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Water Engineering and Infrastructure

City rehabilitating sewer pipelines

5th July 2024 The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has achieved significant progress with the rehabilitation of 28 km of bulk sewer pipelines – the country’s largest sewer upgrade of its kind. This project aims to improve sanitation services for about 275 000 households in Athlone, Hanover... →

Provider expands international footprint

By: Simone Liedtke 5th July 2024 Water storage solutions provider and manufacturer Damsak Reservoirs has expanded into international markets, the move underscoring the company’s commitment to addressing global water scarcity and infrastructure challenges, particularly in the manufacturing, mining and engineering sectors. Central... →

FOCUSED ENGINEERING Damsak’s water storage bladders are engineered with a focus on reliability, durability, and ease of installation and transportation

Better wastewater management will reduce pressure on South Africa’s natural systems

5th July 2024 Climate change and failing infrastructure are placing greater pressure on South Africa’s scarce water resources, exacerbating the country’s water crisis and emphasising the need to better address local wastewater management. “We need to find ways to put less strain on our natural systems and... →

Unconsidered factors affecting water infrastructure

5th July 2024 When discussing South Africa’s water crisis, three considerations – namely history, the leveraging of technology and innovation, and the need to elevate water to ‘strategic priority’ status – are often ignored, said global consulting firm Boston Consulting Group associate director Dean Muruven.... →

The image depicts Boston Consulting Group associate director Dean Muruven

Photo by Boston Consulting Group
DEAN MURUVEN Given that water is a human right, it should be inexpensive, but people should also have an incentive to conserve it

Digitalisation offers possible solution to water challenges

By: Lynne Davies 5th July 2024 Addressing water challenges now is essential to avoiding significant future issues, says water solutions provider Modena Design Centres, adding that data and digitalisation are key to understanding and addressing these challenges. “While many consider this a governmental issue, civil... →

The above image depicts a system designed by Modena to reduce flood water

Photo by Modena Design Centres
REDUCING FLOOD IMPACT It is crucial to reduce the impact of flooding, and by using data, developers and government agencies can make better-informed decisions, says Modena Design Centres

Equitable access requires multifaceted approach

By: Simone Liedtke 20th October 2023 Access to clean water is a fundamental human necessity, yet it remains a significant challenge in Africa, with more than 300-million Africans lacking access to safe drinking water, while more than 700-million lack proper sanitation, and over 800-million have limited access to basic hygiene... →

Better hydro efficiency through pump, turbine tech

By: Simone Liedtke 20th October 2023 Early attempts to replace conventional metallic-type lantern rings with polymers, such as nylon, yielded discouraging results compared to metallic lantern rings in the water engineering industry, deterring the industry from exploring alternative solutions. However, a recent installation of... →

LANTERN RINGS The introduction of Vesconite Hilube’s lantern ring applications prolonged lifespan and reduced maintenance efforts

Company empowers communities

By: Simone Liedtke 20th October 2023 Amid challenges of population growth and recurring droughts, the need for swift, cost-effective, and sustainable water provision solutions in South Africa has never been more critical, states environmental consultancy Environmental Assurance (Envass) geohydrological business unit manager... →

WATER SECURITY By acknowledging the fundamental right to clean water, South Africa can secure its water future

US helps fund water projects

7th July 2023 The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced last month that it has committed $3-million to the African Water Facility (AWF). The funding will support the preparation of water and sanitation investment projects in Africa, through the provision of grants and technical... →

An African child with cupped hands drinking water from a tap

WATER AID The African Water Facility welcomes the donation of $3-million which is being made by The United States Agency for International Development

New pump bearing decreases maintenance at treatment plants

7th July 2023 A local wastewater plant operator recently approached polymer bushing and bearing manufacturer Vesconite Bearings in search of a solution to a reoccurring bearing failure on its aeration pumps at a number of the plants it maintains in South Africa. The plant operator was being called in every... →

a pump with vesconite polymer bearings instead of standard material bearings

BEARING THE BRUNT The bearings being used in aeration pumps at a number of wastewater plants kept failing until Vesconite Bearings developed an alternative, more robust bearing

‘Ground-breaking’ projects completed for retail giant

7th July 2023 Water management solutions provider Sewtreat has successfully completed two “ground-breaking” projects at fast moving consumer goods retail giant Pick n Pay's Eastport Logistics Park, in Kempton Park Gauteng. The projects involved the implementation of innovative rainwater harvesting and... →

Urbanisation placing pressure on water infrastructure

By: Halima Frost 7th July 2023 Africa’s already limited water infrastructure will likely face increased strain as multiple countries experience rapid urbanisation, says market research company Frost & Sullivan Africa consultant Yaa Ngonyama. She stresses that by 2030, more than 350-million Africans will be living in cities,... →

a black and white photo of an adult male hand under a tap with sparse water dripping out if it

HARSH REALITY The fact that millions of Africans do not have access to water even in urban area's should be of great concern

Flood resilience must now be a key focus for S Africa

21st October 2022 As flood events become more frequent and severe, South Africa will need to lift its game in disaster management to become more resilient. This means not just better maintenance of infrastructure, but the building of the necessary expertise and resource base to recover more quickly from flood... →

