BD Water 2023 Edition

WATER 2023

WWW.BUSINESSMEDIAMAGS.CO.ZA

FROM GOVERNMENT TO PRIVATE SECTOR USERS AND FUNDERS, COLLABORATION TO ADDRESS SA’S WATER CHALLENGES IS KEY.

WATER IS LIFE, SANITATION IS DIGNITY

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ALMOST 70 MILLION LITRES OF DRINKABLE WATER IS LOST DAILY. READ MORE ON PAGE 4

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IN T ERWA S T E A DV ER T ORI A L

WATER SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS We need to confront water scarcity before our thirst for solutions becomes unquenchable, writes KATE STUBBS, marketing director at Interwaste

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outh Africa’s water challenges continue to worsen. The National Water and Sanitation Master plan indicates that the demand for water will exceed the available supply at the planned level of assurance by between 1.6 and 2.7 billion cubic metres by 2030. Furthermore, with 7 of the 13 major water systems in South Africa predicted to be in deficit by 2040, action must be taken to ensure the energy future of this country and the development of our economy.

For some, a starting point may not be waste management, but its impact on supporting sustainable water supply cannot be understated, especially if we want to reach a point where South Africa’s water needs are met. Therefore, a much more diverse water mix is required, this includes groundwater and water reuse. The rainy season does not last forever, so we must consider the different technologies available to drive this agenda.

Images: borgogniels/istockphoto.com, Supplied

WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT’S PIVOTAL ROLE Currently, the main source of pollution is from wastewater treatment plants, and there is increasing contamination of our waterways from various waste types. We already know that the 2023 Green Drop Report, which measures the state of wastewater treatment works, shows that 39 per cent of South Africa’s treatment works are in a critical state. As the population grows and we witness more urbanisation, wastewater treatment is now a critical starting point to ensure it can be effectively reused.

Kate Stubbs

Nearly all effluent can be recycled and, when done properly, can create a strong solution for water sustainability and access – water that was previously not deemed safe for consumption.

As a result, a large bank of water could become available for redistribution into the environment for irrigation and dust suppression and to replenish rivers and catchments in our water infrastructure networks.

Industry at large creates many streams of effluent – not just municipal-related – so we need to start looking towards treating a wider variety of liquid waste streams and think innovatively about how to create a circular economy within our water system. Think about the possibilities of treating water within industry to be reused on-site and for other industrial processes.

WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT WASTEWATER WITH A “NOTHING WASTED” MINDSET AND FIND WAYS TO TAKE THE AVAILABLE WATER AND EFFECTIVELY MANAGE IT FOR REUSE AND REPURPOSING, AND BRING IT BACK TO ITS NATURAL STATE.

As with every other waste, we need to start looking at wastewater with a “nothing wasted” mindset and find ways to take the available water and effectively manage it for reuse and repurposing, and bring it back to its natural state.

Unfortunately, though, business, community and some levels of government are still under-informed about the potential of well-managed, compliant and innovative waste management solutions. Yes, while we must fix the infrastructure and skill deficiencies, right now, wastewater treatment can and must play a pivotal role in reducing water scarcity. Without this, the lack of adequate clean water to meet human drinking water and sanitation needs will remain.

Some waste companies are already using various technologies to treat and process effluent streams to a level where they can be recycled and reused for various purposes. Similarly, legislation, such as the ban on liquid waste disposal to landfills, and rising environment, social and governance pressures are driving innovation in the waste sector and forcing corporate South Africa to be more agile in their approach to both the use, reuse and impact on our water supply. However, we still need to look deeper than the obvious solutions and find ways to work together unilaterally to ensure solutions that are viable and cost effective, while understanding that this is a massive strategic shift requiring cross-functional collaboration, long-term planning and implementation.

We take water availability for granted, but with the increasing demands on limited water resources, the potential for water scarcity to become a severe crisis in South Africa unfortunately remains.

2023 GREEN DROP REPORT WNLOAD DO

For more information: www.interwaste.co.za

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BEYOND WATER RISK

How water security impacts industrial businesses’ sustainability ACTIVATING THE

TRANSITION TO SUSTAINABLE

WATER WWW.TALBOT.CO.ZA

The effects of drought, exacerbated by climate change, unexpected growth in water demand, poor infrastructure planning and maintenance, and a sharp rise in nonrevenue water, have created a perfect storm for industries relying on large water volumes in their production processes.

Carl Haycock, CEO of sustainable water company Talbot, says that water security is fast becoming a global crisis that has already made its presence felt in South Africa. This has prompted organisations to take decisive action to mitigate their investors’ risk.

Clover, for example, shut down the country’s biggest cheese production plant and relocated it from the North West to KwaZulu-Natal due to production losses caused by longstanding supply disruptions. This move cost the company R1.5-billion and resulted in the loss of more than 300 jobs. And, Astral Foods CEO Chris Schutte recently announced that the company had secured a licence to pump water from the Vaal to feed its poultry plant in Standerton, Mpumalanga.

THE SHIFT TO WATER RESILIENCE

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For the past 15 years, the Talbot team has helped big businesses tackle their water risk head-on by building future-focused strategies that make them more resilient in the face of increasing water insecurity.

