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Water Engineering and Infrastructure

Infrastructure overhaul could boost consumer expenses

By: Kimberley Smuts 7th October 2016 South Africa is in dire need of infrastructure upgrades to better manage available water resources and ensure that water can be distributed to where it is needed. However, to undertake the massive infrastructure overhaul needed, funds for capital investment will be required. Like with... →

Partnerships can provide infrastructure solutions

7th October 2016 Last month the Parliament of South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation announced that it is distressed that the local government sphere is not fully exploiting the potential available in Public-Private Partnerships in finding solutions to the challenge of provision of water. The... →

PRIVATE SECTOR DEPENDENT One of the major challenges that hamper service delivery is the lack of skills at municipal level

Proposed budget raises industry challenges

7th October 2016 In May the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, delivered a speech to Parliament announcing the proposed budget for water and sanitation in the 2016/17 financial year. Following her speech and debate on her proposed budget, a budget roughly 3.2% smaller than the budget... →

Photo by Duane Daws
NOMVULA MOKONYANE The Minister’s budget speech focuses on the infrastructure needed to deal with water scarcity

Municipalities need to prioritise water infrastructure – KPMG

By: Kimberley Smuts 7th October 2016 With infrastructure being a vehicle for economic development, global consulting firm KPMG says government and municipalities should prioritise infrastructure projects, especially in the water sector where there is a growing demand. “The challenges in the water industry have not changed that much.... →

Infrastructure crucial to water availability

By: Kimberley Smuts 7th October 2016 Global professional services firm WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff Africa says various factors contribute to the operating efficiencies of existing water infrastructure in South Africa, which affects the country’s availability of water resources, including management thereof. WSP environment and energy... →

Wastewater treatment necessary to grow the economy

By: Nadine James 29th July 2016 Consistent and sustainable water supply is necessary to ensure socioeconomic growth; therefore, wastewater treatment, as a comparatively cost-effective solution that reduces strain on available water supply, is vital to economic growth in water-stressed countries, says waste management company... →

UNDERCOVER OPERATION The underground biological wastewater treatment plant should remain operational for up to 25 years

Phase II update: Polihali dam construction expected in 2019

By: Nadine James 29th July 2016 Construction of the Polihali dam – an integral part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Phase II – is expected to begin in 2019. The Polihali dam, Polihali-Katse transfer tunnel and other infrastructural aspects of the LHWP Phase II should be completed by 2024. Once Phase II is... →

ONTO PHASE II To date, five contracts have been awarded for various elements of the advance infrastructure works

Rainwater harvesting key for drought-stricken SA

By: Simon Sonnekus 27th May 2016 Owing to constant water supply not being guaranteed, aggravated by the prolonged drought, South Africans have become more proactive in saving water by creating emergency back-up systems and systems that can collect rainwater, says water systems provider Sinvac Plastics, which is based in Pretoria... →

ROTOMOULDED TANKS Sinvac has been supplying the South African market since 1962 with rotomoulded products such as water tank

Radar offers robust solutions

27th May 2016 International instrumentation engineering enterprise Kobold Messring has introduced its Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) technology to its Kobold NGR components. The components, which use microwave or guided radar, offer a robust and low-maintenance solution for level measurement and monitoring.... →

TIME DOMAIN REFLECTOMETRY Unlike older technologies, the TDR technology offers measurement readings that are independent of chemicals or physical properties of the process media

eThekwini digestion pilot plant in trial

27th May 2016 Resource management company Veolia Water Technologies completed the installation of an anaerobic digestion pilot plant, which was erected at eThekwini Water and Sanitation’s Southern Wastewater Treatment Plant in Merebank, Durban in the first quarter of this year. The trial project, which was... →

ANAEROBIC DIGESTION PILOT The trial project, which was commissioned and optimised by Veolia, aims to generate biogas from the current waste water feeds at the plant

Calls to reuse water treatment waste take centre stage at WISA 2016

By: Simon Sonnekus 27th May 2016 While the cost-effective and environmentally compliant disposal of water treatment residue (WTR) is a challenge for water treatment practitioners worldwide, WTR management has taken centre stage in the local water industry amid increasing water demands, deteriorating raw water quality aggravated... →

