effluent. The outputs of the study suggest that there may be potential to invest in the NSSS solutions given the potential benefits that may accrue particularly in schools and informal settlement markets. However, the current lifecycle costs to the End User may be higher than conventional solutions.
Despite the higher lifecycle costs, there are other strategic benefits to NSSS that should be considered. These systems can be used to provide flushing toilets in areas without a bulk water and sewer connection. Bulk sewer upgrades typically require higher capital costs than specific development requirements, whereas NSSS could be specified to meet specific development or property requirements and deployed as a more modular solution. NSSS also offers the option for Users to progress on the sanitation level of the service ladder as they would be able to use water to flush toilets. NSSS therefore does not require extensive time and cost to extend the bulk water and sewer networks to allow flushing toilets.
2. INTRODUCTION
SANS 30500 defines Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems (NSSS) as a system that collects, conveys, and fully treats the specific input to allow for the safe
reuse or disposal of generated solid output and/or effluent. In this work, it is therefore assumed that NSSS will refer to a Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) solution that does not have a connection to a bulk wastewater network. It is also important to note that these solutions are localised and have the potential to:
1. Generate effluent that could be used for reuse (irrigation or flushing of toilets);
2. Biogas that could be used for cooking; and
3. Biosolids that could be used for agricultural purposes.
2.1 The Scenarios
Three scenarios were conceptualized to assess the viability of NSSS against conventional wastewater treatment systems and are summarised in Table 1.
TABLE 1: Scenario Specifications
A brief description of each scenario is provided below.
Scenario 1 - Household: An average single household is expected to produce around 0.6kl/day (600l/day) of wastewater (Still et al., 2009). This aligns with real discharge data and standard wastewater discharges in various sources.
Scenario 2 - Informal Settlements: Historically, informal settlements in eThekwini Municipality have been served by containerised ablution blocks (CAB) or Modular Ablution Blocks (MAB), with a recorded daily wastewater volume of approximately 8kl (Bosch Projects, 2013).
Scenario 3 - Schools: This scenario is based on a typical informal/rural school with approximately 500 pupils. Based on literature reviews, a waste generation rate of 37 l/day was applied for pit latrines (Bosch Stemele, 2015).
2.2 The Baseline Technologies
The conventional sanitation solutions used and their associated cost elements that were included in the study are presented in Table 2.
The estimated capital costs for the technologies are intended to serve as a conceptual reference rather than an exact figure. Various factors, such as site-specific conditions and urban versus rural location, contribute to the variability of capital costs. Nevertheless, these cost estimates inform NSSS innovators of the typical expenses associated with conventional technologies in different scenarios. They can also serve as targets for improving the cost structure of their offering through successive iterations.
TABLE 2: Baseline Technology Specifications
Centralised WWTW
Decentralised WWTW
Connected to a bulk sewer network with a treatment capacity greater than 5ML/d.
Connected to a bulk sewer network with a treatment capacity of 200kl/d that is relatively close to the End User.
VIP Collection and storage of human excreta in a pit.
Chemical Toilets
Portable units that contain a holding tank to store human excreta that can be broken down and deodorised using Ammonia compounds
2.3 Front-End Systems
Bulk sewer network (including pipe crossings) Pump Station Treatment Facility
Bulk sewer network Treatment Facility
Top structure Pit excavation and lining
These units are typically rented and are emptied relatively often.
The front-end systems considered in each of the scenarios investigated are summarised in Table 3 below.
TABLE 3: Front-End Specification
Description A single cubical that is 1.5 square meters in size contains 1 flush toilet. Modified shipping container consisting of 2 showers, 2 flush toilets, 2 hand basins, and 4 outside basins.
15 cubicles each containing a single flush toilet. Number of Seats 1 2 15
3. KEY FINDINGS
3.1 Front-End Capital Cost
Table 4 below presents the capital cost for the front-end systems in each of the scenarios considered. In the household scenario, the value in parenthesis depicts the front-end system cost with the inclusion of a low-flush cistern. It is noted that these systems have a higher upfront cost due to their efficient design however, these systems may offer a saving to the End-User as less water will have to be bought from the municipality for toilet flushing.
TABLE 4: Capital Cost of Front-End Systems
3.2 Capital Cost for NSSS
Figure 1 shows the unit capital cost for providing sanitation treatment solutions to a household through the various technologies. Options one to nine (1 – 9) depict the various NSSS technologies investigated. The costs for informal settlements and schools are estimated by scaling up the costs for households.
The unit capital cost for providing NSSS to households varies significantly, ranging from around R120,000/kl to just under R 1.1 million/kl. This variation is due to the scale at which the technology operates, with larger units
As built treatment works costs were undertaken in 2015 and escalated to 2023 prices.
As built treatment works costs were undertaken in 2019 and escalated to 2023 prices.
As built treatment works costs were undertaken in 2015 and escalated to 2023 prices.
Sanitech Solutions provided a quotation to supply chemical toilets.
FIGURE 1: Unit Capital Cost (R/kl) for NSSS for Households.
expected to have lower unit capital costs compared to the smaller units, following the ‘economies of scale’ principle.
The costs linked to providing solar systems with NSSS should be further investigated, as they represent a relatively substantial cost for some of the options. There might be potential in optimizing the design of the solar solutions across several NSSS.
There is potential to reduce site and installation costs, as well as the actual production and supply of the unit, to ensure that the technologies can be more competitive against centralized (R36,000/kl) and decentralized (R59,000/kl) sanitation solutions.
3.3 Operating Costs for NSSS
Figure 2 below shows the unit operating cost (R/kl) for providing a NSSS to a household for the various technologies.
FIGURE 2: Unit Operating Costs (R/kl) for Households.
The analysis revealed that sampling and analysis constituted a significant portion of the operating costs of the NSSS under consideration. In the
Household scenario, sampling and analysis represented 37% of Option 1 and 43% of Option 5 annual operating costs. Overall, in the Household scenario, sampling and analysis accounted for 25% of the total annual operating costs of the NSSS.
However, it is important to note that in the informal settlement scenario, sampling and analysis accounted for only 7% of the overall annual operating cost, and in the school’s scenario, it accounted for a mere 3%. This is due to the fixed nature of the sampling and analysis component, which remains unchanged across different scenarios. The operating costs that are influenced by flow rates saw a significant increase in the schools and informal settlements scenarios, resulting in sampling and analysis representing a smaller portion of the overall annual operating costs.
Capital costs were factored in to determine the annual replacement cost of the asset, ensuring its continued operation over 15 years. Consequently, a reduction in the replacement cost of the asset is expected as the capital cost decreases. While a generalized approach was used in the modeling exercise, the replacement cost for an NSSS should be evaluated independently, as some solutions are more resilient and require fewer replacements over the operational period.
3.4 A Discounted Cash Flow Approach
A Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) approach was used to assess the value proposition to the End User in various scenarios over 15 years. This approach factored in upfront capital costs, escalated operating costs, replacement costs, and potential savings for the End User from not purchasing water and paying sewerage charges. Conventional technologies would result in a net cash output from the End User, requiring payment of water and sanitation tariffs to the Municipality.
Assumptions in the DCF model included the following;
1. Operating costs increased by 6%;
2. Municipal tariffs increased by 10%;
3. Weighted Average Cost of Capital was 10%;
4. Water Tariff for Households – R15/kl; and
5. Sanitation Tariff for Households – R12/kl.
During the study, it was assumed that all solar PV solutions would be able to supply the full electricity needed to operate the backend treatment facility. The study did not consider any preferential rates for the decentralized and centralized solutions.