“What was the preserve of only the most progressive organisations is now gaining traction as businesses feel the cost of water-related impacts, including production losses, unforeseen price escalations and even disruption from protesting communities under severe water stress,” says Haycock.

“This impacts their business sustainability, reputation and shareholder confidence.”

Talbot operates across the water spectrum, from developing water strategies to the identification, implementation and optimisation of opportunities for reuse, recycling and recovery, thereby increasing its clients’ water independence.

“It starts with giving them an understanding of the challenges in the catchments they operate in, water availability, upstream demands and the integrity of both local water and their own infrastructure systems,” Haycock explains.

“We factor in current and future compliance requirements, reputational and client-driven water-related environment, social and governance expectations and potential escalations in water costs, which, in South Africa, have doubled over the past five years.”

Using data and an intimate understanding of their production processes, Talbot aims to integrate water into its clients’ overall strategies.

“The result is reduced exposure to supply disruptions and price escalations, quality issues and demand from local catchments, making more water available for other users.”

DOING MORE WITH LESS “Water scarcity will become a significantly bigger issue over the next five years due to its key role in production, maintenance of livelihoods and all forms of sustainability. We’re already seeing demand exceed supply across various parts of the country.

“Until recently, water – unlike other raw materials – has not been considered a key input cost, despite it fast becoming a significant driver in the production price index.

“Earlier this year, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality published its water price increases for the next three years, taking industrial raw water to a little short of R100 per cubic metre by the end of 2026. What about other areas?” he says.

“Fortunately, businesses across all sectors are fast realising that they can do more with less.

In Africa, we have the the insight and expertise to help companies survive and prosper in a water-scarce world. “Having dealt with water scarcity for decades, we are able to advise industries locally and worldwide on the financial, reputational and operational impacts of water security,” concludes Haycock. https://www.talbot.co.za/

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WATER

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PUBLISHED BY

Picasso Headline, A proud division of Arena Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Hill on Empire, 16 Empire Road (cnr Hillside Road), Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 PO Box 12500, Mill Street, Cape Town, 8010 www.businessmediamags.co.za

THE KWANOVUKA CATCHMENT-SENSITIVE FARMING PILOT PROJECT – key to South Africa’s water supply.

EDITORIAL Content Manager: Raina Julies | rainaj@picasso.co.za Contributors: Trevor Crighton, Heather Dugmore, Chetan Mistry, Dr Gunter Rencken Copy Editor: Brenda Bryden Content Co-ordinator: Natasha Maneveldt Digital Editor: Stacey Visser vissers@businessmediamags.co.za DESIGN Head of Design: Jayne Macé-Ferguson Senior Designer: Mfundo Archie Ndzo Designer: Bulelwa Sotashe Cover Images: istock.com/ Arnold Petersen SALES Project Manager: Jerome van der Merwe Jeromem@picasso.co.za Sales: Gavin Payne, Frank Simons PRODUCTION Production Editor: Shamiela Brenner Advertising Co-ordinator: Shamiela Brenner Subscriptions and Distribution: Fatima Dramat fatimad@picasso.co.za Printer: CTP Printers, Cape Town MANAGEMENT Management Accountant: Deidre Musha Business Manager: Lodewyk van der Walt General Manager, Magazines: Jocelyne Bayer

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Contents

RE A D MORE

4 WATER IS LIFE, SANITATION IS DIGNITY We look at the major water and sanitation projects undertaken by local government and assess the challenges and successes.

7 TECHNOLOGY

WATER IS LIFE, WATER IS FOOD – we all have a part to play in preserving water.

Water digitisation for municipalities can increase revenue and service delivery, often through a few straightforward deployments of digital services; To help inform water and wastewater managers’ decisions, we highlight the required questions to evaluate water data analytics and management solutions.

8 WATER SHEDDING A look at how commercial developments can mitigate the effects of water shortages.

RE A D NOW

Images: Supplied

Images: Supplied

12 RIVER RESTORATION COPYRIGHT: Picasso Headline.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material. WATER is published by Picasso Headline. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Picasso Headline. All advertisements/advertorials have been paid for and therefore do not carry any endorsement by the publisher.

When major floods hit the Ceres region in May this year, causing considerable damage, the need for the Ceres River Restoration Programme became more pressing.

17 MITIGATING THE RISKS SA’s sewage crises; Poor water quality; illegal waste water disposal; and Why water should be a strategic imperative.

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WATER IS LIFE Wemmershoek Dam is one of the City of Cape Town’s six major dams. At the end of November, it was at 99.9 per cent capacity – with the total storage percentage across the six at 95.8 per cent.

South Africa’s water challenges are well-documented, but what is local government doing to help avert a load-shedding type of crisis in water supply? By TREVOR CRIGHTON

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outh Africa faces myriad water accessibility issues, but poor management of water infrastructure is one of the biggest hindrances to supplying water to the country’s growing population.

According to Greenpeace Africa, an estimated 70 million litres of treated, clean, drinkable water (25–30 per cent of available water) is lost daily because of the thousands of leaks characterising South Africa’s water piping system. There’s an urgent need to address infrastructure challenges so the population can access water and sanitation.

