Water and Sanitation January/February 2017

Contents

Vol. 12 No. 1

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

NuWater Tapping tomorrow

AFTER THE FLOOD Climate impacts on urban development

WELGEDACHT EXTENSION Wastewater treatment saves wetland

CRISIS MITIGATION Enhancing dams for better capacity

Experts from South Africa’s top desalination technology PANEL DISCUSSION

companies discuss the latest innovations making supply security achievable for water-stressed towns and industries.

January/February 2017 • ISSN 1990-8857 • R50.00 (incl. VAT) • Vol. 12 No. 01

ON THE COvER A recent addition to the NuWater team, James Morisse, executive: Business Development, Africa, gives his unique insight into the company’s role in maintaining water supply security across different markets and sectors. P4

14 enhancing Dam capacit y 22 WETLANDS CONSER VATION

Regulars

Editor’s Comment 3 Product News 52 Cover Story 4

WISA

CEO’s Comment 6 President’s Comment 7

YWP What a year for YWP-ZA

Industry Insight Olifants to Steelpoort pipeline update

Dams & reservoirs Enhancing dam capacity

9 13 14

26 extending WElgedacht

Wetlands conservation

After the flood 18 Urban hydrology challenges 22 Welgedacht WWTW extension 26

Panel discussion

Aqua Resources SA 29 Aveng Water 31 Buckman Africa 33 Grundfos 35 ImproChem 37 Multotec 39 Veolia Water Technologies, South Africa 41 Vovani Water Products 43 Quality Filtration Systems 44 JG Afrika 45

Trenchless Technology The right pipe for the job

Events Conferencing for opportunities and growth

46 51

47 trenchless technology

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Publisher Elizabeth Shorten Managing editor Alastair Currie Editor Frances Ringwood Head of design Beren Bauermeister Designer Ramon Chinian Chief sub-editor Tristan Snijders Sub-editor Morgan Carter Contributors Lester Goldman, Dion Govender, Nora Hanke-Louw, Neil Louw, Valerie Naidoo, Mike Smart, Peter Townshend, Johan van der Waals, Stuart Woolley Marketing manager Mpinane Senkhane Head: Digital marketing Roxanne Segers 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 / Jenny Miller t +27 (0)11 467 6223 avedel@lantic.net / jennymiller@lantic.net

EDITOR'S COMMENT

Diluvian danger and desalination

T

hose who have worked in the water industry for a couple of years will be aware of the increasing occurrence of floods in cities and their growing severity. At the start of last year’s rainy season, seven people lost their lives as a result of the destructive power of fast-moving water. Yet, in spite of the death toll, little is done to protect Southern Africa’s most valuable flood-prevention infrastructure: wetlands. Because green infrastructure such as this is free, we fail to value it sufficiently, and so it is not adequately protected. I’ve heard one developer, who promised to build “the first green precinct” (this at a time when every developer claimed to be building the “first”), describe the wetland he was building over as a “smelly bog”. No, not all wetlands are pristine and teaming with wildlife, but every wetland is important, especially when it comes to mitigating natural disasters and preserving human life.

Publisher

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

World Wetlands Day World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February, in commemoration of the historic day in 1971 when representatives of nations from around the world adopted the Convention on Wetlands in the Iranian city of Ramsar. This year, the Ramsar Convention’s theme for World Wetlands Day is ‘Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction’. The theme is aimed at raising awareness concerning the role wetlands play in reducing the impacts of floods, hurricanes and droughts on communities. In light of the recent tragedy, and those that came before, the City of Joburg is fighting to protect its wetlands and integrate them into its development planning. Read more about wetland policy on pages 15 to 21. To find out more about the physical challenges to integrating stormwater systems with wetland management, take a look at Johan van der Waal’s article on pages 22 to 25.

ISSN: 1990 - 8857 Annual subscription: R300 (SA rate) subs@3smedia.co.za Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.

All articles herein 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.

WISA contacts: Head office Tel: 086 111 9472(WISA) Fax: +27 (0)11 315 1258 Physical address: 1st Floor, Building 5, Constantia Park, www.ewisa.co.za 546 16th Road, Randjiespark Ext 7, Midrand BRANCHES Eastern Cape 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

Affordable desalination Flooding has not been the only water-related challenge faced by city planners in the last couple of months. Ironically, drought conditions have persisted, and although some dams’ levels are starting to improve, the effects of the rapid depletion rate of 2016 will continue to reach some way into the new year.

Desalinating seawater and mining effluent has never made more sense. In the past, the cost of implementing this technology was prohibitive, but as the need for potable water has increased, economies of scale and new innovations are driving costs down. Indeed, the economic case for ensuring continuous supply far outweighs any argument for cutting costs on water – particularly when water restrictions come into effect. Water&Sanitation Africa’s comprehensive panel discussion this month covers all the ways in which desalination costs are reducing, as well as the necessity of this technology for assuring water supply security. Read more on pages 28 to 45. There is a great deal of high-level technical content in this issue, and I hope you gain as much new insight reading these pages as we did in putting them together.

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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cover story

Tapping tomorrow As a new member of the NuWater team, James Morisse, executive: Business Development for Africa, offers unique insights into how the company foresees its role in maintaining water supply security across different markets and sectors.

“

I

n my 17 years working in the water sector, I’ve never been aware of a company that puts the needs of its customers first the way NuWater does. A lot of firms put unnecessary systems and paperwork in place internally, which ultimately affects the customer negatively.

At NuWater, we do things differently, in that it’s always about what the customer wants to achieve in terms of their water quality needs.

Another thing that drew me to working here is the exclusive focus on water. I’ve worked at other multidisciplinary organisations but NuWater’s business model has allowed me to focus and specialise, as well as gain experience on a diverse range of water projects,” says Morisse.

While it’s a given that, in sub-Saharan Africa, many local government institutions struggle to keep pace with providing services to their growing populations – especially in times of water scarcity – Morisse believes that some of the region’s biggest challenges actually come from a lack of enforcement.

Sub-Saharan challenge “Probably the biggest challenge facing sub-Saharan Africa in terms of water management is a lack of regulation.

There is little to no prosecution of users who illegally dump polluted water without treating it effectively. Industrial water users have a responsibility to

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discharge water that is at least at the LEFT Municipalities are starting to see the benefits of rapidly deployable solutions same quality as was when received. through the value they’ve offered the When this is not done, our surface and mining and industrial sectors groundwater supplies become contaminated,” he says.

While blue-chip companies have been the local marketplace for their ease of leaders in treating transportability, featuring a construcwater and distion option for fast attachment to and charging clean detachment from the back axle of a supply back into truck, after which quick connections the environment, facilitate rapid, easy installation.

Morisse points “Some of our larger units can be out that other mounted on top of these trailer-type players need to arrangements and we offer these as follow suit if there rental units. Alternatively, we build is to be enough water plants into 6 m and 12 m shipping for future generations. containers. Those then are easily trans“Water is becoming a serious ported via road, rail or sea,” he adds. business risk and what many smaller players conveniently forget is that Municipal focus what they don’t treat now is going to NuWater recently supplied one of its affect them further down the line. The packaged sewage treatment plants to only way to combat this short-sighteMalahleni Local Municipality for the edness is for more licence inspectors purposes of increasing facility efficiency to be active in the field and while enhancing income for more prosecutions to In my 17 years generation. “We run the take place – a slap on the on a build-own-opworking in the plant wrist just doesn’t work,” erate contract and the water sector, municipality he explains. benefits

I’ve never because this arrangeEngineered solutions ment means no capital been aware NuWater offers rapidly deis required. The of a company budget ployable modular filtration plant is financed through systems, which include that puts the operational budgets, as reverse osmosis, ultrafiltra- needs of its it generates additional tion, seawater desalination income to the municicustomers systems and sewage pality through having first the way treatment systems. “The more product to sell to latter has been particularly NuWater does consumers. This provides well received throughout the municipality with various market sectors", comments added flexibility and the ability to use Morisse. NuWater’s “modular and this additional income to pay for the mobile” solutions have stood out in facility,” explains Morisse.

RIGHT James Morisse, executive: Business Development for Africa, NuWater

Mining sector Compared to municipalities, the mining sector has been more accepting of rapidly deployable packaged treatment plant technology in a shorter space of time.

“Mines generally see water treatment as a business undertaking. They know that if they recruit professional water service providers such as NuWater, we’ll be able to deliver on deadline, at the required quality. They can see a demand and we offer a fast, effective solution,” says Morisse. As a result, NuWater is enjoying more and more success in marketing its products to this sector and to industry. While municipalities have been slower to appreciate the flexibility offered by decentralisation, things are starting to change.

Agri-business Morisse notes that the biggest user of water globally is the agricultural industry. “As farming becomes more professionalised and scientific, we’ve

increasingly noticed that farmers want to improve the quality of water used on crops and for livestock to improve their outputs. Gone are the days when a farmer simply sinks a borehole and accepts whatever quality of water comes out. As the agri-trends toward consolidation and corporatisation continue, we foresee a higher demand for reliable treatment solutions coming from the sector,” he adds. Different crops require different pH balances and mineral levels.

NuWater engages with its clients in the agricultural sector to ensure they get the water specifications they need for optimal success.

Market differentiator “We often reinvent processes and designs available in the local market so that they are cost-effective, save space, and are easily transportable and rapidly deployable. All of these things culminate to make NuWater’s solutions wholly unique,” says Morisse.

“We also boast a large stock-holding of readily deployable units, as well as spares and consumables. This makes for an excellent turnaround time

during the initial project but also in the support thereafter,” he adds. NuWater has operations in South Africa, Singapore, Mexico and the UK. Most of its local manufacturing takes place at the company’s Cape Town head office. “We’ve developed much of our intellectual property in South Africa, which we’ve then gone on to market in other regions. For example, our 16 inch seawater desalination membrane was developed here.

That’s a world first,” says Morisse.

“Given NuWater’s position as a market leader, and global leaders situated in Africa, we can say with confidence that future opportunities are likely to come about in the municipal, agricultural and mining sectors for the reasons stated above. We also predict a continuing trend where mines will prioritise recycling their water as part of mining houses’ internal initiatives to promote good environmental stewardship,” he concludes.

www.nuwaterglobal.com

International mining concerns cannot allow for the reputational damage that would result if they are found to be polluting the environment – modular and mobile treatment plants offer a fast, effective way for mines to be good environmental stewards

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CEO's Comment

WISA

Leadership, governance and welcome back WISA CEO Lester Goldman looks back at the year that was, remarking on the changes that will build a stronger WISA in 2017 and beyond.

I

t is with a great sense of appreciation and acknowledgement that I write this column. I want to acknowledge the WISA board and council in having been, and continuing to be, receptive and empathetic to organisational change, aligned to best practice and good governance.

They have encouraged discourse and listened attentively, while analysing symptoms, identifying root causes and understanding risks – all this while still showing ethical volunteerism and leadership. This has not always been an easy path, as change seldom is, yet great leadership was shown in navigating WISA through the change.

Winds of change So, what change are we talking about? First, WISA took a hard look at itself, and drew comparisons with similar organisations, both locally and globally.

This provided some food for thought. We also spoke to our members, who provided critical inputs into the direction the institute should go.

We earnestly looked at our governance, and realised that there was excellent work done in the past in this regard, but that we were not always compliant. We also realised that the environment has changed, and that we needed to rethink

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some of our governance procedures. The WISA board then proactively started on a path of changing WISA, to meet the changing needs of its members, and the sector. We borrowed from best practice, and decided that we should become effective, efficient and, most importantly, remain ethical. This we did, well before it became a favourable or well-accepted path for non-profit organisations.

King IV transition Of course, King IV now requires the above outlined approach, but we are already well advanced down this path thanks to the foresight of the WISA leadership.

By no means will this journey ever end, but it certainly is reassuring to know that we are sailing in the right direction. As required

by King IV, the WISA board has led from the front, in steering and setting strategic direction, approving policy and planning, overseeing and monitoring performance, and ensuring accountability.

Indeed, WISA is practising what it preaches, and is ensuring that we not only transform the organisation as required, but provide ethical leadership to the sector. The 17 principles established

Dr Lester Goldman, CEO, WISA

A new year brings with it a chance to recommit to the same work ethic that has characterised the local water sector for so many years

by the King IV report are well entrenched already, and ensure that we can achieve desired benefits like an ethical culture, good performance, effective control and legitimacy.

Like any path to a new destination, there are always many avenues, with various possible routes; nonetheless, we are excited to be on this journey. This allows us to better serve our members and the sector itself. Please do chat to me or any of our board or council members about it when our paths cross.

Welcome back It is also that time of the year when we all return from a much deserved break.

Let us return reinvigorated and ready to tackle the new challenges of the year ahead. As we re-enter our offices and go to site, let us approach our work with the same enthusiasm, commitment and work ethic that has come to characterise our industry.

Thank you,

Lester

WISA

President ’s COMMENT

Putting research on the map Water Institute of Southern Africa president Valerie Naidoo makes the case for investment and coordination in water research, development and innovation.

T

he Water Research Commission, Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and Department of Science and Technology kicked-off four Water RDI (research, development and innovation) Roadmap Roadshow events in Cape Town, Bloemfontein, East London and Durban towards the end of last year.

For those that are not familiar with the roadmap, it is a high-level RDI planning tool for the sector, which signals priority water research clusters, human capital development targets and the need for an active innovation playground leading to breakthrough technologies every five years.

