Water and Sanitation November / December 2015 by 3S Media

Promoting professional excellence in the water sector

Water& Sanitation The official magazine of the Water Institute of Southern Africa

Complete water resource and wastewater management

Africa

MINE WATER Slaking Congo-Kinshasa’s copper thirst

Nomvula Mokonyane Minister of Water and Sanitation

INDUSTRY INSIGHT Empowering women in water through job creation and service

DAMS & RESERVOIRS Cross-border impacts on Gaborone water crisis METERING Saving water with advanced metering infrastructure

SBS Water Systems More than just a tank

IN THE HOT SEAT July

“We are determined to provide regional hubs that are able to service customers with the best fleets but, above that, the best and most skilled people.” Pierre Fourie Managing Director, Xylem South Africa

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November/December 2015 • ISSN 1990-8857 • Cover price R50.00 • Vol. 10 No. 6

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CONTENTS

Vol. 10 No. 6

Promoting professional excellence in the water sector

Water& Sanitation The official magazine of the Water Institute of Southern Africa

Complete water resource and wastewater management

Africa

MINE WATER Slaking Congo-Kinshasa’s copper thirst

Nomvula Mokonyane Minister of Water and Sanitation

INDUSTRY INSIGHT Empowering women in water through job creation and service

ON THE COVER

DAMS & RESERVOIRS

REGULARS

Editor’s comment Africa round-up Product news

3 14 59

SBS Water Systems provides insight on the new Sustainable Development Goals and how reliable water storage for communities and other sectors assists water utilities rise to the challenge of these worthy ambitions. P5

DAMS & RESERVOIRS Cross-border impacts on Gaborone water crisis METERING Saving water with advanced metering infrastructure

SBS Water Systems More than just a tank

IN THE HOT SEAT July

“We are determined to provide regional hubs that are able to service customers with the best ﬂeets but, above that, the best and most skilled people.” Pierre Fourie Managing Director, Xylem South Africa

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November/December 2015 • ISSN 1990-8857 • Cover price R50.00 • Vol. 10 No. 6

COVER STORY More than just a tank

WISA

CEO's letter: Hard vs soft skills

President's letter: The year in review

YWP: Full steam ahead

HOT SEAT

Africa's biggest pump rental hub

22 MINE WATER

INDUSTRY INSIGHT Supporting and empowering women in water

DAMS & RESERVOIRS Botswana's water crisis

MINE WATER Slaking Congo-Kinshasa’s copper thirst

WASTEWATER TREATMENT Revolution solution – Part II

METERING Smart water savings

28 WASTEWATER TREATMENT

PANEL DISCUSSION Panel discussion featuring

Containerised, modular and packaged treatment plants 35

Containerised, modular and packaged treatment plants

PUMPS, PIPES & VALVES Plastic pipes in focus

WAR ON LEAKS Grace under pressure

RAINWATER HARVESTING Sizing up storage

• Aqua Resources SA

• The Rare Group

• Multotec Group

• Veolia Water Technologies SA

• NuWater

• Famsystem Technologies

43 46

35 PANEL DISCUSSION NOV/DEC 2015 NOV/DEC 2015

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Publisher Elizabeth Shorten Associate publisher Nicholas McDiarmid Editor Frances Ringwood Head of design Beren Bauermeister Chief sub-editor Tristan Snijders Sub-editor Morgan Carter Contributors Jo Burgess, Lester Goldman, Hendrik van Rhijn Digital & marketing manager Philip Rosenberg Client services & production manager Antois-Leigh Botma Production coordinator Jacqueline Modise Distribution manager Nomsa Masina Distribution coordinator Asha Pursotham Financial manager Andrew Lobban Administration Tonya Hebenton Printers United Litho Johannesburg t +27 (0)11 402 0571 Advertising sales Avé Delport t +27 (0)11 467 6224 • Cell: +27 (0)83 302 1342 f 086 502 1216 • avedel@lantic.net

EDITOR'S COMMENT

Preparing for drought

HE DEPARTMENT OF WATER and Sanitation (DWS) recently confirmed that South Africa is in the early throes of a three-year drought. Research released in Stockholm in September at the World Water Week event indicated that below average rainfall will persist, deepening the existing water crisis. The DWS has officially declared some parts of the country, especially in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, disaster zones. Mitigation strategies include the fast-tracking of dam building projects as well as educational initiatives around South Africa as to how citizens can save water. Climate change and El Niño weather conditions have been identified as the main culprits behind anomalous weather. When these effects are compounded by existing shortages, the situation becomes critical.

Publisher MEDIA Physical address: No 9, 3rd Avenue, Rivonia, 2191 Postal address: PO Box 92026, Norwood, 2117, South Africa t +27 (0)11 233 2600 • f +27 (0)11 234 7274/5 frances@3smedia.co.za

ISSN: 1990 - 8857 Annual subscription: R300 (SA rate) subs@3smedia.co.za Copyright 2015. All rights reserved. All articles in Water&Sanitation Africa are copyright protected and may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the prior written permission of the publishers. The views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Water Institute of Southern Africa or the publishers.

Government action While it may be tempting to lay the blame for the situation at government’s door, this is neither the most productive nor fairest response. The South African government has warned citizens, universities, and research institutions – for many years – of the economic and developmental risks posed by climate change, continuously stating the importance of contingency plans, even before the country hosted COP17 in 2011. In general, the South African public sector’s water professionals are passionate, dedicated, and fully aware of what is at stake. As a result, there are suitable preparedness and risk management measures in place. Drought is, unfortunately, a relatively frequent occurrence in this country, so water restrictions and tanker services have already been arranged for affected communities. To be clear, this isn’t water-shedding in the same way as Eskom arranges electricity outages – although that may yet eventuate. These type of water restrictions fall in line with climate change preparedness and it’s a plan the government and its parastatals have invested both time and money

WISA CONTACTS: HEAD OFFICE Tel: 086 111 9472(WISA) Fax: +27 (0)11 315 1258 Physical address: 1st Floor, Building 5, Constantia Park, 546 16th Road, Randjiespark Ext 7, Midrand BRANCHES Eastern Cape www.ewisa.co.za Chairperson: Selby Thabethe Tel: +27 (0)41 506 2862 | Email: ssthabethe@vodamail.co.za Secretary: Christopher Maduma Tel: +27 (0)41 506 7527 | Email: cmaduma@mandelametro.gov.za Free State Chairperson: Sabelo Mkhize Tel: +27 (0)53 830 6681 | Email: smkhize@solplaatje.org.za Secretary: Noeline Basson Cell: +27 (0)71 362 3622 | Email: ndb@malachi3.co.za KwaZulu-Natal Chairperson: Vishnu Mabeer Tel: +27 (0)31 311 8684 | Email: vishnu.mabeer@durban.gov.za Treasurer: Renelle Pillay Email: PillayR@dws.gov.za Limpopo Chairperson: Paradise Shilowa Cell: +27 (0)79 905 9013 | Email: paradises@polokwane.gov.za Secretary: Salome Sathege Tel: +27 (0)15 290 2535 | Email: salomes@polokwane.gov.za Mpumalanga Chairperson: Susan van Heerden Cell: +27 (0)82 800 3137 | Email: susanvanhd@gmail.com Secretary: Theo Dormehl Cell: +27 (0)83 294 0745 | Email: dormehl@soft.co.za Namibia Chairperson: Dr Vaino Shivute Secretary: Kristina Afomso Tel: +264 61 712080 | Email: afomsok@namwater.com.na Western Cape Chairperson: Natasia van Binsbergen Tel: +27 (0)21 448 6340 | Email: natasia@alabbott.co.za Secretary: Wilma Grebe Tel: +27 (0)21 887 7161 | Email: wgrebe@wamsys.co.za

WISA’s Vision The promotion of professional excellence in the water sector, through building expertise, sharing knowledge and improving quality of life.

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RVOIRS DAMS & RESE impacts Cross-border water crisis on Gaborone METERING r with Saving wate ring advanced mete infrastructure

Systems SBS Watthaer k n just a tan More

customers

IN THE HOT SEAT July

Private sector The private sector, too, is pooling together all resources in extremely tough economic times to make a difference. Guided by the Water Research Commission, new technology is being fast-tracked to speed up the benefits derived directly through implementation. Pressure management systems, boosting pumps for buildings, water-limiting devices, and pour-flush sanitation are just a few of the ideas and technologies born from the challenges of drought conditions and low funds availability. These are all excellent innovations and there are many more that have not been mentioned here. But, at a certain point, there just needs to be more money to make things happen. “Doing more with less” can only go so far before there is just too little. That’s why this issue deals extensively with new and innovative funding models, including cross-border cooperation and the popular idea of public-private partnerships. Yes, South Africa and its neighbours are currently facing a great deal of water scarcity and financial stress. But, the local water industry has the right attitude and that’s the first piece of the puzzle needed to turn this situation around – the next step is finding the money.

sector in the water

itation Water& San Africa Promoting

in over many years. For example, the CSIR is running several educational programmes to assist farmers in establishing resilience strategies specifically to overcome climate-related weather disruptions. The DWS is doing its part, although it is working with a funding shortfall of 56% of what’s needed. There’s only so much that can be done when there’s just no money left in the kitty.

to service that are able e regional hubs people.” ined to provid and most skilled “We are determ that, the best ﬂeets but, above Africa 6 with the best • Vol. 10 No. , Xylem South price R50.00 Managing Director 7 • Cover 1990-885 Pierre Fourie 2015 • ISSN

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

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November/Decem

ber

NOV/DEC 2015

COVER STORY In New York City, at the end of September 2015, representatives from around the world gathered to adopt a new global agenda for sustainable development.

More than

just a tank

OUTH AFRICAN TANK mandrinking water for all a top priority. Another ufacturer SBS Water Systems key concern is the achievement of equisupports these ambitious targets, table sanitation and hygiene for all, with referred to as the Sustainable special emphasis on the needs of women, Development Goals. This new agenda, children, and those in vulnerable situations. which will supersede the UN’s Millennium “South Africa has come a long way in Development Goals, aims to eradicate rolling out basic services to those in need poverty and hunger, empower women, and we, as a company, take great pride in safeguard natural resources, combat the role we have played in the facilitation climate change, and seeks to achieve huvia government and local and district man equality by 2030. Water, for the first municipalities. For example, in the past time, ranks highly on the agenda with its financial year alone, SBS Water Systems has own dedicated goal, which encompasses provided 2 337 South African households access to drinking water and sanitation. with water. This staggering statistic puts The agenda also calls for our company ethos into an improvement in water “Since inception, perspective – we deliver management and envisolutions that are so SBS has ronmental protection. much more than just successfully Finally this precious a tank. completed over resource has gotten the “The product goes attention it has always beyond being just a 700 municipal deserved. The world is liquid storage solution; projects.” waking up to the reality it enriches, uplifts, and that failure to address water directly will restores dignity to the recipients. Since severely affect global economies, security, inception, SBS has successfully completand the efforts to improve the global ed over 700 municipal projects –we are standard of living. It also highlights the extremely proud of this fact.” plight of millions who don’t have access Tank technology to water. Established in 1998, SBS Water Systems Delivering sustainability pioneered the concept of Zincalume water Mava Gwagwa, SBS Water Systems’ storage solutions in the South African mardirector: key accounts and new business, ketplace and is a leading name in the liquid shares his thoughts on the new SDGs storage tank industry worldwide. With a with Water&Sanitation, saying, “With dedicated and efficient team, SBS Tanks target deliverables due in 2030, the Draft operates in accordance with sound busiSustainable Development Goal for Water ness principles, putting the customer and makes access to clean and affordable uniquely South African community needs

first. As a major supplier to the mining, fixed fire-protection, municipal, water conservation, and food and beverage sectors, SBS Tanks’ well-honed ability to deliver high-quality water storage solutions, on time, is regularly called upon. Using advanced design techniques and by collaborating with South Africa’s leading structural engineers, SBS Tanks designs, manufactures, and installs easily transportable, prefabricated Zincalume steel panel tanks with multilayered PVC internal liners. SBS Tanks’ products are perfectly suited for the world’s harshest environments. A strong SABS ISO 9001:2008 quality control plan and keen focus on safety complements SBS Tanks’ approach to delivery and installation.

Wide-ranging solutions

Gwagwa adds, “Our offering to the municipal and water sector is not limited to potable water storage solutions only, but extends to sewage and effluent, as well as wastewater treatment storage solutions. We are able to supply our Proudly South African products in capacities from 12 kℓ right up to 3 300 kℓ. “SBS Water Systems is extraordinarily grateful for the support we have received from the municipal and water sectors. We, as a company, look forward to continuing our partnership with national and local governments, in line with the global Sustainable Development Goals, in the provision of basic human rights to all citizens in the future.”

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

NOV/DEC 2015

CEO'S LE T TER

Lester Goldman, WISA CEO

Hard versus soft skills

O IMPROVE THE state of the local water industry, Water Institute of South Africa CEO Lester Goldman LESTER GOLDMAN asks searching questions about what skills could be developed further to effect more positive change. Water professionals will be familiar with the terms ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ water. Hard among others, will it further improve water is water that contains an appreciwith soft skills the rules generally change, the effective of the sector? Is the inable quantity of dissolved minerals (like according to company culture or envidustry placing sufficient focus on these calcium and magnesium). Soft water ronment. Hard skills can be learnt, whereskills, or are they just assumed to be is treated water in which the only ion as soft skills are generally developed inherent skills among management is sodium. over time. and leadership? As organisations, is As rainwater falls, it is generally soft; Southern Africa’s water sector, as a enough money being spent on soft however, as it makes its way through the whole, is, and should be, very proud skills development? ground, it picks up minerals From observation and and becomes hard. Since hard experience, many will have water contains essential minSouthern Africa’s water sector, noticed that certain industry erals, it is sometimes the preas a whole, is, and should members are not always as ferred drinking water, because be, very proud of its hard punctual, for example, as of health benefits and flavour. they could be. It is also the However, soft water is more skills. Professionals in this case that certain members useful in assisting with indusfield certainly are pushing have not always shown suftrial and domestic processes, as boundaries globally with regard ficient respect and dignity many who have had to scrub a to speakers at events. These tough stain out of a favourite to scientific, technological, and incidents are isolated and shirt will attest. systems development in the minority but they Hard and soft water have serve as examples of soft something in common with skills that can be developed hard and soft skills. Like water, of its hard skills. Professionals in this and certainly improved upon as part both are needed to be effective and effifield certainly are pushing boundaries of members’ drives to improve their cient, in- and outside the workplace. globally with regard to scientific, tech- organisational efforts. Different strokes nological, and systems development. I would like to hear your opinion. Speaking generally, hard skills require However, there is always room for Should the industry focus more on soft more focus on intelligence quotient improvement, and it would be limiting skills development? Do members think (IQ) measures, while soft skills require not to ask how the industry might imthat industry managers and leaders can more focus on the areas associated with prove in terms of soft skills. improve and should this be developed? emotional intelligence (EQ). Examples Is there scope for personal improveSoft skills improvement of hard skills include competency in ment and development in this regard? It is said that soft skills are more immathematics, physics, finance, engineerDoes the industry have a healthy balportant in achieving organisational ing, chemistry, and biology. Soft skills ance between hard and soft skills? results than hard skills. For the cominclude self-management abilities such There’s nothing to lose by asking munity managing water and the water as self-confidence, stress management, these questions; in fact, it seems that sector, does this still hold true? If the social skills, and communication compethere is much to gain. sector improves its leadership skills, tencies. When it comes to hard skills, the Please pop me a mail with your management skills, and social skills, rules generally stay the same, whereas thoughts at ceo@wisa.org.za.

To improve the state of the local water industry, Water Institute of South Africa CEO asks searching questions about what skills could be developed further to effect more positive change.

NOV/DEC 2015

PRESIDENT'S LE T TER

The year in review Jo Burgess, WISA president

EMBERS OF THE water industry have a tendency to always focus on what needs to be done. I love this about the sector – it belies a progressive, dedicated professional community of folks whose sights are firmly fixed on the next goal. But, this attitude comes at a cost, as it can often prevent us from taking stock of our many achievements – so, let’s look at what was achieved in 2015.

