WE NEED TO FIND IMMEDIATE AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

As this is our first edition for 2023, I’d like to start by extending a warm welcome to our IMESA members, readers and built environment professionals at large in the public and private arena. Let’s hope 2023 puts us on a solid path of continuous improvement in all areas of our country, with a major focus on infrastructure investment.

Within this context, one of the most pressing challenges is a permanent solution to load-shedding. Last year, we had a record number of power outages, with Stage 6 (the shedding of some 6 000 MW from the national grid) a regular occurrence that extended through to the first weeks of January 2023.

It’s a stark reminder of how essential electricity is for the smooth running of a healthy society and economy. Every time the lights go out, there’s a ripple effect across the infrastructure chain that has a direct impact on municipal service delivery, with ensuing consequences for private and commercial consumers.

Interrupted water and sanitation services

Traffic lights stop working, which of course is a major frustration, on top of the potential accidents, as well as supply chain and general socio-economic disruptions. However, there are even more concerning underlying threats to our essential water and wastewater systems.

While gravity plays a key role, at some stage in a potable water network pump stations need to kick in but can’t when the power’s out. Assuming the potable treatment plant is still functioning optimally, there’s also the risk that reservoir levels fall below their minimum standby capacity, leading to water restrictions or, even worse, dry taps for extended periods.

The same scenario applies for sanitation. When a power outage occurs, sewage doesn’t reach wastewater treatment plants at their designed flow capacity. Under these circumstances, sewage that does reach the plant will need to be treated using a standby diesel generator (running at an exorbitant and unsustainable cost) in the absence of an alternative renewable energy facility (e.g. a methane powered gas turbine, or solar setup).

Either way, when sanitation systems do become overwhelmed – due to power outages and/or sewer line blockages (at times caused by illegal dumping via manholes) – there’s a major risk of downstream environmental impacts. Recent examples include raw sewage running across Durban and Cape Town beaches on its way to the sea.

Independent power producers

As we speak, the energy crisis within Eskom is being addressed at the highest levels of government, with an allied focus on rapidly expanding the smaller-scale independent power producer (IPP) market.

With the previous 100 MW threshold removed (and now unlimited), there’s no longer a barrier to entry for aspiring and qualifying IPPs. They are a logical step in mitigating electricity supply risks. IPPs, employing renewable energy, also help South Africa meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets in terms of the Just Energy Transition away from coal.

Towns and cities across South Africa are now leading the way with varying degrees of IPP project implementation. Hopefully, we’ll soon start to see more critical infrastructure like treatment plants, street lighting, and ICT networks running independently on green power over the long term, rather than as standby backup solutions.

Why asset management is so crucial

We know that breakdowns caused by ageing infrastructure are one of the official factors for load-shedding. However, there are other widespread service delivery failures that cannot be blamed on power outages. Obvious ones include potholed roads, non-revenue water losses, inadequate stormwater management and flood mitigation protocols.

The critical starting point is an up-to-date asset management register. This must provide an accurate picture of the present status of all municipal assets, with adequate budget provision made for predictive and preventative maintenance. The process should start with a fit-for-purpose design that maximises the return on investment over an asset’s lifespan. However, many municipalities are still not following the correct process at present, and this needs to be addressed.

Making change happen

As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. It’s a work in progress and, during 2023, IMESA will continue its quest to tackle the burning issues that hamper effective municipal service delivery, working with public and private sector stakeholders. Together, we need to walk the path towards a sustainable future built on climate-resilient infrastructure.