Alternate water sources The first cluster deals with unlocking

The Water Research, Development and Innovation Roadmap will, among other things, set a course for making the DWS’ National Water Resource Strategy II a reality in the next 10 years

alternate sources of water, focusing on making the DWS’ National Water Resource Strategy II a reality in the next 10 years. It also aims to model and scope opportunities using all options in the water cycle such as rain- and stormwater harvesting, as well as groundwater using integrated management principles.

Reuse of water is a major focus and concentrates and sets targets for reclamation or fit-for-purpose opportunities using grey-water, wastewater, industrial water and mine water. Thus, this cluster should focus not only on technology development but also on capability build, risk management, social acceptance and health.

Governance, management and planning There are two clusters in the roadmap that focus on governance, management and planning for both the supply and demand needs of the country: clusters two and five. The need to drive

Dr Valerie Naidoo, president, WISA

these aspects within the roadmap is critical since, no matter how many solutions are created in the sector, they will likely fail at the implementation stage if the enabling environment is absent or the relevant stakeholders are unwilling to test and deploy them.

These include enabling tools, such as regulations and policy that ensure the protection, fairness, equity, planning and management of demand. There is also a call for action research, which should help unpack and strengthen our application of water allocation, management of transboundary water, mitigation of pollution, operationalisation of catchment management authorities and planning for national and local water demand.

Infrastructure solutions Cluster three deals with built and ecological infrastructure (BI and EI) and

President ’s COMMENT

WISA

For WISA, it is important that all technical divisions and branches understand the 10-year plan and promote and test innovative solutions, as well as provide technical guidance encourages solutions that allow the sector to manage BI and EI in a sustainable manner. This cluster encourages researchers and technical professionals to rethink supply infrastructure by exploring new storage infrastructure, performance indicators, transdisciplinary partnerships, and the strengthening of urban systems.

It is critical that all water sector players understand the economics of balancing the BI and EI at catchment and city or town levels.

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Service environments Clusters four, six and seven aim to unpack solutions and opportunities for the operational (service) environments and will focus on water efficiency (public sector, consumers, and industry). It includes looking at new-generation options for the treatment, conveyance and management of water and wastewater.

Investment opportunities Clusters four and seven take a critical look at “water as a sustainable business” and encourage the sector to look at innovative financial and social models as well as the tools, devices and revenue collection solutions. These will allow South Africa to secure water more effectively by investing appropriately in its infrastructure and operations and maintenance.

The implementation of such solutions requires a massive, coordinated effort from all water and cross-sectoral players. In this regard, the triple helix of government, academia and industry should also become fully operational. Thus, the Water RDI portfolio management unit and the 10-year roadmap aim to coordinate this.

It will signal to all partners where to invest for research, innovation and human capital development.

Industry plays a critical role in working with universities and science councils to invest in the right areas as well as playing an instrumental role in testing new technologies for the sector, which, in turn, should strengthen and make them more competitive both locally and globally. Therefore, for the Water Institute of Southern Africa, it is important that all technical divisions and branches understand the 10-year plan and promote and test innovative solutions as well as provide technical guidance on new knowledge and innovations. This roadmap provides exciting opportunities for testing new approaches, technologies, and infrastructure for a water-scarce and potentially “future climate-impacted” country, which will most definitely face different challenges than developed nations.

WISA

Y WP

What a year for YWP-ZA Going from strength to strength, 2016 was another exciting year for YWP-ZA. National chairperson Nora Hanke-Louw reflects on the past year.

L

ast year was exciting for the South African Young Water Professionals (YWP-ZA).

Amidst increasing pressure on our country’s resources, the youth across South Africa is awakening. This has been shown in the #FeesMustFall movement and in the water sector.

2016 marked the year of water restrictions and increased public awareness around water issues.

As the new year begins, the network of young people under 35 years of age and part of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) and the International Water Association (IWA) is excited to share its activities in 2016 and planned activities in 2017.

New chapters YWP-ZA opened two more provincial chapters in 2016 – in Limpopo and Northern Cape, respectively. This brings the total number of provincial chapters to seven. In the past, provincial chapters have shown that they are the

FATAL FACTS

• More than 2 million tonnes of wastewater and agricultural waste are discharged into the world’s waterways each year. Over half of the world’s hospitals are occupied by people suffering from illnesses related to waterborne diseases resulting from polluted water (this is high in comparison with the number of people killed as a result of violence, including wars).

• Almost 90% of all wastewater in developing countries is discharged, untreated, directly into rivers, lakes and oceans. At least 1.28 million children under five years of age die each year from water-related disease – that’s one every 20 seconds.

first contact point for our members and young people in the water sector more generally.

We are, therefore, excited to reach out to new communities and integrate them into our family of water professionals.

Additional activities included technical tours, among others. Due to ongoing student protests, numerous events had to be cancelled at the last minute but we are looking forward to holding the events early this year.

One of the provincial projects YWP-ZA wants to showcase is taking place in KwaZulu-Natal. WISA, YWP-ZA and eThekwini Municipality’s Water and Sanitation Department have identified decommissioned hand-pump boreholes and some off-grid water solutions that could essentially provide clean potable water to surrounding communities. The purpose of this project is to provide infrastructure solutions that would alleviate the shortage of water in communities most affected by drought in the rural parts of eThekwini Municipality since the current intervention programmes used by the municipality are not sustainable.

In some of these areas, there is water infrastructure but the supplying reservoirs have run dry. As part of WISA’s social responsibility programme, YWP-ZA is volunteering its services by taking a lead role in resuscitating and upgrading the old or abandoned infrastructure. Sustainable decentralised potable water supply systems will then be accessible to poor rural communities.

The feasibility study for this project has been completed and the first of these boreholes is being installed.

Workshop participation The YWP-ZA’s national committee also runs three flagships projects, namely a Publication Workshop, the Imvelisi Enviropreneurship workshops, and its biennial conference, which you can read more about in this edition of Water&Sanitation Africa.

Following the success of the 2014 Publications Workshop series, YWP-ZA decided to host this training programme on a biennial basis and partnered with the Water Research Commission to achieve this plan.

The purpose of these events is to equip students with the skills needed to publish in leading international journals. The workshops follow a diverse programme covering writing skills, practical activities, review systems and extensive interrogation of participant papers. The sessions are facilitated by leading experts with experience in writing, reviewing and editing journals. Professor Gustaf Olsson is a former IWA Publishing Award holder.

As the former (2005-2010) editor-in-chief of Water Science and Technology and Water Science and Technology: Water Supply, Prof Olsson is highly experienced in the publishing and academic domains.

He has also served as a member of the IWA Board of Directors and IWA Strategic JAN/FEB 2017

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WISA

Y WP

Participants at the KwaZulu-Natal workshop for the Second Young Water Professionals Publications Workshop

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Council. He was supported by local experts in publishing, including Tamsyn Sherwill (editor of Water SA) and Lani van Vuuren (editor of Water Wheel). Those wanting to find out more about our Publication Handbook can contact YWP-ZA’s Western Cape chairman, Ashton Maherry, on amaherry@gmail.com.

Enviropreneurs workshop The Imvelisi – Developing Enviropreneurs workshop is aimed at developing the pipeline of potential entrepreneurs towards a greener economy. It has a particular focus on emerging ‘enviropreneurs’ and their innovative ideas for products and services that will have a positive impact through water and biodiversity businesses. Conceptualised and being implemented

by GreenMatter (a national network of partner organisations responsible for implementing its 20-year Biodiversity and Human Capital Strategy) and the YWP-ZA network, Imvelisi is designed to improve the potential of aspiring enviropreneurs in gaining access to mainstream incubators and business funding streams. The programme is funded by the Department of Science and Technology. Imvelisi 2016 was conceptualised to have two phases to increase the pool of applicants: Phase 1 was a pre-bootcamp roadshow in four provinces, supported by the Department of Environmental Affairs, focusing on generating awareness about entrepreneurship opportunities in water and biodiversity. Phase 2 will take place this year.

Potential applicants wanting to take part in one of these bootcamps can contact YWPZA past chair Shanna Nienaber on shannan@wrc.org.za.

Global presence Internationally, YWP-ZA was also been active in 2016. The IWA’s World Water Congress took place between 9 to 13 October at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in Queensland Australia. The congress

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traditionally brings over 5 500 water, environment and related professionals from more than 100 countries and offers new insights into how pioneering science, technological innovation and leading practices shape the major transformation in water management that is underway.

This year, the congress brought together emerging water leaders (EWL) from all over the world for the EWL sessions integrated throughout the programme.

YWP-ZA vice chair Suvritha Ramphal formally took office as the South African Representative for the IWA’s EWL Steering Committee on 8 October during the EWL Steering Committee Meeting. The role of the EWL during this congress was to present their view WISA, YWP-ZA on current topics and eThekwini shaping the water Municipality sector today – namehave identified ly water scarcity and decommissioned drought, sustainable hand-pump development goals boreholes and and water-wise cities. some off-grid This was successfully water solutions orchestrated through that could provide the use of rapporclean potable water teurs capturing key messages at strategic to surrounding sessions. communities At the closing ceremony of the congress, Suvritha Ramphal from the Royal Danish Embassy in South Africa, Arlinda Ibrahimini from the UKKO Joint Stock Company in Albania and Kathryn Sylvester from Sydney Water in Australia touched on the topical key messages of the congress: water scarcity and drought as signals of a climate shift; blended financing models required to realise the Sustainable Development Goals; and the need to work towards developing tools to increase our understanding of the complexities of water and cities. To find out more about our international programme, contact Suvritha Ramphal on suvram@um.dk.

After such an exciting year, we are looking forward to 2017 where we will continue to run events and build on South African talent in the water sector. Or, to put it in the eloquent words of Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke, “And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.”

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WATER RESTRICTIONS IN JOHANNESBURG

The City of Johannesburg is required by the Department of Water and Sanitation to reduce its water usage by 15% with immediate effect, as water levels at our source (Integrated Vaal River System) have dropped to alarming levels.

This mandatory mitigation measure on water usage has been triggered by on-going drought and unusual warmer conditions.

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Level-2 water use restrictions according to section 44 (3) of the Water Services By-law states that consumers are compelled: • Not to water their garden between 06:00 and 18:00; • Not to use irrigation systems, only a hand held hose or bucket is permitted during watering times; • Not to fill swimming pools with municipal water; and • Not to use hosepipes to wash their cars or to clean paved areas and driveways with water.

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Water demand restriction tariffs on domestic users effective on water usage from September 2016. Full tariff schedule: www.johannesburgwater.co.za

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Implementation of water supply restrictions through reduction of outflows from our reservoirs will take place during off peak times (20:00 – 04:00) in selected areas daily.

For more information and water saving tips visit www.johannesburgwater.co.za.

Please subscribe on our website, to our SMS notification service for planned or unplanned service interruptions.

industry insight

Olifants charges ahead How do you eat an Olifants River Water Resources Development Project?

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) says, “One phase at a time.”

Steven Arumugam, chief director: Infrastructure Development, DWS, provides an update on Phase 2’s 2C Sub-phase. By Frances Ringwood

How long is the pipeline and what is its diameter?

SA For Sub-phase 2C, the steel pipeline is approximately 40 km long, with a diameter varying between 1.8 m and 1.3 m.

What community or industries will the pipeline benefit?

The water delivered by the pipeline is earmarked for social and commercial use (including mining and industry) in the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality.

How did these communities and industries receive water prior to the pipeline being constructed?

Generally, the communities received water through a series of boreholes and directly from the river. Water was also sourced from Flag Boshielo Dam on the Olifants River, by the mines, through a weir and pipeline scheme constructed by them under approval from the DWS. This is administered through the Lebalelo Water Users Association (LWUA).

How was the project funded?

This portion of the project is wholly funded from the fiscus.

Can you provide some details about the project timeline and background?

Cabinet approved the project in 2004.

Work on the De Hoop Dam started in 2007 when the then Minister of Water Affairs issued the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) with a directive for the bulk distribution system in 2008.

Design started in 2009, and construction on Sub-phase 2C started in 2012, with

completion anticipated in 2017. The TCTA is the implementing agent for Subphase 2C and an Aurecon-Ndodana JV is the consulting engineer. Basil Read is the main contractor.

Were there any interesting challenges regarding the project?

The pipeline passed through a number of communities. On a number of occasions, the pipeline project was on the receiving end of service delivery protests in the area. Even though we commenced the consultation process with neighboring communities about employment and business opportunities long before construction began, our project was still caught up in local issues.

How were local employment opportunities created through the project?

The contract required that certain employment targets be met, including that all unskilled labour and a certain percentage of skilled employees were to be sourced from the local areas surrounding the pipeline. This process was overseen by a collective community structure, called the project liaison committee (comprising two representatives from each community), whose members had the responsibility of reporting back to their respective communities.

Other than the fact that the contractor met, and in some cases exceeded, the contractual requirement for procurement from and development of local enterprises, an additional R38 million was allocated for local business (from the project area) opportunities. Through our

corporate social investment initiatives, the project rolled out the following projects: a pedestrian safety programme, aimed at schoolchildren, due to the high incidence of vehicle accidents with pedestrians; Passport to Future, for unemployed high school graduates in consultation with the water services authority (Sekhukhune District Municipality), and upgrading and developing water resources, like boreholes, at selected communities.

Would it be possible to provide more background regarding the interesting features of this project?

