Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Water& Sanitation
The official magazine of the Water Institute of Southern Africa
T
Complete wate
water
e r rresource
e s o u rce and wastew
wastewater management
Africa
PANEL DISCUSSION
Mulling on mine water
REGIONAL FOCUS
KwaZulu-Natal:
challenging constraints
IN W are open to the clients needs and provide them with what
We
THE t
they really want to solve their water treatment problems.
MEDIA
HOT Golder Associates Hennie Cronje (left) and Chris van Renssen
Gold
G P16
1
16
SEAT March/April 2013 • ISSN 1990-8857 • Cover price R40.00 • Vol 8 No. 2
CONTENTS Volume 8. No.2
Water& Sanitation
The official magazine of the Water Institute of Southern Africa
T
Complete wate
water
e r rresource
e s o u rce and wastew
wastewater management
Africa
PANEL DISCUSSION
Mulling on mine water
REGIONAL FOCUS
KwaZulu-Natal:
challenging constraints
ON THE COVER
The RBIG is being
implemented in all nine
provinces. In this edition,
RBIG focus for DWA
14
SA YWP’s experience in the world of academic publications
the DWA focuses on the
initiatives in the Northern
Cape province.
IN
THE
HOT
SEAT
W are open to the clients needs and provide them with what
We
they
t really want to solve their water treatment problems.
Golder Associates Hennie Cronje (left) and Chris van Renssen
Gold
G
March/April 2013 • ISSN 1990-8857 • Cover price R40.00 • Vol 8 No. 2
P16
1
16
MEDIA
COVER STORY
RBIG programme gets going 4
WISA
President’s message 8
Board banter 9
WISA Conference 12
Training: Process controllers 13
SA YWP’s experience in the world of
academic publications 14
HOT SEAT
Golder’s business unit leader: Construction, Chris van
Rensen and general manager: Project Engineering, Hlabisa Bulk Water Supply Scheme nearing completion
42
Construction Services, Hennie Cronjé, expand on the
organisation’s water treatment system offerings. 16
PANEL DISCUSSION
Mulling over mine water 23
TECHNICAL PAPER
Water memory 54
FEATURE
Mine water 60
WTW & WWTWs 66
REGULARS
Editor’s comment 3
Infrastructure news
Industry news
18
20 Reline, repair & renewal at Sun City
84
MARCH/APRIL 2013 1
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Grand
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Contributors Sumayya Mieta-Hoosen,
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+27 (0)11 402 0571 he months between now and our previous edition have certainly been
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the municipal and government spheres ‒ as well as those related role players in the
infrastructure sphere ‒ were waiting with bated breath to see in which direction he
MEDIA Physical address: No 4, 5th Avenue would send government s massive planned infrastructure drive.
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These grand plans were soon to be reinforced by Minister of Finance Pravin
Postal address: PO Box 92026, Norwood 2117,
South Africa Gordhan s budget, which he tabled shortly afterwards. Well received largely, Gordhan s
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ISSN: 1990 - 8857 Department of Water Affairs over maintaining a firm hold on
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Positively though for the
Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.
All articles in Water&Sanitation Africa are copyright
water sector, the budget brought with it seemingly good news ‒ an extra R6.5 billion
protected and may not be reproduced either in whole for the Department of Water Affairs over the next three years. According to the bud-
or in part without the prior written permission of the get, the department will receive a total of R38 billion over the 2013, 2014 and 2015
publishers. The views of contributors do not necessarily financial years. What makes this even more interesting ‒ and a source of greater posi-
reflect those of the Water Institute of Southern Africa or
tivity ‒ is that most of it has been earmarked for water infrastructure implementation
the publishers.
and support (and by this I would hope they mean maintenance) ‒ and the amount is
WISA CONTACTS: just over R6.5 billion more than the 2012 Budget estimate.
HEAD OFFICE The spending focus over the medium term will be on funding water infrastructure
Tel: +27 (0)11 805 3537
management and regional implementation and support programmes for bulk water
Fax: +27 (0)11 315 1258
Physical address: 1st Floor, Building 5, Constantia Park, programmes, said Gordhan.
546 16th Road, Randjiespark Ext 7, Midrand Among major infrastructure projects on the cards is the construction of the De Hoop
BRANCHES Dam and associated bulk raw water distribution systems in Limpopo, and a R2.8 billion
Eastern Cape www.ewisa.co.za dam safety rehabilitation project involving the 315 reservoirs owned by the depart-
Chairman: Hennie Greeff ment ‒ some of which have been pictured in our Department of Water Affairs Cover
Tel: +27(0)41 453 3102
Secretary/Treasurer: Chris Dickson
Story detailing the expanded RBIG roll-out specifically in the Northern Cape.
Tel: +27(0)41 507 8200 In our Regional Focus section, Water&Sanitation Africa highlights a number of proj-
Free State ects in KwaZulu-Natal currently being rolled out successfully, , as well as a number of
Chairperson: D.R. Tlhomelang
water and wastewater treatment works that have not only been refurbished, expand-
Tel: +27(0)51 403 0800
Secretary/ Treasurer: Riana Wessels ed and maintained, but also have had their delivery capacity substantially increased in
Tel: +27(0)56-515-0375 order to continue to deliver at a high quality to the communities they serve.
KwaZulu-Natal I trust you will find them of interest and view them much the same as I view the
Chairman: Chris Fennemore
Budget speech and State of the Nation Address ‒ as a measure of progress towards a
Tel: +27 (0)31 311 8734
Secretary/ Treasurer: Stephanie Walsh South Africa where all will have water and a clean environment.
Tel: +27 (0)31 302-4077
Western Cape think WISA! Institute of Southern
itation
Africa
Think water,
T of the Water
magazine
The official
wate
Com plete
Secretary/ Treasurer: Eleonore Bondesio PANEL DISC
USSION
mine water
Mulling on
Tel: +27(0)21 872 0322 FOCUS
Cover opportunity
REGIONAL
atal:
KwaZulu-N
constraints
challenging
or e-mail avedel@lantic.net
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G R40.00 • Vol
• Cover price
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MARCH/APRIL 2013 3
COVER STORY DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS
RBIG programme
T
he Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant
The RBIG is being implemented in all nine Programme (RBIG) is a departmental finan-
provinces. In the Northern Cape province cial resource mobilisation plan designed
to facilitate availability of sufficient funds
specifically, where the distances between and expenditure management systems for the
the planning phase, a significant focus has areas across various municipal boundaries, or large
regional bulk infrastructure serving numerous
been on turning around the water treatment communities over a large area within a munici-
4 MARCH/APRIL 2013
COVER STORY
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by booking the prime position of the front cover, which includes a feature article. The magazine offers advertisers an ideal platform to ensure maximum
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MARCH/APRIL 2013 5
COVER STORY
nities. It also proved the value of good planning and a sustainable supply of potable water is an uphill
proactive project preparation. At present, there are six struggle as water is just such a scarce natural resource.
regional bulk projects under implementation, three in Through the RBIG we have managed to also bring relief
design and tender phase, with work under way on 12 to these situations, says Streuders.
more feasibility studies. The department has assisted with the bulk pipeline
project at Kai !Garib Local Municipality where water
Further obstacles overcome has been taken from Lennertsville to Kenhardt. This
Other challenges faced by the region included the need project brought relief to a long-suffering community
to build awareness around the cost of a bulk project, that has had to endure harsh conditions for many years.
6 MARCH/APRIL 2013
COVER STORY
Increased Impact
According to Streuders, one of the most significant
contributions is the contribution that the RBIG has
made to the improvement of services in the Northern
Cape, as it has assisted recipient
municipalities to expand their retic-
The Northern
ulated services to increasing number
of households. The quality of life of
Cape currently
many citizens has improved as a result receives 8.5% of
of increased municipal bulk water sup- the RBIG budget
ply capacity, he adds.
Of course, it will be essential that sustainable op-
erations and maintenance practices are in place once
these projects are operational. It may be necessary for
municipalities to consider bringing other providers on
board to ensure that this is the case where they have
capacity constraints, concludes Streuders.
Tsantsabane bulk water and Heuningvlei/Moshaweng bulk in order to accommodate March 2014. It is anticipated to
wastewater scheme The water supply The project future demands up to 2030 benefit 9 760 people, with the
project focuses on upgrading focuses on the refurbishment and beyond. Apart from the estimated cost of R156 million.
the bulk water and sanitation of existing bulk water mines, the following local
infrastructure to accommodate infrastructure as part of Phase 1 municipalities will benefit: Kathu WWTW This project
extensive growth in the area. The and the expansion of the Dikgatlong, Kgatelopele, is defined by upgrading and
upgrading will ensure sufficient scheme, which will take place Siyancuma, Tsantsabane, extension of the WWTW in
water supply and sanitation during Phase 2 of the project. Gamagara, Ga-Segonyana, and Kathu. It began in November
for the town of Postmasburg. It will ensure sufficient water Joe Morolong. The project 2012 and is to be completed by
The project will cost R45 million supply for the villages linked to began in September 2012 and March 2014, at an estimated
and benefit 23 590 people in the bulk water supply scheme, will run up to March 2017 and cost of R50 million.
the surrounding communities as well as water supply for cost R7.5 billion. It will benefit
upon completion. livestock farming adjacent to 131 293 people. Niekerkshoop bulk water
the bulk pipelines. The project supply The aim of this project
Riemvasmaak This project began in April 2011 and is Kuruman bulk water supply is to construct a groundwater
entails a new abstraction expected to be completed by This project entails construction bulk scheme in order to
point from the Orange River February 2014, at an estimated of a ground storage reservoir, supplement the current
for water to be pumped to a cost of R193 million. which is to be located at available groundwater in
water treatment plant. This is Bankhara-Bodulong. This Niekerkshoop. It will benefit
to ensure sufficient potable Vaal Gamagara pipeline: includes bidirectional pipeline 2 217 people, with an estimated
water supply to this drought- investigation and upgrading from the current water source cost of R30 million. The
stricken area. The project was This project involves the to the stated storage reservoir. project is currently under way
completed in December 2011 at upgrading and expansion of the The project began in November and should be complete by
a cost of R3 million. current Vaal Gamagara scheme 2012 and should be complete by June 2014.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 7
PRESIDENT ’S MESSAGE
A shared vision
The time has dawned for us to realise the importance of pulling
together our resources and having a shared vision.
hile I was watching the stakeholders is also extremely important to memorandum of agreements between
interesting water resources leverage funding and to build human capac- private, academia, civil society and public
programme on 50/50 in ity in the water sector. sector, which resulted in colossal successes
February 2013, which high- I m convinced that we are fortunate to be ‒ we need to pursue these avenues because
lighted the many gaps in the management blessed with the best resources in terms it forms part of South Africa s proud history
of our water resources, my first feeling was of tertiary institutions, world-class policies, of achievements. We, at times, become
utter shock and at that time one thought highly skilled water professionals, engineers, embroiled in activities that are aimed at rein-
came to mind ‒ how can we close all these water and research institutions (both in the venting the wheel instead of refining it and
gaps and protect our ever so important private and public sectors), open-minded increasing the revolutions and efficiency, and
resources for the generations to come? politicians and management, consultants during the course of such exercises, energy,
According to Dr Turton during his speech and contractors, to name but a few. The chal- time and money are wasted. Another factor
at the Stellenbosch lenge, how- delaying progress is that too many a time
University s So
outh Afrricanns have to turn ever, is where we become overly competitive and forget
launch of its Water fro
om beinng consumeers of and how do we the main objective, which is to advance the
Institute, South waaters to
o connservato
orss of source them to country and not criticise those who ensure
Africans have to put a winning that whatever advances we make have
turn from being
this valua
ablee naturall reesource combination ‒ been through a peer-review mechanism for
consumers of waters to conservators of this this dream team ‒ together. I m not referring quality and sustainability checks. We are all in
valuable natural resource. to the battle of the minds, but rather the it together.
It s only through a profound understand- synergising and convergence of the efforts I would like to encourage you to be in-
ing of the so-called water-energy-food super of like-minded people and organisations that volved in the formation of successful teams
nexus that we will be able to sustain South aspire to take the sector and South Africa and partnerships across the water sector for,
Africa s economy and turn it from being forward without dribbling around. as WISA, it is our endeavour to engage as
an extractive one with high costs to the A question that then comes to mind an organisation that strives to advance the
environment into a future economy. He is: Who are we calling upon to join us water sector well into the future by playing
further stressed the importance of dedicated as partners to improve water resource a catalytic and pivotal role to constructively
training and research institutions within the management, to be part of this winning contribute to filling this integration gap in
field of limnology (the scientific study of team ‒ is it a specific person, designation or the sector.
lakes and other bodies of freshwater, includ- organisation? As a matter of fact, if we are I would like to end off with a quote from
ing their physical and biological features) to in the water sector or allied to the sector in Henry Ford which I trust will inspire us all:
ensure adequate human skills development terms of service provision, we need to con- Coming together is a beginning; keeping
in addressing water-related issues. We tribute to the overall sustainability of all our together is progress; working together
need cooperation and communication water resources, utilising our National Water is success.
with all significant stakeholders, a conver- Resource Strategy as a road map and as a
gence of thinking into a shared vision, and point of departure. Ronald M Brown
coordination of their research-related activ- There are lots of evidence and case President: Water Institute of Southern Africa
ities, he says. Consortia-building between studies of many very good projects and (WISA)
8 MARCH/APRIL 2013
BOARD BANTER WISA NEWS
cConkey has been a key role player in the environmental integrity of a river is dependent on the way
MARCH/APRIL 2013 9
One of these is safe enough to drink.
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MARCH/APRIL 2013
WISA NEWS
Solutions available?
Here McConkey quotes Albert Einstein: We can t solve problems
by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created
them. We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking
if mankind is to
survive.
They say that
sustainability
has three
pillars ‒ social,
economic and
environmental
‒ but I am afraid
that it is difficult
to find the bal-
ance between
these opposing
One of the first jobs forces. Social
and economic
he was given in 1968
realities have
was to take samples at allowed all types
Hartbeespoort Dam of developments
and activities to
take place in our river catchments and the consequences are
now being experienced, says McConkey, adding that examples
are urban areas developed with minimal infrastructure and the
mining activities over the last 100 years causing the problems
we are now having to deal with in the Witwatersrand.
He recounts one of the first jobs he was given in 1968 was to
take samples at Hartbeespoort Dam, which was being taken
over by water hyacinth as a result of eutrophication. Forty years
later, the problem still remains as the effects of urbanisation and
activities in the Jukskei and Crocodile river catchments upstream
of Hartbeespoort Dam cannot be managed, says McConkey.
I don t have all the answers but I do know that we have some
of the best environmental and water legislation in the world
but somehow we have got ourselves snarled up in the adminis-
tration of legislation and forgotten about compliance. We need
to take our legislation seriously, and this does not mean having
complicated administrative procedures that get bogged down.
What we really need is for all spheres of government to take their
responsibility seriously and ensure that compliance takes place.
There needs to be a boundary that, if crossed, has serious conse-
quences, he advises.
He adds that he has always said that environmental manage-
ment cannot take place from behind a desk. It needs people
out there doing environmental management. If SARS can do
their work so effectively, why can t the water sector? I recently
filled in a tax return through e-filing and within minutes I was
informed that, firstly, they had received my return with thanks
and, secondly, that I owed them more money. No arguments,
concludes McConkey.
WISA NEWS WISA CONFERENCE
A
ccording to both WISA and endurance in a municipal environment? • Importance of credible laboratories
Department of Water Affairs According to the organisers, a highlight of • Water reuse: Desalination & reclamation
(DWA), the conference provides the conference will be the performance an- • Process controlling
a platform for knowledge and nouncement within the wastewater services • Alternative Treatment Technologies
lesson sharing, lesson distribution and domain for 2012/13 where, as part of the in- • Regulatory issues and findings.
partnership opportunities between the centive-based regulation approach, excep- Jaco Seaman, events manager of WISA,
public and private sectors to upscale efforts tional performance will be awarded in terms says: A dedicated website will be up and
to improve wastewater services and drink- of the coveted Green Drop awards. The con- running soon. The Municipal Water Quality
ing water management in South Africa. ference will focus on four disciplines, namely Conference is going to set the agenda in the
Central to this will be discussions to ensure wastewater management; drinking water water sector. It is all about water and waste-
financial sustainability of the water services quality management; sustainable economic water quality.
business within local government, said the municipal environment and opportunities
official call for papers, adding that the event for partnerships. The deadline for abstracts For any enquiries, and to investigate spon-
organisers will be endeavouring to answer was 21 February and themes included: sorship opportunities, please contact Zanele
the question: What does it take to achieve • Wastewater risk assessment & abatement Mupariwa (DWA) on +27 (0)12 336 6938 or
improved water quality management • Water safety planning mupariwam@dwa.gov.za or Jaco Seaman (WISA)
performance, distinctive impact and lasting • Water quality monitoring programmes on +27 (0)11 805 3537 or events@wisa.org.za.