S Africa can ease effect of natural disasters through technology

By: Tracy Hancock 21st October 2022 Deploying “cutting-edge” solutions at South Africa’s water treatment plants will assist the country in mitigating the severe impact of natural disasters, such as the drought in Nelson Mandela Bay, in the Eastern Cape, and the flooding in KwaZulu-Natal, while addressing the poor state of... →

JOYCE MOGANEDI The current water crisis facing South Africa has created new opportunities and there is plenty of room to adopt and embrace new technologies

Millions injected into water tech over past 7 years

By: Tracy Hancock 21st October 2022 The Water Technologies Demonstration Programme (Wader) has invested about R43.5-million in 46 projects from 2015 to 2022 as the technology arm of the National Water Research, Development and Innovation Roadmap. The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) has been the primary funder of the... →

DRIVING DEVELOPMENT Floating solar is one of two breakthrough technologies supported by the Water Technologies Demonstration Programme, the technology arm of the National Water Research, Development and Innovation Roadmap

DBSA advances water infrastructure delivery through SADC Water Fund

20th October 2022 Meant to ensure the sustainable use and management of water resources in the region, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Water Fund has had to, like many other industries, face the reality of climate change by adapting to the challenge of building resilience within the water sector... →

800 students enter water tech challenge

8th July 2022 Last month more than 800 high school and university students from around the globe accepted the challenge from water technology leader Xylem to take on water and climate issues through the second annual Xylem Ignite Global Student Innovation Challenge. “We’re committed to championing student... →

Programme aims to improve water value chain

By: Halima Frost 8th July 2022 With the Blue Drop regulation programme assessment focusing on the improvement of the entire value chain of South Africa’s potable water infrastructure, University of Pretoria project management associate professor Giel Bekker says it should be relatively simple to improve the current dire water... →

A water reservoir with water being processed for distribution to a residential area

POOR POTABILITY The lack of water infrastructure in South Africa is clearly indicated by its lack of potable water

Pumps project under way

By: Halima Frost 8th July 2022 Industrial valves and pumps specialists Brimis Engineering has been subcontracted by customised water treatment solutions provider Aqua Pro Solutions to size, recommend and supply new pumps for the Florida pumpstation in Roodepoort, Gauteng. Brimis Engineering partnered with its pump... →

A large mobile valve testing instrument owned by Brimis Engineering on display at a launch event

TAKE A TEST The advanced and comprehensive fleet of valve testing equipment Brimis Engineering offers is also mobile

DWS fast-tracks E Cape repair and upgrades

8th July 2022 In continuous efforts to ramp up interventions to affected communities faced with severe water shortages in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro, in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), in collaboration with the metro, is fast-tracking the repair and upgrade of water... →

Progress in pipeline project witnessed

8th July 2022 In May, Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu, and Deputy Ministers David Mahlobo and Dikeledi Magadzi were on hand to witness the progress of the construction of the raw water bulk water pipeline from Nandoni dam to augment Nsami and Middle Letaba. The water project had been stagnant for a... →

SENZO MCHUNU The raw water bulk supply pipeline has been promised to the people of Giyani for a long time

Meters supplied for water project

By: Halima Frost 8th July 2022 Steel and tube supplier Stewarts & Lloyds Pipes & Fittings is supplying water meters, manufactured by international manufacturing group Honeywell Kent, to a residential area in Vryburg, in the North West, as part of a water-saving project. Being commissioned to deliver 8 000 water meters, the... →

More resilient infrastructure needed to protect water quality

8th July 2022 Consulting engineers and scientists SRK Consulting partner and principal environmental scientist Manda Hinsch says the quality of drinking water declines when infrastructure is vulnerable to natural disasters. The comment was made on the back of recent flood-related damage to water infrastructure... →

Broad view of water treatment options advised by consulting firm

15th October 2021 A broad view should be taken when considering the options for treating water, says consulting engineering firm SRK Consulting principal engineer Xanthe Adams. Complying with water quality limits set out in water use licences is imperative for mines, industrial organisations and other authorised... →

WETLANDS A key responsibility of public sector water regulators is the maintenance of water resource quality in rivers, streams and other natural water bodies

Sustaining water supply requires innovation

15th October 2021 Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu pleaded with water sector stakeholders to rally behind ensuring that water supply exceeds water demand during his keynote address at the fifth Water Research Commission Symposium held on September 20. The symposium was also attended by Kenyan High... →

A photo of Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu

SENZO MCHUNU Technologies that can use less water or no water at all are the future of our country, the continent, and the global community

Reservior awaits commissioning

By: Darren Parker 15th October 2021 A 25 Mℓ reservoir on Dann road in Glen Marais, Kempton Park, in Gauteng, has still not been commissioned, despite being completed in November 2018 at a cost of about R48-million. Almost three years after construction was completed, the reservoir remains empty and unused. →

A photo of a concrete reservoir under construction

UNDER CONSTRUCTION The City of Ekurhuleni is busy building several large reservoirs across the city as part of a long-term water security plan