The Olifants River Water Resources Development Project Phase 2 (ORWRDP-2) is sited in the Olifants River catchment area, incorporating the Steelpoort River catchment area, and extending into the Mogalakwena and Sand River catchments.

ORWRDP-2 comprises the following sub-phases: Sub-phase 2A entailed the construction of the De Hoop Dam on the Steelpoort River; Sub-phase 2B is a bulk distribution system from the Flag Boshielo Dam to the Mokopane area; and Subphase 2C, which I discussed earlier.

Bulk infrastructure components include pipelines, pump stations, balancing reservoirs and a terminal reservoir at Pruissen.

Sub-phases 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F cover a bulk distribution system from the De Hoop Dam that will ultimately link with the existing Olifants-Sand Transfer Scheme at Olifantspoort. Sub-phase 2H will entail the incorporation of portions of LWUA’s infrastructure into ORWRDP-2.

What is the total cost of the project?

Around R2 billion.

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Dams & Reser voirs

Enhancing dam capacity South Africa has reached a crisis point regarding water demand. Although there are about 1 510 water supply dams in the country, the potential for new dams is severely limited. Thus, we need to find methods to augment the water supply in our existing dams. By Peter Townshend*

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ater, unlike electricity, is a finite resource in South Africa. Further, our ageing dam infrastructure of about 1 200 medium to large water supply dams has lost considerable storage from sedimentation.

Global warming is now having an effect on increased water usage, high evaporation rates as well as more extreme events such as floods and droughts.

This puts a significant constraint on our country’s water supplies. We have limited potential to build more dams, and the cost, social and environmental issues attached to new dams are problematic. One way to address these problems is to utilise existing dams and provide effective methods to raise dams’ full supply levels (FSLs) to gain additional water storage.

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Challenges The challenges are multifaceted and include the increase in demand for water for: • The population, which is increasing rapidly due partly to improved health facilities as well as an influx of people from other countries. The government has undertaken to provide water to nearly all citizens, thereby increasing the demand to millions of people who previously did not have piped water.

Further, most people’s lifestyles have improved considerably, which increases water usage.

• The increasing supply of industry, mining and power-generation to meet a growing South Africa as well as agriculture, which accounts for more than 60% of the country’s water usage.

Water losses are also unacceptably high.

Causes of water loss range broadly and

include: ageing and leaking pipelines and fittings; unrecorded and illegal connections resulting in unaccountable usage; illegal abstractions from rivers and dams; and sedimentation Sedimentation is particularly interesting for its impact on dams. About 50 dams were surveyed for sediment accumulation in the 1980s and 1990s, and the total volume lost to sediment was in the order of 1 555 million cubic metres over an average 10-to-15-year period. This amounts to almost 150 million cubic metres per annum, which is equivalent to one large dam’s capacity lost per year!

Even though dam design makes provision for loss of storage to sediment, it is nevertheless a considerable loss.

Unfortunately, this is a reality we must live with as measures to reduce sediment loss have not been very successful.

Ecological reserve – the provision of additional water in dams for the ecological

Dams & Reser voirs requirements of the downstream river – has largely been overlooked in our dams in the past. This has led to poor water quality in the river systems downstream of dams, with adverse effects on both human and riverine ecology downstream of dams.

Consequently, the ecological reserve has become a fundamental provision in the National Water Act of 1998 and dams are now required to provide storage for ecological releases from dams.

While the ecological reserve varies between dams, it still can account for about 10% to 20% of the total capacity.

Further, in order to stimulate early reproductive cycles in riverine species, it is necessary to release a large amount of water from the dam to simulate an early seasonal flood. The flow rate needed for this is not readily produced by bottom outlet valves, so a gated system is required for large discharge. The Berg River Dam is the first such dam in South Africa to release up to 200 m3/sec for environmental purposes.

Solution: raising dams Increasing storage in existing dams is probably the quickest and most costeffective means to gain more capacity.

The advantages of raising dams are: • A modest raising of 2 m to 4 m can result in a 10% to 50% increase in storage volume, depending on the dam characteristics; therefore, raising between three to five dams is equivalent to about one new dam.

• There is minimal environmental

impact in the supply of construction materials, displacement of communities and adverse impact on flora and fauna.

• I t is considerably cheaper than building a new dam and as shorter time to construct and impound to gain the valuable water supply.

Capacity increase methods include: conventional construction, electromechanical gates, automatic spillway gates and sediment removal.

Conventional construction This is done using conventional methods of quarrying (for additional fill and/or rock), placing and compaction on the existing embankment to provide the additional strength required for the raising.

The spillway and abutments are raised in mass or reinforced concrete and often are also anchored to the rock to provide additional stability.

There is a proportional, adverse environmental impact involved with the provision of construction materials as well as construction activity – traffic, noise and air pollution – and they have large carbon footprints. Furthermore, by providing a fixed raised spillway, the high flood level and backwater effect

increases, leading to the purchase of more land above the previous high flood level, which will be inundated by the raised high flood level.

It also does not provide a sufficiently large release of water for downstream environmental flows. Raising dams by conventional means is also more costly and time-consuming than the alternatives. However, in South Africa, conventional dam raising is preferred, for good reasons, over some of the alternative methods.

Nevertheless, with the increasing demand for water and constraints on the fiscus, conventional raisings should be carefully considered against the advantages of the alternatives.

Electromechanical gates These gates require an external power source, mainly electrical, to operate. The most common of these gates in South Africa are radial and vertical lift gates.

They are not favoured in South Africa because they require ongoing maintenance and are prone to failure.

The assurance of operation is uncertain, especially on dams in remote locations.

However, they are acceptable on large dams where there is a permanent operator presence.

Automatic gates These essentially fall into three categories: rubber dams, fuse gates, and self-opening and -restoring gates.

Tops gate open to pass water at The rubber-type dams Mnjoli Dam, Swaziland such as the Bridgestone and Obermeyer gates that are used overseas, mostly in northern

Dams & Reser voirs Climate change is putting strain on dams' storage capacity (Clanwilliam Dam) Avis Dam in Namibia’s tops gate just opening

Avis Dam’s gate fully open for increased levels Tops spillway gates can increase water levels by 0.5 m to 8 m

hemisphere countries, have not found application in South Africa.

Fuse gates and earth embankments are fixed structures on the spillway that are designed to fail at a certain high recurrence flood event. Once the fuse gate or embankment fails, it passes the flood to ensure dam safety, but the additional storage obtained by the raising is then lost. It can then also take some time to restore the fuse, delaying the impounding of the dam. These fixed-type structures also cannot release water for environmental purposes.

Self-opening and -closing gates are gates that attach to an existing spillway to increase the water level in the dam.

When a flood occurs and the water levels

rise over the gates, the gates will open automatically and sequentially to release their flood waters in proportion to the inflowing flood hydrograph. When the water level recedes after the flood has passed, the gates will close automatically to retain the increased full supply level.

These types of gates comprise: • Tops spillway gates suitable for ogee and side-channel spillways, which can increase water levels from 0.5 m to 8 m.

• FDS crest gates suitable for ogee-type spillways, which can raise water levels from 0.5 m to 4 m.

• FDS scour gates used in low dams up to 15 m and river weirs. Their primary function is to remove sediment while it is still mobile during floods.

figure 1 Breaking out and building the new structure and fitting the scourgate

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Fast Facts •S outh Africa’s ageing dam infrastructure of about 1 200 medium to large water supply dams has lost considerable storage from sedimentation.

•A bout 50 dams were surveyed for sediment accumulation in the 1980s and 1990s, and the total volume lost to sediment was in the order of 1 555 million cubic metres over an average 10-to-15-year period.

• T his amounts to almost 150 million cubic metres per annum, which is equivalent to one large dam’s capacity lost per year!

•G lobal warming is now having an effect on increased water usage, high evaporation rates as well as more extreme events such as floods and droughts.

Figure 2 Water test scour tunnel and gate

Dams & Reser voirs

Of the different

These types of gates do not require any against a full head of water and, therefore, requires options available, external power source, either electrical careful construction. raising existing or mechanical, to activate them. The However, once the gate is installed, the weir dams offers the activation to open and close is automatic can be flushed a number of times and, once most quickest, easiest, and determined by water levels only. of the sediment is removed, the scour gate will most affordable These gates do not require regular minimise the sediment build up in the weir or dam. maintenance or control systems and, solution consequently, are suitable for dams in Conclusion remote locations.

The importance of increasing water supply in South They have the added advantages of: Africa is generally accepted. Of the different options available • minimising high flood levels and, therefore, land to meet our forthcoming water crisis, raising existing dams offers compensation costs and relocations the easiest, quickest and most cost-effective means to provide • opening manually to release large flows for environmental sustainable water in our existing dams. Conventional methods are purposes when required the safest but are generally more expensive and take longer to • offering cost-effectiveness and fast installation for early implement than raising with gates. impounding of the dam Of the gated options to raise dams, the suite of automatic • closing automatically to retain the increased self-actuating gates that are developed in South Africa offer an full supply level. affordable and technically acceptable solution to increasing water These gates are developed in South Africa and a number of supply. The urgency in South Africa to provide additional water them have been installed and have worked well on dams and supply, and the pressure on funding makes raising dams with weirs in Southern Africa for more than 30 years. automatic self-actuating gates vital.

Removing sediment South Africa has lost, and will continue to lose, a considerable volume of storage in river weirs and dams due to the accumulation of sediment. Some river weirs have silted up completely. Professors Rooseboom and Basson have indicated, in WRC report No. TT91/97 on dealing with reservoir sedimentation, that to have any chance of effectively maintaining a weir free of sediment, the gate should be able to pass in the order of a 1:2 year flood peak.

This usually requires a large outlet area, often considerably more than what is provided by present outlets.

Retrofitting scour gates It is possible to recover a substantial volume of storage lost to sedimentation behind weirs and medium-sized dams.

This can be done by a series of successive flushes, but only during periods of higher-than-normal flow in order to recharge to the weir or dam after each flush.

An automatic scour gate can be retrofitted to an existing concrete weir or dam spillway. It requires careful redesign of the existing structure to accommodate the scour tunnel and float chamber. This work may be constructed Figure 3 Scour tunnel open to discharge silt

For a list of references, contact frances@3smedia.co.za. *Peter Townshend (PrEng, BSc Eng Civil) is the MD of AmanziFlow Projects in Johannesburg.

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WETLANDS CONSER VATION

After the flood

O

At the time of writing, six people had already succumbed to dangerous waters resulting from summer floods. In light of this, it’s fair to ask whether city planners pay enough attention to climate change as it relates to urban development.

By Frances Ringwood & Dion Govender*

n 9 November last year, six people were reported dead and one small child was missing as a result of flood waters accumulating in Johannesburg. A flash flood resulted in a wall and bridge collapse, and the Jukskei River bursting its banks. The question on many commentators’ lips following the disaster is whether stormwater attenuation infrastructure was adequate.

An important related question is: “Do we, as South Africans, take our wetlands seriously enough?”

The answers to these questions turn out to be complicated. The fact is the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) is a world leader in terms of its stormwater and disaster management, but there’s a lot more at play making flash floods difficult to contend with.

Joburg’s role The world is becoming more urban.

According to an African Union report, over 60% of Africa’s people will live in urban centres by 2063. Even without the devastating effects of climate change, cities have inherited more social and environmental challenges than ever before. Politically, this has also created new centres of both real and perceived

power, which has threatened the hegemony of other tiers of government. Due to its immediacy and adjacency to the demands of larger sections of the population, a city might be able to introduce a level of urgency regarding climate action that is not always matched at a national level. On a related note, global climate leadership group C40 Cities (of which CoJ is a steering committee member) has identified six themes to assist members in meeting climate change challenges, namely: • improved vertical and horizontal coordination between next-level authorities • better internal city operations and capacity • presenting the case for climate action • understand and engaging urban stakeholders • collaborating with the private sector • finance for climate action.

The CoJ has conducted excellent research and has at its disposal a climate change adaptation plan, a climate change strategic framework, as well as a biodiversity strategy and action plan.

Integrating this type of research into the city’s official Integrated Development Planning process is under way at multiple levels. The Johannesburg Climate Change Adaptation Plan is based on a vulnerability assessment for the city, which has identified the following specific urban flood-related risks: • damage to water supply and sanitation infrastructure • damage to property, personal injury and livelihoods • increased road accidents and traffic congestion • damage to electrical and communications infrastructure • disruption to water security

WETLANDS CONSER VATION • increased numbers of refugees and migrants due to flooding in low-lying areas.

In addition, from a flooding perspective, the CoJ has developed a world-class catchment management policy, as well as by-laws governing stormwater management. Both have at their core the protection of flood plains, natural drainage areas and the reduction of excess stormwater on public roads. The CoJ’s Open Space Planning Department is also undertaking research into next-level management techniques such as sustainable urban drainage systems and water-sensitive urban design, which will increase resilience to the levels required of severe rainfall patterns.

system reaches capacity, while major systems (underground drainage) – including crossings through residential properties – are designed for storms statistically happening once every 25 years.” The CoJ’s rivers have 1:50 year and 1:100 year floodlines below which buildings may not be erected. Phillips added, “Unfortunately, any severe storm or flash flooding that occurs will result in isolated flooding, as the road infrastructure is not designed for these severities.”

In a nutshell, flash flooding resulting from unprecedented weather linked to climate change is beyond the control of city planners and could not be anticipated by those living half a century ago.

In addition, Johannesburg’s geology itself provides barriers to the flood and stormwater planning process.

What went wrong?