The study did not account for the land procurement costs necessary for implementing upgrades at the WWTW. Additionally, the potential externalized pollution costs resulting from the inefficient operation of the WWTW and the corresponding rehabilitation expenses, along with asset depreciation, were also excluded from the study.
3.5 The Outcomes of the Modelling Exercise
Figure 3 indicates the Net Present Value (NPV) that a household would incur should an NSSS be employed as compared to a conventional sanitation solution.
The cost of using NSSS over 15 years is much higher than conventional sanitation solutions for households. Chemical toilets are a relatively high life-cycle cost to the household for an asset that is perpetually rented by the Household and is not owned by the End User. The presented scenario considers one household connected to the NSSS, but some technologies can handle higher flows.
Figure 4 provides an indication of the NPV for a household but with each solution serving the maximum number of households being served and operating at full capacity.
FIGURE 4: NPV per Household at full capacity.
Figure 4 indicates that the NPV to a household is comparable to conventional solutions for Option 5 and Option 9. This is due to these solutions having a higher capacity and being able to connect to several households. This highlights the benefit that economies of scale can provide. This is highlighted further in Figure 5 which indicates the benefit of implementing an NSSS at a school.
FIGURE 5: NPV at a school.
Figure 5 presented is based on the linear scaling up of the NSSS in relation to their wastewater treatment capacity. There may be other benefits that accrue based on providing a solution that can treat a higher volume of wastewater, but the linear approach was considered adequate to provide an understanding of the potential benefits of these technologies when implemented in a school setting. Upon examination of Figure 5, it is evident that Options 5 and 9 yield a lower NPV in comparison to traditional solutions.
FIGURE 3: NPV for a Household.
This outcome is attributed to the cost savings realized from not needing water to flush toilets and the avoidance of expenses associated with wastewater disposal into the sewerage network.
Furthermore, the diagram emphasizes the significance of the tariff in determining the financial feasibility of the solution. It is important to note that a commercial tariff of R43.22/kl of potable water was employed to calculate the savings that would accrue to the school. Figure 6 illustrates the impact of utilizing a tariff of R59.48/kl of potable water at a school.
Figure 6 illustrates that Option 5 offers a cumulative cash saving for the school over 15 years. This suggests that under certain circumstances, NSSS has the potential to generate financial savings for the End User based on the volume of treated wastewater and the relevant tariff structure.
3.6 Sensitivity Analysis
A Sensitivity Analysis was conducted to assess the impact of reducing capital and operating costs by 30% and increasing the tariff by 30%. It was found that reducing operating costs had the most significant impact across all scenarios due to these costs being incurred and escalated annually over fifteen years. Increasing the tariff by 30% had little impact on households but affected schools with higher base tariffs, indicating that higher-income households would benefit more from the system.
4. OTHER STRATEGIC BENEFITS
4.1 The Strategic Benefits
The NSSS solutions can be completed within a much shorter timeframe than centralised and decentralised solutions and do not require a bulk water and sewer connection. This is particularly important when considering the time required to institute a municipal bulk sewer connection in a rural area. It should also be noted that whilst the analysis was conducted on a user or kilolitre basis, it is unlikely that centralised wastewater treatment works will be upgraded on a relatively small basis. This total cost of the upgrade of centralised wastewater treatment works would require a significantly larger investment from a municipality as compared to a smaller modular investment in NSSS.
4.2 Reduction in Capital Cost
The capital expenses for each of the NSSS decreased from the initial engagement to the final information-sharing session with the innovators. This reduction was due to the developers’ increased familiarity with the technologies and their understanding of areas where changes could be made without negatively impacting the performance of their respective technologies.
The decrease in capital costs should be viewed as a successful outcome of SASTEP’s pilot initiatives. It is anticipated that further reductions could be attained in future iterations of these technologies, along with potential benefits when procuring raw materials in large quantities.
4.3
Potential for Localisation
The review of raw material sources for the innovations focused on the potential for local production or procurement instead of imports. It was found that treatment media and some electrical components were sourced internationally, but these components make up a small portion of the budget. The proprietary nature of the media used in the reactors poses a challenge to localization. The scale at which electrical component suppliers produce these components suggests that localisation would be a challenge. The international suppliers of these products are also able to improve the performance of these components regularly.
4.4 Operating business model
The Innovators are currently able to supply the NSSS either as an outright sale or a sale with a service contract for a specified period. This is deemed to be appropriate based on the customer that is being supplied and their ability to service and maintain the units.
These service contracts will reduce the upfront costs to the End User and spread this over a period. This option is dependent on the credibility of the End User to meet the monthly payments over a period and the cash flow of the Innovator.
4.5 Sampling and monitoring
Sampling and analysis accounted for 25% of the total annual operating costs in the Household scenario. The Innovators suggested that these costs might not be necessary once the value proposition is confirmed. The requirement for sampling and analysis would need to be carefully balanced between the benefit provided against the cost incurred by the End User. There may be a need to consider reduced frequency of sampling and analysis once the performance of the Solutions has been confirmed but this could still be included at some point to confirm the performance of the solutions during the operational phase.
4.6 Scaling up production
The Innovators have advised that their suppliers have been providing quotations for relatively small orders, sporadically. Innovators have advised that these suppliers have indicated that discounts can be provided should the quantity and frequency of orders increase. However, the suppliers have advised that these discounts can only be quantified once the orders are placed.
FIGURE 7: 50 % Reduction in Capex and Opex for informal settlements.
FIGURE 6: NPV at a school with a tariff of R59.48 per kl.
In this regard, the project team conducted a sensitivity analysis to assess the impact that a 50 % reduction in the capital and operating costs of NSSS would have in the informal settlements scenario.
Figure 7 highlights that by achieving a 50% reduction in operating and capital expenditure, Option 5 and Option 9 present a net saving to the informal settlement over 15 years. Importantly, Options 4, Option 6, and option 8 also result in a scenario in which the informal settlement has net cash outflow, but this is lower than if the informal settlement had been connected to a conventional sanitation solution.
This highlights that there is a need to ensure a reduction in unit costing during production through economies of scale. The operating costs also need to be reduced to ensure that the benefits accrue to the End User. The purchase price of chemicals used in the treatment process could be negotiated down if there is an increase in demand. It should also be noted that the replacement cost of the units would reduce as the capital price of certain items is reduced.
4.7 The Use of Indicators
It is important to identify the most suitable indicator for a particular scenario and employ it to assess solutions for that scenario while recognizing that there may be subtleties to the indicator being utilized. For instance, in a school setting, capital costs per user could serve as a viable indicator; however, one must bear in mind that solutions are also tailored differently based on the gender distribution of learners at the school. Furthermore, when comparing technologies across different scenarios, it is important to consider the usage of the facilities. For example, utilizing a volumetric basis (R/kl) in schools and informal settlements would yield varying results, as learners at schools use the facilities differently compared to users in informal settlements.
5. OBSERVATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND WAY FORWARD
5.1 The potential for NSSS
The NSSS assessed are more expensive than conventional sanitation solutions in markets that discharge lower volumes of wastewater. However, these solutions could be made more competitive by considering the following:
1. Aggregating the flows from various users to achieve better economies of scale; and
2. Consider aggregating raw material requirements from all NSSS within the SASTEP portfolio and consider bulk purchases for similar pieces of equipment.
It was also noted that suppliers to the NSSS have indicated that orders with higher volumes or increased frequency may be able to attract higher discounts. Thus, a programmatic approach in areas that are suitable for the NSSS may reduce the costs of these solutions once it has been proven that this is the most attractive sanitation solution in a particular context.