New Grundfos impeller design delivers reliable pumps in high solids applications

15th October 2021 Increased levels of rags and fibrous solids in South Africa’s wastewater systems call for the innovative design and reliability of the new Grundfos SE/SL wastewater pumps. With their semi-open hydraulic design, these Grundfos submersible pumps can deal with today’s demands – even rags and organic... →

Digital platforms mitigate water processing risks

By: Darren Parker 15th October 2021 The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted significant risks to water processing operations across various sectors. All of these sectors depend on these operations being fully operational and for maintenance services to function properly, says water technology and services company Veolia Services... →

A photo of a man at a computer using the Hubgrade system

HUBGRADE Hubgrade is part of the quality improvement process continuously adopted by Veolia for clients

Desalination plant reaches key milestone

By: Darren Parker 15th October 2021 The Ndlambe seawater reverse osmosis plant in Port Alfred, in the Eastern Cape, reached the milestone of having pumped 100-million litres of potable quality water into the municipal reticulation system last month, providing relief for the drought-stricken region. “The desalination plant was... →

A photo of four people outside toasting one another with glasses of clean water at a water processing plant

CHEERS Stakeholders celebrate 100-million litres of potable quality water being pumped into the Ndlambe municipal reticulation system

Smart pumping solves infrastructure problems

By: Darren Parker 15th October 2021 Outdated water management infrastructure is threatening to “spiral out of control” as the global population grows, says digitalisation and automation technology company Schneider Electric South Africa product manager Jaque Mare, who claims that smart pumping technology is the solution. According... →

A photo of Schneider Electric South Africa product manager Jaque Mare

JAQUE MARE Smart pumping has the ability to safeguard water and wastewater expenditure and maintenance

Infrastructure development requires funding and skills

By: Nadine Ramdass 2nd July 2021 The state of South Africa’s water infrastructure varies across the country, with a range of institutions responsible for its management, says South African Institution of Civil Engineering (Saice) Water Engineering Division chairperson Abri Vermeulen. Most is still in a fair condition but it is... →

ABRI VERMEULEN All institutions and individuals have a role in proper water management

Climate uncertainty threatens water security

By: Nadine Ramdass 2nd July 2021 Apart from water infrastructure related challenges, the reliability of South African water supplies is threatened by increasing climate uncertainty. “For a country such as ours, water supply infrastructure developed organically over time, in step with population growth, reliable (if variable)... →

GISELA KAISER Root problems need to be fixed

PPPs can resuscitate infrastructure

By: Nadine Ramdass 2nd July 2021 Private-public partnerships (PPPs) can help improve South Africa’s water infrastructure and create opportunities for the introduction of technological advancements in the sector, says water solutions company Veolia South Africa GM Chris Braybrooke. The South African water infrastructure is in a... →

DURBAN WATER RECYCLING PROJECT DWR is a success model for PPPs

Technology can improve infrastructure

By: Nadine Ramdass 2nd July 2021 Embracing and implementing technological solutions can improve South Africa’s water infrastructure and systems, which are currently in a “state of disarray”, says water treatment solutions company Watericon process engineer Pako Khutsoane. The infrastructure is in “complete disorder”, owing to... →

TREATMENT IN THABAZIMBI Smaller plants can help improve water infrastructure

Reliable and sustainable water solution found in Karoo

16th October 2020 Groundwater specialists from engineering consultants SRK Consulting have assisted in ensuring Prince Albert local municipality in the Karoo is able to provide a reliable and sustainable supply of groundwater to local communities at Leeu Gamka in the Western Cape. Prince Albert local municipality... →

FULL FLOW Tapping water from the boreholes required a borehole pump design and installation, pipeline design to connect boreholes to existing infrastructure, as well as project and contractor management

Expansion set for completion

By: Halima Frost 16th October 2020 Multidisciplinary consulting firm Zimile Consulting Engineers has announced that the expansion of the R14-million bulk water supply project in Underberg, for the Harry Gwala district municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, will be completed and handed over by the end of this month. “The project addresses... →

UPHILL BATTLE One of the challenges faced during the project entailed an uphill installation which Zimile Consulting Engineers successfully completed without complications

Tech helps address nonrevenue water loss

By: Halima Frost 16th October 2020 According to a rough consensus derived from its end customers and partners, about 38% of South Africa’s produced water is non-revenue water, but water technology company Xylem Water Solutions South Africa says its key technologies assist in addressing this challenge. Non-revenue water is water... →

SMART DETECTIVE The Smart Ball water leak detection an assessment tool can be deployed without having to disrupt the flow within the system

Pump energy efficiency, maintenance critical to address water scarcity

By: Simone Liedtke 16th October 2020 Although not many realise it, South Africa is an arid country and there is a pressing need to address water scarcity, which is why pump manufacturer Grundfos places such emphasis on energy efficiency and addressing water leakages in pumping systems, says team leader Andrew Brunette. He laments... →

COMPLETE SOLUTION
The Grundfos PS.R complete pumping station with tanks, pumps and controls

Grundfos team leader Andrew Brunette discusses the company’s energy efficiency and maintenance offerings.

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