CITY OF CAPE TOWN’S NEW WATER PROGRAMME To help improve water security, the City of Cape Town is investing in a New Water Programme (NWP), which includes projects such as desalination, groundwater schemes and reuse. This is part of the city’s long-term water strategy to help reduce Cape Town’s

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indigent residents be dependence on rainfall and water-wise by repairing dam storage as its primary private leaks at qualifying water supply to navigate future properties – a continuation climate shocks and droughts. of its Indigent Leak Repair The daily and weekly levels of Programme launched earlier Cape Town’s dams are available this financial year at a value at capetown.gov.za. of R3.7-million.”

The city’s mayoral committee R92.9-million will be spent on member for water and sanitation, replacing 50km of water pipes Zahid Badroodien, says the in its water supply network NWP aims to increase supply as part of investing in reliable by an extra 300 million litres of Zahid Badroodien water supply to properties. new water every day by 2030.

This maintenance work also “The NWP will see the city invest proactively helps the city reduce water wastage R604-million in major projects, including the by addressing leaks, supporting the city’s call to Cape Flats Aquifer Recharge and related be water-wise. Over the previous financial year, projects, Atlantis Aquifer, Table Mountain the city invested R140.4-million in replacing Group Aquifer and related projects and the 50 170m of water pipes.

Zandvliet reuse plant. It will also help

THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN IS INVESTING IN A NEW WATER PROGRAMME, WHICH INCLUDES PROJECTS SUCH AS DESALINATION, GROUNDWATER SCHEMES AND REUSE.

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MUNICIPA L I T IES AT WORK

Desalination works are still in the planning stages, and Badroodien says the city hopes desalination will contribute between 50 and 70 million litres of water daily to its supply by the end of 2030.

The city has cleared 40 320 hectares of alien invasive plants in the catchments of the water supply system since April 2019. Over 55 billion litres of water – about two months’ water for Cape Town – is being lost every year to invasive alien plants in the city’s dam catchments. “This loss is expected to reach 100 billion litres of water annually within 20 years if not taken care of. A further R75-million will be committed to the clearing of invasive alien plants over the next three years. This remains the most affordable of all of the schemes in the New Water Programme,” says Badroodien.

Load shedding directly impacts water treatment plants, which need power to channel dam water through a purification process before it gets distributed to households. Interruptions to power supply increase breakdowns of pumps and fewer chemicals stocks are available due to manufacturers experiencing downtime.

“At present, the city has a few hydro turbines at four of its large water treatment works, which aid in limiting the energy requirement from the grid,” says Badroodien. “Some of the hydro turbines are near the end of their operational life, and the Chetan Mistry city is investigating energy options for these plants and future schemes. Renewable energy driven by solar panels is under consideration at pump stations and other key infrastructure to provide energy.”

FINGER-POINTING IN JOHANNESBURG

Images: Supplied

The challenges in maintaining reservoir levels and managing an average of 140 burst water pipes in the City of Johannesburg each day have resulted in talk of “water-shifting”.

This entails “shifting” water from a sufficiently pressurised system to one of lower pressure to share water more equally.

In terms of infrastructure, High-lying areas of the Johannesburg Water is seeking city have generally been to alleviate constrained bulk the most affected by water supply challenges from Rand outages as the distribution Water by constructing a 3.3km of water relies on pressure, pipeline from the Commando which is delivered by a Line to Crosby Pump Station, reservoir. When pressure reconfiguring the pump is lost, high-lying areas station suction line at Crosby run out of water sooner Reservoir to resolve “dead because there isn’t storage” issues, retrofitting the sufficient pressure to Nombuso Shabalala entire Crosby Pump Station deliver the water to them. with modern and reliable Pressure is most often lost equipment and adding a standby generator – when reservoirs reach low levels due to leaks, all currently in the tender stage. burst pipes, increased water consumption or The entity is tackling constrained storage at load shedding. the Hursthill Reservoir by constructing a pump Throttling of supply is another measure station at Crosby to lift water into the Hursthill that the city is implementing. According to Reservoir complex at a cost of R130-million, Johannesburg Water spokesperson which should be completed by September Nombuso Shabalala, this reduces pressure 2024. It is addressing challenges at the and flow to either build capacity in various Brixton reservoir by constructing a new 26ML systems or to move water from systems reservoir and 2.2ML tower in a 24-month, with surplus capacity to supplement the R316-million project that is already underway systems that have a shortage. “There is and should be completed by 2025. inconsistent supply from bulk supplier Rand Water coupled with high demand.

Consumption and demand are CAN TECHNOLOGY SAVE WATER? outstripping supply, particularly Chetan Mistry, strategy and marketing during the warmer weather. manager at water solutions and water Water lost to leaks and technology company Xylem Africa, says it ageing infrastructure has is clear that water access and quality are also contributed to challenged in South Africa and that much water interruptions.” work is needed. “We need to act with Shabalala explains that speed. The problems have been known Johannesburg Water’s for some time, but very little or too slow allocation by the City of progress has been made. There are some Johannesburg for its operational green shoots, but again we have to question budget is R15.6-billion for the if this is working quickly enough to get ahead 2023/2024 financial year. of the curve.”