5.2 SASTEP
The Innovators were able to reduce the capital costs and operating costs associated with their NSSS throughout the study. This highlights the importance of programs like the SASTEP programme in developing sanitation solutions that improve access to a higher level of service and that could also provide financial and non-financial benefits to End Users. Access to an acceptable level of sanitation services is an important priority in South Africa and the outputs generated by SASTEP could be utilised in communities that lack this access. It is therefore important that SASTEP is supported and capitalised by the Department of Science and Innovation, National Treasury, and the WRC.
5.3 The Market
There is an opportunity for NSSS in markets that produce large amounts of wastewater, such as informal settlements and schools. These solutions could be offered for outright sale or with a service component. The financial benefit will depend on the municipal tariff for wastewater discharge and water purchase. It is important to consider potential interest from private sector markets in utilizing NSSS.
5.4 Way forward
The initial investment required for an engineering project can vary based on the in-depth site assessment and its outcomes. Conducting this assessment can be time-consuming and relatively costly. Therefore, high-level desktop exercises are typically carried out before gathering detailed site information to confirm the project’s potential and justify further investment.
The results of these preliminary exercises are primarily conceptual and serve as indicators rather than definitive conclusions. However, they suggest potential financial and non-financial gains from the further development and enhancement of NSSS for the End User. These benefits are not only in the form of water and sanitation tariff savings but also include potential savings associated with the utilisation of biogas for cooking and heating. Savings related to biogas would require further assessment as it would depend on the cost associated with the generation and containment of the gas.
In terms of concept, there are clear advantages to introducing and utilizing NSSS. Consequently, the next step would involve conducting a feasibility study to evaluate the applicability of the solution in a specific municipality, considering area-specific challenges related to access to sanitation and the proximity to the bulk sewer network.
The feasibility study should encompass the development of procurement documents for the implementation of NSSS, along with any necessary supporting documentation (such as bid committee documents and valuefor-money considerations) to facilitate successful NSSS deployment in a municipal setting.
The findings of the feasibility study would serve as a blueprint that can be adopted by other municipalities. It would also contribute to knowledge sharing and skills development, fostering collaboration among Innovators, municipal officials, and other water sector professionals to address sanitation challenges using site-specific data.
6. REFERENCES
GreenCape. (2021, November). Non-sewered sanitation systems - Case Study. Cape Town, South Africa.
Jenkins, M., & Curtis, V. (2005). Achieving the ‘good life’: Why some people want latrines in rural Benin. Social Science and Medicine, 2446-2459.
Mwale, J. (2014). Low Flush Latrines for Public Schools: Lessons from Two School Pilots. Pretoria: Water Information Network: South Africa.
Nozaic, D., & Freese, S. (2010). Process Design Guide for Small Wastewater Works. Pretoria: Water Research Commission.
Still, D. (2002). After the Pit Latrine is Full...What Then? Effective Options for Pit Latrine. WISA Biennial Conference. Durban.
Still, D., Walker, N., & Hazelton, D. (2009). Basic Sanitation Services In South Africa. Pretoria: Water Research Commission.
Tilley, E. U. (2014). Compendium Of Sanitation Systems and Technologies. EAWAG.
TIPS. (2022). Water and Sanitation Industry Master Plan Policy Report.
USEPA. (2005). Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems: Program Strategy. USEPA.
Water Research Commission. (2014). The WRC Pour Flush Toilet: Lessons from Western Cape Trials. Pretoria: Water Information Network: South Africa. Winant, E. (n.d.). Technical Overview: Alternative Toilets. Morgantown: National Environmental Services Center.
7. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Phillip Majeke, Sudhir Pillay, Jay Bhagwan, Akin Akinsete, and Valerie Naidoo of the Water Research Commission. Their expertise and insightful feedback have greatly enriched this work and we would like to thank them for their invaluable support and guidance through this research process.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Innovators within the SASTEP programme that provided the information necessary for the work to be undertaken successfully.
THE ROLE OF ADVANCED UTILITY BILLING AND CUSTOMER SERVICES SOFTWARE IN MAXIMIZING MUNICIPAL REVENUE
Dr. Dinos Constantinides¹ and Costas Georgiou²
Utility Management Expert, Hydro-Comp¹
Utility Billing Expert, Hydro-Comp²
ABSTRACT
Effective revenue collection for Water & Sanitation services is paramount for the sustainable operation of South African municipalities. However, current statistics reveal a concerning average revenue collection rate of 72.5%, with some municipalities falling below 50%. In contrast, concessions contracts managed by private entities in South Africa boast nearly perfect collection rates, whilst in two neighbouring African countries, the water utilities serving 2.3 million and 1.2 million people respectively, have a collection rate of over 95%.
Non-Collected revenue is not simply a result of non-paying customers. This paper delves into the complex composition of non-collected revenue and further sheds light on the factors contributing to commercial losses.
A critical differentiator between municipalities achieving high collection rates and low commercial losses and those lagging, is the adoption of proper Utility Billing and Customer Services software. Despite serving similar customer bases and employing comparable personnel, municipalities utilizing legacy Municipal billing systems struggle to achieve optimal performance. Conversely, those leveraging advanced Utility billing and Customer Services software, supported by robust commercial databases, efficient business procedures, covering the full facet of Commercial Activities and Operations, with sufficient audit trail, controls, and authorization, minimizing risks of human error and frauds, demonstrate far superior performance.
While many municipalities recognize the shortcomings of their existing billing systems, apprehension surrounding the associated costs and implementation risks inhibits progress. The paper advocates for exploring alternative procurement approaches where vendors’ pricing can suit municipalities of any size and where vendors assume the risk, thereby mitigating concerns and facilitating affordable and smoother transitions to modernized billing systems.
In conclusion, this paper emphasizes the urgent need for municipalities to prioritize the adoption of advanced Utility Billing and Customer Services software to optimize revenue collection and operational efficiency. It proposes innovative procurement strategies to alleviate implementation concerns and drive positive transformation in an affordable manner within the sector.
INTRODUCTION
The main Components and Characteristics of a proper Utility Billing software are explained. Emphasis is placed on the need for a robust database encompassing all elements necessary to accommodate all possible physical entities and transactions as well as best practice
business procedures covering all possible applications/activities. The software should have enough functionality to cover all commercial operations avoiding the need of integration with many sub-systems as such integration presents a big challenge in terms of sustainability and costs for maintaining the links.
Components of commercial losses are also described, and the use of Utility Billing highlighted in addressing such losses.
The use of proper Utility Billing greatly enhances revenues and reduces wastage, a main characteristic of non-paying customers as well as illegal/ unregistered connections.
The replacement of commonly used legacy Municipal Billing systems, is a must if Municipalities can hope to improve performance in terms of accurate billing, better collections and lower commercial losses. Such replacement is often associated with high risk of failure and associated costs. An alternatively, to common practice, procurement model is proposed to greatly reduce such risks and costs.
PROPER UILITY BILLING SYSTEM & CUSTOMER SERVICES SOFTWARE Main Components & Characteristics
A proper Billing & CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system must be a fully functional consolidated commercial management system that has been specifically designed to cater for the unique requirements of Utility Service Providers and Municipalities. It should cover all facets of revenue management, customer relationship lifecycle, including on-line enquiries, meter readings, including smart meters interface, walk route management, debt management, revenue collection, direct sales, meter and connection management, billing and management reporting and be fully integrated with Geographical Information systems.
It is important that the new software should have enough functionality to cover all commercial operations avoiding the need of integration with
FIGURE 1: Main Components of a Utility Billing & Customer Services software
many sub-systems as such integration presents a big challenge in terms of sustainability and costs for maintaining the links. Furthermore, it ensures that no data duplication exists and enables workflows between different functions.
