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Water Engineering and Infrastructure

Deputy Minister calls for greater collaboration

11th October 2019 Municipalities need to work with the Department of Water and Sanitation and water entities to ensure efficient government supply systems, said Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo at the inaugural Municipal Water Services Scientific Forum held at the Athlone Wastewater Treatment... →

More municipalities must undertake metering projects

By: Tracy Hancock 11th October 2019 Water loss, from a vital-asset and an income perspective, has plagued municipalities throughout South Africa for some years, says professional services engineering company SMEC South Africa management services function manager Jashmer Rajcoomar. “With drought affecting South Africa, it is... →

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER With drought affecting South Africa, it is important to know where and how much water is being used for planning purposes

New water-level station introduced

By: Tracy Hancock 11th October 2019 The HOBO MicroRX water-level station, which can monitor water levels in the harshest conditions, is the “perfect solution” to South Africa’s current economic and environmental challenges, says local technology integrator Euca Technologies. South Africa has fast become a water-conscious country,... →

INFORMED DECISION-MAKING The MicroRX water-level station can provide data to help businesses make more informed decisions on how best to action strategies that allow for better management

Innovation exists, but needs to be scaled up locally

By: Tracy Hancock 11th October 2019 South Africa’s infrastructure needs refurbishment to restore functionality, as well as a digital refit to enable a new cyber management regime as the local water industry enters the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), says national water knowledge hub Water Research Commission (WRC) CEO Dhesigen... →

Photo by Creamer Media
WATER GOALS Innovation is the only way through which Africa will come close to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and achieve reasonable water security

OCTOPUS ELECTRONICS

By: Creamer Media Reporter 8th October 2019 Octopus Electronics offers complete pipeline solutions and trenchless innovations. As a leader in its field, Octopus Electronics offers a number of services, including distribution, repair facilities and rental agents. The most reliable, cutting-edge, practical and technologically advanced... →

Calculator to estimate daily water use

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 5th July 2019 With South Africa classified as a water-stressed country, owing to its receiving an average of about 492 mm/y of rainfall, water utility Rand Water’s environmental brand Water Wise’s water calculator provides users with an estimate of how much water is used in daily activities. Water Wise... →

Water-crisis conditions hold serious implications and challenges

5th July 2019 Integrated infrastructure delivery company AECOM senior engineer Hanine van Deventer stresses that, when a severe multiyear drought, coupled with difficult water-management parameters, is experienced, such as was the case in the Western Cape from 2015 to 2018, water-crisis conditions hold serious... →

HANINE VAN DEVENTER Private-sector companies are seldom knowledgeable or equipped to deal with water-crisis interventions on a regular basis

R341-million set aside to overhaul infrastructure

5th July 2019 The Department of Water and Sanitation has set aside R341-million to completely overhaul wastewater treatment infrastructure in the Vaal Triangle, says pump manufacturer and supplier Werner Pumps MD Sebastian Werner. The Vaal river is polluted with untreated sewage flowing into it from three... →

PUMP IT UP The truck-mounted jetting units built by Werner South Africa Pumps and Equipment will assist ERWAT to save the Vaal River

Infrastructure backlog provides growth opportunities for company

By: Cameron Mackay 5th July 2019 There is a backlog of sufficient planned new bulk water infrastructure projects in South Africa which could potentially provide increased opportunities for engineering consultants, such as AECOM, to become involved in more infrastructure development, says AECOM water business line director Werner... →

WERNER COMRIE Collaboration between the public and private sectors is long overdue. We have to use our collective knowledge to solve the challenges going forward

South Africa water supply not keeping up with developments

5th July 2019 There are potential mining zones – in coal, platinum and chrome, for instance – in the northern parts of provinces like Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga. In many of these, growth has in fact already taken place – but water supply is not keeping up, says consulting firm SRK Consulting partner... →

Globalisation an export opportunity for local valves manufacturer

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 5th July 2019 Amid the lack of infrastructure spending locally, valves manufacturer Aveng dynamic fluid control (DFC) welcomes globalisation as an opportunity to export its valves products to countries such as Brazil, Australia, Finland and the US. “Everyone sees globalisation as an opportunity to have access... →

GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS South Africans should be proud that locally manufactured products can compete in the global market

Two water tanks installed at water treatment plant

5th July 2019 Water storage tank and solutions company Prestank recently installed two water tanks at the Ritchie water treatment plant in Northern Cape, says Prestank estimator and project coordinator Werner Hugo. This follows the expansion that has been taking place at the plant for the past few years, he adds. →