Sectoral planning Most recently, the Water Research Commission (WRC), together with the Department of Science and Technology, created and started implementing a 10year plan to improve research, development, innovation, and the deployment of new knowledge and technologies in the water sector. The plan, called ‘South Africa`s Water Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Roadmap: 20152025’, is available online. It aligns with the National Water Resource Strategy 2 and sets out seven 10-year plans for needs-driven actions to address the challenges facing water professionals in agriculture, industry, public services, and environmental protection. In addition, the regulatory landscape for the relationship between water and mining has changed for the better, with the release of a WRC guide to managing water risks associated with mine closure (report no. TT 628/14, also available online). Improved sanitation With regard to waterborne sanitation, standard flush toilets are not possible in many rural settings because – apart from using more water than is sustainable in our water-scarce country – installing sewerage pipes and pump stations is cost-prohibitive, and may pose a threat to human health

At the end of a year packed with hard work and dedication, it doesn’t hurt to take a minute to look back and take stock of all that has been accomplished, says WISA president JO BURGESS. and the environment if leaks are not readily detected. At the other end of the scale, ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines comply with the minimum norms and standards, but are regarded by many as inferior, smelly, and, sometimes, unsafe. Pour-flush or low-flush toilets potentially offer the best of both worlds, bridging the gap between the convenience of flush systems and the sustainability of VIP systems. With a pour-flush toilet, one to three litres of water are poured into the bowl to flush the toilet, pushing the excreta through the toilet’s water seal and into a collection chamber. With a low-flush toilet, a cistern dispenses three litres of water around the pan with each flush. Both types cost significantly less than a full-flush toilet, although about 20% more than a VIP – also, grey water can be used for flushing. Consulting engineers and project developers Partners in Development created a pour-flush prototype in 2010, which was modified into a low-flush system in 2013. Both types terminate in a simple soakaway or leach pit, which is relatively small compared to a septic tank. Ideally, twin pits should be installed, so that when one becomes full the other can be used instead. The full pit is allowed NOV/DEC 2015

to dry out for two to four years and then emptied, ready to be used again once the operational pit reaches its capacity. The toilets were successfully tested in townships in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. By June 2015, more than 80 pour-flush and six low-flush units were in operation in 14 schools, with three more schools in the Eastern Cape joining the revolution. Catch of the day At this time of year, many of our thoughts have turned to shorts, bare feet, boats, and dusting off the fishing gear. These folks may be interested to learn that 2015 was the year the sun rose on inland fisheries.

St Mark’s School in the Eastern Cape is one of the test sites for Partners in Development’s low-flush toilets

Small-scale fishing in rural communities is largely an informal activity with no established system for stakeholder representation or data gathering. Yet, on 77% of waterbodies surveyed in 2015, small-scale fishing for livelihood

PRESIDENT'S LE T TER purposes was present. The activity is not rooted in indigenous fishing traditions, but rather an adaptive livelihood strategy to modern socio-economic circumstances. Most small-scale fishers were poor, but the role of fishing in their livelihood strategies was diverse, ranging from a part-time subsistence activity to a full-time artisanal occupation. Value chains for freshwater fish were short, with little evidence of value being added. The fish were generally sold fresh and informally, or consumed by the family. In certain localities, a significant daily income could be generated to cover family living costs. In comparison, the recreational angling sector has a substantial participation rate (estimated to be of the order of 1.5 million participants) and a significant economic impact associated with the tourism sector and angling services and supply value chains. Resource management plans for dams are designed predominantly for recreational fisheries, but what about the socio-economic

objectives? Rural communities have been excluded from dams, and new policies and legislation will rectify this. While small-scale fishers from local communities are generally regarded as having a legitimate claim to fish, in the absence of a supporting rights-based governance framework, their activities are usually illegal, unmanaged, and often unsustainable. The equitable and, above all, sustainable use of South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inland fish resources requires fundamental reform of the very rudimentary existing inland fishery governance arrangements. The reform process is led by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), due to its primary resource sector development mandate, which now includes inland fisheries. The DAFF announced that it would create an inland fisheries policy and programme, aligning with the constitution, as well as best-practice international principles for sustainable fishing, such as those set up by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the UN. NOV/DEC 2015

Thus, decent jobs in recreational angling, as well as small-scale fishing value chains, will be facilitated. The DAFF plans to have a policy gazetted by August next year. More milestones ahead These diverse milestones on the road through 2015 show that the industry is moving towards a better coordination between the amazing work being done by so many in the water community â&#x20AC;&#x201C; towards a better-protected natural environment in the long term â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with healthier post-mining land use, better sanitation, and, therefore, better public health. Fishing legislation improvements will ensure more varied diets that include sufficient protein. I think it is safe to conclude that, although there is still much to be achieved, and our sights should be set on the new goals for the future, industry members can collectively afford a break at the end of the year. So, rest, recharge, and come back ready to take on the world in 2016 and beyond.

Y WP-WISA

Full steam ahead

The first Africa-wide Young Water Professionals (YWP) Conference is being held in mid-November. Stuart Woolley, YWP-ZA conference chair, and Shanna Nienaber, YWP-ZA chair, look back at past conferencing successes and forward to this exciting, upcoming event.

HE INTERNATIONAL WATER Association (IWA) and Water Institute of South Africa (WISA) Young Water Professionals organisation has had a busy year, filled with events, interactions, and opportunities to share its members’ passion for water and sustainability with people young and old around the world. Its five provincial chapters are doing amazing work and have organised or partnered with 40 events since taking up office in May 2013. The YWP is delighted to have held launch events for the Eastern Cape Young Water Professionals as well as a combined Northern Cape-Free State launch. The YWP’s provincial chapters continue to make this network more accessible to people around South Africa by arranging a diverse set of technical, academic, skills-focused, and outreach events. On the international front, the

The conference programme sees a formidable line-up of African speakers and trending topics in the water sector. The conference theme has boldly been set as ‘Stop Talking, Start Doing!’, and will feature both a research focus, and a technical and vocational training focus NOV/DEC 2015

ABOVE Group shot of all YWPs standing together for Southern Africa’s water sector OPPOSITE PAGE Young Water Professionals enjoying last year’s conference

organisation has had the opportunity to participate in and profile the YWP-ZA at six major international forums, including Stockholm International Water Week, the World Water Forum, and Singapore Water Week. The national committee also had the opportunity to launch the Imvelisi Enviropreneur skills programme in partnership with GreenMatter in July this year. This was a first for YWP and something the organisation promises to take from strength to strength in future.

First Africa-wide YWP Conference Far from slowing down to reflect on the year’s achievements, the YWP network is working at a blazing pace in preparation

Y WP-WISA for its flagship biennial conference, taking place in Pretoria from 16 to 18 November this year. The 4th Southern African Young Water Professionals Conference has been elevated to a regional-level conference, becoming the first continent-wide YWP Conference ever to be held. This event is hosted in partnership with the IWA and WISA. Organisers can’t wait to welcome hundreds of delegates from Africa and further abroad. The conference programme sees a formidable line-up of African speakers and trending topics in the water sector. The conference theme has boldly been set as ‘Stop Talking, Start Doing!’, and will feature both a research focus, and a technical and vocational training focus. The research stream features a healthy programme that represents the many diverse fields in the water sector, with sessions on emerging wastewater treatment techniques; governance; groundwater; health-related water microbiology; hydrology; industrial wastewater treatment; municipal treatment; municipal water; municipal wastewater treatment; sanitation and hygiene; society; and water management and treatment. Further, there are two special sessions on trans-disciplinary and water security research currently being conducted in the water sector, backed by Rhodes University’s Institute for Water Research, Monash South Africa and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, respectively.

A strong foundation for infrastructure success

Emphasis on vocational training However, as is tradition, the YWPs have introduced yet another new initiative: to incorporate a technical stream into the conference programme tailored towards technical, vocational education and training learners in the generally more practical and skills-oriented side of the water sector. Here, participants can expect to see workshops focused on entrepreneurship, on careers as process controllers and lab technicians, on career-enhancing ‘soft’ skills, and the role that youth networks can play in responding to global water trends and targets. This event is going to end off a busy year marvellously. Join us, as young and older water professionals think together about being action-oriented doers for the African water sector. Conference attendees will be eligible for continuing professional development points. Check out the YWP Conference website for more details: www.ywp-za.org/2015-ywp-conference.html.

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HOT SEAT

Pump rental hub

lifts off

On 1 October this year, Africa’s biggest pump rental hub opened in Kempton Park, Gauteng, which will enable all pump users to find reliable and robust solutions quickly. Xylem South Africa’s managing director, Pierre Fourie, reveals what the market can expect. How is the hub positioned to service and expand in the African market?

PF We were already renting out equipment from our existing facility in Boksburg. In fact, we’ve had the largest rental fleet on the continent for quite some time. The new hub has over 500 assets and this will grow, year on year, as we continue to invest and move into Africa. At the same time, we have access to an international rental fleet of over 17 500 assets, which we can call on at any time. We currently have 41 assets on the water from America, and we’ve brought over 4 assets from Korea for a specific project. That’s the scope and power of what Xylem can do. As we expand into sub-Saharan Africa, from early next year, we’ll roll out exactly the same blueprint as that which we have here: a hub that’s able to service customers with the best fleets but, above that, the best and most skilled people.

What pump ranges are offered and will there be any additional equipment and services available besides pumps? Our broad range of Godwin and Flygt pumping equipment includes Flygt electric submersibles, Godwin automatic self-priming pumps, Godwin diesel self-priming pumps, and diesel hydraulic submersible pumps. Also available are all necessary monitoring and control equipment and a full range of installation accessories, so clients receive all they need to get pumps working on-site, immediately. Our monitoring and control equipment includes remote monitoring systems, level and pressure sensors, flow meters, and variable-speed drives. The accessories we stock include high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes and fittings, quick disconnect pipes and fittings, layflat hose, pump rafts, and road ramps. In addition, generators and light towers are immediately available. NOV/DEC 2015

As far as services go, Xylem South Africa’s on-site services include installation and commissioning, monitoring and maintenance, and technical support. Our rental hub’s Service Division is available 24/7, which we find is ideal, given the market’s needs to find solutions and understand problems proactively, as they occur.

Many members of the market will be particularly excited about the larger Godwin range of pumps available for rental. What are some of the options offered in this range? The good thing about Godwin products is that they’re all designed on basically the same principles, and exhibit the same basic construction, making them easier to service, maintain, and operate across the range. Godwin products are generally broken down into four versions: the CD range, which stands for contractor

HOT SEAT OPPOSITE PAGE: FAR LEFT Onlookers at the launch of Africa’s biggest pump rental hub on 1 October this year, in Kempton Park LEFT Xylem South Africa’s managing director, Pierre Fourie

dewatering; these are your medium- to high-flow pumps, for general dewatering or nuisance water. Then, there’s the HL range – i.e. high lift. This is for when you need high head and reduced flow for basic construction and related areas. We do have another option, ideal for dewatering many metres below ground, which is the Heidra range. More recently, we’ve also added the NC range (more on that later) for wastewater treatment. The majority of the units are diesel driven. However, these pumps can also be driven by an electric motor.

Historically, the rental market exposes pumps to extremely harsh environments and treatment; how can you guarantee the quality of a pump from one customer to the next? Our pumps’ construction is extremely robust and all the pumps in the Godwin range, in particular, are designed for the rental industry, Just by looking at the size and thickness of the castings, it is apparent that everything is over-designed to handle a harsh environment. The impeller inside is made from high-carbon chromium steel, which is highly resilient to wear and abrasions. The wear plates inside the pump are made of the same material – all designed for longevity. Additionally, the majority of our units are fitted with Xylem’s Field Smart Technology (FST). One of the benefits of FST is that it can be used to monitor and control pumps from the office, a mobile phone, a tablet, or any other personal smart device. We, at Xylem, can download all the details from our FSTs with regard to the pumps’ engines and other pump parameters. This gives us a complete picture of what this pump is doing on-site, anywhere, anytime.

How will you cater for mining clients who face the challenge of dewatering deep underground but who also need portability? For applications requiring suction lift of more than seven or eight metres, we developed the Heidra range. This is a submersible pump, operated via a hydraulically driven pump set, available in a variety of different head heights and flow ranges. A power pack is needed to drive the hydraulic system, which can be a diesel engine, for portability, or an electric engine, if clients prefer.

Municipalities and construction workers often have to pump water in urban areas on weekends and late at night. What solution do you offer for these occasions? In these instances, we offer a Hush Pac, which is an acoustic enclosure for the pump. As business embraces more environmentally friendly solutions, both noise and fuel spillages have become greater concerns. The Hush Pac’s acoustic canopies attenuate sound waves down to about 75 A-weighted decibels, so the units can be taken into noise-sensitive areas. The tank is also bunded, so, if there are any issues with fuel or lubricant spillage, it will be contained within the bund, which acts as a secondary catchment tank – again, this is highly useful in residential or environmentally sensitive areas.

“Additionally, the majority of our units are fitted with Xylem’s Field Smart Technology (FST). One of the benefits of FST is that it can be used to monitor and control pumps from the office, a mobile phone, a tablet, or any other personal smart device.”

Sewage treatment plant engineers will be excited to learn about some of your latest innovations in the Godwin range. How do these pumps facilitate ease of use at wastewater treatment plants?

As I mentioned earlier, Godwin recently introduced its NC range. At the launch, we had on display an NC100, specially developed for the sewage industry, or anywhere where liquid holds a lot of solids. A special feature is the N-series or ‘non-clog’ impeller. Xylem’s industry-leading N-technology may be more familiar to our customers from the Flygt range, but it has now been moved over into the Godwin pumps as well. NOV/DEC 2015

ABOVE Godwin’s new NC range uses the Flygt range’s groundbreaking ‘non-clog’ technology, making it ideal for pumping wastewater and thick slurries

This means we have the ability to take the N-impeller and technology and make it more mobile. The pump on display includes a float-switch control, making this pump completely automatic – switching itself on and off as water levels rise and fall. The unit is protected from too many starts and stops by a 10-minute timer, which initiates a start-up and cool-down sequence. The NC-100 can also be controlled remotely, making this an extremely flexible piece of equipment.

www.xyleminc.com

AFRICA ROUND-UP

SOS: Save our solvent! Drought, El Niño and unusual weather conditions are causing dams and lakes to dry up all over the continent – the bottom line is: we miss the rains down in Africa. SOUTH AFRICA

Levels at Hazelmere Dam still low

The eThekwini Municipality in Kwazulu-Natal has announced, at numerous stages over the past months, that Hazelmere Dam levels are worryingly low, having hit the 30% mark. Ashan Nandlal, eThekwini’s senior manager: Water Operations, commented, “While the recent rainfall has helped the farming community, it has had no impact on the dam’s water level.” He added that surplus runoff from the recent rainfall is generally realised at the dam only four to five days later, provided that it rained in the catchment area. “Although the weather forecasters have predicted rains over the coming summer months, eThekwini Water and Umgeni Water are still continuing with contingency plans,” said Nandlal. Water restrictions have been implemented in affected areas and the local authority has warned that more stringent measures may be necessary over the December holiday period.

present. Titled ‘The environmental audit of the drying up of the Lake Chad’, the report was compiled by the Lake Chad Basin Commission member countries including Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad and has already been presented to the National Assembly. The lake’s reduction could lead to severe challenges for affected countries and their 2 economies, predominant2 ly impacting fishing and f a r m i n g populations who live along the river bank. A concern is that violence and skirmishes will break out over resource competition if nothing is done, something that is reportedly already happening in some areas. For example, northern Nigeria has already been

A new report details how Lake Chad is drying up very fast – from 25 000 km , in 1963, to 1 500 km , at present

NIGERIA

Lake Chad continues to contract

A new report details how Lake Chad is drying up very fast from 25 000 km2, in 1963, to as little as 1 500 km2, at

affected, with a significant proportion of Nigeria’s growing population having to migrate to the south of the country to maintain their livelihoods. Key outcomes of the report reveal that weak control of human activities, excessive extraction of water, dam constructions, diversions of rivers, and others were to blame for the rapid decrease.