Main characteristics should include:
• It must provide multiple levels of authorisation throughout a business procedure.
• It must allow ease of communication with customers via various ways (emails, SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram etc) and keep history of the specific communication for reference.
• It must avoid duplication of input data and be designed to protect data integrity and security. It must support Data Encryption where this is considered vital.
• It must provide enough automation and foolproof mechanisms and controls to reduce user’s effort and minimize risks of human error and frauds.
• It must, nevertheless, have a scalable audit trail mechanism where the system administrator is be able to monitor the level of Audit trail and focus on particular areas and functions of the system.
• It must be open to interface to any other 3rd party system via API (Application Programming Interface) and provide enough raw data towards the reduction of unaccounted of water, identify faulty meters, possible water leakages etc.
• It must provide a portal and a mobile application for customers to navigate their account, view historical transactions and readings, pay their bill, and view a summary of their profile through business intelligence dashboards.
• It should also allow customers to submit a complaint or a request and have interactive communication regarding that, till full completion.
• Modern Utility Billing systems will even allow a non-customer to apply for a new account.
Finally, but not last, it must support tablet or mobile access of field staff (e.g. Meter Readers, inspectors, technicians, engineers, disconnection/ reconnection teams etc) to receive and execute tasks assigned to them.
DATA BASE MODEL
The Billing & Customer Information data model should make provision
for the unique nature of Utility data. It must include all entities involved, maintain links between them and update such links only through proper authorised application procedures. For example, it must deal effectively with the dilemma of non-paying tenants by maintaining a link to the owner of the property. Furthermore, it should allow for multiple properties per plot and multiple connections per property. It must also make provision for all types of metered and flat-rate services required by a Utility or municipality, combining it all into a single consolidated bill.
COMMERCIAL BUSINESS PROCESSES
The fallacy that a Billing system is simply turning meter readings into a bill, such as a simple spot-billing system, does not hold. A proper Billing system must have robust, efficient business procedures as per best-practices and be flexible enough to adopt and adjust to the requirements, policies and legislation, a specific Utility or Municipality is governed under.
Table 1 below gives a list of typical working procedures, whilst the diagrams that follow illustrate some of the most common ones in a proper Billing system.
1: List of Typical Commercial Procedures
REPORTING & BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
Commercial Performance Indicators (PI)
Suitable Performance Indicators (PI) for Commercial Management must be defined in line with Municipal expectations and must be aimed at improving efficiency and providing the means for better control and effective decision making at all levels. The list of proposed PI is given in the table below. It should be possible to produce such PI as a function of variables such as: period, Complaint type, Application type, Billing Group, Consumer Type, Tarif category and Township as applicable.
Operational Reports
Operational Reports are extremely important and should come in all relevant forms (summary, detailed, customer, lists and forms) and should cover all commercial functions including: Enquiries, Collections, Meter Reading, Billing, Debt Management and Customers.
Business Intelligence/ Dashboards
Business Intelligence/ Dashboards are a must for Monitoring and Evaluation of all commercial operations at all relevant levels. They are best presented in a Utility Management Portal, organised in a hierarchical manner enabling authorised access to appropriate persons, enabling authorised access to all relevant information at all management levels, such as Operator, Supervisor, Departmental Manager, Senior Management levels and stakeholders.
COMMERCIAL LOSSES
Main Components Of Commercial Losses
The adjacent table shows all components of “non-revenue water” as per the IWA (International Water Association) proposed classification.
The IWA classification is extended – as indicated in the diagram in the next page - to a more comprehensive breakdown in order to separate problems of a different nature that will require a different approach in their solution.
The approach considers various additional factors regarding Apparent (Commercial) Losses, such as:
1) NRW vs UFW: Non-revenue water (NRW) is differentiated from Un-accounted for Water (UFW). UFW is defined as the difference between the volume of water produced and water sold, whilst NRW is defined as the difference between the volume of water produced and water paid for.
2) Non-paying customers are allowed for as they are addressed both in terms of debt management policies and procedures as well as in terms of the reasons for non-payment
3) Wastage and internal leakage are allowed for as it can be a major component of the water production and manifest themselves mainly at non-paying customers and illegal connections as well as institutional customers (e.g. Government schools). Addressing those issues will greatly reduce such components of unaccounted for water.
4) Customer metering inaccuracies: these are separated into two categories and those into further categories highlighting the different nature of the problems and leading towards their appropriate remedies.
REVENUES NOT COLLECTED
It follows from the above breakdown that Revenues not collected are not necessarily revenues that could have been collected as non-payers as well as customers without meters are known to waste water and mostly ignore internal leaks. A study done in Motherwell, an area of Port Elizabeth a few years back which was not metered indicated that approximately 1/3 of the demand was due to useful consumption, 1/3 due to leakage and 1/3 due to wastage and internal leakage. Similarly in the United Kingdom many Utilities faced huge losses once they introduced meter at households as demand dropped dramatically and consequently their revenues dropped.
COMMERCIAL rehabilitation planning
A good Utility Billing system should have a commercial rehabilitation planning module, expected to be run by the Utility on a regular basis and form the basis of identifying “apparent” losses; resulting fieldwork will result in higher revenues. The module should produce discrepancy lists summarized in a report regarding:
3) Exceptions Analysis Reports (relationships between elements), including Plots vs. Properties, Connections vs. Consumptions, Connections vs. Meters, Connections vs. Walk Routes, Consumer vs. Properties, Consumer Categories Usage, Consumer Categories Reconciliation (correct assignment)
4) Suspect problem meters: - List of meters that might need replacing, including Oversized Meters, Undersized Meters, Malfunctioning Meters, stuck-meters.
FIGURE 5: Change of Tenant
FIGURE 3: Billing Cycle
FIGURE 4: Customer Services Cycle
FIGURE 6: Credit Control
FIGURE 7: IWA Classification for NRW
CASE STUDIES
Revenue Improvements In Middle Egypt Water Authorities
Three Middle Egypt Water Authorities, the Governorates of Fayoum, BeniSuef and Al Minia replaced their old legacy billing software with proper Utility Billing and Customer Information software in the early 2000s. An audit that followed a few years later revealed the results shown in the table showing a dramatical improvement in terms of both customer services and revenues. Note that Revenues increased on average by 74% immediately after implementation of the systems and over eight years increased over 5 times even though tariff increases were less than double over the same period.
Dar Es Salaam Water And Sewerage Corporation In Tanzania
The Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Corporation in Tanzania serves over 170,000 connections and maintain a network over 2,000km long. The implementation of a proper Billing system achieved spectacular results within the first two years of operations (increase of revenues by 45%) as reported in the article below by METERING.COM
FIGURE 8: Extended IWA Classification
TABLE 3: Middle Egypt Water Authorities: Improvement in Performance
High Collection Ratios
Examples of clients in sub-Saharan Africa with high collection ratios (over 95%) include: Swaziland (EWSC) (population served 1.2 mil), Lesotho (WASCO) (population served 2.3 mil) and Balito (SA-SIZA Water).
PROPOSED PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES
While many municipalities recognize the shortcomings of their existing billing systems, apprehension surrounding the associated costs and implementation risks inhibits progress. There has been reports of Billing systems costing over 1 billion Rand and then replaced due to various reasons, including customer dissatisfaction (wrong bills) and failure to meet financial controls.
Utility Billing and Customer services software supply is internationally quite competitive, and vendors are competing to increase market share and increase recurrent revenues rather than realise high upfront profits. Prospective customers should take advantage of this.