“This will mainly cater for a Apart from the challenges of climate tariff increase of 9.3 per cent based on a change, ageing infrastructure and water pass-through on the water purchases from quality, Mistry says that data management, Rand Water to invest in the maintenance skills shortages and service delivery remain of the water network. The entity is further key stumbling blocks. “There is not enough allocated a R3.1-billion multiyear capital data to understand the true situation. budget – R2.6-billion and R514-million for Effective water resource management relies water and sewer, respectively. The allocated on data. Implementing smart water meters budget will focus on programmes geared and analytics tools can provide insights into towards water and sewer pipe replacement, water consumption patterns, identify leaks, upgrades and storage infrastructure, the and optimise distribution. In terms of skills Wastewater Treatment Works Programme and shortages, there aren’t enough qualified and repairs and maintenance. Sewer upgrades will experienced people in the sector, and when be done in many areas.” it comes to service delivery, some areas struggle more than others to access water due to a lack of infrastructure and resources.

Technology-driven solutions can improve service delivery, including remote monitoring of water sources and smart metering,” NOMBUSO SHABALALA says Mistry.

“CONSUMPTION AND DEMAND ARE OUTSTRIPPING SUPPLY, PARTICULARLY DURING THE WARMER WEATHER. WATER LOST TO LEAKS AND AGEING INFRASTRUCTURE HAS ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO WATER INTERRUPTIONS.” –

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T ECHNOL OGY

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WATER DIGITISATION FOR MUNICIPALITIES CHETAN MISTRY, strategy and marketing manager at Xylem Africa, a water technology company, shares that municipalities can increase revenue and service delivery often by a few straightforward deployments of digital services

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igitisation can help municipalities achieve revenue and water management goals quickly without removing current systems and infrastructure. It represents a range of benefits: cost-savings, automation, greater efficiencies and data-driven strategic planning. Whether to improve wastewater, manage pipe infrastructure, enhance billing capture and delivery or reduce pollution, digitisation can help municipalities achieve revenue and management goals quickly.

In the International Water Association’s (IWA) five-year Strategic Plan 2019–2024, the need for innovation to address global water challenges is recognised. In a report authored together with Xylem Inc. titled, Digital Water: Industry leaders chart the transformation journey, the IWA questions and identifies a maturity spectrum for an organisation’s journey to water digitisation.

THE MATURITY SPECTRUM OF WATER OPERATION

Images: istock.com/ metamorworks, Supplied

Digital maturity of water operations runs through five categories: 1. Not started: there are no digital strategies or technologies in play.

2. Basic: basic sites have begun incorporating digital technologies into their operations.

3. Opportunistic: sites where redesigning operations with digital automation and control enhancements has started.

4. Systematic: digital technologies are well established.

5. Transformational: in the most mature stage, transformation sites incorporate digital technologies across business and operations processes, using advanced analytics for decision-making.

Many water-management systems in South Africa still fall in the first two categories, with some moving up the stack.

The IWA’s report offers some key insights on how municipalities can move the dial forward: 1. Not started: acknowledge digitisation as a business priority and develop a digital strategy.

2. Basic: mobilise pilot projects and learn from industry peers and research.

3. Opportunistic: enhance and stabilise data infrastructure and align operations around data-driven goals.

4. Systematic: use new digital technologies to develop new products and services. Develop an evolving digital framework and align projects with the new digitally powered business strategy.

5. Transformational: continue using digital technologies to implement increased efficiencies.

Exchange best practices with other utilities and study the breakthroughs in the modern water industry.

DID YOU KNOW?

According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, most local regions lose between 30 and 50 per cent of water revenues. Nonrevenue water costs the economy R7.2-billion annually due to water losses. This drain is primarily from municipal pockets, for example, eThekwini Municipality’s 50 per cent nonrevenue water losses amount to R700-million annually.

TIPS TO EVALUATE WATER DATA ANALYTICS

To help inform water and wastewater managers’ decisions, Xylem Africa recommends the following questions to evaluate water data analytics and management solutions: 1. What are the administration features?

Systems should provide granular, role-based user access and privilege controls and grouping of devices and billing cycles.

2. What are the integration options?

The best data solutions integrate into established equipment, such as SCADA software, Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Automated Meter Reading.

3. How quick is the user training?

Training should happen within weeks, based on an operations-aligned change management strategy, and backed by additional information sources and self-learning opportunities.

4. Are there consolidated and customisable dashboards?

These dashboards should be secure yet accessible on multiple devices and shareable between authorised users.

Users should be able to drill down into individual events, understand usage history and trends, identify anomalies and set custom alerts to track specific issues.

5. Does the service consolidate data?

Water data solutions should consolidate different data sources into a single truth, but without compromising the integrity of the sources.

6. Can the service offer customised alerts?

The system must offer custom alerts – from system-wide to specifics such as temperature, voltage, leaks, tampering and other flags – delivered via SMS, e-mail and phone call.

7. Does the system support predictive analytics? The system should use machine learning to identify trends, facilitate audits, generate histories and enable deeper exploration for strategic planning and predictive maintenance.

8. Is the solution cloud-based?

Cloud-based systems provide access to information on any device, incorporate security and data loss prevention and ensure authorised staff can manage water requirements from anywhere.

9. Is the solution secure?

Leading water management solutions invest in cybersecurity, including ISO 27001 certification, and they help their clients run cybersafe workplaces.