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) described the Johannesburg flash floods an act of God, adding that “it was beyond the capacity of JRA stormwater systems”. Dr Sean Phillips, managing director, JRA, explained, “A road is designed for the likelihood of the severity of the storm statistically happening once every five years. The road surface and reserve including the stormwater servitude are designed to act as a channel if the underground

Joburg geology Johannesburg is situated atop the Witwatersrand Basin, which consists of a 5 km to 7 km layer of predominantly sedimentary rocks that started forming more than 3 billion years ago, making it one of the oldest geological formations on the planet, predating the formation of continents and even planetary oxygen.

This basin is a largely underground geological formation, deeply buried under later layers; however, rocky outcrops are

fast facts

T he CoJ is a steering committee member of global climate leadership group C40 Cities.

The CoJ has conducted excellent research and has at its disposal a climate change adaptation plan, a climate change strategic framework, as well as a biodiversity strategy and action plan.

The CoJ is in the process of conducting wetland audits and developing further efforts to protect and conserve its natural wetland systems.

Rampant urban development has resulted in much of the city’s resources being directed towards basic service delivery to meet the rising demands of residents.

present across the central hinterland of South Africa. In Johannesburg, these outcrops appear as the gold-bearing Witwatersrand Ridge. As a result, a series of disturbed or broken ridges can be found across the city, which have the distinction of being watershed ridges – i.e. rain falling to the south of these ridges eventually flows into the Atlantic

Development, concrete pavements and parking lots create watersheds, diverting water into channels where its flow is stronger

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WETLANDS CONSER VATION

Ocean via the Klip River system, while 90 mm of rain fell in a 24-hour period rain falling to the north eventually falls at its weather station at O.R. Tambo into the Indian Ocean via the Jukskei International Airport.

River system.

The topography of the Johannesburg Climate models have shown that avermetro, ranging from 1 753 m to as low age rainfall will not increase significantas 800 m above sea level, makes the ly; however, rainfall events are expected city prone to rapid, gravity-based water to be much more movement, coupled Wetlands play a intense – causing with extensive areas crucial role in urban flash flooding. of hardened surfaces In the case of and developments ecological systems Johannesburg’s over natural springs as through their natural recent flash well as the infilling of filtration functions, flooding, amateur important wetlands. the retention and meteorologists Upstream developdetention of water, and ments over natural demonstrated that ecological corridors parts of the city springs, increased experienced beareas of hard surfacing tween 80 mm to 110 mm of rain in the and the reduction of sponge areas space of two to three hours. The South contribute to higher levels of run-off African Weather Service confirmed that water. The interference of natural water

168 Contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention protecting wetlands

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2 186 Wetland sites listed by Ramsar as having international importance

systems through development, cut-off drains or tunnelling further exacerbates the threat of flooding, as the vast run-off water finds new routes underground or is forced above ground.

In a short time span, a vast amount of water will flow from high-lying areas with little natural absorption capacity towards low-lying areas where, most often, it will work its way into the water systems. When developed areas and roads get in the way of this flood water, it is physically impossible for the stormwater drains to evacuate this water effectively, unless they are part of a holistic urban water management system.

Wetland protection As evidenced from the above, wetlands and their protection are crucial to flood mitigation and the prevention of severe

2 087 Total surface area of all Ramsar-designated wetlands in '000 km2

64% World’s wetlands that have disappeared since 1900

flooding. The question of whether enough is being done at government level to protect this valuable green infrastructure highlights an administrative minefield. Wetland protection is something that many metros and municipalities have grappled with in the last 22 years. Wetlands play a crucial role in urban ecological systems through their natural filtration functions, the retention and detention of water, and ecological corridors.

They are also an integrated component of the CoJ flood management system. In fact, the CoJ is in the process of conducting wetland audits and developing further efforts to protect and conserve its natural wetland systems. The latest studies show that the geomorphological health categorisation of the city’s

A black-headed heron

most important wetlands systems can be categorised somewhere between “largely threatened” and “serious”.

Developer challenge Meanwhile, myriad new private and commercial developments in the CoJ continue unabated and essentially pay lip service to their environmental impact assessments. The city’s excellent but limited resources have been stretched in trying to combat this and they are forced to rely extensively on self-regulation within the private sector.

Therefore, the city’s continued challenge is determining how best to de-link economic growth from environmental degradation, and deliver the required environmental and social justice necessary to protect its wetlands. *Dion Govender is the CEO of DLINK Holdings, a sustainable development services company focused on working towards environmental and social justice using innovative business practices.

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URBAN hydrology challenges

PART 1 OF 2

Integrating wetland conservation with stormwater management is essential for floodwater attenuation. The following technical paper looks at challenges regarding the integration of wetland management and urban hydrology. By Johan van der Waals*

W

etlands are under threat in urban areas due to the extensive, and intensive, development of their catchments, water supply areas and their occurrence on high-value land. The identification and assessment of wetlands rests on the elucidation and description of wetland habitat and wetland biota. These parameters have value in terms of their expression of ecosystem health and

the biodiversity characteristics of specific landscapes as they constitute the responses to a range of drivers centred around water (Figure 1).

These responses are specifically related to the physical or hydrological parameters of water summarised in the concept of “flow regime” and in the chemical or biological parameters summarised in the concept of “water quality” and are generally referred to as the ecosystem services associated with the responses.

The flow regime, water quality and geomorphology properties (drivers) of a landscape determine the types and characteristics of responses expressed as habitat and biota. It therefore follows that in the event that the drivers are altered, the responses, and subsequently the ecosystem services, will be altered as well. This concept is central to the understanding and elucidation of urban wetland (habitat and biota) impacts and is currently emphasised by the

Figure 1 Ecosystem services drivers and responses (Source: DWS)

Impact receptor E D CR OI S V Y E S R T S E M

Cause modification / risk

Flow regime / Flow Water quality Geomorphology

Impact receptor Habitat

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Biota

Activity can impact on any of the ecosystem drivers or responses and this will have a knock-on effect on potentially all the other drivers and responses 22

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E R CE OS SP YO SN T S E E M

WETLANDS CONSER VATION

Department of Water and Sanitation plinthic) layers where perched water (DWS) when considering water use tables or daylighting of seepage water licence application processes. occur. The quartz-rich parent granite Ecosystem drivers are contextualised has a low iron content – ”reserve” – and, in geological, topotogether with the age of graphical and climat- Soils are useful tools the material, leads to the ic settings. Together dominance of bleached for the elucidation with biota and the sandy soils with distinct and description of relative age of the and shallow zones of landscape context and water fluctuation. The landscape, these hydrological drivers parameters constiwater fluctuation zone tute five soil-forming is often comprised of a factors that determine the specific soil high frequency of iron or manganese profiles and characteristics encountered concretions and sometimes exhibits in a landscape. It is, therefore, no coinfeint mottles. In lower-lying areas, the cidence that two of the four wetland soils tend to be deeper due to colluvial indicators relate to soil, namely soil form accumulation of sandy soil material but and soil wetness. The remaining two are then exhibit more distinct signs of prolandscape position (geomorphology – longed saturation. Figure 3 provides a ecosystem driver) and vegetation (biota schematic representation of the catena.

– ecosystem response).

The essence of this catena is that the soils are predominantly less than 50 cm Soil as a wetland driver thick and, as such, have a fluctuating assessment tool water table (mimicking rainfall events) Soils are useful tools for the elucidation within 50 cm of the soil surface. and description of landscape context For the purpose of wetland identiand hydrological drivers. The South fication and conceptual hydrological African landscape is characterised description of the HHGD landscape, the by hard geology of a significant age emphasis is placed on the identification on stable and old land surfaces that of context-specific responses in the have developed clear morphological indications of hydrological processes Figure 2 Location of the Halfway House Granite Dome in Gauteng in the soils.

This, together with the distinct influence of the physical properties of the soil horizons on the determination of the local water regime, forms the foundation for an emerging field of science referred to as “hydropedology”.

Through the correct interpretation of soil morphology and suitable soil property measurement, the hydrological drivers of wetland conditions can be elucidated as the soils both indicate and participate in the hydrological functioning. This observation forms the basis for the determination of the “reference state” of a wetland as required for ecological assessment techniques.

Halfway House Granite Dome catenae One area in Gauteng that is characterised by very specific soil and landscape features and is also prone to extensive urban development pressure is the Halfway House Granite Dome (HHGD) (Figure 2). The typical soil catena (soil sequence along a hillslope) that forms on the HHGD is characterised by relatively shallow soil profiles, often with extensive subsoil ferricrete (or hard JAN/FEB 2017

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WETLANDS CONSER VATION Figure 3 Schematic representation of a Halfway House Granite catena Glencoe

<0.5 m

Wasbank Wasbank

Wasbank Longlands Kroonstad Kapspruit

Champagne

Fluctuating water table

Increasingly permanent water table form of biota and soil morphology.

Through this pragmatic approach, the 50 cm “mottle presence” criterion is not applied religiously. Rather, distinctly wet horizons and zones of clay accumulation within drainage depressions are identified as distinct wetland soils. The areas surrounding these are assigned to extensive seepage areas that are difficult to delineate and on which it is difficult to assign a realistic buffer area.

The probable best practice is to assign a large buffer zone in which subsurface water flow is encouraged and conserved to lead to a steady but slow recharge of the wetland area, especially following rainfall events. In the case where development is to take place within this large buffer area it is preferred that a “functional buffer” approach be followed. This implies that development can take place within the buffer area but then only within strict guidelines regarding stormwater management and mitigation as well as erosion prevention in order to minimise Figure 4A Different flow paths of water through a landscape

Precipitation

Surface run-off

Recharge

Subsurface shallow lateral drainage

sediment transport into stream and drainage channels and depressions.

And all of this with the ultimate aim of managing the water resource within the framework provided by the DWS. Landscape water movement Water movement in a landscape is a combination of the different flow paths in the soils and geological materials. The movement of water in these materials is dominantly subject to gravity and, as such, it will follow the path of least resistance towards the lowest point, with a number of factors determining the paths along which this water moves. Figures 4A and 4B provide schematic representations of the different flow regimes that are usually encountered.

The main types of water flow can be grouped as: 1) recharge (vertically downwards) of groundwater; 2) lateral flow of water through the landscape along the hillslope (interflow or hillslope water); 3) return flow water that intercepts the soil or landscape surface; and 4) surface run-off. Significant variation exists with these flow paths and numerous combinations are often found.

The main wetland types associated with the flow paths are: a) valley bottom wetlands (fed by groundwater, hillslope processes, surface run-off, and/or in-stream water); b) hillslope seepage wetlands (fed

Subsurface deep lateral drainage / seepage

Groundwater-fed wetland

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WETLANDS CONSER VATION PRODUCTS

Are DWS guidelines on what defines a wetland useful in all cases?

The identification and delineation of wetlands on the HHGD is particularly challenging.

• One of the main criteria used during wetland delineation exercises, as stipulated by DWS guidelines, is the presence of mottles within 50 cm of the soil surface (temporary and seasonal wetland zones).

• Even from a theoretical point of view, the mottling criteria of the guidelines cannot be applied to the HHGD catena, as soils at the crest of the landscape would already qualify as temporary wetland zone soils due to soil colour and mottling criteria.

• In this regard, it is often found that up to 75% of a landscape (crest to valley bottom) qualifies as wetland, according to the DWS criteria, with this being an artefact of the non-specific nature of the criteria.

• It is, therefore, imperative that properties other than the generally accepted wetland signs be used to elucidate wetland distribution and functioning in the HHGD landscape.

FOR THE

WATER INDUSTRY

Figure 4b Typical wetland types associated with the water regime

Midslope seepage wetland

Footslope seepage wetland Valley bottom wetland

by interflow water, return flow water, or both); and c) wetlands associated with surface run-off, ponding and surface ingress of water anywhere in the landscape. These flow paths exhibit variation in the expression of water with surface flow paths yielding near immediate responses, shallow lateral drainage between weeks and months and deep lateral drainage between months and years.

Conclusion The conservation of wetlands in an urban context requires a thorough understanding of the ecosystem drivers (flow regime, water quality and geomorphology) that yield the ecosystem responses (habitat and biota) that are of value. It is critically important to elucidate and understand the water movement processes in the landscape/hillslope, as these features are the ones impacted upon by urban developments, therefore yielding altered drivers that lead to altered ecosystem responses. In Part 2, to be published in WASA March/April 2017, the specific urban impacts that alter the ecosystem drivers will be discussed in more detail. *Johan van der Waals (PhD Soil Science, Pr Sci Nat) is the owner of Terra Soil Science in Pretoria.

www.vovani.co.za

WETLANDS CONSER VATION

Wastewater extension saves wetland On 6 December 2016, Ekurhuleni’s new mayor, Mzwandile Masina, along with dignitaries from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and other stakeholders, celebrated ERWAT’s extension of the Welgedacht Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW), ensuring the future of the Blesbokspruit wetland.

“F

loods have led to loss of life here and in Johannesburg, and this raises many questions regarding municipalities’ drainage infrastructure, and their capacity to minimise the negative effects of floods. I think that, together, Ekurhuleni and ERWAT have prepared an infrastructure build programme that explores how we can cater to the needs of citizens over and above providing technologically innovative wastewater treatment services,” said Masina during his address.

While it took eight years and R590 million to complete a 50 Mℓ/day extension to the Welgedacht WWTW, the results

will be well worth it for the residents of Benoni, Boksburg, Springs, Bakerton and Daveyton, whom the plant serves.