12 MARCH/APRIL 2013
PROCESS CONTROLLERS WISA NEWS
Professionalisation essential
WISA has started the process of becoming recognised as
a professional body with the South African Qualifications
Authority (SAQA). The first occupational designation that
WISA will register with SAQA is that of process controller.
Chantelle Mattheus consults with WISA’s training manager
and coordinator, Anita Pillay, on this.
W
ISA has started by develop- undertaken will look at the development • Improvement of the accountability of pro-
ing a new division specifi- of the process controller within the current cess controllers within the context of water
cally for process controllers, academic norm and beyond this sphere to and wastewater treatment
which will provide a platform ensure that the gap between professional • standardising of training and skills devel-
for this occupation. To date, there have been process controllers and professional engi- opment at all levels to ensure that statuto-
process controller divisions established neers is narrowed. ry and regulatory requirements are fulfilled
in the Western Cape, Free State, Gauteng, The Process Controller Division will serve • enhancing the importance of process con-
Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. as a catalyst towards the professionalisation trollers as a professional asset within the
The process of professionalisation will of process controllers within South Africa. water sector.
provide individuals with a professional The process of professionalisation will focus WISA is at the stage of preparing all the
status as well as assist with career guidance on the following key areas: required documentation for SAQA and
and development, and the upliftment of the • the development of process controllers has set up a technical task team consisting
occupation. This process will also enable the within the current academic sphere from of members from the Process Controller
water sector to standardise occupational entry level to exit level Division to assist with the inputs for the
designations and enable the development • the development of process controllers be- documentation. WISA has also ensured
of water-specific Organising Framework for yond the current academic sphere focusing that full support is received from the
Occupation (OFO) codes, which is neces- on critical skills development and training Department of Water Affairs and the
sary for skills development and planning. • provision of a career path for process Energy and Water Sector Education and
The professionalisation of water sector controllers and assistance with their Training Authority with regards to the
occupations will allow for the alignment career development professionalisation of process controllers
occupations to regulatory components and • promotion of the image of process control- within the water sector.
statutory requirements. lers within the water sector
With regards to the process controller, • improvement of skills at all levels, including For more information please contact Anita Pillay
the strategic direction that WISA has administrative and managerial skills on +27 (0)11 805 3537 or training@wisa.org.za
MARCH/APRIL 2013 13
Th e N a me t h a t
Re a lly H o ld s Wa ter
Est. 1983
ABECO Manufactured in South Africa
Specialists In: Pressed Sectional Steel
Tanks • Structural Steel • Supporting
Towers • Water Storage • G.R.P Tanks
TANKS
Abeco House, 6A Bradford Rd Tel: +27 11 616 7999 | Fax: +27 11 616 8355
www.abecotanks.co.za
Bedfordview, South Africa E-mail: Abeco@icon.co.za
WISA NEWS 2ND IWA-UTM INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS WORKSHOP
I
n view of this, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia cessful publication. Thereafter, individuals were given
(UTM) organised the 2nd IWA-UTM International the workshop the opportunity to implement the given information
closing
Publication Workshop from 12 to 18 January 2013 into their draft papers.
ceremony
at the UTM Johor Bahru campus, to provide yet Students were mentored during the interactive
another platform for strategic actions in publications sessions with experts in the fields of publications and
within the water science and water discipline as a specialisations. This workshop encouraged communica-
whole, involving water professionals and academia. tion and collaboration between fellow participants and
This skills-based approach is offered to young repre- facilitators, hence boosting their morale. All participants
sentatives of different countries as an investment plan presented their work to the fairly diverse audience in
for future leaders within the water sector. terms of scientific, engineering and hydrology sectors.
To follow is a personal account by YWP representative The workshop was a brilliant platform for the 30 PhD
Sumayya Mieta-Hoosen, doctoral candidate: Biomedical students selected from countries across the globe,
14 MARCH/APRIL 2013
WISA NEWS
of academic publications
including Indonesia, China, Japan, UK, South Africa, to international journals such as Journal of Water and
Brazil, Ghana, Austria and the US, to network and there- Health, Water Research, etc. A key message from the
by develop partnerships in research areas of similarity. facilitators was that no individual will have all their articles
It was an outstanding workshop, which I recommend accepted all the time, hence rejections of articles does not
(Below from
every PhD candidate attend as it is designed to provide left) Sumayya spell the end of an article, instead it should motivate one to
the tools required for producing good publications Mieta presenting persevere and work harder to write better publications.
that in turn translate into an impressive career as a aim of the study Many thanks to Dr Norhayati Abdulla and her team at
specialist in the specific field. Attending this workshop Prof G Olsen UTM for selecting me to represent South Africa at the work-
has given me the confidence to submit my publications Prof H Kroiss shop and for the well-coordinated workshop ‒ a balance
of work and en-
tertainment. I am
eternally grateful
to my mentor
Dr TG Barnard
and Prof A Swart
(Dean of FHS: UJ)
for supporting
this endeavour
and always moti-
vating me to aim
for nothing but
excellence.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 15
Maintaining momentum
Although Golder Associates has historically been a purely consulting business,
things are definitely changing. Chantelle Mattheus speaks to the company’s
business unit leader: Construction, Chris van Renssen, and technical lead for
water treatment design and construction, Hennie Cronjé, about the company’s
water treatment system offerings and its plans for expansion in this field.
Challenging continent
There are a number of challenges that are often overcome
by the unit in the roll-out of their projects. There is a
greater awareness lately of the effect that polluted water
(Above left)
I
t is in Golder s strategic plan that we move down the has on the environment, with stricter laws coming out ‒
value chain into construction services as well, but we 60 m3/hr and not just in South Africa, Van Renssen says.
containerised
are very clear in what we want to do in construction. He adds that we are in Africa and the continent has
drinking water
We are not moving from a consulting company to a treatment plant huge challenges in terms of water, water treatment and
construction company. We want to provide the added for a gold mine wastewater treatment. Wherever there is an opportunity
service and added value to our clients and we will only do in Mali, North or challenges, where there is a need for these services to
that in the fields that we have specialist knowledge in, Africa upgrade communities or to better their systems, we are
says Van Renssen. (Above right) willing to assist in the countries that we operate in within
40m3/hr sewage
With regards to the organisation s African division, the Africa. Obviously we focus on closer to home first and
effluent recovery
construction services were launched at the beginning of WTP for collaboration is key.
2012. In Golder in Africa there is a very strong water focus industrial use Even more importantly, we can apply technology
related to all aspects of water. The specialist knowledge accessible to the people, interjects Cronjé. He believes
exists within Golder to vastly contribute in the construc- that importing technologies from abroad is not always
tion sphere in the water sector, he adds. the best solution. He says that when designing and
It is the predisposition towards the water sector that then building an
facilitated the meeting ‒ and merging ‒ with Cronjé s com- “In Golder in Africa there is a very installation for
pany in the final quarter of 2012, enabling them to deliver strong water focus.” local conditions
the complete package with regards to water treatment sys- it is important to
tems ‒ from manufacturing the product to project roll-out.
Chris van Renssen build a facility
We have seen lots of opportunities and we feel we can that is accessible
play a significant role. To cite some examples on the small- to the people
er scale, we will look at water treatment ‒ specifically po- on the ground,
table water treatment for mine camps, sewage treatments which we can
for the same facilities, going into water treatment for assist in, because
villages and towns at or close to mining sites, states Van we have worked
Renssen. However, both men agree that it is not limited to in Africa and
these options as even more sophisticated treatment solu- we have a sound
tions, such as those dealing with mine water reclamation, understanding of
are also available. the conditions.
16 MARCH/APRIL 2013
HOT SEAT
MARCH/APRIL 2013 17
INFRASTRUC TURE NEWS
T
and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa. biodiversity sector as a major con- ap water is safe to drink in
Molewa was speaking at the Seventh tributor to job creation and the fight Mogale City. Remember, in
Pan-African ABS Workshop, held on 25 against poverty. Gauteng we are leading in
February 2013 at the Hans Merensky Hotel The workshop was held in part- terms of safe drinking water,
in Phalaborwa, Limpopo. The workshop nership with the ABS Capacity said Gauteng MEC for Agriculture
was the second to be hosted by South Development Initiative, coordinated and Rural Development, Nandi
Africa, the first of which was held in Cape by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Mayathula-Khoza, in Krugersdorp on
Town in 2005. Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), 26 February 2013.
According to Molewa, which was established as The MEC was in Krugersdorp on an
this contribution amounts a multi-donor initiative awareness campaign on acid mine
to 7% of South Africa s in 2005 by the German drainage (AMD) and mining pollution
GDP per annum. The Federal Ministry for in the West Rand. She assured com-
biodiversity economy, Economic Cooperation and munity members of Mogale City, his-
which is part of our Development. It is funded torically predominantly a mining area,
broader green economy, by the European Union, that their tap water is of a drinkable
is therefore our country s the Institute for Energy standard and therefore safe to drink.
competitive edge in and Environment of the The MEC emphasised that the release
growing our economy and Edna Molewa, Francophonie, as well as of contaminated mining water into
addressing climate change Minister of Water and German, Norwegian and the rivers had been affecting quality in
adaptation, said Molewa. Environmental Affairs Danish governments. both surface and groundwater since
mining started in the region. Even
though the majority of the mines in the
area have since closed down, they left
Wetland conservation behind the legacy of AMD.
According to the MEC, the problem
takes centre stage became more acute when the mining
activities stopped as responsibility for
T
he Deputy Minister of Water deposited by the receding floodwaters. dealing with the issue was not accept-
Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, We are here to evaluate the impact of ed by any of the parties involved.
chose the recent 16th World the interventions we have implement- The MEC said high-level government
Wetlands Day to highlight the ed to address the above mentioned intervention was initiated in 2010 and
conservation initiatives on the commu- problems, said Mabudafhasi. an immediate and short term inter-
nity in Kareedouw in the Kou-Kamma Over the past 11 years, 11 large ga- vention by the Trans-Caledon Tunnel
Local Municipality b
bions and concrete Authority (TCTA) aimed to neutralise
in the Eastern Cape, s
structures have untreated water decanting from the
relating specifically b
been built at a total Western Basin and to pump and treat
to the Kromme River c
cost of over R10 mil- water from voids in the West, Central
Catchment, which l
lion to combat and Eastern Basins.
experienced a number e
erosion that con- A High Density Sludge (HDS)
of floods in 2006 that t
tinues to threaten technology and chemical reagent
Abu Shawka
18 MARCH/APRIL 2013
IT IS TIME TO MANAGE
RESOURCES MORE
EFFECTIVELY
Around the world, demands for water and energy continue to increase, making it essential to manage
these vital resources more effectively in the long term. The ability to address this issue requires access
to more frequent, accurate and integrated information about how water and energy are used. As a world
leader in advanced metering and smart grid technologies, Itron helps utilities to overcome their ever-
increasing operational, regulatory and environmental challenges.
Effective management of resources is at your fingertips.
INDUSTRY NEWS WATER TREATMENT
KICKER WISA NEWS
S
he responded by saying that the water treatment “Rheochem is Another Rheochem philosophy is that
industry is so diverse and dynamic that it would people should mainly (if not practically
be difficult to select one particular highlight, but
experienced always) be happy with what they do to earn
that what had been particularly rewarding was to and trusted in a living and within their work environment.
have not just experienced the growth of the company but the treatment Inclusivity is another key factor in terms of
to have witnessed the personal and professional develop- how the company is structured and operates,
ment of the people that have been such an inherent part
of industrial with black employees enjoying the benefits of
of its success. The sector is extremely dynamic despite a effluent.” ownership, and all employees being financially
generally sluggish economy. This is due to the provision Jacqui Swart rewarded based directly on company perfor-
of water being considered a basic human right and the mance. This underlying philosophy creates
need for continuous progress towards the goal of supply- the pleasant and positive working environment that
ing drinking water to all South Africans that consistently is apparent the moment one enters the Rheochem
meets international standards, says Swart. reception area.
Rheochem has and continues to contribute through The notion of inclusivity can be expanded to include
providing a high level of technical support to rural water the entire industry, she notes. The exciting thing
20 MARCH/APRIL 2013
with water treatment is that it is `happening throughout the
country and alongside all communities. Unlike other sectors
that are restricted to certain geographic areas due to factors
such as distribution, access to resources, etc., there is no rea-
son to exclude any section of society from a positive spin-off
from the water treatment sector, says Swart.
She adds that rural water plants usually draw on local people
to run them and there has to be sensitivity to the fact that
the local water or sewage plant may be a rare opportunity for
some people to work close to their homes and families. We
need to train and inspire these people so that they can be
positive influences in their communities. This is just one exam-
ple of how inclusive this industry can be ‒ it provides consid-
erable employment opportunities countrywide, says Swart.
T
he biggest challenge in though need to take into
the effective treatment of account that all mine water ‒
acid mine drainage and not only AMD ‒ is complex in
other sources of mine its treatment and each mine
water in South Africa is finding has its own specific needs or
solutions that integrate the tech- uses for the treated water,
nical, financial, environmental and therefore a case by case ap-
community aspects and that are proach is necessitated.
accepted by all stakeholders. In
this panel discussion, Chantelle
Mattheus talks to a number of
Mulling over It is also important to note,
as one panellist indicated,
that dealing with mine water
key industry role players about
the options available and what
the current mine water landscape
mine water is not unique to the South
Africa landscape and there-
fore solutions and technol-
looks like locally. ogies can often be sourced
Mine water ‒ and the treatment thereof ‒ decant of AMD into the environment poses from the international arena and adapted
does not necessarily refer only to acid mine a number of risks, not least of which is the to meet local needs and requirements ‒ or
drainage (AMD), but it is due to the extensive contamination of shallow groundwater alternately international solutions can be
news coverage over the past few years that resources required for agricultural use and sourced from our very own shores.
the latter comes to mind when discussing human consumption. The most interesting to note in this panel,
mine water . Therefore a number of approaches, tech- however, is that the panellists come from a
The formation of AMD is a result of mining nologies and processes have been designed number of different sectors, albeit research
operations exposing the metal sulphides and suggested to proactively deal with mine and development or the private sector, and
in the rock to water and air, leading to water before it becomes a problem, also yet all need to ‒ and are ‒ collaborating
oxidation. When these oxidation products allowing the mines to access this liability as to come up with sustainable solutions for
dissolve in water the result is AMD. The a resource instead, to the benefit of a num- the treatment of mine water in the South
flooding of the mines and the subsequent ber of communities as well. These solutions African context.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 23
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The Water Research Commission (WRC) has dedicated many
years of research to improving the quality of life of all South
Africans, combating water poverty, through improving water
productivity while managing water scarcity.
Now in its fifth decade, the WRC research funds are channelled towards studies aiming at achieving
excellence in the production of knowledge required for the sustainable management of our water
resources, water-linked ecosystems, and domestic, agricultural, mining and industrial water
use and waste. This includes research focused on water service delivery, O&M, on-site and off-
site sanitation.
The WRC actively builds and supports the development of research capacity in previously
disadvantaged universities while ensuring that water is one of the core research themes in South
Africa’s academic and research organisations.
In all research fields, the WRC addresses key challenges facing our country on water security,
sustainability of resource ecosystems and the water energy nexus, water quality, water use
efficiency and development of new technologies.