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WAT ER SHOR TAGE

BOREHOLE WATER IS ALSO AN OPTION FOR NONPOTABLE USE IN AREAS WITH SUFFICIENT, HIGH-QUALITY GROUNDWATER RESOURCES.

DR GUNTER RENCKEN, technical director at WEC Projects, a local EPC contractor specialising in engineered solutions for water and wastewater treatment, shares how commercial developments can mitigate the effects of water shortages

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ike load shedding, water shedding is a reality for many South Africans who experience water supply cut-offs for extended periods. There are several reasons for this, including deteriorating infrastructure, equipment theft, damage to pumping and treatment systems due to load shedding, extended load shedding, which sees reservoirs empty without being refilled due to pump outages, reductions in water quality, and more.

While the larger metropolitan areas are usually spared the extremes of water outages, many small to medium municipalities are buckling under the twin challenge of power and water outages, which place a heavy burden on the commercial sector’s economic activities.

Commercial developments are traditionally heavy water users, so water shedding affects the viability of their businesses.

The solution to this challenge is similar to that used to alleviate load shedding – an uninterruptible or backup water supply that can operate until normal supply is restored.

FINDING SOLUTIONS At a basic level, installing backup water tanks onsite provides a simple solution. Another solution is to separate the plumbing system into potable drinking water and nondrinking water.

After appropriate treatment, the waste (grey)

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water is recycled for use in nondrinking water applications, for example, toilets and irrigation.

Another option is rainwater harvesting, where rainwater is used for nondrinking water usage and as potable water with the proper filtration, treatment and disinfection system in place.

Borehole water is also an option for nonpotable use in areas with sufficient, high-quality groundwater resources. They are generally cost-effective (depending on factors such as depth and sustainable yield of borehole). By integrating a treatment system, borehole water can be brought up to potable standards.

These solutions can be integrated into building plans at the design stage of a commercial development. However, in many cases, it is not economically or physically possible for existing installations. Such water backup systems require considerable space for the storage tanks, and there is also the issue of the additional plumbing to integrate it into the building’s existing water reticulation system.

While it is possible to integrate such solutions into existing buildings, factors, such as size and design of building, floor space, number of users and overall water consumption, need to be considered to determine its economic and physical viability.

Onsite sewage treatment systems featuring small footprints and low operating costs

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are an emerging technology that can be used for the degradation of pollutants in wastewater. In a broad sense, AOPs are designed to remove organic and sometimes inorganic materials in water and wastewater by oxidation with hydroxyl radicals, and are also very effective in destroying harmful bacteria and viruses. While AOPs can achieve the result of producing safe potable water, they are still regarded in many quarters as an extreme solution that is expensive. They may, however, be the only solution available for generating safe potable water from “risky” wastewater, such as from hospitals. It must be emphasised that if potable water is generated from wastewater, the final produced water must be monitored continuously to ensure potable water quality standards are maintained.

ABOUT WEC PROJECTS WEC Projects offers commercial users advice and guidance in determining the viability of a solution, whether a simple storage or recycling system or a complete treatment plant for recycling and producing potable water. The company can develop a complete solution from design and engineering to construction, installation and operation, according to particular requirements.

Images: istock.com, R_Tee

SEEKING SOLUTIONS TO LESSEN WATER SHEDDING

can also be considered for new and existing developments. At the outset, it requires differentiating potable and nonpotable water use.

Wastewater can also be recycled and treated for reuse as potable water, but this requires a more sophisticated multibarrier treatment system, including deodorisation and disinfection for the water to comply with applicable standards for consumption. Such systems employ coagulation, flocculation, sand and/or activated carbon filtration and ultrafiltration membrane technology for the removal of particulate matter, organic compounds, microorganisms and viruses. In addition, membrane-based reverse osmosis technology is used to remove contaminants, such as dissolved salts, nitrates, ammonia and phosphates. UV radiation and ozonation are commonly installed for the elimination of viruses. This is usually followed by chlorination or chlorine dioxide dosing as a final disinfection stage.

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KSB GROUP A DV ER T ORI A L

NEW WASTEWATER IMPELLER COMBINES EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY In a further expansion of its range of pumps suitable for handling untreated wastewater, the KSB GROUP has developed a new radial multivane impeller in open design

The new and highly efficient D-max impeller from the KSB Group handles fluids containing solid substances and long fibres, coarse solids and entrapped gas or air. © KSB SE & Co. KGaA

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Images: Supplied

he impeller is the actual pumping device for wastewater and at the “heart” of the pump. However, wastewater is very diverse in its composition: it may contain solids, wet wipes, sludge or faeces, as well as stringy materials or substances forming foam. To achieve the best pumping results, the impeller should be ideally suited to the individual application. The objective is always the same: a clogging-free, durable and energy-efficient solution.

KSB’s new D-max impeller handles fluids containing solid substances and long fibres, coarse solids and entrapped gas or air. It is very suitable for handling untreated wastewater, combined sewage, recirculated and heating sludge as well as activated, raw and digested sludge with a solids content of up to eight per cent. This impeller type is also suitable for transporting fluids with a high viscosity.