The sections below recommend guidelines for RFP (Requests for Proposal) that would be acceptable by many worthwhile vendors and pass on the risk to the vendor rather than the Client.
Pricing Considerations
1) Pricing for Software licensing should be recurrent, on an annual basis, payable at commencement of the year. Contract duration should be at least 5-years with an option for another 5-years.
2) Costs for implementation should only be payable on software functional acceptance, prior to going live.
3) Variable Costs. Do not accept pricing variables relating to number of users or number of connections. Rather stipulate population served and requested an unlimited number of user licenses and connection licenses to suit your requirements.
Prequalification Requirements
1) Ask for references for Utilities/Municipalities of at least similar size.
2) Do not insist of many or any South African references. There are a lot more worthwhile Utility Billing systems elsewhere.
3) Do not request certifications other than the internationally accepted ISO standards. There are a lot of other organisations giving all sort of certificates that might or might not be known to all worthwhile vendors and this may exclude them from tendering.
Drawing up the Right Technical Requirements
1) Functional specifications regarding the scope of work should be detailed to avoid “misunderstandings” and extra costs arising during implementation.
2) Technical specifications should cover both software functionality as well as the implementation process with emphasis on requirements
definition, data conversion, functional acceptance testing, training, and go-live support.
3) Make provision for a period (2 – 3 months) to address discrepancies that initial data conversion will highlight regarding mismatching information, opening balances, etc.
4) Through an expression of interest ask potential vendors to describe their software, so you can have a good idea of what is available. Ask them to give you a detailed list of the standard forms, reports, Performance Indicators and Dashboards they can provide as part of the pricing as customising such might cost a lot of money.
5) Employ a consultant to draft them up that will at least do a preliminary requirements definition and consider vendor’s software functionality.
6) Have a look at other TOR published by your counterparts. They might provide useful input, though I haven’t seen anything worthwhile locally.
7) Decide if you want an in-house hosted or a cloud hosted solution. Small to medium size utilities/ municipalities that don’t have elaborate ICT departments are better off with cloud solutions.
8) Do not mix unlike things in the tender, for example:
a. ERP (Enterprise resource planning) systems: that include Financial Management, Stores and Procurement and Human resources should not be tendered with a Utility Billing system.
b. Computer Hardware: Rather ask the vendor for minimum specifications and procure independently. It will be cheaper.
9) Ask for a Utility Billing and Customer Services solution that will meet all your commercial needs and ask for integration only where other type of vendors are involved, like:
a. with Hunan Resources, Stores and Support Services for work scheduling
b. AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure)/ AMR (Automatic meter reading)/ Smart meters
c. Pre-paid meter manufacturers
d. Means of communication with customers, such as: emails, SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram etc)
e. Integration with payment gateways and banks
10) Do not ask to integrate with existing peripheral software you might have, such as: CRM, spot billing, mobile apps for field work, etc. Let the vendor supply an integrated solution and let him guarantee the integrity and integration of the overall system during the contract duration.
11) GIS: The system should integrate with the GIS/LIS and can use Google Maps as background for better reference. The user should be able to drill down to the selected element from the GIS or vice versa. The vendor should be asked to provide all necessary GIS licenses required and ensure integration with the GIS as otherwise this can be a considerably additional expensive item.
12) Include the requirements functionality that can assist you lower commercial losses, as described under commercial rehabilitation planning. This should include an automated interface with the Municipal land parcel/ property data to perform reconciliation analysis to properties without connection or other discrepancies that lead to apparent losses.
13) The system should provide a specialized module for the periodical import of Georeferenced data from the Land and Survey Department/ Town Planning. These data must be automatically imported, validated and discrepancy reports against existing data must be produced.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, this paper emphasizes the urgent need for municipalities to prioritize the adoption of advanced Utility Billing and Customer Services software to optimize revenue collection and operational efficiency. It proposes innovative procurement strategies to alleviate implementation concerns and drive positive transformation in an affordable manner within the sector
FIGURE 9: Article on Dar Es Salaam’s Water Revenue Increases
PERFORMANCE MONITORING FOR EXECUTIVES IN ROAD MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE DELIVERY
Ms Carys Sutherland BSc(Eng)
Urban and Public Infrastructure Research Initiative (UPIRI), University of Cape Town
ABSTRACT
The road network plays a pivotal role in fostering economic growth, social connectivity, and regional development in every country. The quality of the network significantly impacts these. Therefore, it is important for governments and municipalities to ensure that the road network is maintained. Repair methods must be aligned with the scientific principles of road maintenance to ensure they are good quality and effective. Road repairs often fall short of meeting the required quality and design life, rendering them economically unjustifiable.
This study aimed to identify and investigate the relationship between performance monitoring and common technical errors in the maintenance of flexible pavements. This was achieved using a comprehensive exploratory study of road maintenance practices with a multi-faceted approach. Initially, the key performance indicators (KPIs) used by municipalities to manage road maintenance were assessed for specificity, measurability, achievability, relevance, and time specificity (SMART). This was to determine if these KPIs are aligned with the overarching goals of effective road maintenance. The second aspect comprised on-site and remote longitudinal observations of road maintenance practice in the City of Johannesburg, where common issues leading to unsuccessful repairs were identified. By synthesising these three facets, broader conclusions regarding the quality and effectiveness of road maintenance practices in South Africa were drawn.
It was found that although South Africa’s guidelines and manuals are in line with current research, pavement repairs that are non-compliant or fail rapidly are common. This was linked to municipalities using KPIs that do not assess quality of repairs nor the condition of the overall network. The pressure for meeting these KPIs overtakes road maintenance teams’ resolve to ensure good quality work. In conclusion, by ensuring SMART KPIs are used when developing municipal budget and service delivery plans, it is possible to ensure that workmanship and network quality is maintained.
INTRODUCTION
South Africa has a road maintenance backlog estimated at R135.4 billion for paved roads (Ross & Townshend, 2019), consisting of mostly provincial and municipal backlog. Johannesburg Road Association (JRA) service standards require that 80% of all potholes are repaired within 30 days of being reported, however, in the 2021/2022 financial year, the JRA only achieved 54% within 30 days (JRA, 2022). Additionally, the JRA alone is responsible for 12 000km of road, most of which is older than its intended 30-year design life. Without maintenance and repair, the pavement will reach a terminal condition at which complete reconstruction or rehabilitation may be necessary. This is generally more expensive than a maintenance approach, consisting of routine and periodic maintenance, which can keep the road in good condition well beyond its initial design life.
Road maintenance
Flexible pavements are designed to be able to support predicted traffic volumes for a specified design life. Over time and as the cumulative traffic loads reach the total predicted value, the condition of the pavement deteriorates gradually until the road is in urgent need of either rehabilitation or reconstruction (SAPEM, 2014). The leading causes of this deterioration are traffic loading and moisture ingress, as well as other factors such as climatic conditions, construction processes, design issues, material issues and subgrade conditions (Adlinge & Gupta, 2014).
A pothole is a secondary defect that happens because of water ingress into the pavement layers through a pre-existing defect, such as a crack or surface failure (Marasteanu et al., 2018; Paige-Green, Maharaj & Komba, 2010). Therefore, road maintenance can reduce costs by delaying the need for reconstruction.