Dr Jo Burgess
WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION (WRC) Research manager:
Mine Water Treatment and
Management
What makes mine water operations that have not yet depend on Every site is different,
treatment unique? Actually, started mining. what pollutant because the amount
the water itself is not totally is to be treated, of water that needs
unique. Liquid effluents from What has the WRC been for example: to be treated the
metal finishing, tanning and advocating as the best cyanide can characteristics of the
others are similar in many treatment solution? There be removed from water by water to be treated, and the
ways to mine water. The is no such thing as the best chemical oxidation, biological characteristics of the desired
difference arises because with solution . We need to employ oxidation or complexation; resulting water all affect what
a tannery, the production of a suite of solutions ‒ there is radioactive nuclides can be treatment is needed. For
the wastewater stops when a whole toolbox available to removed by precipitation or example, saline drainage (which
the tannery closes down. With use and each tool is used to ion exchange. has sulphate concentrations of
mine drainage, the wastewater do a different job. There are The whole list is very >1 000 mg/ℓ, a circumneutral
continues to be generated four main categories of active extensive. The way in which or alkaline pH and only low
long after the mine has closed. mine water treatment methods treatment of mine water must metal concentrations) needs a
So the financial plans for its (i.e. those that require pumps, be done is selected on the basis completely different treatment
treatment need to allow for treatment plants and process to acid mine
water treatment to continue for people to run them), drainage.
decades, possibly centuries. categorised according to The best
what you want to achieve technique is the one
What is the biggest using the method. These that can handle the
challenge? There are two are: (1) neutralisation, kind of mine water
main challenges. One is that (2) metals removal, (3) you have, and from
we do not yet have clear desalination, and (4) it produce the kind
alignment between the legal specific target pollutant of water you want.
requirements placed on a treatment. Within each
company to ensure decant of these categories there What is the
of mine water is prevented in are between ten and 20 most common
perpetuity and an institutional different techniques or misconception?
framework that enables that products, each of which That there is a silver
to happen. The second is that does something slightly bullet ‒ a panacea
while people often talk about different. treatment method
THE treatment for mine Neutralisation processes The future of that can be used at
water, the quality and quantity are used to adjust the mine water every mine site.
of mine water that arises in pH of the water to close
different places mean that we to 7 (i.e. neutral) and
treatment is that How is the
actually need about 20 different include: lime or limestone prevention is treatment of mine
treatments for tens of different processes, sodium-based better than cure. water changing?
mine waters. alkalis, ammonia, There is a trend
Our mandate is one of biological sulphate towards processes
research and generation of new reduction, wetlands and anoxic of the quality and quantity that produce drinking quality
knowledge. The WRC therefore drains, and other technologies. of raw (untreated) water and water; as the human population
has funded decades of research The processes used for metals the desired treated water increases, so does our demand
into different ways to handle, removal include: precipitation quality, as I said above. Also, for water. There is also a greater
treat, or better yet, prevent as hydroxides, precipitation water treatment is usually only effort spent at the beginning of
the generation of mine water. as carbonates, precipitation possible using a combination mining operations.
We have invested in methods as sulphides and wetlands/ of treatment processes. We call A century or so ago, miners
like irrigation with mine water, oxidation ponds. each process a unit operation genuinely didn t understand
which can be tested and shown The process of desalination and put several unit operations the terrible environmental
that it will not harm the plants (i.e. removal of dissolved salts together to a tailor-made legacy they were leaving. Now
or soil; and we have funded from the water) can be achieved process train for each individual we do understand, and much
the creation of treatment using: biological sulphate situation. For example, if the more work is being done on
methods like the BioSURE removal, precipitation processes water is acidic and contains methods of mining, materials
process. We ve also funded such as ettringite, membrane- heavy metals, then treatment handling and mine backfilling
research into the best options based processes, ion exchange, technologies would be selected to prevent mine water ever
for mining methods and and wetlands or other passive from the lists for neutralisation becoming a problem than at
methods of storing over- and treatment processes. and for metals removal, and any other point in history. The
inter-burden while the mines Lastly, there is a long list of placed in series in the process future of mine water treatment
operate, to prevent mine water processes for specific target train so that all the pollutants in is that prevention is better
from becoming a problem at pollutant treatment that the water are removed. than cure.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 25
Water Conservation &
Water Demand Management
Saving Water to Power Your World
Nandha Govender
ESKOM General manager: Water &
Environmental Operations
Primary Energy Division:
Group Commercial
Why is mine water a key liabilities through management committed & Technology
focus? Due to the strategic of excess water during to water
nature of Eskom s business production and closure of stewardship and Initiative Agreement
to South Africa and the coal mines. to reducing its (JIA), whose mandate is
region, Eskom is classified as own freshwater to investigate common
a strategic water user. This What role will mine footprint. Eskom recognises challenges around mine
means that it is given 99.5% water treatment and the need for collaboration, water and implement these
assurance of water supply recovery play? As one of and solving water challenges projects in a cost-effective and
by the Department of Water Eskom s water strategy s requires a collective effort, sustainable manner. The JIA
Affairs. However, Eskom has imperatives, we have focused with the link between water, signatories are Eskom, Anglo
identified a number of possible on promoting corporate energy and waste needing American Thermal Coal, Exxaro,
risks to its business, including water stewardship as one of to form an integral part of Xstrata and BHP Billiton.
the fact that the pollution of the priorities for engaging all interventions.
freshwater resources will make outside of the factory We understand and What examples of best
water unusable or drive up fence line. This is partially acknowledge that Eskom must practice in mine water
the costs of treatment and the achieved through Eskom s lead by example through reuse has Eskom been
management of waste, if not Water Conservation and the WCWDM programme involved with? The Kriel-
addressed timeously. Water Demand Management and other initiatives in Matla Mine Water Recovery
Due to the competition (WCWDM) programme, which anticipation of climate project was identified by the
for freshwater resources to has identified an internal change impacts on water JIA as a strategic project in
be abstracted closer to the water saving target of 2.5% resources in South Africa. addressing the challenges
demand centres, Eskom as freshwater reduction by 2016. Eskom must also work through with excess mine water in the
an industrial user of water WCWDM initiatives include its global climate change Highveld Region.
has a strategy to diversify its improved thermal efficiency, linkages in incorporating Eskom has undertaken to
water resource mix to include operational excellence and best practices and pursue mine water recovery
effluent and wastewater ‒ internal energy efficiency cutting-edge technologies. projects between it and the
such as treated mine water, during the refurbishment of Eskom is also the chair of the different mines through
treated municipal effluent existing power stations, as well Strategic Water Partnership the existing coal supply
and seawater for cooling as investigating alternative Network s Effluent and Waste agreements as part of its
and desalination ‒ for other water supply options, such Working Group, which was WCWDM strategic initiative.
purposes at coastal power as mine water treatment established to explore and The aim of the Kriel-Matla
stations. For example, flue gas and recovery. investigate how effluent can Mine Water Recovery project
desulphurisation at Kusile and Technical studies have also be used to close the water is to treat the mine water
Medupi can use this treated been initiated into capital resources gap in the country from both Matla and Kriel
water instead of fresh water. projects to identify mine by 2030 by replicating and up- collieries, while at the same
However, Eskom will still be water recovery and effluent scaling mine water treatment time treating the cooling
reliant on water transfers from reuse as alternate sources projects in specific catchments. water blow downs from Kriel
other catchments through a of water supply in order to The group comprises several and Matla power stations.
network of reservoirs, dams, facilitate the reduction of mines and municipalities as The brine generated by
pipelines, pumping systems freshwater consumption. well as the Department of this plant will be managed
and canals. Water Affairs, with the support by implementing a brine
The majority of Eskom power What role do you envision of the Minister of Water and solution in line with Eskom s
stations are located in the Eskom playing in the mine Environmental Affairs. Eskom Zero Liquid Effluent
Upper Olifants Catchment water sector? Eskom is is also a member of the Joint Discharge philosophy.
in Mpumalanga ‒ where
Eskom sources most of its
coal from. The catchment
has two major problems,
these are the pollution of the
water resources and water
deficit in the catchment. The
pollution is characterised by
excess polluted mine water
and poorly treated sewage
effluent entering the natural
streams. As part of its supplier
due diligence, Eskom requires
its coal suppliers to manage
environmental and financial
MARCH/APRIL 2013 27
MARCH/APRIL 2013
MINE WATER PANEL DISCUSSION
What makes the treatment How can this challenge assist in treating technology. We are
of mine water unique? Mine be overcome? There are mine water? currently preparing
water treatment is different technologies being developed Typically, a mine to bring a pilot plant
from other industrial water that minimise the amount of water treatment into the country to
treatment mainly in the way it liquid waste, in some cases, plant will include demonstrate the
is created. Mine water can be depending on the water several technologies integrated technology. The next 18 months
formed before, during or after characteristics, they can in a unique way. The nature of will be a very interesting time.
mining activity takes place in a eliminate it completely (zero the solution will be dependent
region. Unlike other industrial liquid discharge (ZLD)). The on the mine water composition, PROJECTS
water treatment, mine waters traditional approach to ZLD is which is largely due to the Steel Mill effluent: 7 Mℓ/d
wastewater treatment –
can continue being a concern to employ thermal processes surrounding geology. Even
Water is fed to the plant
to the environment for long (evaporation), which are small changes in composition
through a high rate clarifier,
periods after the mining activity expensive when viewed over can have a dramatic impact on which acts as a high turbidity
has ceased. Also, mine water the duration of a mine water the choice of technology. In the protection step, two
can often be a result of multiple treatment system. near term, mine water solutions ultrafiltration (UF) skids and
three two-stage reverse
entities operating in a region. will comprise clever integration
osmosis (RO) skids.
This makes the management of Many advocate that mine of precipitation technology
Brackish water: 1.6 Mℓ/d
the water quite difficult. In terms water be seen as a resource and membrane treatment water treatment plant –
of water quality, there are some as opposed to a detriment (microfiltration, ultrafiltration, Blended water from two
unique aspects of mine water, ‒ would you agree? We nano filtration and reverse borehole sources, iron
oxidation by aeration, UF,
but it is often not significantly absolutely agree. In a water osmosis), with the goal of
two-stage brackish water
different to some other industrial scarce region like South reducing the cost of treatment
RO, partial blending of RO
or groundwater treatment. Africa, the sheer volumes of and waste disposal. In particular, permeate with UF filtrate.
mine water that will require liquid wastes will need to be Municipal wastewater:
What is the biggest treatment in the future, and minimised or eliminated. New 2.3 Mℓ/d direct reclamation
plant –UF, two-staged RO,
challenge? The main the long-term nature of the technologies like vacuum
permeate water treated
challenge is definitely the problem, mean that it must membrane distillation will soon
by ultraviolet light and
management of liquid wastes be considered as a resource. be deployed to eliminate the hydrogen peroxide as an
or brines. Most mine waters are I believe mine water will final volumes of liquid waste. advanced oxidation step.
found inland. The salt content simply become another source
cannot be destroyed, only of water, like surface and What is the most common How is the treatment etc.
converted into different forms groundwater, used to replenish misconception with regards of mine water changing ‒ if
or concentrated into smaller our water resources. to mine water treatment? at all ‒ and what does its
volume. Another challenge is I think it s the term AMD future look like? The need for
the commercial management of What technologies or (acid mine drainage). Many extremely high water recovery
the water. products are available to problematic mine waters (ZLD) means that every mine
are not acidic at all, and water project is unique and
this changes the treatment interesting. QFS will specialise
approach. However, the phrase in the integration of proven
AMD has become synonymous technologies to drive the
with all mine waters. cost of ZLD systems down. By
combining multiple membrane
Which relevant projects have processes, a small footprint and
you been involved in that low civil requirements,
are of note in this context? the cost of mine water
QFS have been involved in treatment will come down. In
the development stages of addition, where water quality
several projects, in reviewing requires a thermal evaporation
the water quality and assessing process to complete the ZLD
the potential solutions, with solution, QFS can provide the
a specific focus on unique answer. However, one thing
membrane applications. With is certain ‒ the technologies
our international partners, we for treatment of mine water
have been involved in pilot in the future will be different
work that has demonstrated from today, but the ability to
the uniqueness of some of our integrate these technologies
together for specific water
Ultrafiltration: quality will differentiate
8 to 10 Mℓ/d solution providers.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 29
C O MPL E T E
PIPE L INE
SOLU T IONS
Products:
• Pipes
• Fittings
• Flanges
• Valves
Services:
• Project Management
• Swagelining
• CIPP
• Water Treatment
Hennie Roets
RARE Director: New Business
Development
What makes mine water market, distribute and install Package combination of different
treatment unique? All mine electrocoagulation technol- plants are technologies.
water is complex in its treatment ogy that enables water to be available,
and each mine has its own cleaned for reuse or release as but larger Which projects have you
specific needs or uses for the well as metal recovery from the built-to-order designs are also been involved in? RWTT was
treated water. A single treatment sludge. The result will be lower possible. RARE offers outright only launched towards the end
is seldom adequate and a costs and increased profitability. purchase of the units, but build, of last year. Projects to the value
combination of technologies Electrocoagulation is an operate and maintain options of R100 million are in the final
is often required. This situation advanced and economical for off balance sheet treatment stages of approval.
makes comparison of treatments water treatment technology. It of water are also available. In most water treatment
difficult, which leads to a drawn- effectively removes suspended processes brine, sludge or slurry
out decision-making process. solids to sub-micron levels How does your organisation is formed and must be disposed
and precipitates dissolved facilitate the process? RARE of at high cost and effort. RWTT
What is the biggest chal- heavy metals from water has been a JSE-AltX listed made a proposal to a mine
lenge? When the mining indus- without the use of filters and company involved in the fluid where the mine recycles the
try is booming, capital is readily only the addition of minimal conveyance industry for many sludge for increased recovery
available for water treatment but separation chemicals. years. The company will of copper and cobalt. Here the
unfortunately the contrary is also RWTT uses electricity to typically be involved from the mine will achieve a compliant
true. Water treatment and the destabilise the dissolved project scoping stage, including effluent while simultaneously
associated cost thereof is neither contaminants by using charge water analysis, water balance achieving increased copper and
a core function nor a prime focus neutralisation and creates and design of the tailor-made cobalt recoveries.
for mines. nucleation sites of polymeric solution. Its services will include
Mines must make adequate metal hydroxides, which then the supply, installation and How is the treatment of mine
provisions in their business leads to flocculation. During the commissioning of the RARE water changing? Mines are
planning for sufficient water electro-flocculation process, the Water Treatment plant and starting to think out of the box
treatment, even in the event
of early unplanned closures.
Water policing authorities
must enforce the law and
non-compliance should be
met with the full power of the
environmental laws.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 31
MINE WATER PANEL DISCUSSION
What makes mine water technology with the patent the growth are hoping to
treatment unique? In some holders. Negotiations are under of aquatic have operating
regards it is unique, in others way to build and operate a animals later this year is
it is not. It is unique when demonstration plant. and plants. unique as it will
compared to municipal and Its impacts be utilising the
sewage water treatment as What do ROI timelines look are not just seen in the wider KNEW process. It is a holistic
it generally does not contain like in this context? This environment but are also felt by solution to the AMD problem.
organics and has high levels of is entirely dependent on the the whole country through the
dissolved metallic ions. It is not condition of the mine water. impact on agriculture, i.e. food How is the treatment of
unique when compared to a lot The worse the water, the more production is decreased. mine water changing, if
of process plant effluents. ions dissolved, the better the at all? I hope it looks like the
economics. On a potential Which related projects have KNEW process. This process is
What is the biggest project recently considered, a you been involved in that capable of producing a profit
challenge with regards to ROI of three years was expected. are of note? We have only for the operator while cleaning
mine water currently? The The estimate is considered been involved in the design up the mine water problem.
biggest technical challenge conservative; however, the feed of AMD treatment plants,
facing mine water treatment is to the plant is more favourable none of which have been Anything further you feel I
the creation of an economically ‒ high amounts of dissolved implemented yet. have missed? I deliberately
viable treatment process that ions ‒ than the average avoided the topics of the role
provides a total solution. mine water. What makes them unique of government, politics and the
‒ and how were you able mining industry. These are the
How can this challenge What is the most common to add to this uniqueness? biggest challenges mine water
be overcome? The KNEW misconception
p or mistake The demonstration
dem plant we clean-up faces.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 33
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MARCH/APRIL 2013 35
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MINE WATER PANEL DISCUSSION
What makes the treatment organic quality and the extent the regulated environmental
of mine water unique? of biological activity in the discharge compliance. This is
Mine water is not unique in its feed water have up to now not standards imposed therefore a necessary
challenges. When compared always been incorporated in the for discharge of investment. The
to conventional potable water feed water specification. water into the cost of treatment
treatment, mine water requires environment. The technology itself and the water treatment
sophisticated treatment How can these challenges for treatment of the mine process is small in comparison
processes and process controls be overcome? The current water provides both physical to the infrastructure required
to ensure that it meets the practice of mine water filtration barriers as well as for mine water collection, feed
required potable or discharge modelling over the life of mine, chemical treatment to be able dams, environmental dams,
standards. When compared to together with groundwater to ensure the quality of the brine dams (if necessary), etc
industrial water treatment the modelling studies, is proving to water, with the final treatment to ensure the management of
challenges are similar. Mine be effective at predicting the barrier being reverse osmosis. mine water on-site.
water will contain contaminants water quality, which will be fed Stringent process monitoring
dependant on the mining to the mine water treatment and effective management What is the most common
activity (coal/gold/platinum plants. This involves in-depth of mine water treatment will misconception when
mining) and may occur as either water quality sampling and ensure compliance to the SANS dealing with mine water?
neutral with mineral pollutants, testing and, together with standards for potable use. If a mine water process is
or highly acidic with significant statistical prediction tools, the suitable for one mine, it is
levels of contaminants that basis for design is determined. What technologies and not necessarily suitable for
need to be removed. The most The risk, however, is that the techniques are available to another mining application.
significant aspect is the need water may change over time assist in treating mine water? Therefore it is necessary to
for high recovery processes, and the plant has to then be Prentec has the competence consider each mine s water on
thereby reducing the volumes able to adapt to maintain and experience in all processes its own merits.
of effluents from the mine water effective treatment of the currently being used for mine
treatment processes. mine water. Prentec provides water treatment and is able to Which projects has your
flexible processes that can offer Low Capital, Low Operating company been involved
What is currently the biggest be engineered to operate Cost, Low Chemicals, Low in? We are completing the
challenge with regards to differently due to changes Power and Low Waste mine installation of integrated
mine water? The effective in the feed water quality. water technology (LoRO). We wastewater and mine
treatment of mine water The layouts of the envisaged take particular pride in the art water solutions at Anglo s
requires the following: plants have to be able to of uniquely configuring LoRO Twickenham and Xstrata s
• an accurate prediction of the accommodate such changes. systems to meet the specific Horizon mines. The solutions
mine water quality needs of each particular case for use a combination of biological
• a process design that can In your opinion, is mine optimal results. processes, membrane
be operated effectively over water seen as a resource as bioreactors and reverse
the life of mine (and after opposed to a detriment? How does your organisation osmosis to attain our goal
mine closure) Mine water can be considered facilitate the process? of LoRO. In these cases,
• the ability to achieve zero a resource. It has been proven We are able to provide zero waste results from the
liquid discharge that treated mine water meets added value to the client treatment of shaft water.