The East Rand Water Care Company (ERWAT), which operates in Ekurhuleni, saw the need for an extension soon after Welgedacht was originally completed in 2003. The plant’s original treatment capacity was 35 Mℓ/day. Tumelo Gopane, ERWAT’s new managing director, explains what prompted the decision to extend the plant: “Rapid urbanisation and industrial growth demanded additional wastewater treatment capacity to meet the needs of the surrounding communities. Further, Welgedacht discharges

into the Blesbokspruit wetland. As one of 21 internationally recognised Ramsar sites in South Africa, it was of the utmost importance that we protect this valuable green infrastructure, which is also part of our natural heritage.”

Ramsar is an international treaty that recognises wetlands in order to promote their protection. Without wetlands, landscapes lose their natural resilience to extreme weather conditions, negatively impacting surrounding ecosystems and human life. The reason for the plant’s long delivery timeframe was the numerous environmental and hydrology impact studies carried out prior to the extension’s

“As one of 21 internationally recognised RAMSAR sites in South Africa, it was of the utmost importance that we protect this valuable green infrastructure, which is also part of our natural heritage.” Tumelo Gopane, ERWAT’s new managing director

26

JAN/FEB 2017

WETLANDS CONSER VATION

2008

2012

Planning begins

June – Earthworks

construction. These were done in order to ensure that the extension’s building works and the final effluent quality meet the required South African National Standards to protect Blesbokspruit – Gauteng’s only officially recognised wetland.

Construction details Earthworks began in June 2012 and construction was completed in mid-2016.

“We are still in a ‘shake-down’ period at the moment, making sure all aspects of the plant run smoothly,” comments Gopane. The area where the extension, called Module 2 Extension, was built is dolomitic with an extremely high water

2012 October – Mechanical and electrical work starts

table. This necessitated special precautions and foundations. The projects also resulted in the creation of hundreds of local jobs. For example, the civil and building contractor, Group 5, trained 203 local residents with basic skills over the course of the project.

Future plans The extension at Welgedacht is part of a much bigger plan being undertaken by the DWS through ERWAT. “According to our facilities development plan, ERWAT’s strategy tends towards regionalisation.

We will be closing some smaller and under-capacitated WWTWs while extending

2013

2016

February – Civils begin

August – Commissioning and handover

and building newer ones. This is part of our goal to affordably provide the rightsized works in the most effective geographical location. By incorporating new, modern technological innovations, these new plants will be much more cost- and resource-efficient,” says Tiisetso Nketle, MMC for Water & Energy.

She concludes saying that another 50 Mℓ/day extension is in the works for Welgedacht, ultimately making it a 135 Mℓ/day plant. Gopane adds that it will also incorporate biogas and other beneficiation mechanisms, including the conversion of sludge to agriculturally useful compost.

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2015/07/17 11:09 AM

Panel Discussion

Aqua Resources SA Why are so many technology experts excited about the potential that desalination has for securing water supply in arid areas?

improve efficiency and reduce

How do your products and services overcome these barriers?

pressure operation. Second,

SC Technology experts are

We offer a number of cutting-

through hydrodynamically

excited because desalination

edge solutions. With LG Water

optimised modules, which

could produce the potable

Solutions’ range of NanoH20 RO

also facilitate efficient cleaning

water needed for large coastal

membranes, encapsulation of

(pH 1 to 13). Third, there is no

by RO brine flowing through them

cities and reduce supply

benign nanoparticles changes

irreversible fouling, further

under high pressure to part of

pressure on other water sources.

the structure of the thin-film

adding to cleaning efficiency

the incoming feedwater. Finally,

surface of a conventional RO

and reducing chemical use.

the disposal of large quantities of

dissolved salts from water.

membrane, allowing more water

Finally, patented Multibore fibres

brine as a by-product remains a

Types of water desalination

to pass through while rejecting

deliver superior mechanical

challenge. Disposal can sometimes

processes that exist include

unwanted materials such as salt.

strength, virtually eliminating

be an environmental issue if

thermal, electrical and pressure.

It is this thin film that dictates

fibre breakage and reducing

surrounding fauna and flora are

This discussion will focus on

the permeability and salt

plant maintenance.

sensitive to local seawater salinity

pressure-driven reverse osmosis

rejection of the membrane and,

(RO) with ultrafiltration (UF) as

therefore, the economics of a

pretreatment. RO desalination

desalination plant.

Desalination separates

plants typically use less energy than thermal distillation.

What, in your view, are some of the biggest drawbacks of desalination?

Any desalination technology

energy consumption.

Susan Cole Managing director

energy consumption is lowered

increase. This needs to be assessed at the design stage of a project.

have demonstrated a 50% to

What, in your experience, are some of the most common issues limiting the performance of desalination plants?

100% increase in permeability

Incorrect or inefficient

when compared to the installed

pretreatment – this compromises

base of RO membranes.

the correct operation of RO

oth LG Water Solutions & inge, B supported by Aqua Resources SA, offer the following services: • assistance with design projections • review of piping and instrumentation diagrams • plant layout and functional descriptions • operations optimisation and troubleshooting.

LG Chem’s thin-film nanocomposite membranes

This increased permeability

membranes, possibly limiting

is energy intensive. RO

means less pressure is required

water production capacity versus

desalination needs pressure

to force the migration of fresh

original design flows.

to overcome natural osmotic

water through the membrane,

pressures and “force” water

thus lowering a desalination

requirements remain a challenge.

through the membranes.

plant’s energy costs.

Methods such as renewable

According to the ‘US

Aqua Resources SA also

As mentioned earlier, energy

energy and energy recovery

Desalination & Water

supplies a market-leading

devices (ERDs) are being used

Purification Roadmap’ report,

desalination pretreatment UF

more and more frequently to

published by the US Bureau of

solution manufactured by our

mitigate the energy cost of

Reclamation in 2003, membrane

German distribution partners,

desalination. Examples of ERDs

permeability and fouling

inge. The inge range reduces

include turbines and isobaric

resistance are key economic

desalination plant running costs

exchangers that work by directly

drivers for membrane treatment

in several ways. First, on the UF

transferring energy generated

systems. Energy consumption

membranes themselves, pore

and capex account for 70% to

distribution along the complete

80% of the total expense of RO

modified polyethersulfone fibre

desalinated water. Research

means an effective backwash

is focusing on finding ways to

and low trans-membrane

What services do you provide to assist clients to get the most out of their plants?

LG Chem’s thin-film nanocomposite membranes are 50% to 100% more permeable than other membranes, resulting in lower energy costs

JAN/FEB 2017

29

Aveng Water Producing Drinking Water From Alternative Sources

We produce 95 Million litres per day of high quality drinking water from alternative water sources. Enough to give every South African seven glasses of water to drink a day. Protecting and rehabilitating the environment while ensuring sustainable water solutions for industry

Environmentally sustainable solutions to your water challenges +27 010 205 1800 | www.avengwater.co.za | avengwater@avenggroup.com

Panel Discussion

Aveng Water osmosis membranes are the final barrier, this ensures a high-quality product that is always superior to drinking water standards.

What, in your view, are some of the biggest challenges with regard to making desalination feasible?

intake systems were designed

SN The capital and operational

drinking water.

to cater for a possible expansion of up to 123 Mℓ/day. This model prevents the average consumer from having to pay more for

cost of desalination plants can

Aveng Water is constantly investing in R&D to make its desalination offering more seamless. Would you be prepared to share some of the latest outcomes of this research and discuss how it could change sub-Saharan Africa’s desalination landscape?

Suzie Nkambule General manager

“We have a pilot plant with pretreatment as well as membrane options – this has enabled us to push the limits of our own technology and prove that a brine stream isn’t always required.”

the past. Desalination removes

What, in your experience, are some of the most common issues limiting the performance of desalination plants and what services do you provide to assist clients in getting the most out of their plants?

this concern, and ensures

The most common problem

designs. This has enabled us

that when drinking water is

seems to be membrane

to push the limits of our own

required, it is available. Aveng

management. If control and

technology, and has allowed

Water has invested in testing

monitoring systems are not

us to treat water we didn’t

opportunity to improve the

and implementing various

sufficient, the plant can very

think possible – as well as

controls for pretreatment

cost-saving technologies to

quickly get to a point where

proving in reality that a brine

and membrane operation,

ensure that the life-cycle cost

required production is not

stream isn’t always required.

ensuring a long lifespan for

of any treatment plant is as low

a possibility and, in extreme

We also have a strong R&D

the membrane inventory,

as possible.

circumstances, membranes

side to our Plant Operations

which boils down to a client

may need to be replaced.

Division. There is so much

cost saving, increasing project

often be seen as excessive when compared to increasing water storage capacity, and waiting for rainy seasons.

With the reality of climate change, we cannot be certain of “normal” rainfall patterns that have been experienced in

We push our R&D from two different angles. The first is new product development and testing. We have a pilot plant with pretreatment as well as membrane options, which is used to try new technologies before implementing them on the larger plants and new

Why are so many technology experts excited about the potential that desalination has for securing water supply in arid areas?

We currently operate four

feasibility. We are particularly

membrane plants, all of which

proud of our operational record

Desalination offers a

gives us the confidence to offer

guaranteed potable water

five-year membrane warranties.

have very different feedwaters.

Our operational monitoring system (developed in-house)

Aveng’s Namibia plant is capable of producing 55 Mℓ/day of drinking water

and knowledge base, which gets transferred to every new plant where we operate.

works on all the plants and

supply, especially for coastal

well is when industrial facilities

Can you describe how your HiPRO technology reduces costs and improves environmental performance without compromising on quality?

use desalinated water, which

When it comes to mine water

frees up “traditional” potable

treatment, limiting brine

sources for local communities.

volumes is the biggest cost

This is the concept on which

driver. Our HiPRO technology

Aveng’s desalination plant in

allows the brine volumes

Namibia was developed. It is

to be as low as 1% to 2% of

currently designed to produce

the feed flow, with our latest

55 Mℓ/day of drinking water

installation producing no brine

for Areva Resources, but the

stream at all. Because reverse

areas. Industries often use up vast amounts of water, which puts pressure on municipalities’ systems. A model that works particularly

JAN/FEB 2017

31

If water is involved, we can help.

At Buckman, we believe customers deserve access to premier resources, exceptional service and a steadfast commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.

We offer an optimal solution for treatment of utility and process waters—an extensive portfolio of specialty chemicals, unmatched technical expertise and service, and a strong network of experienced associates who identify, prevent and solve problems quickly.

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Panel Discussion

Buckman Africa The incredible benefits of desalination are widely known. What, in your view, are some of the biggest drawbacks?

SR First of all, energy costs are

also provides a full range of chemicals and equipment

Stephanus Roux Account manager

for correct pretreatment, further reducing equipment damage and costs.

Our services include

significant and so funds for

monitoring, customer training,

desalination projects are not

membrane autopsies and

the performance of desalination plants?

always available to the potential

product development, all aimed

Among the biggest problems

users of treated water. Second,

at providing the right product

is pre-filtration that is poorly

Do you provide a service or solution that makes desalination more environmentally friendly?

when you evaporate water, as

and treatment for specific

designed or designed to cut

One of Buckman’s fundamental

happens when evaporation

desalination applications

costs rather than do the job.

pillars as a company is to

technology is used, scaling

and technologies.

Another problem is when plant

minimise any detrimental impact

operators try to increase run

on the environment. To achieve

lengths beyond recommended

this, it is essential to evaluate

technology limits. Generally,

customers’ water quality,

used, which concentrates salts.

What products do you offer for lowering desalination costs?

where plant owners or operators

production aims and brine

Salts that were in solution

Our pretreatment products

try to seek short-term cost

disposal capacity. Only then

now precipitate out, causing

include coagulants and

benefits, these hurt operational

can a chemical programme be

equipment failure or extremely

flocculants, sand filter aids

efficiency in the long term.

designed to minimise or

high maintenance costs. Third,

and pH adjustment before

water desalinated in an artificial

treatment. Anti-scalants are

performance is undermined is

impacts. Buckman has

way is not always usable as

supplied during the actual

when a generic chemical dosing

extensive experience with

is; some concerns remain

desalination process to keep

programme is applied without

clients that reuse almost all

regarding whether it is fit for

salts in suspension. Also,

matching it to plant water

of their effluent to ensure a

consumption or agriculture –

biocides are vital for effective

quality and production aims.

cleaner environment.

such water can cause severe

RO. Biofouling alone can

corrosion in conventional

destroy the viability of a

steel pipes. Additives are often

membrane facility.

becomes a big problem. This is also the case when reverse osmosis (RO) technology is

required to retreat this water.

success of this technology and

What services do you provide to assist clients in getting the most out of their membranes?

can often double the costs of a

Our services include plant

desalination plant. This is often

data monitoring, which allows

overlooked and leads to huge

Buckman to advise on the type

production cost overruns and

and frequency of chemical

maintenance bills.

cleaning, and membrane

Additionally, pretreatment of the water intended for desalination is vital to the

Another way plant

remove environmental

“Buckman Africa prides itself on its green chemistries, preventing poisonous chemicals from negatively affecting the environment.”