The primary objectives of road maintenance are to (1) ensure that the road survives its design life, (2) provide a smooth, comfortable, and quick ride for users, (3) reduce user costs, and (4) ensure that resources required for maintenance are used efficiently (Horak et al., 2004). Furthermore, if good quality maintenance activities are carried out timeously, the life of the pavement can exceed its intended design life. These four objectives can be met through four levels of maintenance activities including i) routine road maintenance which can either be proactive/preventative (e.g. crack sealing, structural patches, surface patches), or reactive (e.g. pothole patching); ii) periodic maintenance which includes maintenance activities that must be performed every 5-7 years (e.g. resealing, surface rejuvenation); iii) rehabilitation which refers to the reworking of pavement layers to restore functionality; and iv) reconstruction of the road. Reconstruction is expected to take place once the road has passed its design life and rehabilitation cannot restore functionality (COTO, 2013; Salih, Edum-Fotwe & Price, 2016).
Internationally, road maintenance budgets are generally insufficient to maintain high service levels on an entire network and this is unlikely to change significantly (Burningham & Stankevich, 2005; Ross & Townshend, 2019; Salih, Edum-Fotwe & Price, 2016). Thus, road maintenance management systems need to include a process of first determining the severity of distress and what action is required to return the road to an acceptable standard, and then prioritising and optimising the schedule of activities for maximum budget and delivery efficiency. Severity of distress or road condition can be assessed visually using methods described in the Technical Methods for Highways No. 9 (COTO, 2016). However, both the South African Technical Methods for Highways No. 22: Road Asset Management Manual (TMH 22) and the South African Pavement Engineering Manual (SAPEM) suggest that mechanical and electronic surveillance measurement technology offers a more objective method of assessing pavement condition (COTO, 2013; SANRAL, 2014). Road roughness, skid resistance and texture, pavement detection, and rutting are key electronic measurements that can be used to describe the road condition, and these measurements can be used to determine performance indices. Guidelines on these indices have been developed by COTO (SANRAL, 2014).
Performance management
Management of service delivery in South African Municipalities is complex with two main levels of contracts that determine performance requirements. The
Department/Utility is essentially a contractor to the Municipal client and the Contractor is a contractor to the Departmental client (further illustrated in Figure 1). Using the City of Johannesburg (COJ) as an example, the Municipal client is the COJ, the Departmental client is the CEO of the JRA, and the Contractor is either JRA maintenance teams or private contractor companies. Because of this relationship, it is not necessarily in the interests of the Department/Utility executive to enforce quality standards at their level if they are not assessed in the performance contract between the Department/Utility and the Municipality.
FIGURE 1: The structures and documents that set KPIs for road maintenance (IDP = Integrated Development Plan; SDBIP = Service Delivery & Budget Implementation Plan.
KPI = Key Performance Indicators)
Performance of road maintenance is assessed differently depending on the performance contract level. At performance contract level 1, the quality of individual projects or repairs is assessed. Individual projects need to be of good quality so that budget, time and resources are not wasted on repeated repairs. Acceptance criteria of different types of pavement repairs are specified in the road maintenance manuals. The CSIR Pothole Guide requires acceptable final riding quality, no depression after traffic compaction but rather slightly raised at completion, an aesthetic and neat patch – checked after completion for level with straight edge (Paige-Green, Maharaj & Komba, 2010). Acceptance criteria from the Standard Specifications are that backfilling must be done in layers to an appropriate thickness, density and level; and the final riding surface should not have undulation greater than 5mm (COTO, 2020). Both the Standard Specifications and the RRMM recommend assessing material quality by collecting and conducting standardised laboratory experiments on samples collected in-situ to check compliance. On site conducted tests and inspections are also recommended. These include using Dynamic Cone Penetrometers or Rapid Compaction Control Devices (RCCD) to measure compaction; using thermometers to check the compaction temperatures of HMA; using camber boards to ensure correct camber; and using a straightedge to check the level of the repair. (COTO, 2020; Paige-Green, Maharaj & Komba, 2010; SANRAL, 2009a). The Standard Specifications lay out the technical requirements and the SANS documents with which repairs must comply and these must be followed throughout execution of the work.
On the other hand, the performance of the overall network is assessed at contract level 2. Quality of localised repairs and other maintenance activities affects the overall quality of the network, and the network quality is used as a measure of performance at the second performance contract level. This is
monitored by measuring key performance indicators against set targets. TMH 22 recommends the use of key performance indicator (KPI) targets in strategic planning to aid in securing sufficient resources for maintenance. The manual gives a few examples including the percentage of road networks in a poor or very poor condition, the percentage below a certain level of serviceability, and surfacing cycles for surfacing types (COTO, 2013). These KPIs assess the overall condition of the road network and are relevant to performance contract level 2. The manual also recommends the use of several different indices and their measurement to construct KPIs.
Horak, et al. (2001) wrote a paper shortly after the formation of the JRA in January 2001. The paper motivated the use of residual or changing asset value as a KPI over the exclusive use of the Visual Condition Index and Remaining Pavement Life KPIs which were used at the time. However, in 2004 Horak et al. (2004) conducted a study on a provincial routine road maintenance unit that included identifying ways to improve productivity. The study found that the unit made use of input indicators and no output indicators. The paper recommended the increased use of output indicators as opposed to input indicators where input indicators measure resources being invested into an activity such as budget, while output indicators measure the actual work that has been done. The paper also suggested the implementation of ‘performance-based contracts’ as this showed significant potential to reduce the degree of risk to the client and a possible 40% improvement across a range of factors including service level, business opportunity, road user perceptions and productivity. Performancebased contracts (PBCs) are contracts that tie supplier payment to performance through evaluation and specification of outcomes or outputs. Selviaridis and Wynstra (2015) assessed how PBCs could be applied to operations and supply management (OSM) and found that the concept is highly relevant. PBCs can ensure alignment of supply chain actors’ incentives and thereby realising end customer outcomes through facilitation of coordination and collaboration between the client and the contractor. Argentina has had success with implementing PBCs for road rehabilitation and maintenance, citing improved efficiency and public accountability as well as greater long-term funding being secured (Liautaud, 2001). The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) released a reference note encouraging and providing guidance on the use of PBCs for road maintenance at the second performance contract level (Zietlow, 2017). The note recommends that performance levels need to be aligned with the objectives of road maintenance, relevant to existing standards and regulations, objectively and easily measurable, affordable, understandable, clearly defined, and have a low data collection cost. In other words, KPIs need to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound (SMART).
Problems in South African road maintenance management
There is a lack of literature critically reviewing South African methods of road maintenance management and implementation practices. The practices currently employed may hinder the ability of urban municipalities to provide paved road maintenance at an acceptable rate of delivery and at an acceptable standard – specifically within the context of a developing country with minimal road maintenance budget. Motivating expenditure on road maintenance is a problem experienced globally and the service tends to be underfunded. This means that efficiency is a priority. Repeated repairs to localised failures within a relatively short period of time is a common occurrence in urban areas of South Africa. This suggests that there is a poor level of service when it comes to localised repairs.
This study examines the link between performance management in urban municipalities and the quality of road maintenance activities, by reviewing key performance indicators and goals set in Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plans (SDBIPs) of metropolitan municipalities in South Africa against recognised performance management best practice.
METHODOLOGY
The broad aim of this study is to identify and investigate the relationship between performance monitoring and common technical errors in the maintenance of flexible pavements. This will be achieved through meeting the following objectives:
1. Evaluate observed road maintenance practices for quality and compliance.
2. Assess the technical relevance of key performance indicators used by road maintenance service providers in South Africa.
The study employed three primary methods of research, namely critical review, desk studies, and field observations. Firstly, 25 randomly selected cases of localised repairs were identified for analysis. From this, possible reasons for the failure of the repair were identified. Thirdly, in a further desk study of annual reports, Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plans (SDBIPs) of several metropolitan municipalities and SANRAL’s Declaration of Intent were analysed to identify key performance indicators used to measure road maintenance performance. These observations, desk studies and critical reviews were used to draw conclusions on the quality and effectiveness of road maintenance procedures used in urban areas of South Africa.