At approximately 84 per cent, the new impeller’s best efficiency can be compared with the performance of closed multichannel impellers. The free passage is at least 76mm, which meets the requirements of many local

plant operators. KSB’s hydraulic experts employed the computational fluid dynamics method to obtain detailed knowledge about the complex flow processes inside the pumps via computer-aided simulations. In addition to the computer-aided development of impellers, the pump manufacturer also conducted wastewater tests in the laboratory and intensive field tests around the world, the results of which were then incorporated into the intensive development work.

Each customer receives an impeller trimmed to match the specified operating point.

This is common practice for multichannel impellers.

The D-max impellers are used in the Sewatec and Amarex KRT pump-type series. They are suitable for both 50Hz and 60Hz electric motors. The maximum head is approximately 90 metres and the maximum flow rate is approximately 2 800 cubic metres per hour. Depending on the composition of the wastewater, an operator can choose between the materials EN-GJS-400-15 and 1.4517 as well as EN-GJN-HB555.

KSB’s hydraulic experts employed the computational fluid dynamics method to obtain detailed knowledge about the complex flow processes inside the pumps via computer-aided simulations.

KSB – YOUR PARTNER FOR PUMPS, VALVES AND SERVICE

Drawing on its wide-ranging application know-how, extensive experience and close-knit service network, KSB provides you with an unparalleled level of professional support – and is only satisfied when you are satisfied.

With its wastewater pumps and valves, KSB is perfectly positioned to serve wastewater applications.

Wastewater and sewage pose challenges for systems, components and materials. Pumps can clog and the risk of failure is high. This is precisely what operators cannot afford: a malfunction not only jeopardises economic efficiency, but also operating reliability. This calls for absolutely reliable wastewater pumps that are dependable, energy-efficient and generate low operating costs.

When it comes to flood control, special requirements apply. The pumps employed must be ready for use immediately, even after prolonged periods of standstill.

As a market leader, KSB is the right partner to turn to for trouble-free and efficient system operation. KSB supplies pumps and valves for wastewater applications that work reliably and efficiently even under the most difficult conditions – whether in wastewater treatment, wastewater disposal or flood control.

KS

B G RO U P

For more information: www.ksb.com

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Poplar felling in the riverine area of the Dwars River, Ceres.

THE CERES RIVER RESTORATION PROGRAMME When major floods hit the Ceres region in May this year, causing considerable damage, the need for the Ceres River Restoration Programme became more pressing, writes HEATHER DUGMORE

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long the Dwars River running through the town of Ceres in the Western Cape, 16 young people employed by the local Witzenberg Municipality cleared substantial amounts of litter and waste as part of a river restoration programme. At the same time, a Ceres contractor with a local team removed more than 100 alien invasive trees from the riverine area.

“Funded by the WWF Nedbank Green Trust, the Ceres River Restoration Programme (CRRP), a three-year pilot, is working on over 7km of the Dwars River that feeds into the Breede River – a major water source for the towns and fruit-growing agricultural sector,” explains the Witzenberg Local Municipality project manager and environmental practitioner Michelle Klaasen.

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“The programme aims to bring together the community, farmers, businesses and the municipality to work together to restore river health and achieve a healthier, more resilient and climate change-adapted environment.”

In June this year, the programme was already underway when major floods hit the region, causing considerable damage.

The floods highlighted the necessity for this project, which started in October 2022. It also identified significant challenges in the Dwars River and its tributaries, the Modder and Titus.

These challenges include litter, waste and chemicals in the water, and invasive alien trees

Wayne Marnewil and learners in Ceres participating in the Green Fingers environmental education programme.

along the riverbanks that use vast amounts of water. “The entire river system is in a state of degradation due to negative human activities,” Klaasen explains.

“THE ENTIRE RIVER SYSTEM IS IN A STATE OF DEGRADATION DUE TO NEGATIVE HUMAN ACTIVITIES.” – MICHELLE KLAASEN

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RI V ER RES T OR AT ION

“We’ve had several meetings with private landowners to explain the programme and recognise the importance of their respective needs,” Klaasen explains. A steering committee of residents in the area has been formed, and there has been a good response, including from farmers and landowners who are assisting with alien invasive vegetation removal.

The fruit growers and factories have also been responsive to discussions about how to contain pollutants and use alternative, more environmentally friendly pesticides and herbicides.

Once the freshwater specialist’s report is released, the programme will be stepped up, with specific issues and problem areas identified and addressed.

Images: WWF Nedbank, Green Trust

Learners in the Ceres region participating in a Green Fingers environmental education lesson.

As part of the CRRP and to build capacity within the municipality, the project appointed environmental resources management technician Wayne Marnewil in December 2022. Marnewil has a BSc Honours in Environmental and Water Science with skills and experience in restoration ecology, community engagement and environmental impact assessment processes.

“I’m currently finalising my survey on the Dwars River and its tributaries to determine point and nonpoint pollution sources,” Marnewil explains. “Point pollution is identifiable at its source, such as industrial waste discharged into rivers. Nonpoint pollution includes urban runoff and pesticides from agricultural activities.”

He explains further: “The pollution starts upstream at the informal settlements that produce large amounts of litter and waste, then there are the fruit farmers who use pesticides and herbicides that leak into the river. Downstream are fruit export and fruit juice and fruit pulp factories that use chemicals and produce industrial waste.”