Green Our Color. Our Commitment.

autopsies to find specific

How do your products and services overcome these barriers?

problems or monitor system

As mentioned, scaling often has

cleaning solutions to specific

the biggest direct impact on

problems and the correct

the production of desalinated

biocide and anti-scalant dosing

water. Buckman’s experience

programme for each different

with RO technology and

type of water and production

evaporators has led to the

expectations. Computer

development of a full range

modelling plays an integral part

of anti-scalants and cleaning

in our recommendations.

health and chemical treatment efficiency. We also provide

agents. These chemicals work in support of normal operational maintenance procedures. Using these chemical solutions results

What, in your experience, are some of the most common issues limiting

in longer production runs, lower equipment maintenance costs, as well as a reduction in overall production costs. Buckman

Buckman specialises in environmentally friendly operations JAN/FEB 2017

33

HIGH EFFICIENCY,

LOW ENERGY COST

EASY MAINTENANCE The BMS range is a complete range of booster modules for reverse osmosis and filtration applications. The secret is a directly coupled pump powered by a highspeed permanent magnet (PM) motor supplied with a variable frequency drive (VFD) or a high-speed asynchronous (AC) motor with the option of ordering the mandatory VFD from Grundfos. Add to that an improved design that makes maintenance and service easier than ever, and you have a winning concept. ▸ ▸ ▸ ▸ ▸

High efficiency means energy savings Easy maintenance and alignment Extreme durability and reliability Very small footprint Easily integrated in any water treatment system ▸ Designed for high flows and pressure ▸ Built-in non-return valve

www.grundfos.com info_za@grundfos.com

Panel Discussion

Grundfos Could you describe some of the technical details behind how one of your industryleading BMS pressureboosting modules was developed and what makes it advanced and applicable in RO systems?

water and energy challenges

Dean Naidoo

of our world, and we take steps

Industry segment manager

DN Everyone is talking about

every day to care for our people, our planet and our business.

Our core promise is to be

efficiency, lower

Responsible, to think ahead and

energy cost and

innovate for the future, which

a smaller footprint,

is why – in keeping with the

improving transport

BMS pressure-boosting module

requirements, building space

recovery rate), it would use

saving energy and we all know

design philosophy – we offer

requirements, and ease

about 6.6 kWh/m3. If we were

it’s important given the current

higher efficiency and energy-

of maintenance.

to integrate a basic energy

global environmental, economic

saving motors (compliant with

and social circumstances

Europe’s IE3, or greater than IE3

desalination plants is increased

turbine, which Grundfos can

When we look at desalination

in some case) for all our other

corrosion due to the high salt

specify and offer, it would

systems in particular, they often

desalination products.

content in sea- and brackish

reduce energy consumption

Another challenge for

explanation, we can assume a 23 m3/h intake and 40%

recovery device such as a

water. Grundfos produces all

to about 4.42 kWh/m3,

critical components that come

resulting in a 33% energy

into contact with salty water

saving per annum, further

out of super duplex stainless

translating the payback on

steel as a standard offering

the initial investment to

magnet motor, which provides

What are some of the biggest challenges related to desalination projects and how does your solution overcome these challenges?

for all BMS pressure-boosting

about 0.45 years. Take it one

up to 5% higher efficiency than

Extremely high equipment

modules. This ensures extreme

step further and integrate an

standard asynchronous motors.

and running costs present

durability and reliability, with

advanced energy recovery

Couple this with a Grundfos

the biggest challenge for any

lower maintenance requirements

device such as a pressure

variable-frequency drive – that

desalination plant. High-pressure

and costs. We even go so far

exchanger, offered and

is specifically programmed to

pumps require larger motor

as to offer an electro-polished

supplied by Grundfos, and it

work with the centrifugal pump

sizes, in order to obtain the

stainless steel base frame for the

would further reduce energy

run 24/7, consuming large amounts of energy.

Grundfos has equipped its BMS pressure-boosting modules with a high-efficiency, permanent

performance profile – and pressure exchanger used as energy recovery, and such a system can significantly reduce energy consumption for the operator. As an

“Our core promise is to be responsible, to think ahead and innovate for the future.”

necessary pressure

pressure-boosting module as an

consumption to about

for the desalination

optional extra.

3 kWh/m3, providing a 54% energy saving per annum

process. High energy

How do your pumps facilitate lower life-cycle costs?

and a payback period of 0.46

also influence

Lower life-cycle costs are

advancements in technology

the maintenance

big drivers behind Grundfos’

have helped create a platform

programmes and the

innovation. Apart from the lower

for the direct coupling of

space required from

life-cycle costs associated with

pump to motor, allowing

our BMS pressure-boosting

for higher operation speeds

consumption and running costs result.

Large motors

example, energy consumption can an access and equipment size

years. Additionally, recent design improvements and

potentially be reduced from

perspective – not to mention

modules (which we’ve already

of up to 5 300 rpm. It also

6.45 kWh/m3 down to nearly

the difficulty of transporting

mentioned), energy recovery

reducescostly maintenance

3 kWh/m3, for approximately

such cumbersome equipment.

is also significant. If we look

on the gears and pulleys

20 m3 of clean water produced

The benefits of Grundfos’ BMS

at a basic single-train set-up,

used in typical high-pressure

per hour. Grundfos are strongly

pressure-boosting modules

without any energy recovery

pump installations for ramp-

committed to solving the urgent

in this regard include higher

(for the purposes of this

up and -down.

BMS pressure-boosting modules lower costs by driving efficiency

JAN/FEB 2017

35

ImproChem Water, Energy & Air Solutions

Safe, energy efficient and environmentally responsible Water & Process Solutions

MAKING WATER WORK FOR AFRICA Separation Technologies | Boiler Water & Fireside programmes | Total Cooling System Management | Specialised process technologies | Laboratory Services and Supplies | Package Plants, Standard Equipment & Engineered Solutions | Advanced Monitoring & Control | World-class Manufacturing Capabilities ImproChem (Pty) Ltd Tel: +27 (0) 11 971 0400 www.improchem.co.za improchem@improchem.co.za

Panel Discussion

ImproChem These feed into our belief that ‘prevention is better than cure’. Another product we offer to improve operational efficiencies is our online monitoring tools, which provide early warnings on plant performance decay. This will prompt operational staff to administer the correct changes, be it pre-treatment or cleaning.

Why are so many technology experts excited about the potential for desalination and its role in securing future supply?

How do your products and services overcome these barriers?

Desalination is often associated with providing sustainable supply to coastal towns – but ImproChem’s RO offering is much more extensive; can you elaborate on your different areas of expertise?

Sepadi Mohlabeng Director: Engineering which are available from GE’s comprehensive team of process and design engineers.

Other technologies include electro deionisation (EDI) and electro dialysis reversal (EDR), which are used for polishing

ImproChem has access to a

RO permeate to higher final

ImproChem provides a

complete range of membrane

water quality.

complete laboratory service;

technology – including

SM Water scarcity and limited

we conduct detailed water

ultrafiltration used for both

fresh water is an ongoing

analysis as a starting point

clean water preparation and

challenge in sub-Saharan

to developing pre-treatment

wastewater treatment in the

countries, which forces

designs for our customers.

form of membrane biological

What are some of your most popular products and how do they promote operational efficiency?

communities and governments

Standard equipment and

reactor applications. The RO

ImproChem’s pre-engineered

to explore alternate water

packaged plants are used

ranges vary from low- to mid-

packaged plant designs

sources. Large volumes of

extensively as pre-engineered

brackish units (up to

allow for the rapid design

untreated wastewater and

solutions for potable plants

5 000 total dissolved solids).

and execution of projects.

abundant sea water promote

and can also be used as RO pre-

These products are available

A comprehensive range

the viability of desalination,

treatment. We offer monitoring

in different capacities ranging

of RO plants, membranes

which can produce safe and

and control skids and

from 0.5 m3/h up to

and cartridges are in stock,

good-quality water using

off-the-shelf equipment with

102 m3/h as pre-engineered

removing the long lead time

membrane technology,

lower energy requirements.

skid mounted units.

required for the procurement

including reverse osmosis (RO).

ImproChem is one of the

The sea water RO packaged

of pumps, housings and

leaders in evaporative

range is extensive, and is also

membranes. This means that

What, in your view, are some of the biggest drawbacks of desalination?

condensers to eliminate

available in ultrafiltration

ImproChem has the capacity

brine discharge.

and RO combinations. Larger

to respond quickly to our

plants require custom designs,

customers’ demands.

The lack of thorough raw

simulate client conditions to

water analysis, and incorrect

predict the feasibility of treating

interpretation thereof, can

various types of water. This is

result in incorrect pre-treatment

followed by design modelling

design before RO. Seasonal

of the necessary process steps

variations in raw water quality

and extends to the use of GE

can also cause operational

Water & Process Technologies’

problems and premature

Winflows product to model RO

membrane failure.

design, ensuring the correct

Also, high energy costs compared to conventional water

We have the ability to

banking and flux calculations.

Additionally, we offer a

treatment plants can be an

range of membranes to treat

issue. A high level of monitoring

difficult water sources as

and control is required and

well as a world-class range

brine management can create

of chemicals to enhance

discharge problems, especially

recovery of water anti-scalants,

on large plants.

cleaners and biocides.

JAN/FEB 2017

37

Panel Discussion

Multotec Group Does the unique technical solution offered by the Multotec Group replace or complement desalination?

Explain the financial and environmental incentives that drove the technology development.

applications. By adjusting

CvdW Multotec partnered

Regarding environmental

time, the system can easily and

with Australian technology

incentives, the technology

automatically adjust to feed

provider Clean TeQ to bring the

operates at high water

concentration changes while

novel, technically advanced,

recoveries, reducing the

maintaining desired product

continuous ion exchange

requirement for brine

water quality.

technology, CIF/DeSALx, to

handling via expensive

Africa. It does not necessarily

thermal technologies or

compete with conventional

large evaporation ponds.

How does your solution facilitate brine reduction?

desalination technologies. In

Another advantage, due to the

The continuous and counter-

some cases, it complements

technology’s ability to handle

current operation facilitates

technologies like reverse

precipitated solids, is the

higher water recovery and

osmosis and can be used as a

regeneration of our dual-stage

reduced brine production.

pretreatment step to achieve

desalination technology,

The brine, typically gypsum

higher water recoveries.

DeSALx, with sulfuric acid and

slurry, can be handled via

lime for the cation and anion

dewatering. In acidic mine

Explain how your continuous ion exchange technology, CIF/ DeSALx, works?

Does Multotec offer piloting and testwork for customers who wish to explore this novel desalination technology?

removal stages, respectively.

water applications, we can

Resources and facilities

This causes precipitation of

operate the process at ZLD

are available to test at lab

gypsum within the columns,

conditions using DeSALx, which

scale and pilot plant scale.

producing saturated gypsum

is used as the polishing step on

Multotec has invested in a 1

Conventionally, ion exchange

slurry as the brine. This greatly

the overflow of a conventional

m3/h DeSALx pilot plant for

is a fixed-bed batch process.

increases ease of brine handling,

upfront neutralisation process.

customers’ sites. We also have

Typically, adsorption and

with direct dewatering with

The brine produced by DeSALx

a lab-scale unit to pilot on a

desorption occur in one

one of Multotec’s solid-liquid

can be sent back to the upfront

smaller scale.

contactor. A clear solution

separation technologies being

neutralisation, seeding the

without suspended solids is

an option. When compared

precipitation process and

necessary to improve system

with other high-recovery or

closing the loop to achieve

performance and avoid

zero-liquid discharge (ZLD)

ZLD in one step.

blockages. Clean TeQ CIF

technologies, the capital and

(single-stage) and DeSALx

operating costs of DeSALx are

(dual-stage) depart from this

comparably less.

the rate of resin movement through the system, and thereby changing residence

suspended and precipitated

movement of resin causes a

How does your equipment facilitate lower life-cycle costs?

solids. The continuous and

concentration gradient within

Operating cost is

counter-current movement

the columns, which naturally

30% to 40% less

of ion-exchange resin

drives the adsorption and

when compared to

also allows operation of

desorption reactions. This

conventional processes.

adsorption and desorption

means chemical consumption is

This facilitates lower

closer to ideal equilibrium

less than conventional fixed-bed

life-cycle costs over

conditions. Discrete amounts

ion exchange, significantly

the plant lifetime. Our

of loaded resin are removed

reducing operating costs by

technology is also

and fresh resin added on a

up to 30%.

suited to selective metal

convention and can handle

The counter-current

Waste produced

process efficiency. Resin

What capacity can your system treat and how is it flexible?

movement allows for increased

It is not limited by volume

cost of water treatment

solids handling capabilities,

throughput and can handle

and facilitating

with resin-bed fouling

various capacities. It can also

shorter payback.

significantly reduced. The

be modularised to facilitate an

Our technology can

counter-current movement

increase in volume throughput.

be used to cost-

of resin and solution

A major advantage is its

effectively recover

promotes concentration

flexibility and ability to adjust

low concentrations of

gradient formation within

to changing feed conditions,

base metals, precious

the bed, further improving

an essential in Pleaserequirement provide a caption forand the mining four image industrial water

metals, rare earths and

target elements and increased

ion-exchange efficiency.

Process engineer

recovery from effluents.

continuous basis. This allows for maximum recovery of

Carien van der Walt

becomes a valuable byproduct, offsetting the

radioactive elements.

Laboratory-scale pilot rig JAN/FEB 2017

39

WATER TECHNOLOGIES

Panel Discussion

Veolia Water Technologies South Africa

Why are so many technology experts excited about the potential for desalination and its role in securing future water supply?