RESULTS
Of the 25 case studies identified, 17 are presented in Table 3 with a brief description of each localised repair, and information relating to the characteristics of the road on which the failure is located, including the route class, traffic volume, road gradient, terrain type, and the estimated patch age. Then the Pavement Condition Index (CIpave) and Surface Condition Index (CIsurf ) of the surrounding pavement are given. These two indices, along with adjacent condition descriptors, describe the condition of the underlying pavement structure and the surfacing layer, respectively. The indices were determined using the methods described in TMH 22 and TMH 9. Table 1 gives the key used for traffic volumes. Table 2 gives the key for the condition indicator descriptors.
Analysis of cases
Identified approaches to localised repairs
From the cases presented in the previous section, a number of key observations can be drawn. Firstly, the edges of structural patches and the edges of service trench reinstatements are a common point of failure. Poor bonding between the new surface and the old surface results in cracks forming that allow water ingress into the base. This can be seen in cases 8, 10, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 24. The crocodile cracks present in case 14, 19, and 20 have been overlain by cold mix surface patches. While this may assist in preventing water from seeping into the base, it does not address the structural failure causing the issue.
In some cases, the material that was used to repair the failure appears to be different to the surrounding surfacing material. If this material is stiffer than the surrounding material, the patch will cause further cracking owing to the differential stiffness. This can be seen in case 8, and case 22, where cracks were emanating from the patch. Other issues caused by poor materials can be seen in case 10, 18 and 23, where the material has delaminated from the surface below and severe aggregate loss can be seen. In case 23, this happened in less than seven months. Poor compaction during patch installation can lead to settlement, as seen in case 1 and case 21, however moisture issues can also cause settlement.
For most of the cases there was evidence suggesting that the original cause of the failure had not been addressed, leading to the patch failing. In cases 1, 2, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, and 24 there was evidence to suggest that moisture related issues are the primary cause of the failures and that these issues were not addressed. In some cases, there are vertical and cross-sectional alignment issues that cause ponding on the road surface, and in others there is a history of underlying moisture issues relating to a water or stormwater leak or ground water flow, however in most of these cases there appears to have been no attempt to improve the drainage situation before attempting to repair the patch. This leads to repeated failure and the road authority regularly returning to repair the road surface, as in cases 1, 10, 14, and 20. In cases 9 and 10, the local road authority returns annually to patch the same areas. This approach to road maintenance is clearly reactive with no attempt to prevent the cracks from widening by sealing them. It is possible that teams are sent into the field without all the necessary equipment to be able to ensure that repairs comply with requirements. However, in some areas it is common to see localised failures that have gotten progressively worse over time owing to delayed response or simply a technically inappropriate response. Cases 2, 8, 9, 15, 19 and 20 have deteriorated further for this reason.
Identified approaches to maintenance management
As per standard practice, it was observed that maintenance along higher class routes is prioritised. As a result, the CIs are generally higher on higher class roads. This is illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 3 where the CIs of class 2 and 3 routes tend to be higher than those of class 4 and 5 routes. Resealing activities have taken place recently on the more maintained roads while a simple strategy of patching areas of exposed base with cold mix has been adopted on lower class roads. Often, these roads appear to be well beyond their service life and have very poor riding quality. Within the study area, resealing and resurfacing has been prioritised. Resealing and resurfacing improve the surface condition; however, these maintenance methods do not actively improve the lower structural layers. Resealing is appropriate only when the structural condition index remains good to very good, resealing is appropriate. In Figure 4, the range where resealing may be applicable is outlined in red. This figure also illustrates how poorer surface condition is often accompanied by poorer pavement condition. This is owing to deterioration mechanisms described previously.
Key Performance Indicators SMART Analysis
Smaller cracks surrounding the patches, present at the time the patch was made, were not sealed. This reduces the waterproofing ability of the patch. The Standard Specifications, and the RRMM specify that crocodile cracking must either be repaired with a structural patch or sealed with geosynthetic fabric as a temporary holding measure. None of these methods have been applied in these cases. Crack sealing has also not taken place in cases 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, and 25 where cold mix patches have been used to cover points where the crack has widened to expose the base.
SDBIPs used by metropolitan municipalities are aimed at network level management and specify KPIs and targets relating to road maintenance. The targets and KPIs are largely set by each municipality independently; however, the National Government has published guidelines in conjunction with the Municipal Finance Management Act No. 53 of 2003 (MFMA). Of relevance to road maintenance at a municipal level, is the MFMA Circular 88 first published in 2017. The Circular gave guidance to metropolitan municipalities regarding a standardised set of performance indicators used by municipalities in the preparation of statutory planning and reporting documents required for the 2018/19 cycle onwards. This document and all subsequent addendums recommend using the indicators shown in Table 4 (Sethoabane et al., 2023).
TABLE 1: Traffic Volume Key
TABLE 3: 17 selected case study summaries
No. Description
1 Concave patch near marshy area with missing kerb on one side
2 Pothole caused by water leak. Bricks placed in pothole as civilian repair attempt
8 Incongruent repair material leading to patch failure and repair with cold
9 Longitudinal crack that has been repeatedly patched at points where the crack has widened
10 A severely distressed section of road where multiple patches of different ages can be seen. Patches applied with no defective material removed.
12 Unresolved drainage issues lead to pavement failure. A repair patch only lasted a few months as drainage issues
18 A large surfacing failure (delamination) that was likely caused by moisture issues
19 A patch that successfully repaired crocodile cracking has failed at the interface between the older and newer surfacing
20 Severe water induced damage repaired inadequately by multiple surface patches of varying age
21 An exposed service excavation patched using infrared technology has experienced severe settlement shortly after repair.
22 Pothole repaired with concrete. Differential stiffness has caused cracking – repaired with a cold mix surface patch
23 Surfacing layer of a service excavation failed within six months of application, likely owing to material issues
24 Pumping of fines indicates underlying moisture issues at this large patch over a stormwater culvert
25 Cracked surface where larger openings have received surface patches while no surrounding cracks have been sealed.
Note: Very New (<1 year), New (0-2 years), Old (3-5 years) and Very Old (>5 years).
FIGURE 4: A diagram showing CIpave plotted against CIsurf and the different CI regions
The KPIs used by South African local authorities are generally set by the municipalities’ SDBIPs while SANRAL’s KPIs are specified in their Declaration of Intent. Table 5 lists some key performance indicators (KPIs) used by road maintenance authorities in South Africa as well as KPIs recommended by the World Bank for performance-based road maintenance contracts. The first two –group A - are used by metro municipalities and the last three – group B – are used by SANRAL. The KPIs were assessed for specificity, measurability, achievability, relevance, and whether they were time bound (SMART). Ensuring that KPIs are ‘SMART’ can result in better accountability in terms of quality control.
From Group A, the KPI “Number of Potholes fixed” is measurable and achievable and the target is time bound. However, its specificity and relevance
FIGURE 2: Box and whisker plot showing the spread of CIpave according to route class
FIGURE 3: Box and whisker plot showing the spread of CIsurf according to route class
are questionable. The target sets a specific time frame but there is a significant degree of ambiguity around what classifies as a pothole. In terms of relevance,
TABLE 4: Performance indicators recommended by MFMA Circular 88 for road network quality assurance.