The chemical quality of mine the SANS potable water through specific interaction Prentec has further been
water may be relatively easy standard, and in some cases throughout the planning, awarded the design contract
to predict. The prediction of exceeds this in order to meet execution and operation of the for a 10 Mℓ/d LoRO plant at
mine water treatment project. Exxaro s Matla mine.
Prentec is an ideal partner
able to provide professional What makes your solutions
reports for EIA approval, unique? We continue to
efficient process design, develop new ideas and
fast-track project management technologies through our
and water treatment in-house water testing and
operation services. design development. Overall,
we have to ensure that the
What do ROI timelines look plant layout and design is
like in this context? Mines appropriate to be able to
will have to continue to treat expand and can be optimised
mine water in order to ensure for varying water quality while
being able to maintain the
Integrated wastewater and plant and minimise the overall
mine water treatment plant cost of treatment.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 37
PROFILE NUWATER
T
he United Nations World Water ter, contaminated river and groundwater, Although Singapore is unique in certain
Day, held on 22 March 2013, and and industrial wastewater. respects due to its population density and
South Africa s own coinciding While our flexible and rapidly deployable well-respected ability to deliver ambitious
National Water Week highlight the solutions do not negate the need for stra- projects, NuWater has demonstrated that
challenges the world, and particularly dry tegic centralised infrastructure, we believe the same technology and reclamation and
countries like South Africa, faces in meet- they have a key role to play in helping to reuse model can be successfully applied in
ing the increasing demands of industry, bridge the significant gap between the developing countries such as South Africa.
agriculture and growing populations for demand for clean and safe water and the For example, NuWater s complete mod-
clean and safe water. Although the debate available supply. We see our NuWater ular and mobile 20 million litres per day
on how best to address these challenges solutions as providing immediate tactical mine wastewater reclamation plant at
often seems to centre on macro policies infrastructure to complement strategic Anglo American s New Vaal Colliery near
such as water diplomacy, conservancy, infrastructure projects and to plug service Vereeniging not only serves to clean up the
allocation, strategic infrastructure and its fi- delivery gaps. In addition, the commercial environment but also has the added benefit
nancing, two more practical topics close to models we offer, including rental and own of providing Eskom s Lethabo power station
NuWater s heart are also receiving growing and operate models, enable our customers with high-quality cooling water. The water
attention, namely Tactical service delivery to avoid costly capital investment, allowing produced could equally be used for drink-
and Wastewater reclamation and reuse. them to stretch their financial resources ing water at it surpasses international water
further and to deliver higher quality services quality requirements.
Tactical service delivery to more people.
At NuWater we believe strongly that Complete solutions
flexible distributed or decentralised water Wastewater reclamation At NuWater we focus on delivering com-
and wastewater treatment infrastructure is The reclamation and reuse of wastewater is plete solutions, tailored to our customer s
required to complement conventional cen- essential for sustainable water management specific requirements. This includes the
tralised infrastructure that is costly, inflexi- in order to supplement available water delivery of supporting any infrastructure
ble and takes a significant amount of time resources. Wastewater reclamation also has required, such as power, as well as project
to deliver. We are a leader in sophisticated the added benefit of ensuring that waste funding solutions that allow the upfront
and rapidly deployable modular mem- streams are more safely managed and do capital cost to be avoided and rather
brane-based water and wastewater treat- not have an adverse effect on the environ- recovered by NuWater over the life of the
ment plants to public and private sector ment and higher quality water reserves. project. In essence NuWater carries much
customers both in South Africa and around Nuwater pioneered the use of large-diam- of the project performance and technol-
the world. We are pioneers of large-scale eter 16-inch RO technology at one of the ogy risk allowing our customers to rest
assured that they are
getting the most relia-
ble and cost-effective
supplies of clean and
safe water.
38 MARCH/APRIL 2013
KWAZULU-NATAL REGIONAL FOCUS
Mbazwane Groundwater
Monitoring Network in focus
In addition, Schapers adds that the
Chantelle Mattheus.
The terms of reference for
this project are to develop eight
pre-identified locations. Six of
these locations will be installed as
groundwater monitoring installa-
tions and two as groundwater sup-
ply boreholes. The principal project
aim is to expand the groundwater
monitoring network across the
project area, and the supply bore-
holes are to provide groundwater
to two communities/agricultural
initiatives, says Schapers. Drilling
was conducted by Kwa-Natal
Drilling using the Rotary Mud Flush
drilling method.
Two predominant aquifers were
targeted, namely the shallow sugar
sands of the Kwambonambi for-
T
he Department of Water Affairs (DWA), in conjunc- Specialised mation, and the deep semi-confined calcretes of the Uloa
tion with the University of Zululand commissioned rotary mud formation. Single and multiple installations targeting both
the development of a number of geohydrologically drilling of a aquifers were implemented at the monitoring locations
monitoring
strategic positions, focusing on the Sodwana to and larger diameter production-type boreholes developed
borehole on
Lake Sibayi region. the border of at the groundwater supply locations.
The University of Zululand was trying to develop the the Sodwana Aquifer characteristics were determined through test
monitoring network in Maputaland, KwaZulu-Natal, in con- Nature Reserve pumping (conducted by AB Pumps) and the respective in-
junction with the South African Environmental Observation teraction between the deep and shallow aquifer measured
Network (SAEON). Eight areas were identified throughout where possible. Water quality sampling was undertaken to
central and northern KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Flats, where an establish geochemical signatures of the respective aquifers.
increase in groundwater monitoring coverage is desired,
explains Schapers. The monitoring boreholes were aimed Challenges conquered
at identifying and determining the geohydrological char- Time frames were one of the challenges the team had to
acteristics of primary aquifers located in the central portion overcome on the project, as the project had to be com-
of the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal plain, to refine the numerical pleted in a very small window. Good subcontractors and
groundwater model being developed by Prof Bruce Kelbe determined project management realised the completion
of the University of Zululand. of the project on time and within budget. The scope was
MARCH/APRIL 2013 39
Test pumping of monitoring boreholes to determine
aquifer characteristics
clear but there was limited technical detail due to limited avail-
able information on the aquifers of the Coastal Plain, so budget
was utilised in the best manner to give the client a value-added
J&G – in the water cycle product, says Schapers.
Several of the holes were drilled within the iSimangaliso Wetland
from start to finish Park, and standard procedures and environmental controls had to
be adjusted to conform to stringent codes of conduct in order to
minimise the environmental impact on the whole, says Schapers.
At J&G we have professional specialists
As a result, close liaison with the iSimangaliso Park Authority was
connecting all the dots along the water cycle required and all implementation was conducted in the presence of
route, from source to consumer and discharge an environmental control officer in accordance with a strict man-
back into the environment. This holistic agement plan.
is set to supply approximately 51 431 to extend the bulk infrastructure, says Moffat,
adding that considerable planning on a regional
community members in the Hlabisa scale has been performed in the region, which to a large
area, 18 606 community members in the extent influenced the Hlabisa project.
The project is located in the local municipality area of
Ezibayeni area, as well as the town of Hlabisa under uMkhanyakude District Municipality (UDM).
Bigen Africa resident project engineer, tell Dam (Mhlathuze Water). The total demand for both the
Mandlakazi and Hlabisa areas is 7.26 million cubic metres
Chantelle Mattheus. per annum.
Despite UDM being the client, Mhlathuze Water was
appointed by the municipality as the implementing
agent. Bigen Africa was then subsequently appointed
by Mhlathuze as the consulting engineer on the project,
responsible for the project s business plan, tender admin-
istration, as well as the civil engineering on-site
and site supervision and disbursement.
“The scheme will serve In order to ensure community buy-in to the pro-
households with bulk ject and involve all stakeholders, a fully represent-
and reticulation networks ative project coordinating committee (PCC) was
and there is further also set up. Some of the representatives forming
part of the PCC are from UDM, DWA, Hlabisa Local
capacity to extend the Municipality, councillors, public liason officers
bulk infrastructure” (PLO), consultants and so forth. Site meetings are
held monthly between the implementing agent,
contractor, PLO and consultant. This creates a platform to
discuss and report on key performance indicators and other
issues relating to the project, says Moffat.
Sourcing supply
According to both Marais and Moffat, there are a number
of existing schemes within the area ‒ specifically the
Hlabisa Local Municipality ‒ and although some are func-
tional, some are dysfunctional too.
The water source for this project is the adjacent
Mandlakazi Regional Bulk Scheme under Zululand District
Municipality who in turn gets their water from a private
source. The feasibility study refers to the fact that bulk
water supply for Hlabisa will be sourced from the adjacent
Mandlakazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme in Zululand District
Municipality. Both Mandlakazi Bulk Water Scheme and
Hlabisa Bulk Water Scheme are being implemented con-
currently by the Zululand District Municipality and UDM
respectively, says Marais.
Both men warn that the Hlabisa project is dependent on
the timeous completion of the Mandlakazi portion of the
bulk scheme where the two projects tie in.
The scheme itself is designed to cater for a demand of
4.1 Mℓ/d, having used the following design parameters:
• Bulk ‒ 60 litres per capita per day
• Losses ‒ 10%
42 MARCH/APRIL 2013
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REGIONAL FOCUS
The design horizon is projected for 2025, According to Marais, the local labour has
with a design population of 51 431 for PROJECT ROLE PLAYERS received informal site training from the
that year. material suppliers and contractors, with this
Client: uMkhanyakude District Municipality
Implementing agent: Mhlathuze Water training commencing prior to construction
Rand and cents Funder: DWA and still continuing. The training is/was
Funding has by large been sourced from Consultants: on trench excavation, manhole and valve
the DWA, which is the principal funding • Civil – Bigen Africa Services chamber construction, pipe laying and joint-
• Electrical – Ulungeni
agent having contributed approximately ing, pipe bedding and backfilling, concrete
• Geotech – DLP
R169 million through the Regional Bulk • ISD – SPM Services mixing and placing, to name just a few.
Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) programme • Environmental – K2M Technologies Institutional Social Development (ISD)
with approval for the project having training was also provided on-site, relating
been done in 2006. The total capital cost of the project to project management, financial/account management
is estimated to be R198.9 million, with the remaining and water supply scheme management, among others.
R29.9 million having been sourced from the Municipal
Infrastructure Grant (MIG) through UDM. Progress to date
However, Moffat and Marais indicate that only on com- While initially the project was to be implemented as a
pletion of the final phase will exact figures be available single venture with a number of emerging contractors
on the project cost. The difficulties experienced on the working on it, due to financial constraints the entire
various contracts has been limited. Currently, escalation, scheme was subsequently scheduled to be completed in
contingencies, retention and performance guarantees different phases.
on the various projects have covered the additional costs Marais and Moffat both indicate that of the 96 km of
experienced, says Marais. He adds that because the pipes to be installed, 66 km have been installed to date,
project has been completed over an extended period ‒ it making this aspect 70% complete. Eight of the 14 reservoirs
was originally planned for three years, versus the expect- have been completed, with 24 of the 42 reservoir chambers
ed duration of five years ‒ an increase in the cost for the having been completed, ensuring this aspect of the project
professional teams is expected. was 57% complete at the beginning of the year.
It is, however, expected that the additional cost on the Additionally, 90 of the 197 air valve chambers have been
professional team and the cost for the completion will completed (46% complete), with 14 of the 39 control
be offset against possible savings that will be realised on chambers completed (36%).
the construction cost. To date, all the projects have been While the project engineering documentation (PED) was
completed within their original budgets, says Marais. completed in February 2008 and the design in September
of the same year, construction still continues on a num-
Challenging context ber of the contracts awarded to date. According to both
The key challenge therefore, as indicated earlier, is the Marais and Moffat, various snags on the uncompleted
financial constraints and difficulties that both large and projects are still to be completed and all the reservoirs
emerging contractors have on the project. Although they and approximately 13 km of pipes are as yet untested.
all meet the required CIDB gradings, some contractors are This is despite initial construction deadlines starting
more experienced than others and in both cases ‒ experi- in June 2010, difficulties were experienced with all the
enced and less experienced ‒ contractors contracts with the exception of the pipe
have major financial difficulties. JOB CREATION ON‐SITE supply contracts. The appointment of
The rugged rural conditions and chang- capable implementing agents and an engi-
ing weather conditions, including rain, neering consulting company to oversee the
also make access to the site a challenge implementation of the project has been a
at times. success, says Marais.
He adds that the sections of work that
Labour intensive have been completed and paid for are
Marais notes that the execution of the of acceptable standards. Although final
project has been purposefully based on Female commissioning is not possible and some
labour-intensive methods in order to youth 8% difficulties could be experienced, the
provide employment opportunities to the Female implementing agent will ensure that
adult 15% Male youth
local communities in these highly rural areas. With the 54% the clients get value for money.
training envisaged, we hope to provide skills, which may Male adult Currently, the revised expected com-
22%
lead to economic empowerment of those communities p
pletion dates are from September this
currently deprived thereof. yea
year to February 2014 for the final con-
Some of the labour-intensive tasks include clearing and tract, which is still to be awarded with the ten-
grubbing of the trench routes, placing of bedding, laying Job creation on- der process having been initiated in December 2012.
of pipeline, collection of rocks for the filling of the gabion site unpacked The sustainability of the project outcomes, however, will
baskets, removal of topsoil, excavation and placing of Total people be largely based on the operation and maintenance of the
employed during
bedding, among other tasks. project once commissioned ‒ which Mhlathuze has taken
period 2009 –
As a result, from project commencement in 2009 to Jan 2013: 2 965 ownership of. The future of the Hlabisa project depends
January this year, 2 965 people have been employed on- Average: on the full integration of existing infrastructure with the
site, the majority of which (54%) have been male youths. 71 per month bulk system, concludes Marais.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 45
REGIONAL FOCUS KWAZULU-NATAL
T
he uMgungundlovu District boundary and the east side of the project for the construction of Phase 1 and Icon
Municipality is bringing clean water abuts Ugu District Municipality. Construction for the construction of Phase 2.
closer to the people. The days of Broadly unpacking the project specifics,
walking long distances to collect Project priorities the oGagwini community water supply
water in 20 ℓ bottles will soon come to According to Mjwara, the aim of the scheme sources bulk water from the Eston/
the end for the oGagwini community, project is to provide the community with Umbumbulu bulk pipeline (Umgeni Water
says Mjwara. a stable supply of potable water, create pipeline), which is located on the northern
The oGagwini Community Water Supply employment opportunities, training border of the project footprint. Water from
Scheme is situated in the Mkhambathini and transfer professional skills to the an existing bulk supply line supplies all the
Local Municipality (KZ 226), which is in the local community. reservoirs via a 150 mm steel pipe. From the
extreme south of the uMgungundlovu Kantey and Templer Consulting Engineers source bulk line, two separate chambers are
District Municipality boundary, south of were appointed by the uMgungund- provided for Umgeni Water and uMgungun-
the Provincial Road 21, approximately 1 km lovu District Municipality to design and dlovu District Municipality to monitor the
west of Umbumbulu. The project is approxi- implement the contract for Phase 1 and volume of water supplied.
mately 30 km2 in size. The northern footprint Phase 2 of the project. Hydrotech was the Mjwara notes that Phase 1 reservoirs have
of the project abuts the Durban Metro contractor appointed by the municipality a capacity of 350 and 750 Kℓ, with both
feeding to 47 km of domestic reticulation,
ranging in size from 32 to 250 mm diame-
ters and 124 stand pipes. Phase 2 reservoirs
on the other hand have a capacity of 75,
100 and 300 Kℓ, all feeding to 61 km of do-
mestic reticulation, ranging from 32 to 160
diameters and 144 stand pipes.