Veolia supplied and maintains a turnkey seawater desalination plant for the Bitou Municipality, which produces 2 Mℓ/day of potable water for Plettenberg Bay

lower power consumption, significantly reducing running costs and carbon footprint.

Alternative desalination solutions, such as the

GR Seawater covers 70% of the

reclamation of wastewater

planet and represents 97% of the

for industrial use, also provide

Dr Gunter Rencken Managing director

options that are more energy-

With these services, Veolia can

there’s limited scope in South

industry. On a large or small

efficient, while implementing

ensure minimum downtime and

Africa for constructing new dams,

scale, Veolia can help address

greater water-use efficiency.

maximum cost savings and full

and rivers are increasingly over-

water shortages with tailored

Veolia can also design

environmental compliance.

abstracted and polluted.

desalination solutions using

desalination systems that utilise

world’s water. At the same time,

both membrane and thermal

renewable energy sources such

efficiently treat seawater to a

separation. In addition to

as solar and wind.

potable standard is becoming

full-scale permanent plants, we

an increasingly key solution in

can also fabricate desalination

combating water scarcity.

solutions in fully customisable

Having the technology to

For these reasons, seawater

package plants.

How can Veolia guarantee maximum desalination plant efficiency?

Why is Veolia seen as a leader in desalination in subSaharan Africa and South Africa?

Veolia is an holistic water treatment services company that,

Because the composition of

since its beginnings in 1853, has

Energy use is seen as a major barrier to the adoption of desalination.

How does Veolia overcome this issue?

saline water differs from place

developed over 350 proprietary

to place, each desalination

technologies. We have over

project requires its own specific

100 years of global desalination

pretreatment process. Thus,

experience, and have built more

we begin each desalination

than 1 950 desalination plants

water sources and brine in arid

Yes, desalination presents a

project with a feasibility or pilot

and systems in 108 countries,

inland regions is also possible.

greater per-unit cost than more

study to determine the most

producing more than

In recent years, Veolia Botswana

traditional water treatment

efficient and cost-effective

13 million m3/day of treated

has constructed 11 desalination

solutions. However, Veolia can

pretreatment solution.

water. Veolia also has more than

plants in the landlocked country,

recover energy from the reverse

Beyond design and build,

30 years of local desalination and

serving both communities and

osmosis process, which can help

Veolia offers comprehensive

membrane technology expertise

operations and maintenance

in South Africa.

desalination is gaining increased traction in South Africa, where Veolia Water Technologies South Africa (Veolia) has commissioned seven plants to date.

Desalination of inland brackish

"With more than 100 years of global desalination experience, Veolia is a leader in helping municipalities, small communities and private customers around the world achieve water security through desalination."

plans to ensure plants operate

As a result, Veolia Water

with maximum efficiency.

Technologies South Africa

Services include preventive

has access to an unparalleled

and responsive maintenance,

level of global expertise and

technical support and tailored

experience, ensuring client

operations programmes, with

satisfaction through our

full access to spare parts,

customised, environmentally

consumables and chemicals.

sustainable solutions.

JAN/FEB 2017

41

Supplier of commodity and specialised products for the manufacturing of Water Treatment Plants.

PRODUCTS

FOR THE

RO PRESSURE VESSELS ULTRAFILTRATION MEMBRANES FLEXIBLE PIPE COUPLINGS HIGH PRESSURE PUMPS ENERGY RECOVERY DEVICES

+27 72 249 0825 www.vovani.co.za

WATER INDUSTRY

Ultrafiltration Water Treatment Solutions: gravity fed or automated Surface Disinfection systems for hospitals, laboratories, medical companies and the wine industry.

Panel Discussion

Vovani Water Products What products and services do you offer for promoting sustainable supply security?

HS Vovani Water Products

What differentiates your RO pressure vessels from your competitors’, making desalination more affordable?

(VWP) represents and supplies

ROPV pressure vessels have a

the following commodity and

specialised locking system for

specialised products to the

their end caps. From a safety

Southern African market:

perspective, this is important

•R OPV: fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) pressure vessels for reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF) and ultrafiltration (UF) applications •G E’s IMT product for micro- and ultrafiltration membrane modules • F EDCO’s high-pressure, multi- and single-stage centrifugal pumps • F EDCO’s energy-recovery devices for high-pressure RO applications •P ASS’s flexible couplings and weld stubs •A qua Solutions’ low-flow, gravity-fed ultrafiltration units for various applications.

Partnering with the above product suppliers, we offer our customers a unique support service where VWP makes use of customised software to use market-leading products in the best possible design configuration to meet clients’ water treatment needs.

for ensuring pressure vessels are secure with no possibility of faulty sealing that would cause leaks. Additionally, the product boasts an ultra-smooth inside surface, providing a ''mirror effect'', which has the following advantages:

•d ecrease in pump losses over the length of the pressure vessels, which saves on energy and operation costs • l ess scaling inside the vessels, on the inner surface, that is sometimes difficult to remove •e asier loading and unloading of RO membrane elements into the pressure vessels, saving on maintenance and service time.

save huge costs on new

RO pressure vessels

water treatment installations, especially on a large scale.

This innovation has the following advantages: •p rojects are easier to install • s aving on the large number of ports and couplings required, lowering the cost of projects • r educed on-site installation and adjustment seal parts, and reducing leakage risks • r educed footprint size • a ll the seals are visible and, thus, it is easy to detect any leakages, and repair and change parts.

best technical assistance and service possible.

Which markets do your water treatment products serve?

Surface water, potable water, industrial and mine wastewater, water desalination, brackish water, and special applications.

We also meet the needs of

What advantages does your full product suite offer customers?

specialised market segments,

VWP represents unique

minerals, through our flexible

products that complement each

pipe couplings.

such as the marine industry, firefighting, HVAC, and oil and

other and can be used together on one water treatment project.

We offer up to four products

Henk Smit

crucial to most water treatment

Managing director

projects, through a single

What further innovations can the market look forward to?

supplier. This gives clients the

ROPV has also patented an

discounted prices when buying

exciting new technology

multiple products from VWP. We

launched at the end of last year.

also offer direct access to the

It is called Multi Vessel

suppliers we represent in order

Integration (MVI), and it will

to assist the client in getting the

advantage of dealing with fewer suppliers, and benefiting from

“ROPV pressure vessels have a specialised locking system for their end caps, this is important to prevent leaks from faulty seals.”

GE IMT ultrafiltration membrane racks

JAN/FEB 2017

43

Quality Filtration Systems piping manifolds, valves and fittings, pneumatics, instrumentation and control components

Herman Smit

for each MemRACK

Managing director

it, and provides

connected to interconnection points to the main

What supply security technologies do you offer?

system piping. A MemRACK is formed by an innovative assembly, which combines the feed, filtrate,

HS QFS specialises in

air, and waste headers with

advanced treatment

membrane housings.

technologies like

are essential for wastewater

How does the MEMCOR CP II system facilitate client savings?

reuse and sea water

The new, modular, compact

desalination applications.

UF system minimises plant

ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO), which

footprint, reduces installation

Could you describe some of the technical details behind how one of your leading technologies works and why its operation is so advanced?

costs and simplifies

We supply the trademarked

arrays. The modular system is

MEMCOR CPII UF units, which

designed to lower installation

are renowned the world

and operations costs and is

over for their remarkable

scalable to meet a wide range

efficiency. A treatment

of plant capacities.

system operations.

Moreover, the MEMCOR CP II’s system reduces the membrane array footprint by up to 50 % of previous MEMCOR membrane

train incorporating these

a nominal pore size of 0.04 µm;

Can you discuss a case study where you supplied a unique supply security solution that ensured sustainable supply or managed your client’s risk effectively?

module housings – made

Last year, QFS had to design,

from proprietary moulded

engineer, manufacture,

nylon components, which

install and commission a

form the pressure casing

3 Mℓ/d plant to facilitate supply

for each pair of membrane

security in the KZN tourism

filtration modules; and a pipe,

town of Ballito. Technologies

valve and instrumentation

supplied included sand

skid mounted on a steel

filtration, RO, UF and

frame. The skid is fitted with

chlorination.

units typically involves the following: membrane filtration modules – using proven polyvinylidene fluoride homogeneous asymmetric UF hollow-fibre membranes with

QFS designed, engineered, manufactured, installed and commissioned a 3 Mℓ/d plant to facilitate supply security in the KZN tourism town of Ballito

44

nov/dec 2016

Panel Discussion

JG Afrika

The new desalination plant has a capacity of 2 Mℓ/day

Neal Bromley Technical director

JG Afrika was recently appointed principal consultant on a new desalination plant in KwaZulu-Natal. Who was the client and what were their needs?

and its relative proximity to the Hillside process

NB A R74 million desalination plant was commissioned by

by NuWater, kept the civil construction requirements to a minimum.

water storage reservoir. This, together with a fully containerised modular plant designed, supplied and installed

South32 in September 2016 at the company’s Hillside aluminium smelter in Richards Bay. The plant will remove minerals from

How was the challenge of brine disposal handled?

seawater abstracted from the Richards Bay harbour, producing

The team identified an existing 1.5 km long pipeline between

industrial process water that enables the company to maintain

Hillside and the decommissioned Bayside smelter. This existing

operations during drought conditions.

300 mm diameter pipeline required minor refurbishment and a 335 m long extension to connect the brine effluent from the Hillside

What was the rationale behind the project?

smelter into the existing Mhlatuze Water-licensed marine outfall.

South32 and JG Afrika had been discussing the need to investigate water-use reduction activities for some months. When

JAN/FEB 2017

level 4 water restrictions were implemented, it became clear that

45

an alternative to municipal water supply was urgently needed to ensure continuous smelter operations.

The knock-on socio-economic impacts if the smelter were to close would be dire: a loss of up to 10% of the GDP in the region, a potential loss of 20 000 primary and secondary jobs, and the need to import aluminium at a cost of some R4.1 billion per annum. Seawater desalination was identified as the preferred alternative to relying on municipal supply.

What were some of the challenges encountered by JG Afrika and how were they overcome?

The urgency of the project required the engineering team to focus on the existing infrastructure and mechanisms owned by South32, Foskor and Mhlatuze Water, where use could be made of current licences, waste discharge permits and infrastructure.

Foskor, a producer of phosphates and phosphoric acid, uses existing abstraction infrastructure at Richards Bay harbour, and its extraction point is designed for a capacity of 1 250 m3/h. Foskor’s current estimated demand for seawater is 700 m3/h and this created the option to partner with South32 to deliver 280 m3/h to Hillside while remaining within the current, approved licensed limit.

The existing abstraction pump station has two concrete pump chambers, of which only one is in use. An agreement was reached whereby South32 would add a second pump, sharing a portion of the existing rising main, to abstract the seawater. The upside

Proudly South African, JG Afrika (previously Jeffares & Green) provides civil and structural engineering and environmental consulting services throughout Africa.

of this agreement was that most of the infrastructure and some of the pipeline to transfer seawater from the harbour to Hillside were already in place, or could be installed within the existing servitude, speeding up construction. Another opportunity came from the existing concrete slab within the Hillside complex

www.jgafrika.com

The right pipe for the job Purpose-manufactured plastic pipes negate the consequences of damage caused to pipes when using trenchless technology and other alternative installation techniques.

This ensures a working life of at least 100 years. By Mike Smart*

H

igh-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes have earned widespread acceptance as the material of choice for numerous applications in many markets, including civil engineering infrastructure, mining service columns and slurry pipelines, irrigation, AIT (alternative installation techniques), and many more.

Greater market proliferation has resulted in a growing appreciation of HDPE pipes’ superior qualities.

AIT – particularly the sub-discipline of trenchless technology (TT) – imposes extremely demanding conditions on pipes being installed, usually causing short- and long-term damage.

Installation conditions for AIT require a pipe with a service life that is not affected by surface damage or imposed point loads. To this end, a substantial improvement has occurred in the MRS (minimum required strength) of HDPE pipes’ polymer over the last 60 years.

This has enabled the allowable design stress (σ) to be increased by 60% – from 5 MPa (megapascals) to 8 MPa, including the applicable International Standards Organisation (ISO) safety factor or design coefficient (C). Table 1 illustrates these improvements in polyethylene (PE) polymers.

Polyethylene strides There have also been improvements made in third-generation PE (PE100) itself since its introduction in 1990, as shown in diagrams 1 and 2. Diagram 1 shows the creep rupture regression curves for an earlier PE100 polymer with an 80° C curve “knee” at about 150 hours. Diagram 2 shows the creep rupture regression curves for the latest PE100 polymer with the 80° C curve having no “knee” at over 10 000 hours. For a polymer to be designated PE100, the technical requirement is that there is no “knee” on the 80° C curve before 5 000 hours. These improvements

Table 1 Improvements in PE polymers

Polymer nomenclature

MRS (MPa)

σ (MPa)

Safety factor (C)

First generation (PE63)

6.3

5.0

1.25

Second generation (PE80)

8.0

6.3

1.25

Third generation (PE100)

10.0

8.0

1.25

Table 2 PE100 and PE100-RC SCG resistance comparison

Test type

PE100 hours

PE100-RC hours

Notch Pipe Test (NPT)

2 200

11 580

Full Notch Creep Test (FNCT)

1 600

8 552*

Point Load Test (PLT)

2 200

>9 000

Note: *Ductile failure not a brittle failure. NPT (ISO 13479); FNCT (ISO 16770); PLT (Hessel Ingenieurtechnik)

46

JAN/FEB 2017

HDPE pipes can sustain damage if not installed carefully using alternative installation and trenchless technologies

in the MRS of PE100 notwithstanding, the unique, extremely onerous conditions imposed on pipes used for AIT require a product with better SCG (slow crack growth) characteristics.