TR6.11 Percentage of unsurfaced road graded
TR 6. Improved quality of municipal road network
TR6.1 Percentage of fatal crashes attributed to road and environmental factors
TR 6.2 Number of potholes reported per 10kms of municipal road network
TR6.12 Percentage of surfaced municipal road lanes which has been resurfaced and resealed
TR6.13 KMs of new municipal road network
TR 6.21 Percentage of reported pothole complaints resolved within standard municipal response time
counting the number of potholes repaired is not technically relevant as this KPI has no bearing on the quality of the repair itself nor on the overall condition of the road. For example, in cases 10, 14, and 20, despite there being multiple repairs, the surface conditions range from poor to very poor. In addition, the pothole repairs in cases 10, 12 and 23 did not survive more than a year. Notably, this KPI could also be used to artificially inflate the authorities’ performance by reporting a high number of repairs even if the repairs are inappropriate or of poor quality. For example, cases 3, 9, and 10, could act as a continuous source of ‘good performance’ as the authority returns every year to patch a ‘new’ pothole. This behaviour has been termed ‘malicious compliance’. Furthermore, because a pothole is a secondary failure that usually results from an unaddressed initial issue the number of potholes repaired essentially represents the number of issues that were allowed to become potholes. This shows that the ‘number of potholes repaired’ is not relevant to ensuring quality service delivery and is often misleading.
The second KPI in group A, like the first, is measurable, achievable, time- bound by annual targets but has limited relevance to quality effective service delivery. However, it can be considered specific as the unit of measurement is defined. Although resurfacing addresses the issue of very poor surface condition it is only appropriate if the underlying pavement layers are still structurally sound. It is most applicable in cases where the condition index for surfacing (CISURF) is low but the condition index for pavement structure (CIPAVE) still indicates a ‘fair’ to ‘very good’ condition. Therefore, this KPI also does not guarantee that a good
TABLE 5. SMART assessment of KPIs
used by South African road authorities
A
Group B
Potholes in Pavements
level of service is maintained. In contrast, the KPIs in group B are more likely to guarantee a good level of service at the second performance contract level. This is because as well as specific, measurable, and achievable, the KPIs are also relevant as they relate directly to the overall condition of the road. This means that those actioning the road maintenance will be focussed more on the overall condition of the road rather than only applying repair methodologies that may or may not improve the level of service the road provides. This indirectly ensures quality control of repairs and other maintenance activities. Furthermore, the measurement procedures of the three parameters in Group B are outlined in guidelines published by COTO, thus ensuring the specificity of the targeted KPIs. While these KPIs are not explicitly time bound, they will most likely be assessed at intervals specified in contracts.
The KPIs recommended by the World Bank shown in Table 5 are specific, measurable, achievable, and relevant in the context of individual repairs. Hence, they do reflect the quality of repairs more directly as they include requirements for each different repair type. For example, instead of using the number of potholes repaired as a KPI, it recommends using the occurrence of potholes as a KPI. This is more technically relevant to the mechanisms of pothole formation as it focuses on ensuring that defects are repaired before they become potholes. This is also true for the KPI targets described for cracks and rutting. This group of KPIs may guarantee quality of individual repairs, but they do not directly assess the overall riding quality of the road segment or the overall network condition. However, although the KPI on patching is specific, achievable, and relevant, its measurability is limited as once a patch is completed, the underlying layers cannot be assessed for compliance without destructive tests being conducted. Furthermore, the measurability of the targets of most of these KPIs is limited in the context of extensive networks where maintenance is constrained by limited resources. Without significant development and implementation of artificial intelligence, measuring these parameters accurately requires inspections conducted by trained personnel. High costs make this less achievable in the context of South Africa.
In conclusion, KPIs used in South African municipalities measure service delivery without assessing quality of the network nor the quality of individual repairs. The World Bank’s recommended KPIs assess the quality of repairs more directly but may be challenging to implement in practice. The KPIs in Group A are the most effective as they monitor the provision of good network conditions by assessing parameters that are directly dependent on the quality of repairs. For this reason, among others, the roads managed by SANRAL and assessed by Group A KPIs
by the World Bank and CAREC Transport Knowledge Series3
dimension of any single pothole
Maximum number of accumulated potholes greater than 100 mm in diameter in any continuous 1,000m section.
Patching Rectangular, level with surrounding pavement, materials similar to surrounding pavement, and no cracks wider than 3mm.
For any 50m section the cracked surface < 10% of the pavement surface. (Measurement defined)
Rutting No ruts deeper than [insert value between 20 and 40] mm. 10 mm rutting shall not be present in more than 5 percent of any of the road sections defined in the contract
were given a B+ score on the SAICE 2022 Infrastructure Report Card indicating that the network is of exceptional quality. According to the Scorecard, only 7% of SANRAL’s network is in either poor or very poor condition (SAICE, 2022).
Scope and Limitations
The study’s scope was confined to maintenance activities concerning flexible pavements paved with bitumen/binder-containing asphalt, encompassing routine and periodic upkeep of road surfaces and structures while excluding rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. It primarily emphasised technical aspects of road maintenance, with considerations made for management, political, and financial factors where applicable. Appurtenant road elements like road markings, traffic signals, and stormwater infrastructure were excluded unless directly impacting the road surface’s condition. Case studies specifically targeted failed patch repairs on urban class 2-5 roads within Johannesburg’s Regions B, E, and F, potentially restricting the generalizability of findings on road maintenance trends. However, assuming consistent repair methodologies across municipalities in South Africa, the identified challenges are deemed relevant nationwide
CONCLUSIONS
Despite this, it was found that road maintenance carried out by municipalities does not always comply with the methods described in these high-quality manuals and guidelines. This has led to repairs that are ineffective or fail rapidly, as well as repairs that do not address the root cause of the road failure. A great number of resources – including time, materials, and labour – are wasted when this is done as it is often necessary to repair the same failure regularly. The reason for this poor performance was not explicitly directly determined. However, it is possible that this is caused by misguided performance indicators that assess the rate of delivery but not the quality of maintenance. Even if road maintenance teams have an appreciable understanding of the basic science behind road maintenance approaches, the pressure for meeting performance targets overtakes their resolve to ensure quality of work done. Hence, there is a need to structure key performance targets and indicators to ensure higher quality repairs. This can be achieved by ensuring that KPIs are specific; can be measured easily and cost effectively; are achievable in the context of constrained resources; are relevant to the science of road maintenance; and are time-bound through minimum response times and/or periodic assessment. By doing this, even if maintenance teams are under pressure to meet performance targets, the quality of repairs and effectiveness of repairs at maintaining good network condition is not compromised.
In addition, the strategy of only resealing roads without attempting any of the required reconstruction and rehabilitation will only result in greater expenses in the near future. This is because while maintenance is not done, the pavement is exposed to further distress and the deterioration continues. When the roads are eventually reconstructed, it will cost more than it would have cost if reconstruction or rehabilitation was done earlier. Furthermore, prioritising maintenance on higher class roads makes sense as these roads generally carry higher speed traffic for which poor riding quality will have more severe consequences. However, ineffective and failing repairs that are executed on lower class roads result in severe wastage of resources, and increasing costs are associated with delaying reconstruction and rehabilitation. This shows that South African road management at the municipal level has a long way to go before the guidelines and practice are congruent with each other.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Maintenance teams need to be sent to site with the correct equipment and tools to be able to action appropriate repair techniques. This includes diamond saws so that teams can remove defective surface material, material and
equipment required for crack sealing, and all necessary equipment to execute structural patches that comply with the existing specification. In addition, it is recommended that the KPIs used by municipalities to monitor road maintenance be redesigned to ensure that the possibility of malicious compliance is minimised. By adopting the KPIs used by SANRAL, ensuring good quality roads and road maintenance will be unavoidable. There is need for more research into the influence of KPIs on downstream performance and compliance.
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