The reservoirs are constructed with
a reinforced concrete roof covering to
prevent contamination and evaporation
46 MARCH/APRIL 2013
REGIONAL FOCUS
Mjwara adds that a security fence with a the local community, with an emphasis on
double opening gate for vehicles has been gender and youth equality, states Mjwara.
erected around each reservoir to prevent This project has created employment
acts of vandalism and/or theft. opportunities for the community. Skills were
imparted to the local community through
Training focus active participation in the construction and
As with most projects of a similar nature, management of the project through various
training is a key focus. According to Mjwara, employment opportunities. The project
beside the ISD capacity building workshops reduced unemployment and assisted in
Typical stand pipe and training of the PSC members, an ac- promoting local emerging contractors.
credited skills development training course
of the stored water. The storage reservoirs was held on-site, where local community Enjoying the benefits
are provided with a scour valve and scour members were selected based on their edu- The days of using river water for domestic
chamber to facilitate removal of the reser- cation, employment and poverty level. use are long gone for some part of the
voir contents for cleaning and maintenance In each phase, a total of 10 people from oGagwini community since the completion
purposes. The level of water in the storage the community were trained, varying from of Phase 1 earlier last year. The remain-
reservoirs is controlled by a Bermad valve. plumbing, pipe laying, concreting and steel ing parts of the community will soon be
High-level chambers have been con- fixing. In addition, two student technicians enjoying the benefits of this project as we
structed at the reservoir to maintain pres- were also appointed in each phase, which are now focusing on Phase 2, which will be
sure from the bulk line and then be able to enabled them to gain practical experience completed at the end of March 2013.
feed future stands pipes that are higher or in the engineering field. The oGagwini Community Water
at a similar level than the storage reservoirs. This contract was operated under the Supply Scheme has assisted in creating an
Water from the storage reservoirs is gravity auspices of the Expanded Public Works infrastructure that will cater for the basic
fed via the network of different types and Programme (EPWP) and as such the ma- needs of the community. It is envisaged
size piping to feed the project area. Isolation jority of the tasks were undertaken using that this will promote the growth of
valves are provided at the entry and exit of labour-intensive methods on a task work economic activity within the community,
the reservoir for maintenance purposes. basis. Unskilled labour was employed from concludes Mjwara.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 47
REGIONAL FOCUS KWAZULU-NATAL
Innovative purpose-built
solutions for KZN toilets
The uMhlatuze Municipality project, which recently won a CMA award, involved
the installation of 8 470 of Rocla’s Ventilated Improved Double-Pit (VIDP) toilets,
which were assembled using precast concrete panels. Chantelle Mattheus
unpacks the project challenges at length with Rocla representatives.
T
his phase of the project formed part of the sanitation units that were manufactured on the site
Department of Water Affairs (DWA) Sanitation with significant community involvement.
for a Healthy Nation plan, explains Simon He adds that while Rocla was not initially involved with
Wells, Rocla s business manager of sanitation. Phase 1 of the project, it acquired the company D&D that
The project,
According to Craig Waterson, Rocla s marketing di- was responsible for Phase 1 approximately six years ago
which involved
rector, this was the third phase of a project that formed sanitation units while it was still busy with that contract. Rocla success-
part of the DWA s Sanitation for a Healthy Nation plan. manufactured fully tendered using a purpose-designed improved solu-
Close liaison with local communities ensured that the on-site, tion and was awarded phases 2 and 3. The Rocla product
quality and toilet placement requirements were met, commenced in is well accepted and is now an integral part of the rural
March 2011 and
says Waterson. sanitation landscape of the district, says Waterson.
was completed
Waterson believes the project s uniqueness lies in at the beginning The project started in March 2011 and was completed
the fact that the end results are high-quality, durable of this year in January 2013.
48 MARCH/APRIL 2013
REGIONAL FOCUS
Purpose designed
The Rocla sanitation units were purpose
CMA AWARD WINNING INNOVATION
designed to meet the double pit re-
Rocla was the only contender that walked off with two Concrete Manufacturers Association
quirements specified in the contract by (CMA) awards in different categories at the recent prize-giving ceremony. Craig Waterson,
the company, in conjunction with the Rocla’s marketing director, says: “The two trophies were a huge morale boost for everyone
uMhlathuze District Municipality and the at Rocla as they not only confirmed our position in the infrastructure sector as a preferred
consulting engineers, in accordance with partner in the supply of precast concrete products, but also bear testament to more than
90 years of industry experience in Southern Africa.”
the technical requirements of the area.
Rocla, a precast concrete manufacturer, received recognition in the Community Excellence
The system utilises sophisticated moulds category for its uMhlatuze District Municipality Rural Sanitation Phase III, Northern KwaZulu-
and fabric reinforcement to create light- Natal project. The other award was for the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme – KwaZulu-Natal/
weight panels. The advantage of this Free State border project in the Technical Excellence category, “both of which illustrate the
technology is that the number of ele- company’s commitment to provide custom-made, high-quality concrete products using the
latest technologies and innovations”.
ments and consequently number of joints
The Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme project that won the award for innovative technical
involved in each structure is minimised. merit entailed the design and construction of a permanent precast shuttering solution,
The factory can be easily erected close instead of deploying a traditional shuttering system. The project faced challenging
to the project area and the manufactur- constraints, such as confined space and limited access to the underground works to support
ing process is simple and tailored to be a 400 t gantry crane in the electricity generator hall.
The engineers assembled and reinforced 552 of Rocla’s concrete columns, beams and
labour intensive to provide employment
corbel elements in 38 product modifications on-site. These elements vary in weight up to 8 t
to members of the local community, a piece and 1.5 to 11 m in length. Extremely tight tolerances of 3 mm for linear dimensions
explains Waterson. and about 2 mm for vertical alignment were met through stringent quality control measures.
He adds that other innovations The manufacturing process that Rocla undertook was complex. For example, male
included in the design were a stain- joints needed to be cast into the upper ends of each column and female joints into the
bottom ends due to the design of the concrete shutter. “The challenge of handling these
less steel door and child safe locking
complexities meant designing for all possible scenarios to accommodate each column’s
mechanism, which makes it impossi- unique centre of gravity,” explains Waterson, adding that the process required the design of
ble to be locked inside the structure. a special handling system.
In addition, according to Waterson, the “This was definitely a unique project for Rocla and the acknowledgement from our peers of
use of precast concrete panels ensured a our engineering excellence is indeed rewarding,” he concludes.
high-quality end product, and a simple yet
highly effective design ensured ease of innovation, installation and product quali- approximately 7 000 t of concrete for the
assembly and best practice installations. ty, states Wells. sanitation structures and 1.1 million con-
A total of 177 local community members crete blocks to line the pits.
On-site skills training were employed in the factory and nine All raw materials, building materials,
Skills training was provided on-site during local BEE subcontractors transported the services and equipment were sourced
the project for bricklayers, welders and concrete panels, built the latrine pits and from local business where available, con-
security guards, among others, as well erected the toilets. The project consumed cludes Waterson.
as relating to computer skills, health and
safety in the work place, basic business Local community residents were involved in all facets of
principles and stores control. Rocla, in the operation, from the digging and lining of the pits to the
conjunction with the uMhlathuze District
Municipality provided SETA-approved
manufacture and installation of the toilet units
training, which equipped the trainees
with skills for further employment oppor-
tunities, says Waterson, adding that local
community residents were involved in all
facets of the operation, from the digging
and lining of the pits to the manufacture
and installation of the toilet units.
The panels were manufactured in a
factory, purpose built by Rocla at Port
Durnford, employing approximately 390
local community members, 70% of which
were women. We were proud to win
this award as the judging criteria and
evaluation in this category were strict
and a careful process decided on factors
such as job creation, sustainable skills
transfer to the local community, design
MARCH/APRIL 2013 49
INTERNATIONAL FOCUS AUSTRALIA
Following the finalisation of the reliability test SA, Suez Environnement, Thiess
Macquarie Group, in partnership with the
and
on 17 December last year, the Melbourne Capital Projects division of the Australian
L
ast year was a notable year for the to the body of knowledge on the complex- of this capacity in the world, with the line
plant, with a number of milestones ities of large-scale BOT water projects, says being especially constructed to power the
being reached. June saw the first Degrémont Southern Africa s deputy MD, desalination plant. Energisation of the plant
reverse osmosis water being pro- Dumi Luthuli. is progressively undertaken until all the fa-
duced and in August the plant commenced cilities and seawater desalination processes
production of remineralised water. In Project breakdown are brought into service.
September, not only did the plant enter into Construction included a 1.1-km-long, 4 m di- Concerning the reverse osmosis plant, the
full capacity hydraulic testing, but it also ameter intake tunnel and a 1.4-km-long, 4 m team is happy to report that the engineer-
completed a seven-day performance test in diameter outlet tunnel, as well as an 84 km ing work was completed on time with the
100% automatic mode. 1.9 m diameter reverse flow transfer pipe- equipment on-site and the first tests carried
The plant, which was constructed line and co-located power and fibre optics, out successfully. The start-up was carefully
in Wonthaggi, 130 km south-east of connecting the plant to Melbourne s water, prepared, with the teams ready to move
Melbourne, is the largest desalination plant power and communications networks. into action. Once again, we wish to empha-
ever to be constructed in Australia and in- Design and construction plans were devel- sise the quality of the work done so far by
cludes the construction of a 150 billion litres oped with a commitment to minimising any our teams in the execution of this contract,
per year (expandable to 200 billion litres) adverse effects on the local landscape, cul- says Francine Dubreuil, Degrémont market-
reverse osmosis seawater desalination plant. tural heritage and fauna and flora. The plant ing manager for Southern Africa.
The Melbourne project takes the size of therefore occupies a very small footprint,
desalination plants to an entirely different taking up only 38 ha of the 263 ha site. Local implications
level. The fact that it is structured as a BOT The project is a public-private partner- According to Luthuli, the likelihood of
(build, operate and transfer) project adds ship to be undertaken by the AquaSure a plant of this size and stature being
50 MARCH/APRIL 2013
INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
goes “live”
constructed locally cannot be ruled out. At change the current water supply constraints The biggest lesson to be learnt from the
least one municipality and a water board in South Africa. South Africa is classified as a success of the Melbourne plant though,
are investigating large-scale desalination water-stressed country. On the other hand, according to Luthuli, is that with the right
plants for the next few years, although the the country is blessed with a long coastline technologies, proper planning and minimi-
sizes are likely to be much lower than the stretching more than 2 500 km. This is a val- sation of risks, knowledge of local conditions
Melbourne plant. As to what the future uable source of water that should be utilised and proper management of resources,
holds, anything is possible, he says. Should to cover the present and future shortfalls, desalination projects of this size and com-
this become a reality, this could dramatically advises Luthuli. plexity can be successfully executed.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 51
Degrémont South Africa has the ability to propose various technologies to suit the clients’
requirements and site constraints.
Tel: +27 (0) 11 807 1983 Fax: +27 (0)10 591 5095
www.degremont.co.za
25 YEARS OF THE EXTRAORDINARY
Water memory
In the technological age where computers are part of our daily existence, the
word ‘memory’ is often associated with the memory chip in a personal computer
– not with water.
By Mias van
W
ater memory is a fascinating concept. The suspended matter compared to a river downstream of
der Walt
human brain, for instance, is an array of bil- an industrialised mining town. Once the constituents are
lions of neurons and the conducting fluid Bigen Africa, PO added to a river course the unique character remains rel-
between the neurons consists of about Box 29, The Inno- atively unchanged. This means that the characteristics of
vation Hub, 0059,
80% water: The connection between water and memory is 012 843 9085 (T), a Gauteng river will not change to that of a Drakensberg
therefore not too difficult and in fact a concept pervasive 012 843 9000 (F) river even if it is left for an indefinite period.
mias.vanderwalt@
to our existence. The ability of water to remember the constituents that
bigenafrica.com
This paper will explore the relationship between were added to it is referred to as water memory . Some
water and memory from a different perspective. The readers may also refer to this as water fingerprinting or
basis of the paper is to demonstrate the concept of water water DNA , but for the rest of this paper the term water
memory and that the origin of water can to a large extent memory will be used. The constituents in the water are
be determined by decoding the memory . The correct not necessarily added all at the same time and if the river
decoding of water memory has significant practical impli- water was characterised at a number of different locations
cations in terms of water cycle management. along its course the water memory could be read in se-
The concept of water memory was developed and quential order to read the water story .
applied during a number of studies including distribution The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how water
system water quality root cause analysis, mine water man- memory can be read and how this concept assisted a
agement and a water treatment plant dosing strategy. number of water users to understand their respective
During an extensive investigation in the City of Tshwane water stories .
distribution system (Van der Walt, Cronje & Coetzee,
2009), it was concluded that there is a body of hidden 2. THE WATER MEMORY MECHANISM
information in water quality data that needs to be mined 2.1 Water memory generation
to identify trends and changes in the water sources, the Any constituent that is added to water changes its pure
water and wastewater treatment plants in the catchment form and contributes towards its unique character re-
area and the distribution system. Consumer complaints ferred to as the water memory . Rain water falling on a
require decoding in order to understand the root cause(s) grassland with loose soil will generate muddy runoff with
of water quality problem. If more than one source is sup- some dissolved metal content. Potable water supplied to
plied into a distribution system, the level of mixing needs consumers, which already contains a memory due to its
to be controlled and the consequence of mixing needs mineral content, builds up additional memory through
to be understood. A number of subsequent studies lead its use by consumers by the time it is discharged into the
to the development of the water memory concept. This sewer system.
paper will proceed in explaining the concept, the mech-
anism and illustrate the application of the concept by a 2.2 Water memory fading
number of recent case studies. In some cases water memory can fade with time due to
natural and technological processes. After a heavy thun-
1. THE WATER MEMORY CONCEPT derstorm in the Drakensberg, turbid water flows down a
The literal meaning of the words water and memory creek and is gradually cleaned as the suspended solids
provide some clue to the concept water memory . Oxford are retained in pools along the river. The sedimentation
Dictionary provides the following definitions: effect fades the suspended solids memory. In other cases
• WATER / wᴐ:tǝ(r) noun, a liquid without colour, smell organic compounds in the water are transformed through
or taste natural biological processes that fade the water memory.