MEGAN SCHALKWYK Findings suggest that there has to be a change in mind-set across the water industry value chain, with stakeholders treating WTR as a reusable commodity rather than waste

Piano key weir solutions investigated at ICOLD 2016

By: Simon Sonnekus 27th May 2016 The investigation into the structural behaviour of piano key weirs was put under the spotlight at the 2016 annual International Commission on Large Dams Meeting (ICOLD), which was held at the Sandton Convention Centre from May 15 to 20. Speaking at the eighty-fourth edition of the meeting,... →

PIANO KEY WEIRS The rectangular keys are made with sloped bases, which guide flow over and away from the crest of the weir

New submersible motor pumps launched

27th May 2016 German pump and valves producer KSB has broadened its local series of pumps with the introduction of the Amarex KRT submersible motor pumps range for handling municipal and industrial waste water in a cost effective manner. The company notes that KSB engineers have further improved on the... →

KSB engineers have further improved on the operating reliability and hydraulic efficiency of previous pumps

Tricky hydro scheme checks completed

By: Simon Sonnekus 27th May 2016 Difficult-to-complete inspections, high up at a water-storage scheme, in KwaZulu-Natal, were easily completed within the allotted time using rope access. Rope access solutions provider Skyriders marketing manager Mike Zinn notes that the operation – which took place after the conclusion of one... →

ROPE ACCESS The shafts inspected at a KZN hydro scheme were over 700 m long, 6 m in diameter and with 25˚ slopes

Water footprinting integral to water management systems

27th May 2016 Professional services firm WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff Africa have shifted focus to advising clients within the private sector to focus on their water strategies in order to sustainably manage water resources while lowering operational costs. WSP have assisted companies such as private hospital... →

Water and sanitation priority at WISA 2016

By: Simon Sonnekus 27th May 2016 African cities are developing rapidly and existing water management systems cannot keep up, leading to a projected quadrupling in demand for water over the next 25 years, said ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - Africa professional officer Tarryn Quayle during the Water Institute of... →

WATER SHORTAGE ICLEI cited figures which suggested 565-million people are still using unimproved sanitation and 330-million using unimproved drinking water in sub-Saharan Africa.

KZN water pipeline project to be completed by mid-2017

By: Kimberley Smuts 11th December 2015 Plans are on track for Phase 2 of Durban’s Western Aqueduct project, the city’s biggest-ever bulk water pipeline project, with completion expected by mid-2017, confirms eThekwini municipality water and sanitation unit head Ednick Msweli. Phase 1 of the project, which spans 20 km from the Umlaas... →

PLANS ON TRACK Completing Phase 2 of Durban’s Western Aqueduct project will ensure that the eThekwini region has some of the best bulk water infrastructure

KZN water project provides multipurpose economic benefits

11th December 2015 The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is currently moving ahead with the implementation of the proposed conjunctive Ntabelanga–Lalini scheme, an important component of the KwaZulu-Natal-based Mzimvubu water project. Engineering and environmental consulting company Jeffares and Green (J&G)... →

CONJUNCTIVE NTABELANGA–LALINI SCHEME Two multipurpose dams will be built on the Tsitsa river, a major tributary to the Mzimvubu river

Rand Water receives delivery of new bridge crane technology

By: Kimberley Smuts 11th December 2015 Demag Crane manufacturer and distributor Terex MHPS South Africa earlier this year supplied a R33-million turnkey solution to State-owned water utility Rand Water, which comprised the design, manufacture and installation of two desludging bridge cranes. Terex MH South Africa senior manager... →

TURNKEY SOLUTION Terex MPHS South Africa's R33-million solution comprised the design, manufacture and installation of two desludging bridge cranes

Consulting firms appointed to conduct geotechnical investigations for LHWP

By: Kimberley Smuts 11th December 2015 Engineering and environmental consulting firm Jeffares & Green’s (J&G’s) geotechnical division, in association with Lesotho consulting firm GWC Consulting Engineers, has been appointed to undertake the supervision of the geotechnical investigations for the Polihali dam and a 38.2 km transfer... →