ZIMBABWE

Kariba Dam levels continue to drop

Zimbabwean power utility ZESA Holdings has announced that cost-effective power supply is being affected by low water levels at the Kariba Dam. Speaking at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce business breakfast recently, Josh Chifamba, ZESA chief executive engineer, said that this year’s allocation is expected to be reduced by between 10 to 15 billion m3, from last year’s 45 billion m3, if matters don’t NOV/DEC 2015

ABOVE Lake Chad shrinks to less than 10% of its 1960s size

improve. Zambian Electricity Supply Company will also be affected, as it shares this allocation with ZESA. Kariba has been an anchor power generation asset for ZESA because it produces energy at lower costs than other, comparable facilities, creating value for ZESA investors and clients. The amount of energy produced by the dam is already constrained; in the past, it produced 750 MW but, now, it produces 475 MW and, if the proposed reductions go ahead, generation will drop as low as 245 MW. Zimbabwe’s load-shedding schedule was, at the time of writing, registering as ‘heavy’ on a five-point scale – minimal, light, moderate, heavy, and severe. In an effort to offset the negative effects expected from the dam issues, ZESA plans to construct a diesel-powered generation

AFRICA ROUND-UP plant, scheduled for completion in mid-2017.

ALGERIA

Dam management expertise wanted

The Algerian government has announced that it wants to gain from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) expertise, especially in the management and safety of its dams and reservoirs. The Algerie Presse Service recently reported that Minister of Water Resources and Environment Abdelouahab Nouri said, “Algeria will soon build 12 new dams, in addition to the 72 already in operation, and we have requested that the UNDP shares with us its expertise in the fields of management and security of the dams.” The statement came as a result of a meeting Minister Nouri attended with Cristina Amaral, resident representative and coordinator of UN System in Algeria. Additionally, Nouri revealed the country’s aims to utilise groundwater recharge methods more effectively, a system already successfully supported by UN scientists. It is believed that this and other measures will assist to mitigate water security risks posed by drought.

infrastructure development and risk management. A significant portion of the funds has been earmarked for the first phase of a rainwater harvesting project, which will see technology installed to empower local inhabitants to harvest and purify floodwater for drinking. Other areas targeted for funding include roads and stormwater drainage systems. The rainwater harvesting systems will be installed at the homes of the vulnerable community members most in need of state support for regular access to safe, healthy drinking water.

"Water is becoming a growing concern for government. It has been estimated that, by 2050, due to the impact of climate change, rainfall in the Western Cape is likely to decrease by 30%. This is a huge concern for me and my

SOUTH AFRICA

Deneysville plant thirsty for funds

A total of R150 million is required to complete the ongoing refurbishment of the Deneysville Wastewater Treatment Works project in the Free State, says Water and Sanitation director general MargaretAnn Diedericks. New funding is being requested in addition to the R9 million that was initially budgeted for the project. The main purpose of upgrading the ageing infrastructure is to address water pollution affecting residents along the Vaal River system. The project entails an upgrade of the main plant and the refurbishment of the sewer outfall line. Admitting that the money is currently not available, Diedricks said the department has embarked on planning processes to ensure a reallocation of budget towards the upgrade. She said the department was already in contact with other structures involved, such as the National Treasury.

“One estimate has been that South Africa is losing up to 25% of all our fresh water simply by wasting it. We cannot afford for this status quo to continue.”

SOUTH AFRICA

“Use water wisely” – Bredell

Anton Bredell, the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, has called on South Africans to use water wisely. Bredell was addressing the attendees of the 20th annual Water Indaba held in the Western Cape.

departments," says Bredell. Bredell says it is not only issues like climate change that create water shortage challenges. "The reality is that people are also still wasting too much water. One estimate has been that South Africa is losing up to 25% of all our fresh water simply by wasting it. Old and broken infrastructure as well as inadequate maintenance regimes and insufficient skills on the ground are some of the causes for a tremendous amount of water being wasted. We cannot afford for this status quo to continue.”

Drought is affecting numerous dams in Africa, particularly in the south, where dam levels are reported to be affected in numerous countries

CAMEROON

Floodwater feast not famine

In the past, floodwaters would negatively affect the approximately 3 million population of Cameroon’s economic capital, Douala, by causing sanitation by-products to contaminate groundwater and create pools in which mosquitos could breed, spreading malaria and other fatal diseases. However, city authorities are turning the situation around. After the mid-year heavy-rains season, the government invested $185 million in Douala's emergency fund for NOV/DEC 2015

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Supporting and empowering

women in water The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has a programme in place aimed at creating more jobs and opportunities in the water and sanitation sector, especially for women. Minister Nomvula Mokonyane is bringing about much needed changes in the lives of South African women.

ARLIER THIS YEAR, Minister Mokonyane characterised the construction sector in the water industry as “a monopoly of men-owned companies”. In response to this and other issues of gender inequality, she pledged the start of a women empowerment programme, marking the end to the talk of bettering the lives of women and the start of action. “The department sees women as important role players in improving people's overall access to water and resolving our country's main water infrastructure problems. The programme has the following elements: the WEI, mentorship, women in water forums, the War on Leaks, as well as other department-run sanitation and water initiatives,” says Minister Mokonyane.

“The overall project is structured to provide support to three levels: first, beginners (aimed at women-owned enterprises in business that still require growth); second, intermediates (for women-owned enterprises in business but who are not as established as big enterprises); and the third level supports established women-owned enterprises, at intermediate stages, that are fully

skills are also being transferred with the aim of sharing critical business knowledge and know-how. According to Mokonyane, professional service providers worked with the Water Research Commission and DWS to select companies capable of providing mentorship for project participants. These were chosen from the DWS’s database of women-owned companies already rendering services to the department. As the programme continues, a much more public and open process will be used.

Apart from pushing participants to realise the vast opportunities available to them, the forum also serves to create a comprehensive database of women-owned businesses, a discussion platform, and a forum for regular training workshops

Women in Water Entrepreneurship Incubator

The Women in Water Entrepreneurship Incubator (WEI) was created in order to ensure equal technical and scientific jobs in the male-dominated water industry. Participants in the WEI are incubated and mentored for a period of three years. The aim is for women to be beneficiaries of water and sanitation projects. Moreover, WEI is facilitating a safe and supportive environment that allows previously marginalised women to start and grow businesses that are competitive in the water sector. This creates an environment affording those businesses access to mentorship, skills development and support, funding, and opportunities.

functional but nonetheless require assistance to maximise functionality. It is the aim that, through departmental support, these businesses are gaining the impetus to compete nationally and globally,” explains Mokonyane. “The WEI specifically focuses on women-run enterprises in the fields of research and development (including technological innovation), science and engineering, construction, and local community initiatives,” she adds.

Mentorship

Part of the DWS’s thrust to support women entering and establishing themselves in the water sector is a mentorship programme that functions as a source of wisdom and knowledge resources. Its purpose is to guide the mentees in the important business activities of informed decision-making, skills retention, and leadership across the water sector. Scarce NOV/DEC 2015

Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane

Women in water forums

The DWS is also arranging businesswomen’s forums, which will act as planned engagement sessions for active networking to take place. “This will allow mentees to engage with mentors and other sector partners for their businesses and skills to be honed and nurtured. The department envisages that this process will foster connections between members of women-owned enterprises, inspiring motivation among the cohorts and boosting their confidence,” explains Mokonyane. Apart from pushing participants to realise the vast opportunities available to them, the forum also serves to create a comprehensive database of women-owned businesses, a discussion platform, and a forum for regular training workshops. “This will enable dialogue opportunities and strengthen the relationship between the cohorts,” adds Mokonyane.

War on Leaks

To curb extensive and expensive water losses experienced by numerous municipalities countrywide, DWS launched its War on Leaks programme. The project is

INDUSTRY INSIGHT LEFT AND BELOW Minister Mokonyane at a site visit at Sedibeng earlier this year, where she again spoke on the importance of job creation

fighting leaks and safeguarding South Africa's water supply, while tackling youth unemployment. “Through this programme, a total of 15 000 young South Africans will be trained to become plumbers, artisans, and water agents. After the training, they will be hired to fix leaks and other faulty infrastructure in communities. Besides being given tangible and crucial skills and improving their employability, the candidates are being trained to become water and sanitation ambassadors,” explains Mokonyane. She adds that the aim is to also send trainees and newly skilled artisans into their communities to educate the general public about how and why South Africans should use water sparingly, why leaking taps are undesirable, and what people should do when they have identified a leak. “The department sees partnerships with the community as key when tackling water-related issues. They need to be involved as they are the most important beneficiaries of water,” says Mokonyane. These jobs are not intended for only women but women are certainly strongly encouraged to participate. “Besides fighting leaks, the department is planning to expand South Africa's water supply and waste management systems. Due to urbanisation, the pressure on the current systems has increased. The department is, therefore, expanding what it has inherited,” adds Mokonyane.

comprehensive water and sanitation plan. The department is in the process of setting up an action plan to improve this shortfall, because we strongly believe that every municipality should be able to operate as its own water authority,” she adds. On the sanitation front, it has been established that the need for decent ablution facilities is the greatest among the poor. Moreover, studies have shown time and again that women and girl children are hardest hit by inadequate sanitation. These conditions may cause girls to miss school and, as a result, their education is affected. In order to combat the problem, DWS has prioritised investment in alternative sanitation solutions and other water-wise systems. These are aimed not only at those who live on or below the breadline, but as a means for all South Africans to use water wisely. Such methods include dry sanitation and those waterborne methods that use less water. According to Mokonyane, it should be the responsibility of South Africans to commit to behavioral changes with regard to water use.

To curb extensive and expensive water losses experienced by numerous municipalities countrywide, DWS launched its War on Leaks programme. The project aims to fight leaks and safeguard South Africa's water supply, while tackling youth unemployment

accountable those cities and towns that are not playing according to the rules, is one of our key objectives,” explains Mokonyane. “This is to ensure the effective operation, maintenance, and refurbishment of existing infrastructure. A total of 27 district municipalities across South Africa do not have the means to develop, maintain, and execute a

Other DWS water and sanitation interventions

“On issues of water infrastructure maintenance, research has revealed that deteriorating water infrastructure is caused by a lack of technical ability at municipal level. Assisting municipalities to improve their water management capacity, while holding NOV/DEC 2015

DAMS & RESER VOIRS

Botswana's water crisis

OUTH AFRICA HAS recently accepted its own water crisis and parts of Zimbabwe have also been affected by supply stoppages and shortages. Due to low rainfall, dams across the Southern African region are drying up and experiencing low levels. Botswana’s supply struggle has escalated significantly in recent months, with some local news sources having estimated that the entire country could soon be affected. Matilda Mmipi, corporate communications manager for Botswana’s Water Utilities Corporation (WUC), explains the technical reasons for supply failures in certain parts of Gaborone. “It is a fair assessment to call the situation in Gaborone a crisis. The challenges the city has experienced leading up to this point include the Gaborone and Bokaa dams failing, resulting in a water deficit of over 30%. These are the primary sources of water supply to the city.” Insufficient rain in the autumn months of this year caused Gaborone Dam’s level to sink to below 5% of its normal total capacity of 88 MLD (million litres of water per day). The Bokaa Dam dried up around early October. Botswana’s Metrological Services confirm this has been the country’s worst drought in living memory. It’s not all doom and gloom though. Once all of Botswana’s current infrastructure and cross-border plans are implemented, the region should have secure supply up until at least 2035, according to the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Kitso Mokaila. In the meantime, Botswanans have been urged to use water sparingly to assist the government in steering the country through the current crisis. “Residents are educated on water saving practices and also given a rationed supply. ‘Bowsing’ is done when necessary,” says Mmipi. Bowsing is the practice of using water tanker trucks to deliver water in emergency areas.

South African connection Further exacerbating Gaborone’s current challenges, supply from the Molatedi Dam in South Africa’s North West province NOV/DEC 2015

A South African dam on the Marico River in the North West province provides part of the supply for Botswana’s capital city, Gaborone. Now, droughts in South Africa have further exacerbated the situation, causing concern for Gaborone’s supply future. BY FRANCES RINGWOOD

DAMS & RESER VOIRS Botswana’s government is intensifying its efforts to teach all citizens about the importance of using water wisely. Pictured here is a school group viewing the massively depleted Bokaa Dam

“The challenges Gaborone has experienced leading up to this point include the Gaborone and Bokaa dams failing, resulting in a water deficit of over 30%. These are the primary sources of water supply to the city.”

Crisis management Given the drastically reduced Molatedi Dam supply and the failure of the Gaborone and Bokaa dams, residents of the greater Gaborone area currently receive over 87% of their supply from the North-South Carrier, a pipeline that transports water from Letsibogo Dam in the north to the south of the country. However, reduced supply has taken its toll. WUC has released a recent press statement pleading with those affected to be patient with low water pressures and, in some cases, complete supply outages. Mmipi says that the worst hit areas are mostly in greater Gaborone, with the most affected being Mmopane Village, Gabane Village, Tlokweng, and Lobatse. It’s likely these parts of the country will only find relief once the summer rains return.

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has been affected by the same drought conditions plaguing Botswana. “Reliable supply is extremely important, as it is the only supply that is treated at the now redundant Gaborone Water Works Plant and directly supplies the southern demand nodes,” says Mmipi. “Botswana started receiving supply in 1988, under the Trans-Boundary Water Supply Agreement between the two countries. Fundamentally, Botswana is a riparian country and is entitled to an allocation from the dam, having been involved in the development of the scheme. Botswana draws 7.3 million cubic metres of water annually, which is reduced by half when the dam level drops below 22% – this translates to 11 MLD. Recently, the allocation has been reduced further to 4.8 MLD due to the receding dam level,” she adds.

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Cross-border hope A highly respected news distributer has put about that, on 1 October, Botswanan and South African officials met to discuss the dam, but WUC officials did not confirm that such an event took place. “We are not aware of the meeting. However, the agreement decisions to vary allocations are made in October and May annually – dates synchronised to the hydrological year,” says Mmipi. Nonetheless, cross-border collaboration with South Africa remains a key component in Botswana’s long-term sustainability strategy. According to Botswana’s Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, the two are in talks to find a way for Botswana to have access the Chobe/Zambezi Transfer Scheme to find a solution to supply water of the right quality for industrial mining in the southern parts of the country, without risking the delicate ecosystem of the Okavango Delta.

NOV/DEC 2015

PROFILE

Water delivery for the people The South African water industry is starting to create innovative, affordable water storage solutions that can mitigate rural and urban water delivery challenges.

NIQUE RURAL AND urban water delivery challenges needs unique water storage solutions,” says Anton Liebenberg, operational director, Aquadam. “To work in rural areas is quite a challenge; building materials are usually expensive, of poor quality, and have a funny way of vanishing. Most of the time, these materials must be carted from far away on bad roads. This leads to poor but expensive concrete and, thus, poor products.” Aquadam has identified this challenge and responded with the Muleby System tank (MST) as a solution. The MST is a supply-and-install concrete reservoir.

Precast solution The concrete panels are precast in a controlled factory environment, with some of the best aggregates available. “Our casting facilities have been upgraded during the year and we commissioned two new casting lines, which enable us to cast a 17.3 m diameter reservoir in just one week,” says Liebenberg. “That is pretty amazing and cannot be beaten by any company in South Africa,” he adds. “With faster production and strict quality control, we have an even better product with a high resistance to corrosion and chemical attack. Relatively slender panels keep transport costs reasonable and can range up to 7 m high – not something that vanishes easily. This saves the client money while assisting in building much-needed reservoirs, helping the country meet tough water storage demands in a shorter time. The advantages are endless,” explains Liebenberg. Case study An MST was installed as a backup for a 6 Mℓ reservoir for the Siyabuswa community in the Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality, Mpumalanga. Aquadam was subcontracted by Ramotila Construction to manage and install the turnkey project. The project got under way last year and construction was completed in October 2015, with commissioning of pipes and water still to be finalised. “With the MST, an additional 6 Mℓ of water will be used to supply Siyabuswa’s residents with potable water. Residents have been experiencing regular water cuts and this product will solve these issues,” says Liebenberg. The MST will receive its water from the treatment plant not far from where the reservoir is situated, proving its contribution to save water for society’s ever-growing water demand. NOV/DEC 2015

MINE WATER

Slaking Congo-Kinshasa’s

copper thirst

HE KATANGA MINING company operates a large-scale copper-cobalt mine complex through its local subsidiary, Kamoto Copper Company SA (KCC), which is a joint venture with state-owned mining company La Génerale des Carrières et des Mines Sarl (Gécamines). The company briefed South African engineering firm Golder Associates Africa (part of the global Golder Associates brand) to conduct a chemical analysis of the water, thoroughly evaluate the existing treatment plant, and design a solution. The project offered several challenges, not least the remoteness of the Democratic Republic of the Congo site in Kolwezi.