• MEMORY / memǝri/(pl. ies) noun, the part of a comput- One of the most common processes that is prominent in
er where memory is stored. polluted environments is nitrification and de-nitrification;
FIGURE 1
Water is a pervasive and universal carrier of various mate- Typical Water during these processes anthropogenic ammonia and
rials around the globe. Consider for instance the contents Memory Block nitrates are transformed to nitrates and nitrogen gas
of a river just after a heavy thunderstorm: a mixture of
various soluble and suspended organic and inorganic Suspended Dissolved Dissolved Biological Spatial Timestamp
materials. The type of constituents in the water course Inorganic Organic reference
essentially characterises the water source. This is why a Neuron 1 Neuron 2 Neuron 3 Neuron 4 Neuron 5 Neuron 6
river in the Drakensberg will contain different soluble and
54 MARCH/APRIL 2013
TECHNICAL PAPER
MARCH/APRIL 2013 55
TECHNICAL PAPER
56 MARCH/APRIL 2013
TECHNICAL PAPER
MARCH/APRIL 2013 57
TECHNICAL PAPER
CONCLUSIONS
FIGURE 7 Surface to shaft water short circuit observed. Percentile distribution analysis Water memory may at first appear to be
shows significant variations of turbidity, a strange concept, but after applying the
shaft. The net water pumped will reduce Chlorophyll-a, colour and faecal coliform. concept it was demonstrated that it can
by at least 30% and the pumping head of An artificial neural network was construct- be applied to a range of water manage-
the fissure water will reduce by at least 12 ed (Naidoo & van der Walt, 2012) to read ment problems. Accessing water memory
levels or 300 meters. the underlying relationships of the raw can be a rich source of information, and
In the case of the mine it was realised water memory and the impact on chemical viewed in context, can often uncover a
that water is not an infinite resource and dosing rates. very interesting water story . Analysing
the only option was to reuse water. As a By assuming a simple relationship be- water quality results should therefore not a
result of significant build up memory from tween turbidity, alkalinity and dosing rate it boring exercise, but an interesting journey
accumulation of minerals in the water can be seen from figure 8 that the predicted experienced by a few water drops encoun-
captured from tailings dam, the advanced chemical dosing showed similar trends to tering many interactions along its journey
technology was required to erase some of the actual dosing rates, but the accuracy in a water system.
the water memory in order to meet water was not acceptable. Additional refinement Reading water stories are not difficult, it
quality requirements. Analysis of surface to the model improved the predictability just requires a bit of curiosity.
and ground water memory assisted in with a prediction error of less than 1 mg/ℓ
identify a significant short-circuiting in the for polymer as shown in figure 4. This paper has been edited and abridged for
mine water circuit and will reduce the cost This example showed that in some cases publication. For references or information
of treatment and reuse. it will not be sufficient to read the water about the complete paper, please contact
memory directly as the shutter speed at the editor at chantelle@3smedia.co.za.
3.3 Case 3 ‒ Water treatment
dosing strategy
Water quality results and operator log FIGURE 8 – Actual versus predicted ANN polymer dosing prediction using basic inputs
sheets are often accumulated in the hope
of using it productively in the future. This
is exactly what was done at a large water
supplier where large quantities of accurate
water quality data and operator log sheets
were available and the operator issued a
request for proposal to understand the
water memory and read the water story
in order to implement a coagulant dosing
control strategy.
Thousands of analysis spanning several
FIGURE 9 – Actual versus predicted ANN polymer dosing prediction using advanced inputs
years were analysed including raw water
quality, chemical dosing rates, treatment
method and operational aspects in order
to establish if the water memory could be
used for the prediction of chemical dosing
rates given the raw water quality and
treatment process.
After analysing the data using time series
analysis no significant cyclical trends were
58 MARCH/APRIL 2013
MINE WATER RECLAMATION
Considered collaboration
Naidu adds that Thermal
Coal initiated discussions
with BHP Billiton Energy Coal
South Africa (BECSA) which
had a mining operation
adjacent to Landau Colliery
A
pproximately 130 million cubic metres of wa- ‒ the South Witbank Colliery. The parties recognised
ter is stored in Thermal Coal s underground that there was significant economies of scale that could
operations alone, with that figure rising daily. be achieved in working together to solve a
According to Naidu, Thermal Coal originally “AMD is something common problem. Thermal Coal entered
managed mine water on each operation separately that tends to be into a joint investigation with BECSA, which
as satellite sites ; as the operations expanded, so did eventually resulted in an agreement that
a legacy issue
the volumes of water that needed management. This BECSA could contribute approximately 15%
formed the basis for a collaborative approach on mine if not managed of the water input to the reclamation plant.
water management between the operations within up front.” Over the years, Thermal Coal had investi-
close proximity. gated various technologies that could be
Thubendran Naidu
The eMalahleni Local Municipality has long had water suitable for the water qualities coming from
supply and demand constraints, which have been these mines; however, as Naidu notes, some
exacerbated with extensive industrial, commercial were not scalable, some were relatively
and residential expansion being experienced over the immature and others weren t competitive
past decade. from a life cycle cost perspective. We were
instrumental in developing the technology
Historic context with Keyplan and the project was approved
In order for us to meet the high environmental man- in 2005 at a then value of R300 million.
agement standards that Anglo American has set for all Today this would be the equivalent of an
its operations, we took a view that we needed to start approximately R550 million investment. The
looking at newer and more efficient technologies that project was implemented from early 2005
60 MARCH/APRIL 2013
METERING CLEAN POWER WATER LARGE INVESTMENT T&D / GENERATION
POWER USERS & FINANCE SMART GRIDS
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until October 2007 when we commis- there is a need for additional water supply
sioned the first phase to treat 25 Mℓ/d of for the municipality, states Naidu.
water, says Naidu.
The project is a public-private part- Optimal operations
nership between Thermal Coal and the To date, the plant has over five years of
eMalahleni Local Municipality, through a operational and maintenance experience,
bulk water supply agreement between the with the team having ensured that water
parties with the plant being wholly owned quality compliance is non-negotiable. We
by Anglo American. run at full capacity. We implemented a
mini upgrade in 2011 of another 5 Mℓ/d,
Ensuring service delivery and supply so the current plant capacity is 30 Mℓ/d.
Since 2007, the plant has been treating In the five years we have operated the
25 Mℓ/d. It is at this time that Thermal plant, there has never been a call from
Coal also concluded a 20 Mℓ/d supply our participating mines to cut back on
agreement with the eMalahleni Local production due to lack of water. Looking
Municipality, having identified initially back, the question of whether we needed
in 2005 that the municipality had a need the plant or not has been answered, so the
for additional water. The municipality has investment decision has been well prov-
a licence to abstract 75 Mℓ/d from the en, says Naidu.
Witbank Dam and its demand in 2005 was Part of the investment rationale for
in excess of 100 Mℓ/d. Thermal Coal was to take care of post-
We approached the municipality on the closure the water liabilities in the area,
basis that we were treating water that is which remains a concern in the current
suitable for discharge to the local reserve, acid mine drainage (AMD) context. Naidu
which is the Noupoortspruit that even- states: We recognise that AMD is some-
tually feeds into the Witbank Dam and thing that tends to become a legacy issue The acid neutralisation that takes place
enquired whether it would be amenable if not managed up front. This plant is part in the primary neutralisation reactors re-
for us the upgrade this treated water into of Thermal Coal s proactive approach in sults in a mix of liquids and solids, which is
drinking water for supply directly into this regard. The plant is here to stay. then settled out in clarifiers, with the clear
their distribution system, explains Naidu. On the process itself, the mine water is water pumped to the ultrafiltration and
The supply agreement has since been fed into on-site dams and from there into reverse osmosis processes. Ultrafiltration
amended to 16 Mℓ/d. This is partly neutralisation reactors where hydrated removes the fine particulate matter and
through demand side management, says prepares the water for
Naidu, adding that the latest data, six Each repetition recovers more water, reverse osmosis. Reverse
years later, shows a demand in excess of osmosis does the desal-
130 Mℓ/d. Supply is therefore still fairly
ultimately achieving a world-class water ination, or removal of
constrained, so we still recognise that recovery of 99.5%. dissolved salts, that then
gives us permeate, which
lime and limestone is used to neutralise is our product water. We repeat that
the acidity, which varies between 20 to process train a second and a third time,
2 000 mg/ℓ across the mines that supply says Naidu, adding that each repetition
the water, and precipitate out any metals. recovers more water, ultimately achieving
The feed dams help to stabilise both the a world-class water recovery of 99.5%.
feed quality and balance feed into the Let s put the recovery into perspective.
plant, explains Naidu. A typical seawater desalination plant
The contributing mines are either open- operates at a feed TDS (total dissolved
cast or underground operations and are salt) of about 35 000 mg/ℓ but can only
impacted differently by the summer rain- economically achieve a water recovery
fall period and infiltration into existing and of about 60%, leaving a large volume of
old underground workings. Surface water reject or brine. This is not a problem along
management on the opencast operations the coast where one can sink the brine
are a high priority during the summer back to the sea. In the Highveld, we don t
rainfall period. We therefore adjust our have the luxury of the sea and would oth-
abstraction from the mines to accommo- erwise need to build huge brine storage
date seasonal changes and operational dams. Therefore maximising our water
needs. Having multiple mine feeds also recovery is absolutely essential and is one
means we can assure the municipality of of the keys to the success of this project.
a sustainable supply of drinking water, The plants energy footprint is also
says Naidu. exceptional ‒ at 3 to 3.5 MW/Mℓ treated
‒ comparable to sea water desalination
The first phase capacity of the reclamation plants that are operating at much lower
plant is 30 Mℓ/d water recoveries.
62 MARCH/APRIL 2013
MINE WATER
Essential expansion
On the back of the success of the first
phase, Thermal Coal continued to collab-
orate with its mines looking at their life
of mine and closure requirements. We
identified the Kromdraai section of Landau
Colliery as an area that needed long-term
water management to meet closure
requirements. There was also a need for
additional water management at Landau
Colliery to support an extension of its exist-
ing mining operations, says Naidu.
This led to the decision to expand the
eMalahleni Water Reclamation Plant to a
treatment capacity of 50 Mℓ/d. The ex-
pansion commenced in September 2011,
with commissioning scheduled for the end
of the first quarter in 2014.Currently, the
expansion project is approximately 70%
complete with the civil works scheduled To date, the plant has over five years of
The reclamation plant's expansion was well for completion in April, and mechanical operational and maintenance experience,
under way when WASA visited the site in and electrical installation already under with the team having ensured that water
the final quarter of 2012 way. We plan to start commissioning quality compliance is non-negotiable
from around mid-2013, which will take us
As a final quality control, the permeate to approximately the first quarter of 2014. 300 people are on-site and we expect
from all three stages are blended into a Construction activities on-site are there- that once the project is completed we
single product stream that undergoes fore fairly mature with relatively good would have employed up to 600 people,
salt stabilisation and disinfection using performance on keeping to schedule and says Naidu.
chlorine before it reports into our final cost, according to Naidu. We remain on
reservoirs for supply to our consumers, track to complete the project within the New network
says Naidu. budget of R732 million. As part of the expansion, Thermal Coal has
The brine is stored on-site at a brine Safety remains a top priority on site, commenced the construction of a 23 km
evaporation dam ‒ the final disposal site with the large team of people on a rela- pipeline and pumping system that brings
for the brine. As part of the expansion, we tively small site. At the moment about water from Kromdraai to the plant.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 63
MINE WATER ACID MINE DRAINAGE
CRITICAL FACTS
Western basin Central basin Eastern basin
Volume of AMD that 27 Mℓ/d 57 Mℓ/d 82 Mℓ/d
needs to be treated
Environmental critical 1 550 m amsl 1 467 m amsl 1,280m amsl
A
cid mine drainage (AMD) could level (165 m bcl) (186 m bcl) (290 m bcl)
potentially cause a shortage Current level 0.88 m bcl 256 m bcl 423 m bcl
of water to the consumers in Breach of ECL if pumping Breached already. Objective is Sep/Oct 2013 Nov 2014
Gauteng and the surrounding does not commence to draw the water down to ECL
provinces. This is according to a statement Location of treatment Rand Uranium, Mogale City South West Vertical Grootvlei No. 3
released by the TCTA on 22 February 2013. plant Shaft, Germiston Shaft, Springs
With funding and environmental author-
isation given, and agreement reached The scale and the complexities of the agent TCTA, will transform the area with the
with ERPM for access to land, infrastruc- project are enormous. The mine shaft is over construction of a state-of-the-art treatment
ture and tailings facility, TCTA was able 1 500 m deep (nearly seven times the height plant and will provide approximately 300
to give the green light to Group Five to of the Carlton Centre) and the pumps, temporary jobs during construction and 30
commence construction. which are 15 m high and weigh 25 t, must to 40 permanent jobs when operating.
Time waits for no man and while all the be lowered 200 m down the shaft without It will therefore be a race against time
challenges were being resolved, AMD con- dropping them. The treatment works is as construction will only be completed by
tinued to fill the mines, so that as of today three times larger than the next biggest November 2013.
the water level is approximately 256 m below similar treatment plant in South Africa at
the top of the shaft, leaving only 70 m before eMalahleni with its highly complex concrete The site is part of the former East Rand
the reaching the environmental critical lev- structures, piping and electrical systems. Propriety Mine
el, said TCTA s media liaison officer, Luzamo The site, bordered by Tide, Brammer
Sandlana, in the statement. According to and Power streets, is part of the former
Sandlana, at the current rate of rise it is pre- East Rand Proprietary Mine, and has been
dicted this will occur in September 2013. The unused since 2008 when all the buildings
environmental critical level was determined and headgear were demolished after the
by scientists and engineers and is the level closure of the old AMD treatment plant
where AMD will be safely contained in the and shaft. The construction of the new
mines and will not seep out and pollute the plant by the Department of Water Affairs,
external environment. in conjunction with their implementing
64 MARCH/APRIL 2013
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WTW & WWTW MEULWATER WTW
T
he new Meulwater Water all equipment to suit the civil structures that and 2006.
66 MARCH/APRIL 2013
Total Water and Effluent
Treatment Solutions
TENOVA is a worldwide supplier of advanced technologies, products and engineering services for the iron & steel and mining industries
WTW & WWTW
of unique challenges. All The Meulwater placed acoustic doors on the PROJECT ACCOLADES
mechanical and electrical plant has machine room, both inter-
The project recently achieved the award
equipment needed to com- nally and externally, in order for Best Project with a value under R50 mil-
ply with a set of very strict
undergone to minimise the plant s noise lion at the Consulting Engineers South
requirements and the fact full equipment impact, he says. Africa’s (CESA) Aon Engineering Excellence
that we were able to achieve The DEADP requirements Awards, the Best Environmental Project
testing and award at the Institute of Municipal
what we did, thereby contrib- included instructions to limit
uting further to these ideals,
handover took the aesthetic impact of the
Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA)
Awards, as well as a Certificate of Merit
is testament to our systems place at the end structure by blending it into from the Drakenstein Heritage Foundation.
and teamwork. the natural environment. Aurecon has also recently walked away
of June with one of the construction industry’s
For example, almost To achieve this, the plant
top accolades at the 2012 Construction
anything that gets wet ‒ such as pipework, was set as low into the ground as possible,
World Best Projects Awards, as the highly
valve internals and fasteners ‒ is made of sitting up to 5.5 m deep into the ground in acclaimed Meulwater WTW was named
stainless steel, which also helps minimise places, displacing 1 500 t of granite. Almost the ‘Overall Winner’ in the Professional
maintenance requirements. We have also half of the displaced granite was retained Services category.
on-site for use as cladding to the outside of
the main buildings. subcontractor gather seeds from various
Raw water inlet works
Sections of the structure are built com- reserves, which were used to reseed all areas
pletely underground and are planted with impacted by construction activities.
fynbos, and landscaping of the site was The Meulwater plant has undergone full
done in such a way as to limit visibility of the equipment testing, and handover to the
structure from the valley below. Trees have municipality took place at the end of June
been placed strategically to hide aspects of 2012, with strict adherence to safety, health
the structure and, where possible, berms and environmental requirements being
have been created to make the structure a prerequisite. No injury or safety related
more discreet. The Drakenstein Parks incidents occurred throughout the entire
department has helped the landscaping contract period.
68 MARCH/APRIL 2013
www.rhdhv.co.za
www.royalhaskoningdhv.com
UMZONYANA WTW WTW & WWTW
appointed for the project by the Buffalo City This pump station comprises two pump
sets, and the new works will include in-
Metropolitan Municipality. stallation of a reflux valve on a 525 mm AC
rising main, upgrading of pump motors
with new switch gear, as well as a possible
T
he Umzonyana Water Treatment sedimentation tanks, sludge ponds, up- upgrading of the adjacent substation.
Works (UWTW) was built in the grading of the Mdantsane pump station
early 1900s as the main water Number 2, new chlorination and ammonia New chlorination & ammonia plant:
supply to the borough of East plants as well as the completion of the Chlorine dosing plant
London and has been progressively new inlet works. The existing plant will be replaced by a
enlarged from the initial small, slow sand The project is especially challenging new construction, which is envisaged to
filtration plant to the existing sophisti- as portions of previous upgrade work be detached from the main building. The
cated treatment works with an output were designed by other consultants and design of the new plant will be future-
of 120 Mℓ/d of purified water, explains construction of certain works has been focused to accommodate upgrades and
project manager Victor Helberg. started but not completed, says Helberg. compatible with the proposed modular
The aim of the project is to meet the Part of our remit is to investigate and in- form of design where plant trials (1/3) for
increased drinking water demand caused corporate those portions of works into the flocculent can be run parallel to regular
by new developments and the increasing new upgrade to ensure their effective and chemical (2/3), dosing efficiency, etc.
number of households in Buffalo City beneficial use, he says.
Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) area. Ammonia dosing plant
This project will ensure that the required Sedimentation tanks The current position of this plant is
volumes of clean water for BCMM s There are six sedimentation tanks with awkward in terms of deliveries, hourly
communities could be provided at the varying capacity from 9.7 to 43.8 Mℓ/d. inspections as well as safety of process
lowest possible cost, thus enabling the To increase treatment capacity, as well controllers, especially at night. We will
municipality to fulfil its mandate of being as improve final water quality, additional put forward an improved solution to the
the Water Services Authority (WSA) and sedimentation processing is required. client, which addresses current shortcom-
provider (WSP) to its constituents. ings as well as investigating and recom-
This upgrade, which is calculated to Sludge lagoons/ponds mending other forms of ammonia for use
meet the anticipated water demands Currently, there are three sludge lagoons at the UWTW.
for the next 15 years, will involve the de- built in rocky outcrops situated above in
signs and implementation for additional the north part of the Umzonyana Dam, Completion of the new inlet works
The 900 mm diameter siphon from the
dam was due to be replaced by a 1 200 mm
diameter outlet from the bottom of the
dam, but the construction was never com-
pleted and this work is part of our scope of
works, states Helberg. Also construction of
new holding tanks of flocculent to suit the
increased capacity and dosage trends is
part of the works. Completion of the new
inlet works includes the refurbishment of
the existing ±1 km bypass canal around
Umzonyana Dam, together with fencing of
the dam perimeter.
The project was awarded to Royal
HaskoningDHV early in November 2012
and work was to have commenced early
this year, with an anticipated completion
date of December 2014.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 69
WTW & WWTW HOMEVALE WWTW
Refurbishment and
extension progressing
With the Homevale Wastewater Treatment Works in the Northern Cape operating
above its design capacity of 30 Mℓ/d, coupled with substantial growth within the
catchment area of the works, the Sol Plaatje Municipality identified the urgent
need to increase the treatment capacity of the works. Chantelle Mattheus
interviews Aurecon Associate Les O’Connell on the progress of the project.
T
he project entailed refurbishing an Sustainable focus unavailable locally, were
existing 30 Mℓ/d wastewater treat- The project lays the basis for sustainable required, notes O Connell.
ment works (WWTW), extending its development in Kimberley while at the
capacity to 48 Mℓ/d and diverting same time addressing environmental issues WWTW
purified effluent by pumping it through a related to a large flamingo population that refurbishment
700 mm pipeline to a high point from where inhabits Kamfers Dam, says O Connell, This aspect of the
it could either gravitate to the Vaal River or adding that the transfer of purified effluent project was carried
be utilised by farmers, explains O Connell. will also provide economic
Aurecon was responsible for the planning, opportunities for agricultural “The project lays the basis for
design and construction supervision of use to farmers in the vicinity
the project, with numerous other contrac- of the transfer pipeline.
sustainable development in Kimberley
tors involved in additional aspects of the The project also has re- while at the same time addressing
project, including Marange Construction, gional significance in that the environmental issues.” Les O'Connell
Empa Construction, Eigenbau, Botjheng transfer of effluent and the
Water, Entsha Henra Construction, HSH associated lowering of the level of the pan out in three phases under five contracts, of
Construction, Metsi Projects, IWAC will ensure the security of a main railway which Phase 1 was the emergency inter-
Joint Venture and Tau Pele-Selenane lines, which is critical for the export of man- vention to address the most pressing re-
Joint Venture. ganese from the Northern Cape. quirements when the project commenced
The broad thrust of the programme was to Additionally, from the sustainable employ- in June 2009. It involved clearing blocked
refurbish the WWTW in order to stabilise the ment viewpoint, a number of community pipes in the works, replacing a collapsed
effluent quality and simultaneously extend liaison officers were recruited through the outfall sewer and creating a buffer pond to
it to accommodate additional inflows and to ward councillors in the area and local people increase retention time before the effluent
implement a scheme to divert effluent from were employed, with contractors only using reach the pan.
Kamfers Dam to a balancing tank. permanently employed personnel to carry Phase 2 referred to the refurbishment of
out work for which specific skills, that were the existing works in order to ensure that
the works were in proper working order.
Part of this second phase included the
70 MARCH/APRIL 2013
bidim R
WTW & WWTW
72 MARCH/APRIL 2013
D.
ME
OR D.
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for water level
measurements
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WTW & WWTW ZEEKOEGAT WWTW
W
ith construction of the new be pumped to two new fermenters, where uble phosphate, with the resultant chemical
40 Mℓ/d activated sludge the sludge will be retained for a period sludge being routed back to the belt filter
treatment module under of three to six days for the formation of presses for drying and subsequent disposal,
Stage 1 nearing comple- volatile fatty acids to enhance biological adds Pollard.
tion at the City of Tshwane s Zeekoegat phosphorus removal at the works, before The project is being managed for the City
Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW), con- being pumped to one of two new 6 000 m3 of Tshwane by Izak de Villiers, Koot Snyman
struction of the new sludge management anaerobic digesters for stabilisation. WAS and Stephan van der Merwe. The design and
and treatment process under Stage 2 com- extracted from the biological reactors contract administration for this stage of the
menced in November 2012. Three months and thickened by means of dissolved air project is currently handled by Corrie Marx
into the 20-month contract, the contractor, flotation will be de-aerated and pumped and Ian Pollard of Bigen Africa Services as
a joint venture (JV) between Civcontract directly to the anaerobic digesters, which part of the BAKV3 JV between Bigen Africa
Civils and WEC Projects, has made good will be completely mixed units designed and Kwezi V3 (now WorleyParsons). As men-
progress and the majority of earthworks to operate at 16 days hydraulic retention tioned earlier, the contractor is a JV between
have been completed on this R188 million time and 35̊C to facilitate the formation of Civcon and WEC Projects, with Electron
contract, reports Pollard. The objective biogas. This will in all likelihood be utilised Technologies as the electrical subcontractor.
of the new infrastructure is to provide a in the nearby future for the (co)generation During the peak of civil construction
comprehensive sludge handling, treatment, of electricity. activities between March and September
stabilisation and dewatering process for the Based on the expected production 2013, between 70 and 100 people will be
Zeekoegat treatment facility as a whole, and of biogas and specifically methane, it is employed on-site as general workers, steel
it is envisaged that approximately 8.5 t pri- envisaged that between 800 and 1 200 kW fixers and shutter hands, many of them
mary sludge and 15 t waste activated sludge electricity, which is roughly 30% of the employed from the local community.
(WAS) will be routed to and treated by the plant s total electrical demand, can be gen- In addition, the majority of the building
new process in the medium term, he says. erated at the works and routed back into works, fencing, paving and small bore
the local electricity supply grid, describes pipework will be subcontracted to local
Process unpacked Pollard. In the short-term, the biogas will emerging contractors as part of the contrac-
Pollard adds that primary sludge captured be used as fuel for two hot-water boilers, tor s local economic development initiative,
by the primary sedimentation tanks will which will be used to heat the contents concludes Pollard.
74 MARCH/APRIL 2013
WTW & WWTW INDUSTRY INSIGHT
W
e believe in the reuse of generation is a water-intensive industry, realise savings and still operate optimally
wastewater as a way to yet without power other industries cannot and efficiently, she states.
reach sustainability. Water grow. The more we industrialise the more With increasing demands on water to
is an important element of we need water and, as we do so, the more support population growth and industri-
life and the most scarce of commodities we contaminate our limited water sources. alisation, we need to change our mindsets
in the world and in our country. There This leads to the need for more advanced about water, believes Cole. In areas where
are seven billion people in the world and methods of purification to return the wa- clean, potable water is available, it is often
another two billion are expected to join ter to a state fit for drinking or for reuse in undervalued and in essence considered
by 2050. Each of us will aim to consume an industrial application. free . The cost of water is often not linked
around 100 to 200 ℓ of water every day. However, as Cole notes, wastewater to the value of water, making conservation
Therefore, we have to stress that every reuse is relatively new to this part of the and water management a lower priority
drop matters and is HIGHLY precious, world. It is only just being considered in than it should be.
says Cole. the local landscape by companies looking According to Cole, there are good waste-
She adds that industry, and ultimately to make the most out of their water usage. water discharge standards in this region,
South Africa s economy, is driven by water The cost of potable water is a driver and but currently under discussion is whether
usage either directly or indirectly. Power by reusing wastewater a company can the ‛polluter pays principle should apply
76 MARCH/APRIL 2013
SHORT COURSE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT & SHORT COURSE ON WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND
REGULATION EFFLUENT TREATMENT
SHORT COURSE ON OPERATION OF WATER AND WASTEWATER SHORT COURSE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT &
TREATMENTS PLANTS REGULATION
Contact us: Tel: 012 420 5015 Fax: 012 420 5465 E-mail: info.ce@up.ac.za
For customised courses: E-mail quote.ce@up.ac.za for quotations on in-house training.
WTW & WWTW
MARCH/APRIL 2013 77
Uhde
A division of ThyssenKrupp PDNA Engineering (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: +27 11 236 1000 e-mail: info.tkpdna@thyssenkrupp.com
www.uhde.co.za
Uhde
WATER ME TERS & MONITORING METERING TECHNOLOGY
Inspired innovation
Lesira-Teq has introduced a water meter to the market that has transformed the
meter numbers into rand and cents – and with that a water-saving paradigm shift
among end users, Lesira-Teq’s MD, Edwin Sibiya, tells Chantelle Mattheus.
F
or the first time, we have a water within their wa- benefit of free water how many litres they
meter that is user-friendly and not ter pipe systems have remaining.
just a series of numbers that re- that may not be Finally, says Sibiya, it enables end users
mains a mystery to end users. Our obvious to them. full access to the meter. They can lock it
water meter does not only provide the end It also enables and open it at their own convenience,
user easy access to important information them to monitor in that way they are able to prevent
about their water use, but also educates their water usage water wastage.
them on how best to manage and preserve
water, explains Sibiya. Local dynamics
He adds that the water meter is com-
“We remain the only company that The biggest challenge facing
pletely unique and has a totally integrated supplies intelligent water meters with the water industry currently
design that offers multiple modes of oper- multiple modes and sophisticated is how best to contribute to
ation in one, consisting of, among others: the country s water conser-
• Pre-paid mode
functionality.” Edwin Sibiya vation efforts. South Africa
• Conventional mode is the 30th driest country
• Post-paid mode throughout the month and therefore helps in the world, but lags behind in terms of
• Flat-rate Mode to save water. It further enables the end water conservation. There is a move in the
• Property leak detection users to check their balance in the comfort industry to provide innovative meters that
• Indigent audit system of their own homes, avoiding the long will help the country to preserve water,
• Offers various options for end users to pur- queues at the pay points, he states. says Sibiya.
chase water credit, including through the Further value, according to Sibiya, is Lesira-Teq provides a comprehensive
internet, the bank, BP garage, Spar, Engen added because the meter also enables end range of state-of-the-art intelligent water
garage, Pick n Pay, Shoprite Checkers, users to activate usage of their emergency meter technology in South Africa and
7 Eleven, Shell garage, Clicks and Sasol. water at a time of their own choosing, as according to Sibiya, Lesira-Teq remains
well as enabling them to load water in a leader in this field. We remain the only
Value-add verified accordance to their specific water needs. company that supplies intelligent water
This translates well into value and ben- Additionally, it is user-friendly, ena- meters with multiple modes and sophis-
efits for the end user in a variety of ways, bling end users to read and understand ticated functionality that accommodate
according to Sibiya. Our water meter their own water meter data and has the prepaid, conventional, flat-rate and
enables the end users to detect any leaks functionality to inform those with the water dispensers.
Metering is therefore uniquely suited
to assist in sustainable solutions to this
challenge. We need innovative products
that can help educate our citizenry on the
importance of water conservation. We
need meters with functionalities that will
enable end users to interpret numbers so
as to contribute to a culture of water con-
servation on a large scale in our country,
says Sibiya.
However, there are specific challenges
relating to the roll-out and effective utili-
sation of metering technology in the local
context as well. Our conventional meters
disempower the end-users. We need
technologies and innovations that are
customer-centric. The end-users are clear
about their needs from this industry; it is
for us to listen carefully to their needs and
produce water meters that will meet these
needs, concludes Sibiya.
78 MARCH/APRIL 2013
Saving Water, Saving Lives
YARD WATER METER
OVERVIEW FEATURES
The Intelligent Water Meter and • Intelligent Meter options
the supporting Meter Management ȩ Conventional Mode: Revenue collection via standard billing. The
System (MMS) provides a client can check the status of his/her debt at any given time
revolutionary approach to Water ȩ Pre-paid Mode: the client buys credit in advance from a vending point
Demand Management. The Intelligent ȩ Post-Payment Mode: the user is assigned a negative credit limit in
Water Meter ensures signiÀcant litres or rand value
water savings through consumption ȩ Flat rate Mode: Àxed amount per month for unlimited volume
management and leak detection with • Optional metered Lifeline Áow (40 ȳ/hr) when credit runs out
the added beneÀt of no billing costs. • High air Áow detection and correction
Bad debt is reduced and the lower • Insensitive to lightning, freezing water, ambient temperatures up to 700
consumption contributes towards C, water hammer and dirt particles in water
reduced demand on reticulation and • Optional built in radio for AMR (no loose wires or antenna)
treatment plant. • Arrears collection via User Tag (mode dependent)
COMMUNITY STANDPIPE
OVERVIEW FEATURES
The Community Standpipe Water Meter and supporting • Eight programmable tariff steps
Meter Management System (WAS) is designed to offer a • Physical tamper resistant. Full encryption and copy protection
solution to the provision of water at communal water • Immune to magnetic interference
supply points. It requires low capital investment and can • Meter accuracy unaffected by sand particles
be used in both rural areas and informal settlements. • High air Áow detection and correction
One Meter can typically serve up to 40 households. The • Adjustable Free Basic Water
unit consists of a Class B multi jet water meter with • Daily consumption limit for water-scarce areas
electronic read out and built in Áow control valve. A • Full calendar clock
patented valve system ensures extended battery life. • Patented low power consumption system
The unit is meteorologically sealed and provides a high • Battery can provide 90 000 valve applications
level of resistance to physical tamper and is immune to • Robust metal housing with security screws
magnetic tamper. Should the meter become faulty, it can • Delivered fully assembled and pressure tested to 20 bar
be replaced in the Àeld within ten minutes. • SANS 1529-1 and SANS 1529-9 approved
The new
D
eveloped in response to extensive industrial Other features include a menu-driven intuitive HMI
customer feedback for improved chemical Qdos 30 series and clearly visible status indicators. The keypad, display
pumps from
metering, the Qdos 30 pump range eliminates and all of the input and output connections are easily
Watson-Marlow
ancillary equipment, enhances productivity Bredel SA accessible. ReNu pumphead technology ensures that the
and reduces chemical waste through more accurate, Qdos 30 is fully sealed for safe maintenance without the
linear and repeatable metering than typical solenoid or need for tools. Pumphead removal and replacement is
stepper-driven diaphragm metering pumps. quick and easy, reducing downtime for maintenance. No
This new range of pumps can be installed in restricted special tools are required to replace the pumphead, and
environments and is suitable for chemical metering technicians do not need special training to carry out the
applications, such as disinfection and pH adjustment work. It only takes a minute to replace the pumphead,
of drinking water, flocculation, industrial cooling water which significantly reduces maintenance costs, explains
preparation and reagent dosing in mineral processing, Van Schalkwyk.
says Watson-Marlow Bredel SA general manager, Nico The Qdos range follows the successful launch of Watson-
van Schalkwyk. Marlow s APEX pumps earlier this year. APEX offers levels
According to Van Schalkwyk, the pumps can safely han- of versatility unrivalled by any other positive displacement
dle caustic, abrasive, viscous, shear-sensitive and gaseous pump ‒ and is effectively three pumps in one.
fluids, as well as those that are slurries or contain suspend- The pump s unique geometry allows easy field conver-
ed solids. The Qdos 30 Universal is the premium model in sion between three different hose elements to double or
the range and features a fully configurable response to the triple the flow without the need to invest in a new pump,
4 to 20 mA input and output signal and alarm. Four other Van Schalkwyk points out. This low-cost scale-up pro-
pump variants are available in the range. vides ultimate future proofing against rising production
Watson-Marlow has given particular con- volumes. Users can also select any type and
sideration to customer preferences during “The pumps deliver brand of motor gearbox to suit their own
development of the new Qdos 30 pump, specific process conditions.
says Van Schalkwyk. He cites the display of
extremely accurate dosing APEX hose pumps are perfectly suited for
the residual level in the tank as an example. performance, even under handling difficult fluids ‒ corrosive, viscous,
Users can now keep an eye on the level at a difficult conditions” shear-sensitive, gaseous, crystallising or even
glance. Linear dosing is another outstanding fluids with a combination of these properties.
feature of the Qdos 30 series pumps, which are described Offering the best performance available on the market
as valveless pumps . for pressures up to 116 psi, along with reliable and stable
The pumps deliver extremely accurate dosing perfor- flow up to 317 GPH, APEX is an ideal choice for ongoing,
mance, even under difficult conditions when pressure, precise dosing.
viscosity and solids content vary, he adds. Volume flow This is boosted by a new generation of long-lasting
ranges between 0.1 and 500 mℓ/min at up to 7 bar. IP66- hoses that also support repeatable accuracy when dosing
compliant manual, analogue and Profibus control options additives; while continuous pumps speed up to 100 rpm
simplify integration. In addition, the pumps do not require provide a wider capacity range compared to alternative
seals or valves, which can clog, leak or corrode. hose pumps.