PHASE 2 IN EARLY STAGES The construction of the dam and tunnel is expected to start towards the end of 2018, with water delivery and hydroelectricity generation expected to begin in 2024

Security measures in water management vital – IT specialist

By: Mia Breytenbach 9th October 2015 The application of technology such as cloud computing, the use of big data and supervisory control and data acquisition (Scada) to manage water resources is becoming integral, particularly for the water network supply and demand system management, said information technology solutions and... →

Effluent reuse demo plant tested at KZN works

By: Mia Breytenbach 9th October 2015 Engineering, project and construction management services supplier Hatch Goba will – in addition to managing the refurbishment of the Darvill wastewater treatment works, in KwaZulu-Natal – also install a demonstration final effluent reuse plant on site to showcase the efficiency of effluent... →

FLAGSHIP DESIGN The Darvill wastewater treatment works upgrade will include a significant capacity increase, from approximately 55 Mℓ/d to 120 Mℓ/d

Water-based sanitation technology introduced, trialled in local businesses

By: Mia Breytenbach 9th October 2015 Water-engineering company GenEon Technologies US introduced a water-based sanitation technology using electro chemical activation of water to provide a range of sustainable, multipurpose cleaning and sanitation solutions to small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) in the hospitality,... →

CATALYSED VERSATILITY The GenEon patented generators deliver various volumes of the sanitiser, degreaser and cleaning solutions through electro chemical activation

Increased continental demand for modular treatment systems

By: Mia Breytenbach 9th October 2015 International water-treatment solutions specialist Suez has noted a significant increase in demand from small and medium-sized modular water treatment plants that want to optimise the construction and operation of their water and wastewater treatment facilities, particularly on the African... →

MODULAR SOLUTION Advantages of using the prefabricated UCD units include reduced on-site construction time and simplified civil work

Tanzanian engineer wins prize for water innovation

9th October 2015 A Tanzanian chemical engineer has won the first Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation with his specialised water-filtration system - a sand-based water filter that cleans contaminated drinking water using bespoke nanotechnology. The Africa Prize is an initiative of the UK-based Royal Academy of... →

ASKWAR HILONGA
His Nanofilter innovation entails nanofilters, each engineered for a specific body of water, absorbing the contaminants present

Photo by Georgina Goodwin
ASKWAR HILONGA His Nanofilter innovation entails nanofilters, each engineered for a specific body of water, absorbing the contaminants present

Water filtration system to boost small business water preservation

By: Mia Breytenbach 9th October 2015 Studies conducted by public–private civil-society collaboration the 2030 Water Resources Group indicate that by 2030, there will be a 17% gap between water supply and water demand if users continue a similar water consumption pattern without planning for future demands. However, commercial... →

SELF-SUFFICIENCY Depending on the model, an Eau de Vie system can filter and chill at least 50 ℓ/h directly on-site

KZN project receives turnkey water solutions

9th October 2015 Water treatment solutions company Veolia Water Technologies South Africa is supplying a turnkey water treatment plant, the Shemula water treatment plant, to produce 20 Mℓ/d of potable water to assist the Jozini-Ingwavuma bulk water supply project, which is a government initiative to create a... →

Disruptive innovation, paradigm shift to drive water-sector sustainability

By: Mia Breytenbach 9th October 2015 While there is increasing and broader appreciation and awareness among all stakeholder groups of the global water and sanitation challenges, the need for disruptive innovation in the water sector remains at the forefront in driving global and local water sustainability, says Water Research... →

Smart wastewater engineering to boost city’s fresh supply

9th October 2015 An innovative system to use return effluent from the Cape Recife wastewater treatment works (WWTW) in Port Elizabeth, designed by local multidisciplinary engineering consultancy Afri-Coast Consulting Engineers, will significantly increase the water available for industrial and irrigation use –... →

RESOLUTION IMPERATIVE Thousands of litres of useable, treated effluent is being discharged every day through a wetland system and into the ocean, in the vicinity of the Noordhoek Lighthouse