Background

Kolwezi is an important mining centre for copper and cobalt in the DRC. The nearby Lake Nzilo was created by damming the Lualaba River to provide a source of hydroelectric power and a reservoir of water for the mining activities. Katanga Mining, which operates a major mine complex in the area, produces

Copper and cobalt production require considerable amounts of water treated to various standards on-site. In response to the need, one of Africa’s leading copper and cobalt producers in Congo-Kinshasa turned to South African engineering skills for a suitable longterm solution. refined copper and cobalt. It has the potential to become Africa’s largest copper producer and the world’s largest cobalt producer, and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: KAT). It operates the Kolwezi project through KCC. With the current upgrading and refurbishment of the existing mining complex, high-quality process water was required at various process areas. The adjacent workforce accommodation complex also needed high-quality potable water acceptable for general human consumption. It was during 2012 that KCC approached Golder Associates to assist with the challenges this presented.

Primary water treatment plant

The existing main water treatment plant, which serves the smelter and NOV/DEC 2015

metallurgical complex, had been in operation for almost 50 years and the treatment capacity was 25 MLD. The original plant design made provision for pH correction with lime, flocculation and coagulation, settling and clarification in a peripheral drive clarifier, gravity sand filtration filters, backwash and treated water transfer pump systems, and chemical make-up and dosing systems. The original plant was still partly in operation, manually – because the original control system, complete with mimic panels, had been bypassed. Golder’s specialists in water engineering, design, and construction undertook a complete and thorough evaluation and inspection. The existing concrete structures, which include the clarifier and gravity sand filtration beds, were

MINE WATER LEFT Katanga Mining proposed the open pit in which it stored the water pumped from underground and from active mining pits as an alternative source of water for its mining operations

still in very good condition and it was proposed that they be reused with minimal refurbishment. Katanga proposed the open pit in which they stored the water pumped from underground and from active mining pits as an alternative source of water for their mining operations. This water was found to be of a better quality than what was previously sourced from the nearby Luilu River, and the volume to be pumped into the upgraded main water treatment plant would be at an average rate of 1 050 m3/h, which is the design capacity of the plant. The engineering team designed a detailed water treatment process based on the analysis of water samples taken from the pit. This includes a new lime make-up and dosing system, the refurbishment of the gravity filtration system, and the upgrading of the existing clarifier. The upgrading of the clarifier includes a complete new overflow launder system from

EXISTING PLANT CHALLENGES

The existing main water treatment plant was about 50Â years old, which meant old pumps and pipes, as well as some mechanical and electrical equipment, were not working effectively. This revealed that the entire plant would have to be rebuilt and equipped with new mechanical and electrical equipment such as pipes, valves, pumps, electrical switchgear, instrumentation, and control equipment. The gravity sand filtration units would have to be refurbished completely with new filter nozzles, inlet control valves, and sand. There was no way the existing plant would serve the needs of the smelter and complex metallurgy of a mining operation with the potential of becoming one of the largest copper-cobalt producers. Yet another challenge generated by the remoteness of the site was the design of a plant fit for purpose in a remote area. This involved backup materials and equipment and, where possible, the choice of parts that conformed to those already used on the mine for other purposes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; i.e. equipment with which people were familiar and with parts in store.

3CR12 sheet metal. The refurbishment of the gravity filtration system comprises the replacement of all filter nozzles and filter media; the refurbished system operates automatically and includes the activation of the backwash cycles of each filter bed. New filter backwash pumps, air blowers, and treated water transfer pumps were installed complete with new valves and pipework. New electrical switchgear, instrumentation, and control equipment were supplied to support the newly developed control philosophy of the plant. NOV/DEC 2015

Care was taken to ensure that all the new mechanical and electrical equipment complies with the specifications and requirements applicable to the rest of the

MINE WATER CONTAINERISED POTABLE TREATMENT SUMMARY

Added to existing project challenges was the need to produce high-quality potable water for 1 300 people in the adjacent workforce accommodation and office complex. It is a measure of the project’s success that they pronounced the water “the sweetest ever tasted”. To address the need for high-quality potable water, a fully containerised water treatment plant was designed, manufactured, and assembled by Golder in South Africa. The water treatment plant mainly comprises a pressurised sand filtration and activated carbon contact system, ultrafiltration, and reverse osmosis. The two containers were then transported by road to the site in Kolwezi. Interconnecting pipework between the two containers, as well as external holding tanks, were assembled and installed on-site – they were simply delivered directly into the existing treated water holding tank where chlorine is added for disinfection. The potable water is then distributed to the office and accommodation area through the existing distribution pumping system. All labour and artisans were appointed by the mine. This project was overseen by Golder technical manager for site service Theo Erasmus, who was also responsible for the commissioning of the water treatment plants. After successful commissioning of both plants, all the local plant operators, maintenance personnel, and technical supervisors were trained and certified as a qualified maintenance and operational team.

LEFT Coper mines are notorious for being situated in particularly dry areas ABOVE Added to existing project challenges was the need to produce high-quality potable water for 1 300 people in the adjacent workforce accommodation and office complex

mine. This greatly facilitates sourcing and maintenance. All the new equipment was on-site by May last year and the installation and construction of the entire plant was completed three months later, and the works were commissioned. Providing full-time on-site supervision, Golder also prepared operating and maintenance manuals and provided training for the plant operators.

Containerised potable water treatment

The copper-cobalt mine complex includes a well-established office and accommodation for a workforce of nearly 1 000 construction workers and mine employees. There was an urgent need to provide high-quality drinking water and Golder specialises in manufacturing fully

pressurised sand filter units, activated carbon contact vessels, and pipework. The second container houses the ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis treatment systems and chemical dosing systems, as and self-maintained containerised water well as the electrical and control system. treatment plants capable of treating The completed containerised units various types of raw water to a desired were transported via road by Katanga’s standard and quality. They are designed logistics company. It took an average of as potable water treatment plants, sew17 days to reach the Kolwezi site, where age or wastewater treatment plants, or interconnecting pipework between the mine water treatment two containers and plants for use in remote Katanga Mining external holding tanks mining camps and has the potential were assembled and exploration sites. to become Africa's installed. Katanga’s For Katanga Mining, local civil contractors largest copper Golder’s engineers constructed reindesigned and manufac- producer and the forced concrete slabs tured a plant that would world's largest on which the containfit into two standard cobalt producer ers were positioned. 12 m freight containers The entire plant is also so as to facilitate their transport to the fenced off from the rest of the process remote area. area; only the trained operators and The first container houses the pretreatmaintenance staff are permitted access. ment system, which comprises pumps, With the two containers now forming a NOV/DEC 2015

MINE WATER

single operational unit, the system receives treated water from the refurbished main water treatment plant. Alternatively, feedwater to the potable water treatment plant can also be received from two boreholes drilled in the vicinity. The permeate water from the reverse osmosis treatment system is delivered directly into the existing treated water holding tank, where chlorine is added for disinfection. The potable water is then finally distributed to the office and accommodation area with the existing distribution pumping system.

Challenges and opportunities

Although the remoteness of the plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s site posed several challenges, Golder was determined not to let this, in any way, compromise its enduring commitment to provide added value and creative solutions. Designing the plant to incorporate the parts and spares already used in the mineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily operations complemented the training Golder provided to the people tasked with running and maintaining it, while providing an integrated logistical solution at the same time. Katanga Miningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effective management and well-established logistical systems also proved integral to the success of the project, and the combined effort saw all the equipment transported to site in just 17 days. The detailed attention they paid to the project activities enabled the project consultants and contractors to seamlessly carry out the work, within time limits and available budgets.

Conclusion

The Katanga Mining treatment plants projects can be viewed as successful, as they were finished on time and within budget. Both projects were executed fully by the Construction Services BU of Golder Africa, assisted by the Process and Water Engineering BU team. NOV/DEC 2015

MINE WATER

Mine water solutions

Getting the job done right What is your experience in providing mine water solutions for the Southern African market?

HS The market ranges from dewatering existing mines to treating and decanting acidic mine water from old mining operations. Treating water impacted by mining operations is often a last resort for mining companies but it is crucial for enabling continuous, environmentally compliant mining operations. The most accepted solution for mine water treatment entails membrane-based technologies, making QFS ideally suited to provide equipment

The treatment of mine water requires highly specialised services to ensure client expectations Given the current are met. Herman Smit, managing strain on South African commodities, how director of Quality Filtration important is water Systems (QFS), talks to FRANCES pollution prevention to the average RINGWOOD about what it mine manager? takes to get the job In my opinion, this should be extremely high on any mine done right. for these projects. QFS has installed numerous ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) plants in Southern Africa, providing an excellent local reference base.

NOV/DEC 2015

MINE WATER

OFS PRODUCT OFFERINGS

Herman Smit, managing director, Quality Filtration Systems

manager's priority list. Water, unlike electricity, cannot be supplemented or replaced by an alternative source. Water reuse is not only a responsible and ethical business practice, it is required for long-term planning and sustainability.

What, in your opinion, is the biggest water-related challenge facing South African mines?

All of the practical daily issues come to mind – for example, water intrusion

Ultrafiltration: QFS is the representative for global water specialists Evoqua Water Technologies. Recommended for this filtration method are Memcor’s membrane technologies. These membranes provide a reliable barrier against par ticles and microorganisms, producing water that meets consistent quality standards. The process also reduces the presence of disinfectant by-products. Reverse osmosis: QFS manufactures custom-designed RO membranes for different end uses. Membrane qualities can var y, as can operating conditions, which is why it’s impor tant to supply a solution responding to the exact chemical composition of the water being treated. Other factors that affect membrane design and per formance include the flow rate and required final quality of the outflow. Nanofiltration: This method is most frequently used for softening water for industrial processes. For these plants, as with others, QFS has the capacity to supply turnkey projects to ensure mechanical systems run smoothly.

and water stabilisation. In my opinion, the historical backlog seems like an unassailable task to the mines. Beyond that, other practical challenges include managing liquid wastes or brines, since salts cannot be destroyed, only converted into different forms or concentrated into smaller volumes for disposal at hazardous landfill disposal sites.

What are market best practices for managing mine water?

Membrane-based technologies are commonly accepted as the best way to reach a zero liquid discharge (ZLD). The most frequently used approach to ZLD is using costly thermal evaporation technology. Reducing salts is essential for successful ZLD treatments.

How might treatment options differ for coal, gold, copper, or platinum mining?

Water qualities differ between coal mines. There is no one-stop solution and, thus, specific designs and equipment for every treatment solution are required.

With so much of the current market activity happening north of South Africa’s borders, what are the logistical challenges for getting South NOV/DEC 2015

African treatment technologies into the rest of Africa?

QFS has developed pre-engineered skid-based units, forming modular units to reduce on-site installation time. This approach allows for FAT (factory acceptance testing) in South Africa before shipment.

Mines don’t lend themselves to a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach when it comes to water treatment. How does QFS manage the early stages of client engagement to ensure the right solution for a specific mine?

Water analyses and characterisation, linked to an extensive study, are vitally important for the correct design base. Fluctuations in water quality and flows can only be determined over a period of a few months.

What strategies do you recommend for keeping water treatment costs down while offering the best environmental performance?

QFS investigates international trends and works with world-leading technology suppliers to provide the Southern African market with the best technologies available. Although some of the advanced technologies might not be the best capex solution, a 10-year life cycle costing will prove this to be the best opex and, thus, a sustainable solution.

www.qualityfilters.co.za

WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Revolution solution A

In a water-stressed world, the direct reuse of wastewater S DISCUSSED IN the first part of this two-part article, the using enhanced filtration may be the best means water for reuse could come of securing supply sustainability. In the last issue of from various sources. The most abundant source currently available is Water&Sanitation Africa, Part I of this article looked wastewater. Major centralised recycling at ways to gain public acceptance. Part II looks at schemes will need to access large quantities of wastewater, which, in practice, mechanical methods. BY DR HENDRIK VAN RHIJN* will mean wastewater from sewage treatment plants (STPs). In many cases, sewer systems have been designed to maximise gravity flow and, hence, sewage treatment plants are often sited at low-lying areas, often away from major consumers. Generally, major distribution infrastructure will be required to deliver the recycled water to consumers. On a positive note, there is often available land adjacent to STPs due to the FIGURE 1 Schematic provision of buffer zones overview of the around STPs that have been Bedok water established to address conrecycling process cerns about odours. used for the production of The sewer network New Water provides multiple opportunities for recycling, at a smaller scale, at locations treatment configuration or membrane if one unit process fails, the remaining close to intended consumers. This bio-reactor configuration. Greater steps will produce a safe product. process was originally known as sewer application of reverse osmosis (RO) mining but is now more commonly International case studies technology to wastewater recycling called water mining. Most water and In the US, Virginia’s Upper Occoquan applications has provided a proven wastewater engineers know that techSewage Authority (UOSA) began reand reliable means of achieving a very nology is rarely the limiting factor; the claiming wastewater for discharge as a high quality of product water with an knowledge exists to take almost any source of indirect potable supply into almost complete elimination of bacteria quality of wastewater and treat it to the 40 gigalitre Occoquan Reservoir in and viruses. create any specific quality of product 1978. This reservoir supplies up to one RO also allows the treatment of higher water. However, in recent years, the million people in Northern Virginia and, total dissolved solids (TDS) wastewidespread deployment of certain in droughts, receives up to 90% of its waters. RO has the advantage that, technologies has improved the acceptwater from the reclaimed supply, which through the online measurement of ance of water recycling. typically represents 15% of the reserpressure and conductivity, it is possible Fine filtration voir volume. The current technology to maintain a high level of confidence The use of micro- and ultrafiltration involves secondary treatment, followed in the integrity of the membranes at (MF and UF) has provided a proven and by high lime treatment, clarification, reany point in time. The combination of reliable way of achieving a high-quality carbonation, sand filtration, granulated MF or UF with RO and a disinfection product with substantial levels of bacactivated carbon (GAC), ion exchange, process allows engineers to develop teria and virus removal. This technoloand chlorination. Negative health a very robust treatment train, with gy can be deployed in either a tertiary effects have never been recorded. multiple barriers to pathogens. So, even 28

NOV/DEC 2015

WASTEWATER TREATMENT Ongoing quality monitoring is carried by MF to remove suspended solids, priout by an independent panel. or to demineralisation with RO. As a last Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, step, the RO permeate is disinfected is in an area of low rainfall and high via ultraviolet irradiation. Two parallel evaporation, with a 5 MLD RO trains are limited catchment. It The combination provided, each fitted has exploited all sur- of treatments with thin-film aromatic face water resources composite provides multiple polyamide within 500 km, maxmembranes configured imum groundwater barriers to for 80% to 85% recovuse has been achieved, pathogens, so ery in a three-stage demand management even if one unit array, followed by three policies are in place, units in series. The process fails, the UV and – following the general layout is shown establishment of the remaining steps in Figure 1. first experimental will produce a New approaches direct potable plant in safe product There are real culturally 1969 – now depends and religiously based concerns about on a direct recycled potable supply. The the recycling of wastewater for human original plant was built with secondary use and also less-specific concerns, treatment followed by algae flotation, which can be characterised as the foam fractionation, chemical clarifica‘yuck’ factor. For recycling schemes that tion, sand filtration, GAC, and chloringo beyond industrial or agricultural ation. This would no longer be seen as use and serve the wider public, it is an acceptable treatment production important to manage the social pertrain and the plant has been upgraded four times. It currently comprises improved secondary treatment followed by pre-ozonation (for iron and manganese removal), dissolved air flotation, sand filtration, ozonation, GAC, ultrafiltration, and chlorination. Epidemiological studies have shown no increased incidence of illness or disease associated with this water recovery and reuse practice. Singapore, being a small island, has a very limited catchment, and imports half of its water from Malaysia. The continuity of this supply is subject to periodic bilateral renegotiation, which leaves the country in an insecure long-term position. Singapore is examining the use of desalination as a future resource, FIGURE 2 A typical GWR scheme but already commissioned a demonstration water respective. The New Water programme in cycling plant in May 2000 to produce Singapore is an example of a well-manrecycled ‘NEWater’ at its Bedok STP, aged programme where the public was based on the recommendations of the informed and educated about the use National Research Council, USA. of recycled water over an extended peWater to the demonstration plant is riod of time. As a consequence, there has clarified secondary effluent from an acbeen a high level of public acceptance. tivated sludge treatment process. The Examples of reuse projects can be effluent is first microscreened, followed NOV/DEC 2015

found in every state of Australia. The largest residential dual-reticulation wastewater reuse scheme can be found in the Rouse Hill development area in Sydney. Since 2001, residents in the development have been supplied with recycled water for toilet flushing, garden watering, and firefighting. This initiative resulted from an agreement between landholders and the New South Wales government to pursue the concept of integrated water-cycle management. Its aim was to reduce the export of sediment and nutrients to the HawkesburyNepean river system. Another well-known reuse project, also in Sydney, was the Water Reclamation and Management Scheme at Homebush Bay, the site of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Wastewater generated from the Olympic venue facilities and Newington Athletes Village was collected, treated, and reused for non-potable purposes. The water was used for toilet flushing and watering lawns, gardens, and parks around the Olympic venues

and facilities, as well as at the Athletes Village. Other residential, non-potable water reuse schemes include New Haven and Mawson Lakes in South Australia. A less successful example was the Toowoomba experience in Australia. In this case, a referendum was held in a highly politicised environment,