A freshwater specialist from Zutari, a Cape Town-based infrastructure engineering and environmental consulting company, has been appointed to do a full assessment of the river, water quality and infrastructure to help identify the gaps that need addressing. The assessment will be completed by the end of January 2024.

Meanwhile, the municipal litter and waste removal team – part of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) – has been hard at work. They are filling hundreds of refuse

“WE HAVE INVESTED IN A LARGE VARIETY OF INDIGENOUS PLANTS FOR PLANTING ALONG THE RIVER BANKS TO STOP EROSION.” – WAYNE MARNEWIL bags that are then transported to the local municipal material recovery facility in Ceres, where the litter gets separated into recyclables and the weight recorded.

“With the alien invasive trees removed, the EPWP team has been trained to apply an environmentally friendly herbicide to stop alien invasive vegetation regrowth,” Marnewil explains. “The next stage is the restoration and rehabilitation of the river banks, in which they will also assist. We have invested in a large variety of indigenous plants for planting along the river banks to stop erosion,” says Klaasen.

Local indigenous plant specialist Johann van Biljon of Intaba Environmental Services based in Tulbagh, who is involved in river restoration programmes in the Breede and Berg catchments, is helping with the Dwars River restoration programme. “He has his own nursery and we bought the plants from him,” Klaasen continues. “We also received additional funding from Old Mutual Insure to upgrade Ceres’ municipal nursery to propagate plants.”

For this pilot programme to succeed, there needs to be a balance between ecological restoration and the participation of all the upstream and downstream communities, farmers and businesses.

SCHOOLS’ AWARENESS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME Environmental resources management technician Wayne Marnewil is involved in the Green Fingers Environmental Awareness and Educational Programme in partnership with CapeNature, Intaba Environmental Services and a retired local teacher. It is facilitated at seven schools in the Witzenberg Municipality.

Grade 6 to 10 learners and their teachers participate in environmental conservation and sustainability lessons and projects. They learn about the importance of clean, unpolluted rivers and catchments, waste management and recycling. The learners make posters from recycled materials.

“We also show them how to identify indigenous and alien invasive vegetation and trees and explain the importance of indigenous vegetation for a healthy environment,” Marnewil says.

“The educational programme is aligned with the environmental calendar for the year. In March – National Water Month – we introduced learners to a simple tool used to monitor the health of a river,” Marnewil adds.

“In May this year, the learners were each given an indigenous plant and taught how to care for and nurture it.

In September, which is National Arbor Month, we assessed their plants. Each learner whose plant survived received R5, and they will replant their plants at the river.”

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MI T IGAT ING T HE WAT ER CRISIS treatment plants. By adopting these smaller, cost-effective alternatives, it is possible to achieve the same capacity traditionally associated with larger concrete plants in a fraction of the time to avert total system collapse and the impending health and economic catastrophes that would surely follow.

NEGLECTING THE SEWAGE PROBLEM AND THE CRITICAL MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE WILL ONLY DEEPEN OUR WATER CRISIS.

SOUTH AFRICA’S SEWAGE CRISIS GERHART BRITZ, director at Sanitech, a sanitation and hygiene services provider, cautions that South Africa’s sewage crisis is a dire challenge that requires immediate action and innovative solutions

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n recognising the inextricable link between sewage waste management and water quality, we must also acknowledge that this crisis cannot be addressed by government alone; support from private sector industry leaders and experts is also needed.

Portable water treatment package plants are available, along with small filtration and sterilisation systems for communities.

Wastewater packaged treatment plants and solutions can help alleviate immediate concerns and contribute to long-term sewage management strategies.

Further neglecting the sewage problem and the critical maintenance of existing infrastructure will only deepen our water crisis. For this reason, the government needs to prioritise investment in sewage treatment infrastructure and implement practical, affordable solutions across all communities.

MITIGATING SOUTH AFRICA’S SEWAGE CRISIS If municipal water supplies deteriorate further, sanitation specialists will be required to step in with a range of interventions.

DID YOU KNOW?

These extend from portable water treatment packaged plants to improve water quality at its source to small-scale filtration and sterilisation systems designed for household use to ensure safe drinking water directly from the tap. From a contamination perspective, it is critical to reduce sewage entry into water courses, particularly in rural areas and informal settlements. This can be achieved through enhanced sanitation solutions, such as dry sanitation toilets, which are waste-contained alternatives to pit latrines.

FROM IMMEDIATE RELIEF TO SUSTAINABLE FUTURES Interventions will need to consider both immediate and long-term strategies. For short-term relief, containerised package plants can bolster sewage treatment facilities without extensive infrastructure development, alleviating the strain on existing systems.

Simultaneously, sanitation providers in the private sector can aid municipalities in implementing long-term solutions, including megalitre plants that feature efficiently packaged

Over 90 per cent of the nation’s 824 treatment plants discharge untreated or partially treated sewage into our limited water resources. As of June 2023, the Department of Health had documented 1 045 suspected cholera cases across five provinces, with 197 cases confirmed by laboratory testing directly linked to compromised water supply. Gauteng remains the hardest-hit province at 89 per cent, with 176 cases reported in three districts.