Crack resistance comparison Standard PE100 pipes, conforming to SANS 4427/4437-2, have historically been used for AIT applications with great success. However, AIT imposes extremely demanding conditions on the pipes installed and there have been some premature failures of these “standard” pipes because of short- and long-term damage sustained. A PE100RC polymer is a PE100 polymer with extremely high resistance to cracking (RC). The comparison of SCG resistance characteristics is set out in Table 2.

In response to these unique, extremely onerous conditions and probable damage, pipes have been specifically engineered that take cognisance of this environment and ensure the preservation of the lifetime of the pipes.

Preventing premature failure caused by damage occurring during or after installation is how this is achieved.

The outer PE100-RC layer prevents premature failure of the pipe that may be caused by external damage, such as scratches, scores, notches, grooves

trenchless technology Diagram 1 Earlier PE100 creep rupture regression curves [ MPa ] Hoop stress

30

Standard method: ISO/TR 9080: 1992 (E) Method 1, Model Q11

20

Dow HDPE M5010 black

10 5

20⁰ C Water water

4 3

60⁰ C Water water

80⁰ C Water water

2 1

100

50 YEARS Ductile mode Brittle mode Mixed mode Under test

101

and point loads. Additionally, the inner PE100-RC layer prevents premature failure of the pipe that may be caused by external point loads creating stress magnification and initiating crack growth on the inside of the pipe wall.

Specifications upgrade Until 2009, the requirements of pipes used in AIT were insufficiently described in various technical

Internal code: 2611 Date: 2003-03-24

MEAN LTHS LCL

102

103

Time [ h ]

104

105

1

10

directives. Authoritative requirements on materials and piping were specified for the first time in Publically Available Specification (PAS) 1075: 2009 ‘Pipes made from polyethylene for alternative installation techniques’, which comprises the following: •T ype 1: Solid wall PE100-RC pipe •T ype 2: Pipe with integrated protective layers of PE100-RC, double and triple layered

+27 (0)86 006 6344 info@trenchless.co.za www.trenchless.co.za

O LCL = 10,2 MPa MRS = 10 MPa

106 50 years

AIT – particularly the sub-discipline of trenchless technology – imposes extremely demanding conditions on pipes being installed, usually causing shortand long-term damage

Make waves in the water industry through our multiple platforms

Water& Sanitation Africa

4 109

audited print circulation

www.infrastructurene.ws

38 947

• Digimags • Newsletters • Website page views • Social media

Water&Sanitation Africa magazine, www.infrastructurene.ws and our weekly newsletters are essential media supplying vital information on the preservation, treatment and provision of water to key industry role players.

Advertise with us and make your presence known to your target market across our multi-platform offerings.

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Loretha Mwayera +27 (0)11 233 2600 | loretha@3smedia.co.za Print and digital solutions for business communities www.3smedia.co.za

trenchless technology Diagram 2 Latest PE100 creep rupture regression curves [ MPa ] Hoop stress

20

Example of PE100 regression lines

Standard method: ISO 9080: 2003 4 parameter model

10 5 4 20⁰ C 60⁰ C 80⁰ C Water in Water in Water in water water water

3 2 1

100

LTHS LPL

101

• Type 3: Pipe with dimensions according to ISO 4069 with an additional external protective layer. In South Africa, coextruded pipe that conforms to PAS 1075 Type 2 pipe is manufactured by Rare Plastics, in association with the company’s international technology partner, Borealis, and branded as RPC (Rare Plastics Coextruded).

The wall of RPC comprises three inseparably bonded coextrusion fused layers as follows: • an outer layer of PE100-RC conforming to PAS 1075 • a core of PE100 conforming to 4427-2/4437-2: Pipes • an inner layer of PE100-RC conforming to PAS 1075.

The total wall thickness of the above three layers conforms to the requirements of SANS 4427-2: ‘Pipes for water’ and SANS 4437-2: ‘Pipes for gas’, and

50 YEARS

102

103

Time [ h ]

104

O LPL = 10,8 MPa MRS = 10 MPa

105

10 years

10 years

106 50 years

100 years

the layers are fused together by coextrusion and are inseparably bonded.

Coextruded pipe compliance RPC is either Type 1 for small diameters or Type 2 triple-layered pipe, inner and outer layer PE100-RC and PE100 core for larger diameters. RPC pipes are far superior to SANS 4427-2/4437-2 pipes because of the outer and inner layer of PE100-RC. The SCG, notch and point load resistance properties of PE100-RC are substantially superior to those of SANS 4427-2/4437-2 PE100 pipes. In PAS 1075, differentiation is made between approval testing and quality control testing and, in addition, between material testing and pipe testing to ensure the customer receives a conforming product. Material approval testing provided by the raw material supplier is required to conform to the

AIT and trenchless technology

AIT comprises two categories of construction: TT (trenchless technology), which includes (among others): - Directional drilling - Pipe bursting - Close-fit, site deformed swagelining - Close-fit deformed pipe - Slip lining Conventional trench and backfill (cut and cover): - Without selected or imported embedment (bedding and surround)

JAN/FEB 2017

49

Trenchless Technology Specialist

Our range of services include: • Pipe Bursting • Horizontal Directional Drilling • Pipe Rehabilitation

• Pipe Ramming • CCTV Inspection • Dewatering

• HDPE Welding • Deep Excavation and Shoring • Underground Service Detection

• Slip Lining

• Industrial Pipe Cleaning

• Close-fit lining: COMPACT PIPE

For more information you can contact us: +27 (0)21 761 3474 F +27 (0)21 797 1151 E info@tt-innovations.co.za www.tt-innovations.co.za

trenchless technology

Table 3 PAS 1075 PE100-RC conformance requirements

Test

Requirement

RPC result

FNCT

>8 760 hours (80°C; 4 N/mm²)

8 552 hrs

ACT

>320 hours (90°C; 4 N/mm²)

926 hrs

PLT

>8 760 hours (80°C; 4 N/mm²)

>9 000 hrs

TAT

>100 years 20°C

>100 years

NPT

>8 760 hours

>11 580 hrs

ρ

> 945 kg/m3

947 kg/m3

MFR

0.2 g to 0.4 g/10 minutes

0.26 g/10 min

following four tests: • FNCT (Full Notch Creep Test) conforming to ISO 16770 • PLT (Point Load Test) conforming to Hessel Ingen.

• TAT (Thermal Aging Test) conforming to DVS 2205 • NT (Notch Test) conforming to ISO 13479.

There are two additional requirements for PE100-RC provided by the raw material supplier, in addition to PAS 1075, which are: • density (ρ) conforming to ISO 1183 • MFR (melt flow rate) conforming to ISO 1133.

The quality control of the PE100-RC material is provided by the raw material supplier and has three tests, which are:

Components accreditation and has supplied a number of projects in South Africa with pipes for AIT projects.

RPC pipes are available in diameters from 90 mm outside diameter (OD) to 250 mm OD – SDR (standard dimension ratio) 11 (PN 16), 13.6 (PN 12.5) and 17 (PN 10) – 100 m coils up to 180 mm OD, and 6 m or 12 m straight lengths throughout the range.

•F NCT conforming to ISO 16770 •P LT conforming to Hessel Ingen.

•N T conforming to ISO 13479.

Pipe approval testing is provided by the raw material supplier and has three tests, which are: •2 NCT(Two Notch Creep Test) conforming to EN 12814 •P LT conforming to Hessel Ingen.

•P T (Penetration Test) conforming to IKT. The quality control of piping is provided by the manufacturer and has two tests, which are: • 2NCT conforming to EN 12814 • PLT conforming to Hessel Ingen.

RPC conforms to the Centre for Expertise’s trenchless technology tender specification. It also has Joint Acceptance Scheme for Water Services Installation

Conclusion RPC pipes are specifically engineered for AIT construction methods and are not intended to replace “standard” SANS 4427 or 4437 PE pipes. They are fit for purpose for the appropriate application and will provide a service life of not less than 100 years where AIT construction methods are used – other products may not. The cost of failure compared to the cost of the product may pale into insignificance when the engineer compares and considers the two. *Mike Smart is a professional engineer who heads up Genesis Consulting, Engineers and Project Managers. Smart would like to thank Rare Plastics’ Renier Viljoen and Carl von Graszouw for their contributions to this article.

World-class trenchless solutions

Logo Options

BEFORE CIPP

Specialists in CIPP lining, Pipe-cracking, CCTV inspection, Pipe cleaning, Patch lining, Robot cutting, Injection grouting.

AFTER CIPP

8, Sysen street, Blackheath Industria, 7580, Cape Town +27 (0) 21 9056346 | info@tuboseal.co.za | www.tuboseal.co.za

Conferencing for opportunities and growth

events

The International Water Association (IWA), the Water Institute of South Africa (WISA), and the Young Water Professionals of South Africa (YWP-ZA) are excited to announce that South Africa will be hosting the 2017 IWA International Young Water Professionals Conference. By Stuart Woolley and Neil Louw*

T

he 8th International Young Water Professionals Conference, to be held from 10 to 13 December this year, will be the fifth Young Water Professionals conference of any type to be held in South Africa. The preceding conferences saw three Southern African Young Water Professionals conferences held in 2010, 2011, and 2013 – with the 4th YWP-ZA Biennial Conference combined with the 1st African IWA YWP Conference being held in 2015. Now, after a rigorous selection process, the upcoming international conference will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, affording Africans new opportunities to learn, demonstrate, be inspired, grow, and network with young professionals from all over the world.

Moreover, it can a never be understated how valuable an experience it is, as a YWP growing in experience and knowledge, to be exposed to the diversity and learning opportunities tailored to developing and capacitating YWPs. Past successes In 2015, the 4th YWP-ZA Biennial and 1st African YWP Conference featured 440 attendees representing 19 nations,

soft skill development workshops, 69 podium presentations, and 96 poster presentations on undergraduate, postgraduate and in-industry research being conducted by young professionals in the African water sector.

As the conference drew to a close, those YWPs who stood out at the conference were rewarded for their outstanding efforts. The upcoming conference will offer a similar platform for recognising local talent; this time, at a global scale. What follows is a brief recap of those 2015 awards and a look at how the awardees have progressed in their careers since.

2015 awards recap The Water Research Commission-funded Jo Burgess Award for the best platform presenter was awarded to Benjamin Biggs (University of Cape Town) for his podium presentation, ‘A Laboratory Investigation of the Treatment Efficacy of Permeable Pavements’. Biggs’ award includes funding to attend an international conference in his field, as a delegate, and be included in the programme as a podium presenter, to provide further exposure and opportunities to learn and grow.

Another important award presented at that conference was for posters serving

ABOVE RIGHT Benjamin Biggs, podium presentation award winner at the 4th YWP-ZA Biennial and 1st African YWP Conference

to catalogue research and knowledge recently acquired by young professionals, often at the leading edge of the sector.

Although the quality of posters was high, a panel of judges awarded the Adrian Puigarnau Award for the best poster presenter to Kwangu Magalie Kanama (Tshwane University of Technology), for her work on ‘Occurrence and Removal of Metals in Hospital Wastewater Treatment Plants’.

Kanama’s award came with a fully funded trip to the 2016 WISA Biennial Conference & Exhibition in Durban in May of last year, attended by 3 000 delegates, and an opportunity to present her research in a podium presentation in the wastewater stream. As such, another wealth of capacity development opportunities awaited this YWP as she became a part of the one of the largest events on the South African water sector calendar. *Stuart Woolley is the YWP-ZA conference chair and Neil Louw is a Gauteng committee member.

JAN/FEB 2017

51

produc t news

Dignified sanitation uplifts entrepreneurs

T

he Rocla Thuthukisa Sanitation Initiative (TSI) has launched its “Community Cast” system, which has been established to empower local communities, entrepreneurs, contractors and SMMEs to become manufacturers and suppliers of the most innovative and highestquality concrete toilet structures in Africa.

Andre Labuschagne, product development manager, Rocla, comments: “The communities that urgently require toilets are often found in rural and outlying areas. Access to such areas by delivery trucks and bakkies carrying traditionally manufactured precast toilet units is extremely difficult, while the high cost and lack of concentrated volumes affect the viability of establishing traditional manufacturing facilities. Many of these areas also have no infrastructure or access to electricity.

Therefore, we at Rocla developed our unique TSI in order to overcome these obstacles, while at the same time empowering communities.”

Concrete used in the process cures within two weeks. The resulting waste material can be recycled into practical items for everyday use.

The Community Cast system has been successfully demonstrated in various remote towns around the country

Decentralising the factory Experimentation with a concept called pancake casting led to the Rocla team offering a real on-site manufacturing capability that requires only a small piece of land with no requisite infrastructure. This unique process simply involves casting one item on top of another in frameless, single-use moulds of a similar size in a planar form. The end product requires stiffening on the edges by forming an angle or adding a stiffening rib.

The company’s patented textile sandwich concrete is used in the planar panels, giving the very lightweight panels a hard-wearing strength and finish.

Easy to transport The resulting toilets are lightweight enough to be easily transported to their final placement site or they can be manufactured right where they will be erected. “This unique process also removes the capital requirement usually associated with a manufacturing facility, no matter the project size,” concludes Labuschagne.

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