WASTEWATER TREATMENT and agricultural users, and also to supplement When the city of Sydney compared recycling with drinking water supplies desalination, the desalination option gave a lower through Wivenhoe net present value. The reason, in this case, was that Dam. To date, this is the it was considered socially unacceptable to directly largest recycled water recycle water into the potable supply; therefore, the scheme in Australia. recycling option included a substantial pipeline and pumping scheme to return the recycled (purified) waThe acceptance in ter to a major storage dam about 50 km away. It was Brisbane may be attribconsidered that returning water to the storage from uted, at least in part, to where it would mix with natural rainfall and run-off the fact that the public before entering the public water supply system and had been well informed then pass through the main potable water filtration about serious impendplant would be acceptable; however, it was also ing water shortages and expensive and, ultimately, not implemented. accepted that measures had to be taken, whethwith a consequent rejection of the er in the form of unpopular dams, expenproposed scheme. Interestingly, a sive desalination, or recycling. The answer much bigger scheme – the Western in Brisbane’s case was a combination of all Corridor Recycled Water Project – was of these. successfully implemented in nearby In a simple comparison, it is expected Brisbane with much less public outcry. that recycling will be more cost-effective, In 2009, the Queensland government largely because the energy costs for desalcompleted a AU$2.5 billion water grid ination (thermal or membrane processes) to treat and supply recycled water to is high compared with costs of treating South East Queensland. This water is water for recycling. Even if RO-quality used by the region’s three main power recycled water is required, the lower feed stations, industrial TDS of wastewater, compared to seawater, will require lower RO plant pressures. So, recycling will still be favoured.

DIRECT USE VS DESALINATION

This may vary due to specific local factors; e.g. if there is no existing wastewater treatment, then the cost of a recycling facility is much greater. This is because the requirement is then for a complete biological, physical, and disinfection treatment train rather than a (standard) physical and disinfection process train only being required when the feed water is secondary or tertiary treated wastewater.

Conclusion

Water recycling and reuse will continue to be an important part of the mix of available water resources for an increasing number of locations around the world. Proven technical solutions exist for all forms of reuse, even up to and beyond potable standards. However, no reuse project – no matter how technologically advanced or cost-effective – can be successful without the essential ingredient of public acceptance. Future challenges are most likely to arise around meeting the requirements of greater regulation and control, and managing the social and cultural aspects of reuse. These include a greater acceptance of reuse in domestic applications and the social dislocation caused as finite resources are increasingly allocated on their perceived value and a willingness to pay.

*Dr

Filtering new pollutants

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products present in waste streams intended for reuse may potentially be removed by a variety of conventional and developing technologies, including biological wastewater treatment, adsorption on porous media (including deep bed filters and subsur face aquifer material), coagulant and activated carbon addition, oxidation (including advanced oxidation) processes, UV degradation, and membrane separation.

NOV/DEC 2015

Hendrik van Rhijn is the manager: Water at WorleyParsons.

ME TERING

Smart water savings Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) can assist large commercial users to save hundreds of thousands of rands on their utility bills, as well as conserve precious water. Given the current drought conditions in the country, the adoption of such new technologies is more urgent than ever. BY FRANCES RINGWOOD

OUTH AFRICA’S WATER shortages have now reached crisis levels and the same is true for all of the country’s Southern African neighbours. This was confirmed in October this year, when Rand Water South Africa’s biggest bulk supplier – and its associated municipalities, jointly announced that “persistent high temperatures in Rand Water’s area of supply continue to strain its bulk water supply system. The lack of rainfall in Gauteng is exacerbating the situation.” It was also pointed out that high water demand will cause localised problems in the City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. AMI provides a solution that can make a real difference to South Africa’s water conservation effort. The system allows for two-way communication between a smart utility meter with an Internet Protocol (IP) address and a utility company. The ultimate advantage of AMI is that it allows large users, including commercial and industrial (C&I) entities, to monitor and control consumption. A smart meter is an essential component of an AMI system. The benefits of the technology have already been seen in South Africa’s energy sector, specifically in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM). Mark Wilson, head: Energy Division, EMM, explains the benefits of this type of technology for the energy market, which also apply to the water sector. “A smart meter is better suited to a large customer, due to the fact that loads are switchable

and can be managed in real time. It’s all online, so customers can login, review half-hourly consumption rates, and make plans in terms of shifting loads and adopting timeuse tariffs. “The software for those meters is now being developed further, in order to track outages, and the system will be fully operational in the next two years.”

Basil Bold, a South African smart metering expert, relates his positive experience with household AMI. “In my opinion this is probably one of the most effective demand management tools for consumers, particularly with

Mesh versus point-to-multipoint network systems

Wilson also points out that the system has shown a drastic improvement in the revenues being collected by the municipality, even when rolled out to human settlements – a type of service area where non-payment of utility bills is usually more common. In addition, domestic applications offer a further avenue for water saving; NOV/DEC 2015

the advent of smart meters. Having detailed consumption information allows one to remove guesswork and to apply simple and rational measures to restrict consumption,” explains Bold.

AMI to manage the water crisis

Of course, there are limits to how much technology can achieve, as its focus is

ME TERING to prevent water wastage. Government providing real-time, online monitoring of technology and the results have already water consumption. has identified water conservation and proven that massive water savings can be Other measures taken for managing demand-side management (WC/DSM) as achieved. In March this year, Woolworths the retail chain’s consumption include: the single most effective method for preannounced a reduction in its utility bill venting water shortages. • watering gardens before sunrise or after Already, a suite of skills deATTRIBUTES OF AVERAGE WATER velopment programmes, sunset, to minimise CHANNELISED LICENSED QUALITY ACROSS ALL technology development evaporation SPECTRUM AMI NETWORKS THREE BASINS initiatives and other WC/ • giving vehicles a • Modelled on proven cellular • Traffic type and priority must be DSM plans have been put regular wipe-down throttled by a master scheduler architecture into place, and, if rolled with a dry microfibre • Fixed baud rate, not variable • Independent for ward and out strategically, AMI has cloth, to avoid unnecmatched to environment reply with full duplex for essary washing a significant role to play in • System expandability and each channel these developments. • always closing leakscalability is limited to adding • Channels can be added ing taps Just looking at the collectors to create via remote configuration • managing washing energy saving it has allocalised WANs without adding collectors ready achieved has been water efficiently; • One large channel (using • Channel size and enough evidence for both using biodegradable frequency-hopping, spreadcorresponding endpoint the City of Johannesburg detergent in dish spectrum transmissions) is configurations can be set to the highest transmission and the City of Cape Town washers so chemicals managed remotely rate, which lowers transmission • Applications can be to begin researching the do not pollute the range and requires endpoints physically isolated benefits of the technolwater system to communicate via a • No application contention ogy, rolling out small, • being conscious of mesh network conflicts localised case studies. every drop. • Applications that rely on low • Mesh networks are driven by However, no municipality All these measpoll and response, creating latency can have predictable ures, together, saw in South Africa has yet outage and priority event delays and reliable round-trip Woolworths saving targeted C&I entities • The effective size of a large, per formance of less than 86% of its monthly and SMMEs for such single channel diminishes with five seconds water bill from January intentions, even though the number of hops in each • Channels do not have to 2014 to January these customers could mesh network created by an create or rebuild broken individual collector this year. In total, transmission paths like achieve the most signif• Changes in mesh routing over mesh networks must do; icant results in terms of 24 kilolitres of water time, due to environment channels from adjacent water savings. were saved. changes, cannot provide collectors can overlap, However, at least predictable, long-term creating redundancy without Learning from one large supermarket per formance self-healing delays others’ lessons chain has adopted AMI Savings can be maximised by choosing the right AMI networks and this is where South as a result of “moving to Africa stands to benefit from the experisophisticated water monitoring, which revealed a ences of other AMI providers and municipal bodies around the world to make the surprising amount of water best network choices. lost through an extensive In a White Paper titled 'Next Generation matrix of leaks, hidden from AMI: Utilities Benefit from Optimising AMI view, beneath stores.” The Network Operation Using Multi-Channel company now works with Allocation', published by Sensus, the worldwide smart metering brand, a case is made for the adoption of “channelised licensed spectrum AMI networks” as opposed to “single-channel unlicensed spectrum mesh AMI networks”. property developers and Making an informed choice requires landlords to repair these some basic knowledge about recent leaks and improve water AMI developments. billing. The pulse-enabled Although AMI is more advanced in counmeters installed at 360 tries like the US and the UK (due largely to stores have the capability of

Government has identified water conservation and demand-side management as the single most effective method for preventing water shortages

NOV/DEC 2015

ME TERING nationwide initiatives to lower consumption), the technology still has to evolve and innovate in these markets to handle the complex data-driven solutions that are fast becoming the staples of modern, efficient municipalities and other utilities. According to the White Paper, some of these processes include supervisory control and data acquisition systems, distribution automation and demand response. The authors go on to point out that, as the technology has progressed, two wireless AMI network models have dominated the market: •g overnment-licensed spectrum networks, used on a point-to-multipoint network •a n unlicensed spectrum carried over a mesh network. Licensed spectrum point-to-multipoint networks work bi-directionally for multiple clients. In contrast, an unlicensed spectrum carried over a mesh network allows different end-points to store, receive and transmit signals to one another, relaying repeaters to signal back to the data collection unit. The drawback of the second method, the authors state, is that it slows down the rate at which data can be collected and it also relies on endpoint modules being situated close enough together to be able to communicate. The White Paper authors further add that, before AMI was widely accepted – when its predecessor, automated meter reading, was the dominant smart metering architecture – unlicensed spectrum radio was the preferred network because it cut out the need for a licence application, ostensibly lowering total cost of ownership (TCO).

Comparative benefits of different AMI networks

Basil Bold adds, “Unlicensed spectrum radio also has a wider appeal in South Africa, due to the current, local shortage of frequency spectrum.” However, according to 'Next Generation AMI', the limitations of these networks soon became apparent and, when the TCO of a more reliable, scalable multipoint to-spectrum network was calculated, it proved to be more beneficial from a cost and operational point of view. An added advantage is that the government organisation with whom the network is registered holds ultimate responsibility for the security of a licensed network, thereby reducing security costs. The White Paper makes the statement that next-generation AMI is already here. It suggests that it is built on licensed

Since South Africa will launch these technologies on a more or less clean slate, local users can start off adopting the best systems

spectrums, serving as a dedicated and secure two-way communications network, enabling wide coverage capable of reception from and by all points in an infrastructure system.

Embracing next-generation AMI

The benefits of next-generation AMI are clear: it allows for utilities to meet future technology growth needs posed by complex data management tasks, including supervisory control and data acquisition systems, distribution automation and demand response. The integrity and quality of the data on these networks is also better and subject to fewer outages and delays. For overseas users, the only way for unlicensed channels to keep up is to join up with channelised licensed spectrum AMI networks. However, since South Africa will launch these technologies on a more or less clean slate, the need to retrofit outdated networks can be avoided and local users can start off adopting the best systems.

NOV/DEC 2015

Change that doesn’t cost the earth Water solutions: I-CAT recognises that water is a precious and scarce commodity. Water effluent management is not only important but also financially viable. I-CAT offers the following solutions: • technology development and implementation • wastewater treatment and management systems • water softeners and activated carbon vessels • water footprint analysis and management • system development for water recycling • ultra and micro filtration systems • reverse osmosis systems • screen filters 086 112 ICAT www.i-cat.co.za

WAT E R S

PROFILE

ITH THE ANTICIPATED growth in water production noted by Rand Water over the next three years, base chemicals manufacturer NCP Chlorchem has made a multimillion-rand investment in a total of 100 new chlorine drums phased in over the next two years. These new drums will be dedicated to servicing the Rand Water chlorine-demand increase associated with growth in water production.

Inspiring chemistry for bulk supply

Expansion plan

NCP Chlorchem’s official distributor, Metsichem International, is contracted to Rand Water to manage and supply chlorine to the various Rand Water production sites, as well as the booster stations. The high degree of efficiency with which Metsichem International is managing the flagship contract has led to the need for NCP Chlorchem to invest in new chlorine drums to keep pace with the expected growth in chlorine demand. NCP Chlorchem recently announced that the first consignment of new chlorine

drums, manufactured locally in South Africa by Arlec Engineering to the requirements of the Rand Water sites, has been delivered to NCP’s Chloorkop site. This batch of 40 chlorine drums will be readied for deployment within the coming weeks. Manufacturing of the next consignment of 40 chlorine drums will commence such that delivery to NCP Chlorchem will take place in the first half

of 2016 and the final 20 chlorine drums will be received by NCP Chlorchem in the second half of 2016.

Ongoing commitment

NCP Chlorchem’s investment in the necessary asset base to continue to provide a high level of service to Rand Water clearly demonstrates its commitment to the chemicals business and its prestigious client.

NOV/DEC 2015

Give Water,

Give Life www.ncp.co.za A leading manufacturer of chlorine, caustic soda and chlor alkali derivatives HEAD OFFICE Tel: +27 11 921-3111 Fax: +27 11 976-4736 General Enquiries: Info@ncp.co.za NCP KWAZULU NATAL Tel: +27 31 782-7800 Fax: +27 31 782-1111 Emergency: 082 332 1297 CUSTOMER SERVICES DEPARTMENT Tel: +27 11 921-3111 Emergency: +27 11 976-2115 / +27 11 921-3333 Orders: JHB - orders@ncp.co.za KZN - kznorders@ncp.co.za

Panel Discussion featuring

Containerised, modular and packaged treatment plants

• Aqua Resources SA

• Rare Group

• Multotec Group

• Veolia Water Technologies SA

• NuWater

• Famsystem Technologies

NOV/DEC 2015

UF Technology Taking you where you want to go Ask about containerised solutions today. Your contact in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa Region: susan@aquar.co.za www.inge.basf.com

PANEL DISCUSSION AQUA RESOURCES SA What products and technological solutions do you offer for water purification in remote areas?

• pre-treatment of sea water in desalination plants • treatment and reuse of wastewater.

Susan Cole Managing Director

pressure (TMP) operation •e nergy consumption – our hydro-dynamically optimised modules mean efficient

• easy detection of defective modules

technology, a membrane process

How do you assist industrial and mining clients to improve their environmental footprint?

• c hemicals consumption –

procedures allow operation at

used to treat potable-, process-,

Using Inge UF to reuse waste- or

our solutions promise no

low TMP, which means lower

waste-, and sea water. Aqua

process water from industrial

irreversible fouling, which

energy consumption and lower

Resources SA is Inge’s exclusive

and mining operations means

equates to efficient cleaning

clean-in-place frequency is

distributor for sub Saharan Africa.

a reduction in the volume of

and lower chemical use

required. We offer system design

Their highly efficient modules and

wastewater reaching rivers, and

cost-effective, space saving rack

potable water can be utilised

deliver superior mechanical

designs are core components of

elsewhere. The client becomes a

strength, virtually eliminating

water treatment plants.