Source: South Africa’s Department of Health

WATER QUALITY REPORT The Blue Drop Report 2023, released in June 2023, paints a concerning picture of South Africa’s drinking water quality.

While major cities maintain safe water, outlying areas face contamination and infrastructure challenges. Key statistics from the report reveal that the average Technical Site Assessment (TSA) score for water treatment systems is 69 per cent, indicating partial functionality. About 15 per cent of water supply systems are in poor or critical condition, with only 33 per cent having Water Safety Plans, posing significant risks to water quality. Additionally, 50 per cent of municipalities struggle with bad or poor microbiological water quality.

WASTEWATER AND WATER WASTING: TWO MAJOR RISKS The Green Drop Report 2023 assesses wastewater treatment systems, showing a decline with an average score of 50 per cent. Regional disparities persist, with Eastern Cape and Limpopo scoring lowest, while the Western Cape and Gauteng lead. The No Drop Report examines water losses, revealing a decline in overall performance in 2023, with an average score of 65 per cent, which means that one-third of supplied water is wasted before it reaches consumers.

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MI T IGAT ING T HE WAT ER CRISIS However, such management approaches are heavily reliant on manual inspections, leaving room for oversight and delayed responses to critical issues, such as overflow or illegal discharge of waste.

NONCOMPLIANCE WITH WASTE DISPOSAL REGULATIONS CARRIES SIGNIFICANT SANCTIONS, INCLUDING FINES AND IMPRISONMENT, IN ADDITION TO COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION. THE SANISURE SOLUTION

ILLEGAL WASTE WATER DISPOSAL ROBERT ERASMUS, MD at Sanitech, a sanitation and hygiene services provider, shares that mitigating the risks associated with septic tank management is essential to maintain a safe and sustainable business or residential environment

STRINGENT COMPLIANCE REQUIRED FOR SEPTIC TANK WASTE GENERATORS AND HANDLERS Noncompliance with waste disposal regulations carries significant sanctions, including fines and imprisonment, in addition to costs associated with environmental rehabilitation in the case of water contamination. These penalties extend not only to the company, but also to its employees and directors in their personal capacity.

Organisations that are reliant on septic tanks for sanitation must ensure they obtain the necessary documentation from their waste transporter and disposer to prove that waste has been disposed legally.

Until now, to manage septic tank waste, organisations had to implement regular septic system inspections and perform routine maintenance while promptly addressing any signs of septic tank issues to ensure compliance with local regulations.

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WHY INCLUDE WATER IN YOUR SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY? The United Nations has warned that by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population will live in water-stressed countries. Water sustainability practices are becoming joined at the hip with sustainability in business. So what can leaders do to improve water management at their organisation?

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Start with a water audit to know where it’s going and what the most critical water requirements are.

• Monitor water usage at these key points, and consider efficiency gains, such as low-flow taps, energy-efficient washing systems and cut-off valves at strategic points.

• Invest in water recycling and use local plants to maintain water-friendly gardens.

Even simply collecting water data into a cloud-based water management platform will provide significant strategic levers.

• Water goes beyond operations. Educating staff about water pays big dividends to your business, and they take those water stewardship habits home into their communities. Nearby communities also benefit as your business includes environmental issues and clean water availability as part of your business strategy.

Source: Xylem

Images: istock.com/ vovashevchuk, istock.com/ Vadim Sazhnie, istock.com/ onuma Inthapong

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very waste generator bears the liability for any illegal disposal of waste. The principle of “cradle to grave responsibility” applies even where waste is transferred to another party, holding septic tank waste generators accountable until the waste is disposed legally.

In response to these challenges, Sanitech has developed the Sanisure solution, a product that assists organisations in establishing the liquid level of septic tanks, enabling planned maintenance and significantly reducing the risk of overflow. This solution deploys monitoring devices within septic tanks that are connected to a national network. When the liquid level reaches a specified threshold, typically 80 per cent, the system triggers an alert, enabling timely service and maintenance scheduling to prevent tank overflows.

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A DV ER T ORI A L ENDRES S+H AUSER

digitised water monitoring For peace of mind and to keep your finger on the pulse of your operations, ENDRESS+HAUSER advises that you digitise your monitoring applications

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DIGITISE WATER DISTRIBUTION AND CONSUMPTION MONITORING Whether in urban or remote areas, a desert or the tropics, the accurate measuring and billing of drinking and process water consumption is becoming increasingly important.

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NETILION ALLOWS YOU TO ACCESS DATA DIGITALLY BECAUSE IT MEETS INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED STANDARDS OF CLOUD-PLATFORM SECURITY. 20

Netilion Connect integrates data and knowledge into your infrastructure.

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• in distribution networks and transfer stations; and • in irrigation systems.

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ENDRES S+H AUSER A DV ER T ORI A L

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Heartbeat Technology Proline Promag W 800

DIGITISE the complete WATER USE CYCLE

Images: Supplied

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In heavily populated or isolated areas, Netilion Network Insights (NNI) guarantees complete transparency in your water networks around the clock. You can thus monitor water quantity, pressure, temperature, level, pH value, turbidity and numerous other parameters optimally.

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