80 MARCH/APRIL 2013
The world’s
most popular
water meter
wins more
enthusiasts
The V110 KSM incorporates all the advanced and high flow accuracy in any position. Over the last
engineering attributes of its popular cousin, the PSM, six years every component in our meters has been
plus its engineering-plastic body makes it unlikely to refined and improved for greater accuracy and
be stolen. Having no second hand value virtually longevity. For the full story on our V110 KSM meter
eliminates the potential for theft. While the tough, UV- range, visit our website or call our offices.
stabilised, engineering-plastic body repels undesirable
interest, its internal mechanism is unsurpassed for low Often copied, never equaled.
Elster Kent Metering (Pty) Ltd Copyright © Elster Group. All Rights
PO Box 201, Auckland Park 2006 Reserved. Elster and its logo, are
trademarks of Elster Group. The
company's policy is one of continuous
JOHANNESBURG Tel: (011) 470-4900 Fax: (011) 474-0175
improvement and the right is reserved to
DURBAN Tel: (031) 266-4915 Fax: (031) 266-9521 modify the specifications without notice
CAPE TOWN Tel: (021) 511-8465/6 Fax: (021) 511-8446
www.elstermetering.co.za
BLOEMFONTEIN Tel: (051) 430-2603 Fax: (051) 430-6165
PORT ELIZABETH Cell: 082 458-3439 8360/6/2012 Vital Connections
LEAK DE TEC TION & MAINTENANCE TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY
T
renchless Technologies managing member the 1050DN sewer was located underneath a newly
Sam Efrat says that the ISTT Annual Project constructed BRT (Bus Rapid Transport) lane. Considering
Award is the highest accolade available world- that the BRT and road lanes are utilised every day, only
wide in the trenchless technology industry, non-destructive trenchless techniques could be em-
adding that the winner is chosen from nominations ployed for the rehabilitation of these pipelines.
received from companies that are members of the 30 Efrat states that condition assessments were carried
ISTT-affiliated trenchless societies across the globe. out on both sewers using CCTV inspection and cutting
The contract was undertaken by Trenchless of windows from the sewers for physical inspection. It
Technologies in conjunction with Afri-Coast Consulting was ascertained that the 525DN sewer was severely
Engineers, Sekisui Rib Loc Australia (part of SPR Asia), corroded around its entire circumference due to acidic
subcontractor Tuboseal as well as consultants Pipes effluent with pH values measuring as low as 3.3. The
cc and Engineering Advice and Services. Efrat explains sewer s mortar had corroded out of the construction
that this was the second phase of a two-phase project joints and was no longer watertight.
‒ Phase 1 was completed in 2009 and involved the Additionally, the 1050DN sewer was severely corroded
rehabilitation of 570 m of 450DN sewer using SPR EX ABOVE Sam above the water line and the reinforcement was ex-
technology, as well as 560 m of 840DN sewer using SPR Efrat, Trenchless posed and corroded away at places. Particularly severe
Technologies’
PE spiral wound technology. The pipeline rehabilitation deterioration occurred at the sides and invert of the
managing
took place concurrent with an urban environmental member sewer due to a combination of corrosion and erosion
upgrading project involving decorative paving and re- along the sections of the sewer where the fluid velocity
BOTTOM LEFT
surfacing works on the surface above the existing pipes. Phase 1 (before) was high. Efrat says that this corrosion is typical of what
Further downstream, the 450DN and 840DN sewers 450 cast iron occurs in a sewer downstream of a rising main where
increased in capacity to 525 mm and 1 000 mm in di- pipe before there is an accumulation of gas due to long retention
ameter. Phase two involved the rehabilitation of these
cleaning times. He points out that it was estimated that sections
two sewers. Efrat explains that what made this project BOTTOM of the sewer would collapse within 10 years.
RIGHT Phase 1
unique was its location: the 525DN sewer was located Speaking on the technology used by Trenchless
(after) 450 cast
beneath one of Port Elizabeth s busiest and most heavily iron pipe after Technologies on the project, Efrat describes: Altogether
congested streets ‒ Govan Mbeki Avenue. Additionally, cleaning the project used five different trenchless techniques
82 MARCH/APRIL 2013
LEAK DE TEC TION & MAINTENANCE
MARCH/APRIL 2013 83
T
he first South African project for the Benoni-based Tried and tested technology
firm, relining a clamshell water feature pipe at Sun The Nu Flow system is currently manufactured in Canada,
City, in South Africa s North West province, was where it has been used for more than two decades. SA
necessitated because the pipe ran for approxi- Leak Detection Distributors, however, will soon be man-
mately 145 m under a 1.5 m thick reinforced concrete slab ufacturing epoxy and liners locally. The Nu Flow relining
with distinctive stone paving on top. To chop up a 1.5 m process comprises two systems ‒ one for potable water
thick reinforced concrete would have had time, money, and one for drains ‒ which serve to rehabilitate the inner
aesthetic and business continuity issues, explains Wade. infrastructure of deteriorated or failing water and drainage
The Nu Flow relining system had the added advantage piping systems
of being less time consuming. If normally you are going “If we are relining it, it is a day or two, using cured-in-
to excavate 145 m of pipe under a 1.5 m thick reinforced place epoxy pipe
depending on how many bends and
concrete slab, this would entail weeks of work on-site. lining solutions.
If we are relining it, it is a day or two, depending on how laterals are in the pipeline.” David Wade Epoxy coating is
many bends and laterals are in the pipeline and so on, not only used as
says Wade. a long-term solution to prevent corrosion and leaks, but it
Although there are competitors in the market that could is commonly used as a preventative tool to preserve the
possibly compare cost-wise on large diameter pipes, life of existing pipe systems, says Wade.
none of the competitors can do multiple 90-degree
bends without excavating launch pits on either end of the Potable properties
pipe, says Wade. Nu Flow is able to launch from existing With the potable water pipe relining system, the pipe
access points like rodding eyes, fire hydrants, drain outlets network is first sand-blasted to clean the pipes interiors,
and air release valves. before the red epoxy is air-blasted through the network.
84 MARCH/APRIL 2013
LEAK DE TEC TION AND MAINTENANCE
The epoxy unfolds itself evenly due to the air pressure and
temperature, attaining an even lining throughout. The
potable water system can be applied to pipe diameters
from 15 to 300 mm.
The potable water solution is primarily used to fix pin- The blue epoxy sleeve then sets. You are basically making a new pipe
hole leaks. From a preventative point of view, because is used when inside the old pipe.
relining drain
the water is no longer in contact with the metal, there is With plastic pipes specifically, the epoxy relining is going
systems
no rust, corrosion and build up in the pipes, Wade states. to be stronger than the original pipes and this system can
Leaks in water networks, even pinhole leaks, not only
waste water but they also put people s health at risk by
“The difference is that with this system you can fix
allowing bacteria and germs to enter the potable water
supply, he adds.
huge holes. You can have a whole section of pipe
missing and this system can fix it”
Drain dynamics
The second system is the drain system, in which the blue be applied to pipes with diameters measuring between 2
epoxy layer is much thicker. The difference is that with and 12 inches (300 mm).
this system you can fix huge holes. You can have a whole
section of pipe missing and this system can fix it, says Progressive project
Wade. This is because of the presence of a felt sleeve that Sun City had a problem with the main water pipe feeding
is impregnated in the epoxy. the clamshell water feature at the palace. The job was
A rubber bladder is then inserted into the felt sleeve and undertaken and completed in the first week of December
inserted into the pipeline. The rubber bladder expands as last year. The water supply pipe had a diameter varying
it is inflated and when inflated, the epoxy impregnated between 4 and 8 inches, as well as three 90-degree bends
The entire and one 45-degree bend.
process – The biggest challenge on the job is always bends, says
including camera Wade. This is in part due to the weight of the liners used
inspection and when impregnated in the epoxy, in addition to pulling the
relining – should
heavy liner through multiple bends. The solution for the
take an average
of two days, team proved as easy as doing it in sections.
depending on Whenever a relining project is undertaken, pipeline
the extent of the inspection via camera is essential. You basically need to
damage and the use the camera to not only check the condition of the pipe
length of the
and location of the leaks and damage, but also to do all
pipe network
MARCH/APRIL 2013 85
SOUTH AFRICA
™
BEFORE
Leaking Pipes?
Why re-pipe?
There’s a better way!
How it Works
Step 1 – An inspection camera
is sent down the pipe to
reveal blocked and damaged
areas. AFTER
Step 2 – The pipe is cleaned While the potable water system is used to fix pinhole leaks, the
with a cutting tool. drain system can fix huge holes
Before After
From 15mm - 300mm
AC / Copper / PVC/HDPE / Earthenware / Galvanized
Future-minded functionality
The Rovion system – the newest edition to South African supplier Octopus
Electronics’ CCTV pipeline inspection and maintenance portfolio – is designed to
offer professional inspectors everything they need for their working base, excelling
in its power, robustness and agility, says Octopus Electronics owner, Gavin Nunn.
I
mported from overseas and launched other manufacturer has in the mar- largest European manufacturer of
in May 2011, we have already sold eight ket in South Africa at the moment, CCTV pipeline inspection equip-
units into South Africa, which is an indi- he adds. ment and is celebrating its 25th
cator that it is doing exceptionally well, The Rovion system is mostly anniversary this year.
says Nunn of the newest system. used for sewer and stormwater Nunn himself, through
As a pipeline inspection camera system, inspections and mainte- Octopus Electronics, has a 10-year
its versatility is increased by the fact that it nance programmes history with iPEK, which was
is a software-based system and therefore and projects. Locally recently bought out by
the functionality grows with every software we have an ageing America-based IDEX.
update. All this, without having to do any infrastructure, so the
hardware updates and we are developing necessity is there. The Training essential
it constantly. sewer infrastructure is There is quite a bit of training
Additionally, the system is designed for becoming very old and if involved in being able to
use in pipelines from 100 mm to 1 500 mm, inspection and maintenance accurately and effectively use the system
centralised in the pipeline, with the new is not carried out it will fail ‒ and this is not and similar systems, says Nunn. We do
crawler launched in February this year in something new or unheard of, states Nunn. that training on the equipment when we
the United States. There are three crawler He adds that while in its entirety, it s a mas- supply the systems, as well as training on
options that enable the operator to cen- sive network of infrastructure, within my the WRC MSCC4. This is the manual of sewer
tralise the camera in pipelines ranging knowledge the City of Tshwane has done condition classification, and although not
from 100 mm to 1 500 mm in diameter. The the most work to date on its infrastructure everybody in South Africa uses it, I promote
ranges are from 100 to 200 mm for the small network. Currently, contractors in Tshwane it because it is the basis of all international
crawler, 150 to 1 000 mm for the medium are using two of the Rovion systems. related standards.
crawler and from 400 mm to 1 500 mm for Proactive investigation is key. Then all Octopus Electronics also supplies after
the large crawler, says Nunn. the data is collated and the software will delivery support of the system, as well as
identify the bad areas most in need of at- maintaining a stock of small parts for main-
Awareness on the increase tention, and also what the good areas are, tenance and repair purposes. If parts I don t
The need and demand in the market is says Nunn. carry are needed, stock is available in two to
growing constantly, as is the awareness of three days, so downtown is minimal. All of
the product and the processes involved in Substantial investment in R&D this is made easier though by the fact the
the market. We have been in business for The research and development required to Rovion system is small, has a light capable,
17 years and currently have 40 iPEK crawler produce a system like the Rovion system very robust cable, it is easily upgradeable,
systems in the market, which is more than and introduce it to the market is exorbitant, easy to maintain and very versatile for wide
double the number of crawler units any explains Nunn. iPEK is at this stage the range of pipes, concludes Nunn.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 87
SpecialistsinCCTVPipelineInspectionSolutions
providingthemostcomprehensivepackageinAfrica
“fromPipetoReport”
Distributorsof: Crawlerdrivenandpushrodsystems
and pushrodsystems
PipelineDatabaseandReportingSoftware
InflatablePipePlugs
Phone:0827717705Fax:0865465930eMail:gavin@octopuse.co.zawww.octopuse.co.za
PRODUC TS AND SER VICES CALIBRATION
ISO 17025 three main drivers Training, accreditation and For example, the qualification of a
Calibration is globally supported by stand- reproducibility to reduce your risks service technician for flow calibration con-
ards such as ISO 17025 and consists of Most companies would say: Of course sists of different modules:
three main drivers: our team is trained! However, is a training • Metrology
1. quality management system (QMS) course really sufficient to certify the service • Flow calibration
(processes) • Flow products
2. validation and traceabil- Each of these modules
ity (methods) has to be validated inde-
3. competency pendently, covering both
(employees). theoretical and practical
Quality management aspects, in order for each
system is well-known and participant to obtain the
you can easily check if qualification in each specif-
your partner qualifies, es- ic module. This guarantees
pecially if they are already our customers the value
certified or accredited. of the training provided.
The methods used are On top of this, for specific
also easy to verify as your partner is either technician as competent to operate and types of calibration, our technician s ability
able to demonstrate traceability and maintain your process? Are your risks un- is backed up after the certified training by
usage of validated methods or not ‒ this der control? At Endress+Hauser, service proficiency testing, compliant with ISO
is a black or white situation. Standard op- training and proficiency tests are con- 13528. Internal certification is given based
erating procedures (SOPs) availability is an ducted worldwide with participants from on successful assessment during training,
example of this. various countries. The objective is not only and allows us to assign competent techni-
However, when it comes to employee to train service people to perform calibra- cians to calibration jobs around the world.
competence it gets a little bit trickier. Even tion using proven methodologies but also This global initiative ensures that your
if handling competence seems simple to to ensure that when they are back in their Endress+Hauser calibration is performed:
check at first, in reality competence is not respective countries, the methodologies • in compliance with worldwide standards
as easy to establish as the two first drivers! used are relevant and efficient. • with a high level of competence.
Index to Advertisers
Abeco Tanks 13 Hansen Industrial Gearboxes 15 SBS Water Systems 46
AECOM 41 Itron 19 Schneider Electric 44
African Utility Week 61 Jeffares & Green 40 Southern Mapping 47
Amanz Abantu 43 Kaytech 71
Talbot & Talbot 10
Atlas Copco 12 Keller AG Fur Druckmesstechnik 73
TCTA 52 & 53
Continuing Education at the Krohne South Africa 11
University of Pretoria 76 KSB Pumps & Valves 2 Tenova Bateman Technologies 67
Degrémont 51 Lesira-Teq 79 Uhde 77
Department of Water Affairs OFC NALCO Africa 34 UWP Consulting 32
DPI Plastics 25 NuWater 38 Veolia Water Solutions 24
Dynamic Fluid Control 59 Octopus Electronics 87 Verder 63
Echochem Pumps 14 Prentec 36
Videx Storage Tanks IFC
Elster Kent Metering 81 Quality Filtration Systems 28
Water & Sanitation Services OBC
Endress + Hauser 75 Rare 30
Eskom 26 Rheochem 21 Water Research Commission 26
Festo 66 Royal HaskoningDHV 68 Watson-Marlow IBC
Golder Associates Africa 16 & 17 SA Leak Detection Distributors 86 Zest WEG Group 65
88 MARCH/APRIL 2013