SC Inge, a division of chemistry giant BASF, provides patented Multibore ultrafiltration (UF)

cleaning (for a pH range between 1 and 13) and lower energy use

•m aintenance – multibore fibres

self-sufficient water user and the

fibre breakage and reducing

To make it easier for system

environmental impact of their

plant maintenance.

integrators to use our products,

waste is reduced or eliminated.

our modules are designed to be called T-Racks. This modular

What sets your offering apart from the rest?

system offers great flexibility.

• plug-and-play T-Rack

assembled into compact racks

Integrating the header pipes in

installation – easy to assemble

the module end-caps enables us

and easy to add more modules

to position the modules closer

• hydro-dynamically optimised

How do your Multibore fibres improve downtime, and operation and maintenance costs? • f ull protection against biological contamination • full protection of following

•n o filtrate contamination through leaking seals. Fully automatic cleaning

support through our technical service experts.

Where can clients secure spare parts, what are turnaround times like, and what kind of after-sales service do you offer? Stock is available at Inge, in Germany, and can be shipped worldwide by sea or air freight. After-sales services include: • review of piping and

together in the rack. This space-

modules guarantee highest

treatment steps

instrumentation, and UF

saving design gives the T-Rack

performance

(reverse osmosis)

plant layout, and functional

a footprint that is up to 60% smaller than conventional rack designs. By using standardised components, we have made our

• shipping of components enables reduced transport costs and risk of damage by shipping • compact rack design enables

new rack into a fully scalable

cost-effective, integrated

modular solution. The maximum

solutions and reduces

rack size of 80 modules provides

footprint, providing

up to 4800 m2 (51 686 ft2) of

significant capex and

membrane area, a big cost

opex benefits.

•m ore forgiving in rough operating conditions •n o additional equipment necessary

description • s tart-up supervision and operation optimisation • t roubleshooting.

•e asy access for maintenance

savings in civil works.

treatment is required. These

How do your solutions reduce clients’ operational costs and deliver business value?

plants can be fully automated,

Our various solutions

monitored, and remotely

reduce operational costs

controlled by a programmable

in a number of ways,

logic controller.

for example:

For remote areas, the T-Rack 3.0 S product range can be containerised and can, therefore, be situated wherever water

• our membrane and

What type of applications can these UF membranes be used for?

module designs boast

Inge UF membranes are the ideal

complete modified

technology for:

polyethersulfone fibre,

• production of potable and

creating an effective

www.aqua-resources.co.za

homogenous pore distribution along the

process water from surface-,

backwash and low

well-, and spring water

transmembrane

ABOVE Inge’s Mutibore membrane LEFT Inge’s T-Rack 3.0 S modular system

NOV/DEC 2015

PANEL DISCUSSION

MULTOTEC GROUP

Carien van der Walt Process Engineer

The Multotec Group offers a wide range of products and services for mine water treatment. What are some of your solutions and what types of process water are they geared to treat?

and brine production. The

This technology is also a natural

Downtime is limited, due to

high solids-handling capability

progression of Multotec’s current

the fact that CIF can operate

of CIF, due to the continuous

line of solid-liquid separation

under highly fouling and

movement and external washing

equipment. Multotec currently

scaling conditions and does not

of the resin, also means that

provides filter presses, screw

require regular cleaning, as is

CIF can handle in-column

presses, and centrifuges to the

the case with RO. The system

precipitation and, therefore,

water and wastewater treatment

is also fully automated and

CvdW Multotec’s proprietary

has the ability to regenerate

industry. These technologies are

remote monitoring can be

new technology for process

using low-cost chemicals such

complementary, especially when

incorporated, reducing the

water treatment, Continuous

as lime and sulfuric acid. CIF can

incorporating CIF into a zero

need for operator intervention.

Ionic Filtration (CIF), can be

operate under highly fouling

liquid-discharge solution where

utilised in various different

and scaling conditions without

sludge handling and dewatering

configurations to treat a wide

the requirement for extensive

are critical.

range of process waters. For

pretreatment. Ultimately, the

example, when treating acidic,

CIF process allows treatment

sulfate-dominant mine water, a

at high water recoveries, with

dual-stage CIF system, known

comparatively lower operating

as DeSAlx, is used, following

and capital costs.

What features of your solutions reduce downtime as well as operation and maintenance costs?

Could you provide more detail about CIF in terms of treatment capacity, standards, and durability? The CIF technology can be built in both modular and mobile configurations. A single-stage

As mentioned, the counter-

CIF unit can be containerised in

current movement of

modules of 0.5 MLD to 1 MLD.

resins reduces the reagent

For over 5 MLD applications, we

stream. This is only possible

How does this technology complement the rest of your market offering?

consumption required for

recommend the construction

due to the novel design of the

Multotec promotes sustainability

regeneration. Additionally, CIF

of a free-standing plant. The

CIF columns and the ability to

in all industries in which it

has very low power consumption

containerised units are fully

handle in-column precipitation.

operates and this product

in comparison with some other

automated and typically

Single-stage CIF can also be used

provides an environmentally

water treatment technologies,

consist of one container for the

to recover a wide range of target

friendly solution for its customers.

such as reverse osmosis (RO).

CIF columns and a separate

conventional precipitation, to achieve zero liquid discharge by incorporating a brine recycle

metals from effluent streams and

container for the process tanks.

tailings water, or to selectively

The units are piped, wired, and

remove contaminants, such as

ready to operate, requiring only

nitrates, from process water.

one to two days to facilitate site connections before being

Could you please expand on the CIF system and its benefits?

fully operational.

The CIF process can be likened to

Lastly, how does CIF technology handle the changing feed conditions frequently experienced in mining and industrial applications?

continuous sand filtration – the

The CIF technology is highly

principal difference being that,

flexible and can be adjusted

Multotec partnered with Australian company Clean TeQ to bring the novel, patented CIF technology to the African market.

with CIF, charged resins are used instead of sand and the process continuously removes dissolved salts in addition to suspended solids. The continuous movement of the resin is performed counter-currently to the movement of the solution, which creates a concentration gradient that naturally drives the ion exchange reaction, thereby reducing reagent consumption

“The high solids-handling capability of CIF, due to the continuous movement and external washing of the resin, also means that CIF can handle in-column precipitation and, therefore, has the ability to regenerate using lowcost chemicals such as lime and sulfuric acid.” NOV/DEC 2015

according to changing feed conditions simply by adjusting the rate of resin transfer, thereby increasing or decreasing the loading time accordingly. This can be incorporated into the automation system, which means that the process will automatically adjust the resin transfer rate and, thereby, maintain the desired product water quality.

NOV/DEC 2015

Modular, rapidly deployable, scalable and affordable wastewater treatMent solutions.

Whether you prefer to buy or rent, NuWater offers a complete range of services to get your wastewater treated.

info@nuwaterglobal.com

+27 21 531 0641

www.nuwaterglobal.com

PANEL DISCUSSION NUWATER What products and technological solutions do you offer for water purification in remote areas?

Martin Lyons Project Manager

which are difficult and time-

capital investment

consuming to deliver.

and technology, and the operational risks normally associated

deployable, and redeployable,

How do you assist industrial and mining clients to improve their environmental footprint?

water and wastewater

Mine wastewater, often referred

sharing performance

treatment solutions, as well as

to as acid mine drainage,

risk with our

both brackish and seawater

presents a major risk to the

customers ensures

desalination solutions. NuWater

groundwater and surface water

the right balance

pioneered completely modular

sources we all rely on. Apart

between cost, value,

and mobile large-capacity

from the need to neutralise the

and reliability.

advanced filtration and

pH of mine wastewater, the

desalination plants, extending

removal of dissolved salts is

to capacities of 20 million litres

critical in preventing pollution

per day (MLD) and larger. The

of high-quality water sources.

company designs and builds

NuWater’s flexible, modular

What services do you offer for reducing downtime and operations and maintenance costs?

its plants and offers a range

and mobile solutions allow our

NuWater’s experience in building,

of financing, and operations

mining clients to respond quickly

owning, and operating advanced

and maintenance services. We

to changing water chemistry

treatment and desalination

establish long-term relationships

and treatment capacity

plants for exacting customers

with our customers and work

requirements without the

means that we have had to

with them to help them

normally associated investment

better understand their water

and operational interuptions.

ML NuWater offers rapidly

with advanced water treatment plants. NuWater’s model of

NuWater’s modular and mobile solutions allow clients to respond to changing water chemistry and treatment capacity requirements with agility and flexibility

and wastewater treatment can optimise related costs and

What sets your offering apart from the rest?

ensure reliability.

Apart from our high-capacity

requirements such that they

modular and mobile plants

What type of applications can they be used for?

being technologically superior

NuWater has a strong focus

we also view our offering as

on large-scale industrial

a complete service, including

applications, such as mine

operations and maintenance

wastewater treatment. Our

services, and financing solutions.

solutions, however, are

This allows us to tailor solutions

directly relevant to municipal

for our customers that fit within

applications and smaller

their operational and financial

adopt and entrench quality

American’s New Vaal Colliery

applications such as residential,

constraints.

and training in everything we

continues to set the standard

do. This extends beyond plant

for efficiency and reliability. This

design and build quality, to

is a completely modular and

the provision of operations

redeployable plant that is capable

and maintenance services. This

of treating and desalinating up to

widely distributed to ensure the

How do your solutions reduce clients’ operational costs and deliver business value?

helps eliminate unscheduled

20 MLD of water.

rapid delivery of these services

Water treatment, while often

maintenance and related

and ensure the flexibility to

critically important to our

downtime, and the associated

respond to changing treatment

customers, is generally not core

direct and indirect costs

What kind of after-sales service do you offer?

requirements. NuWater’s new

to their businesses. This means

that result.

NuWater ensures that spare

range of completely modular,

that NuWater is, in most cases,

rapidly deployable, sewage

better equipped to provide

treatment solutions has gained

affordable and reliable operations

immediate market share

and maintenance services for

by addressing this need for

to those of our competitors,

hotel, and commercial developments. We believe that water and wastewater infrastructure needs to be more

parts are readily available for all our plants. This is

the plant. Our ability to finance

Of all your installations, which of your plants do you consider particularly efficient?

distributed solutions, rather

the treatment solutions relieves

NuWater’s advanced filtration

understand the costs and

than those that are centralised,

our customers of the upfront

and desalination plant at Anglo

implications of downtime.

NOV/DEC 2015

particularly important, as we own and operate many of our plants and, therefore,

Water Treatment

Rare Water Treatment offers tailor made electrochemical treatment solutions that can easily be conďŹ gured and installed together with conventional treatment processes to offer treatment for a wide variety of applications. Fast implementation and small footprint allows plants to be installed and maintained with minimal impact and cost.

HEAD OFFICE: 011 906 8000 RARE PLASTICS: 016 362 2868 info@rare.co.za I www.rare.co.za

PANEL DISCUSSION RARE GROUP

Hennie Roets Director

Can you please provide readers with a little background about your company? HR The Rare Group is a JSE

selective because the applied

AltX-listed company that

electric current flowing through

has been active in the fluid

our tailor-made electrodes can

conveyance industry for the past

be controlled to attack specific

40 years. We are manufacturers

bonds and target pollutants,

of high-density polyethylene

thus avoiding the production of

pipe systems and importers of

unwanted by-products.

steel pipes, fittings, and flanges

Additionally, the small

to which we add value for the

footprint, simplicity of use,

petrochemical, mining, and

and reduced (or no) chemical

industrial market segments. We

purchase ensures that the

also design and install slurry pipe

capital outlay and operational

systems for the mining industry.

costs for Rare’s technology

Additionally, since 2012, the

are relatively inexpensive

Rare Group has had access

in comparison to its non-

to unique water treatment

electrochemical counterparts.

technology that makes use of

Rare’s 10 m3 per hour mobile pilot plant

electrochemistry. Electrochemical treatment was being used as far

The biggest differences are:

back as 2 000 BC, when drinking • shipboard applications:

water was disinfected by being

biological species, and toxic

stored in silver containers. Later

wastes by producing insoluble

bilge, grey and laundry

methods of purification were

and non-toxic precipitates.

water treatment, and carbon particulate removal from

developed by Faraday and Kolbe recently, in the 1930s, Moriguchi

What type of applications can they be used for?

reported improvements in water

Our technologies can be used for

electrolysis by including more

the following:

sophisticated power electronics.

• potable water: removal of humic

in the 1830s and 1840s. More

What products and technological solutions do you offer for water purification in remote areas?

stack emissions • construction industry: removal of colloids, fines, clays, and metals from run-off water • nuclear industry: removal of

acid, colloids, fines, and clays;

radionuclides from cooling

also the removal of metals, iron,

pond water

manganese and arsenic • industrial wastewater treatment: pre-biological treatment,

• food and beverage industries: final effluent polishing, and water recovery and reuse • engineering and electronics:

The Rare technology is, in effect,

load reduction, treatment of

a two-stage electrochemical

recalcitrant, phosphate removal,

final effluent polishing and

process. The first stage sees the

and tertiary treatment

water recovery, recycling,

direct treatment of pollutants at

• groundwater treatment:

the electrode surfaces (oxidation reduction) and indirect treatment by the production of radicals

removal of metals, refactory materials, and toxic materials • c oal mining: removal of metals

and other activated redox

and increasing pH without

reagents, such as aluminums

the use of neutralisation

(Al3+, Al7+), irons (Fe3+, Fe6+),

chemicals; appropriate levels

and strong oxidising agents

of treatment for water reuse

such as the hydroxyl radical,

without scaling risk.

the hydroperoxyl radical,

What sets your offering apart from the rest?

• fibre, paper, paint and textile

and reuse • toxic waste streams: breakdown of organics, herbicides, and pesticides.

How do you assist industrial and mining clients to improve their environmental footprint?

• s mall footprint and lower capital cost than equivalent treatment processes • reduced operating and maintenance costs and manpower requirements • reduced transportation costs and sludge production/disposal • valuable water recovery and concentrate recovery for recycling and reuse • no flocculant or coagulant chemical addition •h igh energy efficiencies and low carbon footprint (power factor >0.95).

Where can clients secure spare parts, what are turnaround times like, and what kind of after-sales service do you offer? Critical spares are supplied with our plants. Recommended spares lists will be provided with each installed plant. The

Because the main reagent with

Rare plants do not contain

superoxide anion, ozone, and

industries: colour (reactive

this clean technology is the

particularly sophisticated or

hydrogen peroxide.

and particulate) removal,

electron, which enables high

special equipment –spares

lignin removal, fibre recovery,

water quality to be achieved

are readily available. The

to allow the treatment of a wide

chemical oxygen demand,

efficiently, our treatment lowers

electrodes stock will be kept

range of pollutants; it treats

and total suspended

clients’ environmental impact.

by Rare and supplied on a just-

organic, inorganic (metals),

solids reduction

Also, our technology is highly

in-time basis.

This technology can be tailored

NOV/DEC 2015

PANEL DISCUSSION VEOLIA WATER TECHNOLOGIES, SOUTH AFRICA (VWTSA)

Ian Lemberger General Manager

What products and technological solutions do you offer for water purification in remote areas?

plant provider, although,

tripled its daily

Sanitation’s drive

given the demand, we feel

output. In line

to roll out smaller

it makes business sense to

with fast-growing

enter into this market. As a

demand, Veolia supplied one

advantage has been our ability

brand, Veolia is the biggest

plant for desalination and

to deliver plants in series at a

IL VWTSA, through its

name in the water industry

another for potable water.

faster rate, lowering costs and

Engineered Systems division,

worldwide. Because of this

What makes this project stand

expediting service delivery. This

offers a vast variety of

reputation, Veolia Engineered

out is that we successfully

helps improve municipalities’

technological solutions.