Desalination plant feasibility studies support proactive water planning

By: Mia Breytenbach 9th October 2015 Engineering, management and specialist technical services firm Aurecon has undertaken two desalination plant feasibility studies for South African water utilities, following the successful completion of technical studies and investigations, construction-phase contract management, project... →

PROPOSED SCHEME The Lower Thukela bulk water supply scheme will include a 55 Mℓ/d water treatment plant and a high-lift pumpstation at the water-treatment works

New water loss insurance launched to protect consumers

9th October 2015 Since unexpected water loss has a negative impact on the consumer and the council that supplies it, engineering, information technology and communication company MyWater launched an insurance solution to bridge the gap between council and consumers regarding water loss and water bills. “An... →

BRIDGING THE GAP
MyWater covers the consumer for unexpected water loss, while simultaneously ensuring the council receives payment for the water it has delivered

Photo by Bloomberg
BRIDGING THE GAP MyWater covers the consumer for unexpected water loss, while simultaneously ensuring the council receives payment for the water it has delivered

Tanks manufacturer builds water reservoir for local community

By: Bruce Montiea 31st July 2015 Having identified a shortage of potable water in the Siyabuswa community, the Dr JS Moroka local municipality, in Mpumalanga, appointed agriculture and industrial liquid storage tank and reservoir manufacturer Aquadam to help install an extra reservoir to service the community. The project got... →

MULEBY SYSTEM TANK Aquadam has been contracted to install its water storage solution for the Siyabuswa community, in the Dr JS Moroka local municipality, in Mpumalanga

Botswana to accelerate pipeline construction

31st July 2015 The Botswana government is accelerating construction of a 16-billion pula ($1.6-billion) pipeline meant to carry water from the Zambezi river to the south of Botswana, as the government wants to complete the project in seven years. The negotiations, and other preparations, are expected to be... →

Photo by Bloomberg
IRRIGATION Botswana plans to use some of the water from the Zambezi river for agriculture

Emergency potable water needs prioritising, says Rhodes professor

By: Bruce Montiea 31st July 2015 Regular protests by residents demanding adequate water supply proves that many South Africans are subjected to interrupted and inadequate safe drinking water supply, says Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality director and Rhodes University professor Tally Palmer, who tells Engineering... →

ONGOING WATER SUPPLY
Water services authorities must ensure that when water services are interrupted for more than 24 hours, consumers have access to alternative water services

Photo by Bloomberg
ONGOING WATER SUPPLY Water services authorities must ensure that when water services are interrupted for more than 24 hours, consumers have access to alternative water services

Popular Joburg dam gets R25m facelift

31st July 2015 The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) in April embarked on a R25-million eight-month-long rehabilitation project for the City of Johannesburg’s (CoJ’s) 103-year-old Emmarentia dam. The dam is located on the Westdene spruit, which is a tributary of the Juskei river and a popular recreational venue... →

IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE Emmarentia dam’s infrastructure is currently being rehabilitated

Water augmentation project to be completed by October

31st July 2015 The construction of Limpopo’s R13.4-billion two-phase Mokolo and Crocodile Water Augmentation Project (MCWAP) will be completed in October, as flooding problems and labour disputes that initially delayed the bulk water project have now been resolved. Water Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane says... →

RECEIVING WATER SUPPLY Eskom’s Medupi power station is one of the facilities that will benefit from the completion of the Mokolo and Crocodile Water Augmentation Project

Phase 2 of LHWP in full swing

By: Bruce Montiea 31st July 2015 The procurement of consultants for the four-phased, multibillion-rand binational Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), signalled the official start of the physical work component of Phase II of the project, says LHWP implementing agency the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority CEO Refiloe... →

MEGAPROJECT The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is a multibillion-rand, binational water project that will benefit Lesotho and South Africa

South African locomotives specialist ventures further into Africa

By: Creamer Media Reporter 31st July 2015 Locomotive design and engineering company Grindrod Locomotives recently signed a contract worth more than $30-million with Bolloré Group, the first logistics and port operator in Africa with a presence in 46 countries, 250 subsidiaries and 25 000 employees. The project will see a number of... →

Developed countries’ EV uptake strategies may be unsuitable for SA, owing to ‘significant’ wealth disparity, warns Frost & Sullivan

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