Systems has taken the decision

selected and designed all

track records ahead of

Focusing just on remote areas,

to be selective about which

equipment to the exacting

upcoming local elections.

we offer standard package

effluent projects we take on

specifications of the oil and gas

plants purpose-built for

to avoid over promising and

industry – probably the most

maximum robustness and

under-delivering.

demanding standards of all

energy efficiency – with

This approach speaks directly

fewer moving parts and

to the integrity of the business

operator requirements. The

in that we would never

technologies include standard

deliver a solution just to make

clarification and filtration,

money – our technology has

disinfection, ultrafiltration, and

to function optimally to bring

reverse osmosis.

vertical markets served by Veolia.

plants. An additional

Where can clients secure spare parts and what kind of after-sales service do you offer? A critical part of the selection process for our original

value to the client. As a result of

How are you able to benefit from the local Veolia network to deliver total client solutions?

this approach, we have a wealth

As a result of having numerous

into Africa. When it comes to

cross-border, in locations such

of experience in this niche

divisions countrywide,

breakdowns and spare parts,

as Botswana, Mozambique,

and highly technical market,

including Technical Services,

replacements will usually take

Tanzania, Zambia, and Ghana.

leveraging off our access to

Chemicals, Operations, Design

a few days – although, for

While we regularly provide

experts via an internal intranet

& Build, and Engineered

certain specialised pieces of

sewage treatment plants for

to Veolia’s global

Systems, we can provide a full

equipment, there are longer

the local market, we are also

expertise worldwide.

turnkey offering to clients;

lead times. In order to lower

i.e. we can design, build,

downtime and maintain

Please describe a recent flagship project and explain what technical achievements cause it to stand out.

and operate a plant, and we

productivity, we offer, as an

can provide the necessary

option, a two-year spare parts

consumables and maintenance

package – including critical

for it.

spares. Also, our Operations

Just off the coast of Nigeria,

on their core business.

Our work in-flow is about 70%

developing more options for local clients wanting industrial effluent treatment options.

How do you assist industrial clients in improving their environmental footprint?

This allows customers to focus

equipment manufacturer (OEM) suppliers is access to spare parts and the ability to service

Division is available to assist in any way it can.

Veolia Engineered Systems

A rapidly growing trend, within

has designed, fabricated,

the last year, is that a lot of

and commissioned two new

large corporates are aiming to

packaged water treatment

improve their environmental

plants to supply water to the

footprints and achieve zero

127 people who work and live

liquid discharge. Traditionally,

on Total’s OFON offshore oil rig.

Veolia Engineered Systems

As a result of the rig’s Phase

has not been an effluent

2 project going ahead, it had

Could you explain how strengthening the relationships between divisions is enabling Veolia Water Technologies South Africa to deliver to even higher client expectations? As just one example, we are collaborating more with the Design & Build Division. Since it has a lot more experience in delivering municipal contracts and we’re good at providing packaged solutions, we’ve joined forces to provide a better solution for municipalities, in line with the Department of Water and

NOV/DEC 2015

LEFT Reverse Osmosis Skid achieves seawater desalination ABOVE The inside of a complex container water treatment plant for an industrial effluent project designed by the Engineered Systems division of VWTSA

PANEL DISCUSSION FAMSYSTEM TECHNOLOGY

Juan van Kerckhoven CEO

What products and technological solutions do you offer for sewage treatment in rural or urban areas? JvK Famsystem Technology

based on the activated sludge

offers small to medium

system, which uses nature to

required to treat their sewage

wastewater treatment plants for

biologically treat sewage to

effluent as well, and this has

applications from household-

general and special standards

become a main area

How do your solutions reduce clients' operational costs and deliver the best value?

size to about 2 MLD, in both

without the aid of chemicals or

of application.

First, our designs have proven to

rural and urban areas.

supplying bacteria.

not rust. Our

estates where no central

transport costs, as well as

productâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

sewerage system is available

unique client requirements.

UV-resistant coat ensures plant

or new outlying facilities, for

Often, what is needed is a

longevity in the African sun.

schools, hotels, mines, and

containerised solution.

Famsystemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology is

Recently, construction sites are

operate at the same efficiency

tanks but also work with HDPE

processes have been perfected

What sets your offering apart from the rest?

(high-density polyethylene),

over the years and the company

Our designs are completely

over 20 years without major

depending on client budget.

has installed hundreds of

flexible and, although we do not

maintenance or changes.

For me, the ultimate product

successful plants all over the

change our basic technology,

to work with is fibreglass;

country and the continent.

we offer solutions that are

format of the plant, we can

specific for each application.

offer the optimum solution for

We specialise in fibreglass

Moreover, our design and

not only is it lightweight but,

for long period of time. We have plants that have operated for

Second, by choosing the correct

Besides the normal process

each case. This is done in order

stronger than sheet metal. In

What type of applications can they be used for?

requirements, we can package

to reduce the total capital cost

addition, fibreglass has a high

Over the years, our main

the plant into a system that

without compromising long-term

resistance to corrosion and will

applications have been housing

takes into account its position,

stability and quality.

pound for pound, fibreglass is

so on.

NOV/DEC 2015

PUMPS, PIPES & VALVES

From strength to strength What range of pump products do you supply and what applications are covered?

SM We cover a complete range of pumps, which include wastewater, clean water, borehole applications, and chemical pumps.

What was your latest flagship project, what was supplied, and how was it installed? The latest project completed was Viljoenskroon Wastewater Treatment Works. This entailed a complete refurbishment of the plant. Included were civil, mechanical, and electrical services.

How are your products uniquely positioned to offer clients an enhanced user experience?

Sean Moodley, CEO, AJ Mining and Industrial Supplies

Our range of pumps is manufactured in Italy and is Euro 2 certified. For this reason, our products are more efficient in electricity consumption and are capable of better duty points. This means that the consumer can use smaller pumps to perform the required duty, reducing cost.

What after-sales service guarantees do you offer, do you supply spares, and what are your turnaround times like? As a turnkey company, we have several teams on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to respond in the event that at situation arises at one of our clients’ premises. Additionally, all our pumps carry a standard two-year guarantee as well as a twoyear free maintenance programme from AJ Mining & Industrial Supplies. We carry a

range of spares for our pumps, but it is not always possible to have every spare available. For this reason, we have an agreement with the factory for emergency spares and will fly them out, if required.

How has your business model and service track record impacted the growth of the business? Although AJ Mining & Industrial Supplies started as a pump supplier only, we now supply and install pumps, manufacture our own pipework, as well as sandblast and coupon coat our pipework in-house. We also construct our own steel reservoirs and pump houses. Another service now available through our portfolio is a combination sewer truck – used by several municipalities to blast and vacuum sewer lines and dams.

NOV/DEC 2015

AJ Mining is a specialist in the industry in Pumping Equipment and Engineering supplies and offers the following products and services:

AJ Mining offers full turn-key solutions for every application SERVICES OFFERED, SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF: • Clean Water Pumps • Waste Water Pumps • Borehole Pumps • Water Purification Systems • Steel Reservoirs with Level indicators • Grinders for Waste • Vacuum and jetting of Sewer Lines • In-house manufacturing of Pipes, Bends, Flanges, etc.

SUPPLIERS OF • Valves • Gauges • Generators • Trailer Pump Units

Tel: 082 309 3616 –24 hours standby field service teams Tel 011 392 3943 | Web: www.ajmining.co.za

PUMPS, PIPES & VALVES

Making the best of

tough times

The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association’s Pipes IX was a balancing act of challenges and opportunities facing South Africa's water sector, and the overall conference was a sobering vision of the year to come. BY FRANCES RINGWOOD

AN VENTER, SAPPMA CEO, opened the event speaking on the challenging business climate experienced by the organisation’s members, emphasising that the purpose of the conference is not profit. “We are a non-profit organisation; the purpose is to create a platform for industry members to interact, to exchange ideas, and to learn from one another,” he explained. Venter went on to provide an overview of the history of fluid conveyance pipe development, noting that pipes have been around for the last 4 000 years and that plastic pipes have only been around for the last 70 years – 2% of the overall time. “So many innovations have happened in that short time. For example, since I’ve been in the business, pipe wall thicknesses and weights have been reduced by more than a third as strength has increased. Events such as this are critical because they encourage new design specifications, manufacturing processes, and installation techniques. SAPPMA plays an important role in fostering an environment that facilitates these innovations,” said Venter.

ABOVE RIGHT Jan Venter, SAPPMA CEO, provided a brief history of the development of plastic pipes ABOVE Outside the conference areas, exhibitors had the opportunity to showcase their latest products and innovations

The next speaker’s presentation also focused on situating plastic pipe manufacturing in a larger historical context.

Economic outlook

“If we look at the way people lived in the 1900s, compared to the last 10 years, our standards of living have radically improved. For instance, we are now eight times wealthier than people were then. I want you to keep this in mind when I tell you about the factors that have put us on the verge of a recession,” said Mike Schussler, the highly regarded South African economist who was invited to talk at this year’s conference. Schussler is the most quoted and endorsed economists in South Africa and has won the Economist of the Year competition twice. He is one of only three economists to have won the award more than once in the past 20 years. “We need to take a long-term view, otherwise it’s easy to get bogged NOV/DEC 2015

down in the negatives. Over a long baseline, the world is not getting poorer but the economy does dip and rise in cycles of about seven years. There’s good news and bad news regarding the economy, but markets are volatile and it’s unlikely that things will turn out quite the way we’re all hoping,” explained Shussler.

Business breakdown

Regarding oil, the news is positive. The oil price fell for a year, on average, to $40 per barrel. Consumers are likely to benefit, especially big oil importers like South Africa, although exporters may suffer. Concerning South Africa’s commodities, “This is a long-term downward trend. This is bad news, as factors affecting mining are also likely to affect a number of SAPPMA members,” said Schussler. He also pointed out that the inevitable growth of renewable energy sources is likely to have a further

PUMPS, PIPES & VALVES

ABOVE RIGHT Renier Snyman (left) from DPI Plastics being thanked and congratulated after giving his presentation; with MC Jacques van Eck ABOVE Highly regarded South African economist Mike Schussler predicts an economic crisis, but emphasised South Africa’s resilience under pressure

negative impact on commodities. More bad news is that the rand has been classed among the world’s fragile currencies (along with Brazil, Indonesia, India, and Turkey) and we’re the only country among those that is still picking up government debt. “Since 1994, the currency has fallen to 45% of its value

NOV/DEC 2015

and this is a warning sign that it can no longer be used as a shock absorber,” says Schussler. “Some good news to balance out the bad is that we’re improving the quality of our workforce in terms of their education. Many South Africans did not complete primary school. Today, about 95% of our students complete primary school. We still have a problem, in that many middle and secondary school learners still drop out. Nonetheless, we have also improved the numbers of people who are completing their matric certificates. This is important, because it stimulates productivity, giving people the tools to work smarter rather than harder, achieving more,” says Schussler. Schussler’s final word is, “South Africa has always faced crises; we are now on the precipice of an economic crisis. But, ultimately, we have a history of addressing those crises. We’re not going to fix the economy this year or even next year, but I think we’re seeing rumblings from all sectors recognising

WATER Water Supply | Water Treatment | Industrial Water Management Minesite Water Management | Water Reuse & Recycling Chemistry and Geochemistry | Numerical Modelling

that something needs to be done.”

Water crisis looms

Water management for sustainable business

WorleyParsons has a strong track record in delivering innovative solutions utilising pipelines, groundwater and membrane technologies and sustainability modelling for cost-effective water solutions. - Over 30 years’ experience - Deep local knowledge - Global expertise - BBBEE Level 2

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35,600

people

The last keynote speaker was Kobus van der Walt, professor in the philosophy of sciences and engineering at North-West University. His presentation focused on South Africa’s water crisis and the need for proper governance and efficient management to revive the country’s ageing infrastructure. “There is a growing consensus among experts from water sciences as well as the economic sector that South Africa is rapidly approaching a water crisis. The best current estimates indicate that that South Africa’s water reserves will outstrip its supply by 2020. According to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the demand for water has already overtaken the supply in at least 60% of South Africa’s water management areas,” says Van der Walt. He focused on how the quality of the greater Vaal River is affected by sewage, pollution from coal mining, and agricultural run-off. “The Vaal River originates at the Grootdraai Dam near Standerton, Mpumalanga. It then flows into the Vaal Dam in Gauteng, past Barrage near Klerksdorp, and eventually joins up with the Orange River in Douglas. In a longitudinal total dissolved solids (TDS) test of the Vaal River’s water, it was found that, near Grootdraai, TDS milligrams per litre (mg/ℓ) was low, at 100 mg/ℓ. Further down, the levels are higher, reaching 200 mg/ℓ – this rise is directly attributable to the coal mining in eMalahleni. Then, there is a huge rise between the Vaal Dam and the Vaal Barrage, which comes as a result of water being extracted from the Vaal, being distributed throughout Gauteng and then draining back (via sewage works) into the Barrage area. From that point, the Vaal is nothing more than a semi-treated sewage stream. Downstream, quality decreases further as a result of fertilisers from farms entering the water supply,” explains Van der Walt. Why this is significant is that humans can drink water with a maximum TDS of 140 mg/ℓ. “Our normal purification works do not remove salts. Filtration, flocculation, chlorine, and some ultraviolet treatment are used. Once 600 mg/ℓ is reached, problems arise with farmers’ crops,” says Van der Walt. Food security, energy production, and a plethora of other developmental and social issues arise when water quality is affected on a massive scale such as this. Climate change further exacerbates the problem. With increasing water quality and quantity issues across the country (not just Gauteng), hundreds of millions of rands are needed to repair inefficient wastewater treatment works, upgrade water treatment plants, and maintain existing pipelines to reduce water lost through leaking pipes. “In terms of leaking pipes, our infrastructure is often between 50 and 100 years old and it could cost as much as

NOV/DEC 2015

PUMPS, PIPES & VALVES RIGHT A bird’s-eye view of the exhibition at the SAPPMA Pipes IX Conference

R700 million to make the necessary replacements and repairs. We also need more effective monitoring and prosecution, as water thieves walk free. We also need to get our catchment management areas operational. Currently, there are only 2 working out of a proposed 19 – we need to implement our own laws,” says Van der Walt. He stressed that the DWS can be applauded for its provision of water and sanitation services to millions of South Africa, since its establishment as the Department of Water Affairs in the 90s. However, Van der Walt points out the low quantity and quality of South Africa’s national water resources and that its governance has not taken place as it should. “The DWS, in my opinion, has failed in these areas,” said Van der Walt. “Is it a case of too little too late? I don’t know,” he concluded.

Resilient industry

worked together discussing and solving problems. A storm may be coming but – if government acts fast to repair ageing infrastructure, including the replacement and repair of leaking pipes – SAPPMA members are in line to survive and even thrive.

In spite of challenges, the industry stands strong, as long as it stands together. Following this year’s SAPPMA presentations, there was a tremendous sense of camaraderie as suppliers from all throughout the plastic pipes value chain, and even competitors,

NOV/DEC 2015

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WAR ON LEAKS

Grace under pressure

N 8 SEPTEMBER THIS year, close to 200 delegates attended the PIPES IX Conference hosted by the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (Sappma) at the Bytes Conference Centre in Midrand. Among the many impressive speakers at the event, Willem Wegelin, director of specialist engineering consultancy WRP, gave an inspiring presentation on how municipalities can manage pressure to conserve water and save money. Wegelin has worked in water conservation and water demand management in most of the larger municipalities in South Africa and advises the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) on such issues. He also received a ministerial award in 2009 for his contribution to water conservation and water demand management in South Africa’s urban sector.

Water demand management and water conservation expert Willem Wegelin shared his insights on reducing water pressure effectively to lower non-revenue water losses. BY FRANCES RINGWOOD

Lowest pressure point

The minimum pressure requirement for most countries around the world is dictated by the needs of their firefighting services. For example, in most parts of Southern Africa, a minimum pressure of between 20 m and 25 m is usually specified. In South Africa, the minimum pressure is set at 20 m. “This minimum pressure usually occurs during the time of maximum demand on the system, often occurring only one or two days of the year,” said Wegelin. He argued that, in most cases, water pressure in a typical water reticulation system will be significantly higher than what is required for over 90% of the time. The fact is that pipe and other infrastructure leakage is driven by pressure and, while managing pressure is no simple task, this opens up new opportunities for managing non-revenue water and water losses. “Higher pressures result in higher rates of leakage and, if water pressure in a system can be reduced – even for a short period during low demand – water leakage will be reduced,” explained Wegelin. He added that pressure management has to be viewed as the single most important issue to be considered when trying to reduce leakage from a water reticulation system. The catch is: in order to reduce leakage using this method, the level of service provided to the community and required by firefighters cannot be compromised.

Managing pressure appropriately

What, then, is the solution? According to Wegelin, water pressure in a system can be reduced using a variety of methods. These include simple fixed-outlet control valves, and electronic and hydraulic controllers. “With each added level of sophistication to a pressure management installation, greater savings can be earned. On the other hand, these additional levels of sophistication bring with them added expenses as well as added risk of technical problems and equipment breakdowns and the cost benefit ratio needs to be considered before making a final decision. “The key issue is, therefore, to try to find the most appropriate level of control that can be operated and maintained by a specific water supplier,” said Wegelin. NOV/DEC 2015

TOP Internal view of a portion of the Khayelitsha pressure management installation ABOVE Local school children in Sebokeng were involved in the pressure management project by being prompted to enter a colouring competition to design how the outside wall of the chamber would look – the winner received R10 000 – this proved an effective graffiti and vandalism deterrent

Case Study 1

Different pressure management concepts have been implemented successfully all over South Africa. Wegelin highlighted his company’s experience in the Western Cape’s Khayelitsha settlement in 2001. At that time, WRP had quite a large target area for its project. Khayelitsha was ideal for a pressure-management intervention – given its high water pressures, which were

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running at about 80 m FAST FACTS ABOUT LEAKS AND PRESSURE during the evenings, reIn South Africa, many of our systems operate at a pressulting in a high rate of sure of about 50 m, which is why there are good presleakage. Another factor sures whenever we open our taps. This also means our leading to the selection garden irrigation systems run quite effectively without of this area for the interneeding booster pumps. vention was excessive Managing pressures reduces burst frequencies and non-payment for mubackground leakage, controls customer demand, and nicipal water. On top prolongs the design life of a given reticulation system. of this, the Zandvliet Once there’s leakage – a physical water loss in a sewage treatment plant potable distribution system – was operating beyond that is typically going to result in a visible leak, which looks like a wet patch on a road. its design capacity (65 A ‘burst’ is defined as any water losses bigger than MLD with a capacity 250 litres per hour and that usually occurs on main of 55 MLD) and a R35 pipes or through connection leakages. An interesting million upgrade was fact is that the losses from a burst pipe are less planned for 2003 to significant than from a slow leak because the latter are increase the capacity less dramatic and tend not to be repor ted or noticed to 90 MLD. “WRP as quickly, which means these leaks can continue for saw an opportunity months or even years. here, so the company convinced the local After the Khayelitsha experience, WRP authority to install a pressure reducing was so confident in the effectiveness of its station before spending money on any systems that three of the direcother large-scale upgrades. tors approached a major bank Construction was quite a and handed over the deeds to challenge as it occurred durtheir homes in exchange for a ing one of the wettest years loan. They then asked that the on record. municipality pay a percentage Nevertheless, we built the of the savings achieved over necessary chambers, infive years to offset their investstalled a few pipes, and then, ment. The deal was struck and, once fully operational, that Willem Wegelin, director, WRP to this day, the project is fully station started saving nine operational and maintained by million cubic litres of water the municipality. per annum and has done so till this day,” The household leak repair project said Wegelin. was only undertaken in 2012 to 2014 That is equal to a saving of 24 MLD. in a joint venture between Sasol, GiZ, Also, the sewer inflow has been reduced and Emfuleni. by 16 MLD, and the upgrades were deMunicipal savings over the inilayed for almost 10 years. Money saved tial five-year period amounted to by the municipality has been R45 million R152 million. Once the installation per annum and the success of this prowas commissioned, water conserved ject inspired several similar undertakings amounted to about half a million cubic across South Africa. litres per month, which accumulated to Case Study 2 just below 50 million cubic meters of “In 2005, we identified another site – water over five years. under the jurisdiction of the Emfuleni Conclusion Local Municipality in Gauteng – that Given the spectacular savings demonwould benefit from a pressure manstrated at South African municipalities, the agement intervention. We looked at question isn’t whether municipalities can the Sebokeng-Evaton area specifically,” afford to implement appropriate pressure said Wegelin. management measures but whether they Leakages were excessive, so WRP went can afford not to. to the municipality and suggested a proThis is especially true now, more than ject to reduce non-revenue water losses. ever, given growing water scarcity and However, the municipality did not have the fears of drawn-out water supply issues R5 million necessary to pay for the project, lasting well into the future. which posed a problem.

NOV/DEC 2015

RAINWATER HAR VESTING

Sizing up storage While there are several methods for determining the correct tank to use for a given rainwater harvesting application, these can range vastly in their level of complexity and effectiveness. FRANCES RINGWOOD looks at some of the simplest methods for determining tank size.

HERE IS CONSIDERABLE scientific research behind the correct sizing of rainwater collection tanks for domestic, commercial, and agricultural applications. These will often involve either computer simulation or other advanced calculations. However, the average domestic buyer in Southern Africa’s current market is not using their rainwater harvesting tank as a main supply source, but rather as a backup. For small rainwater collection applications, cost versus diameter ratios are not going to make as much a difference as they do for larger applications. For this reason, tank buyers wanting to start small and work their way up can look at the following methods for determining how to select the right tank for their needs, without having to do more than the most basic calculations.

Domestic example

For homeowners wanting to try out a rainwater harvesting tank for the first time, there are a few salient features to consider before selecting a tank. These include the area of the roof being used as a collection point, the amount of rainfall experienced in the area of the home, how many people live in the home, and other factors that will have an impact (e.g. a large garden requiring more water and the tank buyer’s budget). Selecting a tank that’s too small almost defeats the purpose of rainwater harvesting because the system is not being operated to its best efficiency; however, purchasing a tank that’s too large risks spending unnecessarily. For measuring daily rainfall rates, a rain gauge can be purchased

at your local gardening centre. Alternately, the South African Weather Services can provide reasonably reliable information on rainfall levels around the country. But, for the highest level of accuracy, a simple rain gauge can’t be beaten.

Quick and dirty calculations

Once an average rainfall for a given area has been established, the next task is to get on top of the roof where the system will collect from and measure it. This can be risky, so using the original house plans is a preferred method, if they are available. Finally, the number of people in a house will determine how much water is needed. According to statistics from the United Nations, the average person needs about 50 litres of water per day to survive. Some estimates go as low as 20 litres of water per day; however, affluent South Africans use approximately 150 litres of water per day. For a more accurate calculation, South Africans can use their monthly water bill to determine their average water usage and divide that by the days of the month to get an estimate. From there, the equation can get tricky but, luckily, there are several online tools where all that’s needed is the above information. To find these tools, type “rainwater tank size calculator” into the search bar of a

Rainwater harvesting is simple and easy to do at home or for office buildings (Artist: Joe Marshal; Source: HarvestingRainwater.com)

search engine, such as Google, and most of the initial options that come up should be from local companies.

Factors influencing tank size choice

A last set of parameters to consider before selecting a tank is whether a rainwater harvesting system is a pet project, aimed at

Affluent South Africans use about 150 litres of water per day, whereas the average person needs about 50 litres

NOV/DEC 2015

being an environmentally and socially conscious citizen, or whether it’s a real need. In the case of a more experimental approach, the homeowner’s needs should be the most important factor determining tanks size. For those who need rainwater to supplement their supply, a supply-side approach is more expedient. This approach will require a larger tank in order to capture enough rain during the wet season to see the user through possible, or rather likely, drought conditions.

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PROFILE

Think inside the tank For domestic, agricultural, building, and even municipal and industrial users, proven market solutions are leading the way in providing cost-effective, long-term water storage that just works.

OMPLAINING ABOUT water-shedding, water outages, and water interruptions is becoming old hat. For proactive citizens, the question is: “What are the solutions and alternatives?” General consensus indicates that, to make it through South Africa’s water problems, the average citizen would need to have at least two days’ worth of water on hand. This is calculated as follows: with the average South African family of four consuming about 282ℓ (careful consumption) and 774ℓ (wasteful consumption) of water per day, a storage capacity of between 564ℓ and 1 584 ℓ of water is required. To give an idea of the water mass to be stored: the average bathtub holds around 200ℓ of water. In the best-case scenario, three bathtubs filled with water will be needed. The worst-case scenario sees nearly eight tubs needed. This is by no means a practical solution.

Tried and tested storage

Enter the country’s most recognisable tank brand: JoJo water storage tanks. These practical, easy-to-install, and affordable solutions stand out for their quality and eight-year warranty. They are not only available in a variety of sizes (260 ℓ to 20 000 ℓ) to suit all requirements and budgets, they are also made from virgin food-grade materials, lined with high-quality carbon black to keep stored water clean and prevent algae growth.

Versatility

Not only useful for backup storage, JoJo tanks are versatile and can also be used for rainwater and grey water harvesting. In addition, they can easily be installed as part of a municipal backup system.

Storage tanks can also be mounted on the back of water delivery trucks in the event of an emergency, to ensure communities’ water needs are met

HOLDING DRINKING WATER IN A STORAGE TANK

1W ater doesn’t have an expiration date. If properly stored, it doesn’t spoil. Water only goes ‘off’ when contaminated, so it’s advised to ensure that proper precautions are in place to keep stored water in a good condition. 2 Stored water can taste flat and strange but that is because there’s no oxygen in it. To get rid of the stored-water taste, water should be swished around in a glass a few times before drinking. 3 Users who are worried about their water quality and its safety for drinking purposes have a few options: • for smaller quantities: bring the water to a rolling boil for at least a minute • for larger quantities: add chlorine. The recommended amount is 1/8 teaspoon (0.6 mℓ) of chlorine per 4 ℓ of water. The best source of chlorine is HTH (high-test hypochlorite) granules or powder, as these normally contain 50% to 70% chlorine. (Source: World Health Organization)

NOV/DEC 2015

Water& Sanitation Complete water resource and wastewater management

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PRODUC T NEWS

Background to the development

of the Eaziflush

When properly constructed, the ventilated improved pit (VIP) toilet provides a decent, basic level of sanitation. However, most people prefer a higher level of sanitation, with the flushing toilet being the most sought after.

HE PROBLEM WITH conventional flushing toilets is that they require a large amount of water, which is not always available, nor affordable. In addition, leaking cisterns are a major cause of extreme water loss. Although VIP toilets do not require water to operate, they have inherent problems, one of which is the fact that, as a result of not having a water seal, they attract flies and can smell extremely bad. The majority of homeowners, therefore, prefer to have the toilets erected a significant distance away from the household, which, in turn, creates a safety issue for children, elderly folk, and women wanting to use the toilets when it is dark. Due to the pit being directly below the top structure in a VIP, it tends to be used as a disposal site. This means that said pit fills up much faster than it should, thus making emptying it a messy, unpleasant, frequent and, ultimately, expensive operation.

Pour flush advantages

Pour flush is an intermediate technology that is different from the VIP, in that is has a water seal. In comparison to a full flush, much less water is required for operation and flushing is done manually. The Water Research Commission (WRC) engaged a research team in 2009, led by Partners in Development, to test the appropriateness of the pour flush technology in South Africa. The first field test units were commissioned on 1 September 2010. The toilets in question discharged the waste via a very short length of pipe to a localised leach pit, where the effluent was stored in the same manner as a VIP latrine, but with the notable absence of solid waste. Following the success of the KZN trials, the WRC commissioned consulting engineers to establish pour flush trials in the Western

The pour flush toilet requires no mains water connection and flushes manually, by pouring as little as one litre of water (or grey water) into the toilet bowl, saving water and creating safer, more dignified conditions for communities

Cape. In order to make the technology more accessible to dense urban settlements, these toilets were connected to a simplified sewerage network that discharged to a centralised bio-digester. The pour flush toilet requires no mains water connection. It flushes manually, by pouring as little as one litre of water (or greywater) into the toilet bowl, compared to six litres or more for a conventional flushing toilet. In a dense urban context, the pour flush toilet may be installed closer to the user or inside the house. The technology can assist with the hygienic disposal of greywater and reduce the demand for potable water, while alleviating pressure on overstressed sewer networks and treatment facilities.

New innovation

Eco-friendly sanitation company Envirosan adopted and improved on this technology and designed the first upgradeable pour flush toilet – the Eaziflush. The Eaziflush unit has been developed over three years of research, prototyping, and extensive independent testing. The Eaziflush solution has since been successfully rolled out to various municipalities and water authorities, with it being termed the ‘Safe Toilet’ by most communities. The Eaziflush system is compatible with a variety of back-end solutions and can easily be used in areas ranging from rural to peri-urban to urban areas, regardless of whether or not there is a limited water supply. NOV/DEC 2015

TYPICAL EAZIFLUSH ADVANTAGES:

• L ooks and operates similarly to a conventional flush toilet • As little as one litre of grey water can be used to flush • No smell or access for flies • Dignified sanitation • There is no open pit, making the unit ver y safe, par ticularly for small children • Sludge is predominantly free of any ‘trash’ or sold waste, making the emptying process much easier

“The delegation has

called for a change in focus from VIP latrines to more technological solutions in dealing with sanitation challenges. The sustainability of VIP toilets represents the main challenge with this solution and, in areas visited, the toilets did not adequately represent a return of dignity to the people.” Parliamentary media statement on the provision of water and sanitation

www.envirosan.co.za

PRODUC T NEWS

Water-wise solutions

for SA’s drought-stricken mines

With South Africa in the grips of its worst drought in over 20 years, impending water restrictions are bound to affect most local industries. For the mining industry, the drought conditions also lead to more on-site dust, which needs to be controlled to minimise its various negative effects.

HE LOCAL MINING industry consumes approximately 306 000 000 m3 of water per year, making up 3% of the country’s entire consumption of 10 200 000 000 m3 from all major dams. According to the latest data released by the Department of Water and Sanitation, nationwide water reserves have dropped from 76.8% full, in 2014, to just 65.3% full in November 2015. More worryingly, the report revealed that the levels dropped from 66.2% to 65.3% within just one week.

Dealing with a dusty situation

No rain means more dust – a pervasive problem that undermines the health of mine workers, impacts negatively on the surrounding environment, and substantially reduces the lifespan of machinery. Environmentally conscious mining operations are tackling this issue with dust suppression solutions. Despite being the most commonly used dust suppressant, water is severely limited in its effectiveness. Using

only water to control dust is a perpetually costly task, as water quickly evaporates and the dust is again released into the environment. I-CAT director Anton van der Merwe notes that the company can ensure efficient dust control and full environmental compliance, with innovative and cost-effective products that assist with surface stabilisation, while ensuring a significant reduction in water usage. “Our flagship dust suppressant is RDC 20 – a water soluble anionic polyelectrolyte polymer exclusively developed in-house. This suppressant is an innovative formulation of blended, emulsified co-polymers and ionic modifiers, ” he explains. When sprayed on to the road surface, it forms a durable, cross-linked matrix that binds fine soil particles into larger heavier particles, which are less prone to becoming airborne. It is used on temporary roads, as a cost-effective means to improve road and dust conditions exponentially.

Van der Merwe reveals that the company has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from mines where the product is applied, and especially where the company is contracted to manage the dust control on mine roads.

Stopping spills and overfilling

Spillage and the overfilling of water bowsers are also major challenges in the industry. Up to 10 000 ℓ/min of water spillage can be saved on-site using I-CAT’s E-CAM system with integrated RFID, a camera-based technology that assists water bowser operators in lining up 85 000 ℓ water bowsers at on-site filling points. “This new technology ensures pinpoint alignment without the driver having to set foot outside the bowser, which reduces safety hazards related to the driver being outdoors. It also substantially reduces the risk of spillage, leading to significant time, cost, and water savings,” he concludes.

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Abeco Tanks

African Construction &

Famsystem Technology

Rare Group

I-Cat Water Solutions

Re-Energise

Totally Concrete 2016 expos

JoJo Tanks

AJ Mining & Industrial Supplies

Kaytech

APE Pumps

KSB Pumps & Valves

Atlas Copco

Multotec

Aquadam

Nalco Africa

IFC

Aqua Resources SA

NCP Chlorchem

Department of Water & Sanitation

NuWater

Water & Sanitation Services SA

Elster Kent

Quality Filtration Systems

WorleyParsons Water RSA

Envirosan

Rainbow Reservoirs

Xylem Water Solutions SA

56 IBC 8

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Rocla SA Leak Detection Distributors SBS Water Systems

11 2 OFC

Structa Group

Veolia Water Solutions

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