R&D provides solutions for water management problems

By: Donald Makhafola 12th October 2018 Constant research and development (R&D) has been key to the growth and success of 34-year-old industrial agitator and specialised mixing-equipment for water and wastewater treatment company, Mixtec, says the company’s sales and project manager Rudi Swanepoel. The Mixtec global group of... →

HIGH-QUALITY Mixtec is known for producing mixers to the latest international standards and quality controls

Energy efficient pumps solve water challenges

12th October 2018 Power-saving water-pump solutions company Grundfos presents municipalities with improved energy efficient pumps that allow them to lower their demand on the national power grid, says sub-Saharan Africa regional head Henning Sandager. “Water, waste water removal and electricity are the main... →

OPTIMISATION Grundfos energy efficient pumps can save up to 50% of energy

Engineering firm acquires valve test bench

By: Donald Makhafola 12th October 2018 Mpumalanga-based wholly black-owned mechanical engineering company Brimis Engineering will procure a pressure relief valve test bench by the end of this month to test more than 90% of all installed safety valves currently in use in South Africa. Global valve test and repair equipment supplier... →

MOEKETSI MPOTU Brimis Engineering has the technical capability to repair, test and certify critical application safety valves in line with the Pressure Equipment Regulations

Lesotho Metolong dam achieves full capacity

12th October 2018 The new $100-million Metolong dam in Lesotho has achieved a significant project success this year, with the dam spilling for the first time since its completion in 2016. Spilling occurs when the dam is at full capacity, and the dam’s spillway – meant to direct excess water downstream during flood... →

MILESTONE Metolong dam in Lesotho reaches spilling stage for the first time since its completion in 2016

New coupling provides easy pipe joining solution

By: Donald Makhafola 12th October 2018 Ongoing water shortages relating to insufficient and aging infrastructure and lack of proper maintenance in South Africa and Africa, make mechanical pipe-joining systems manufacturer Victaulic’s safe, efficient and cost-effective pipe joining solution, which eliminates hazardous welding and... →

JOINING SOLUTION Victaulic's plain end solutions pipe couplings, fittings and connectors technology are easy to install

Rescue Rod

12th October 2018 Trenchless specialist Rescue Rod notes that, after more than ten years of decisively shaping horizontal directional drilling practices within the company, this form of trenchless technology is widely becoming recognised worldwide as the most efficient, rapid and cost-effective method of... →

SBS Tanks

12th October 2018 SBS Tanks is a proudly South African company, passionate about local business. Born from humble beginnings in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), it now manufactures its own 3.3-million litre reservoirs. The company employs over 150 staff across South Africa and its job retention rate over the past 20 years of... →

Bulk water supply project nears completion

12th October 2018 Phase 1 of the design and implementation for the augmentation of the James Kleynhans Bulk Water Supply project in Makhanda – formerly known as Grahamstown, in the Eastern Cape – which started last year in September is due for completion in December. The first phase of the four-phase project,... →

PROGRESSING Phase 1 of the design and implementation for the augmentation of the James Kleynhans Bulk Water Supply project in Makhanda is due for completion in December

Installation of water metering system complete

By: Donald Makhafola 6th July 2018 Utility management company Bosch Munitech in March completed the design and installation of a metering and monitoring system to manage water consumption for the Lower Berg River Irrigation Board, in the Western Cape. The company was appointed last year in November to install the Krohne Waterflux... →

COMPLIANT The Krohne Waterflux electromagnetic flow meter is a low maintenance water meter which meets stringent potable water standards designed for bidirectional flow measurement

Cheap valve imports taking over the local market

By: Donald Makhafola 6th July 2018 Amid ageing water infrastructure, the South African Valve and Actuator Manufacturers Association (Savama) laments the substantially cheaper and poor-quality Chinese valves and associated products that find their way onto the local market. “In the current market, we find that price supersedes... →

Technology provides digital water solution for Africa

6th July 2018 The water industry has been focused on ushering in a new era of water management, with an emphasis on automation, the Internet of Things (IoT) and sophisticated data management and analysis software that enables the water end-user or plant operator to have valuable, actionable information, says... →

GOING DIGITAL Siemens shows how digitalisation of water management processes is creating impressive new possibilities to increase efficiency and reduce costs

Rescue Rod

6th July 2018 Trenchless specialist Rescue Rod notes that, after more than ten years of decisively shaping horizontal directional drilling practices within the company, this form of trenchless technology is widely becoming recognised worldwide as the most efficient, rapid and cost-effective method of... →

New tech, investments can reduce water crisis

By: Donald Makhafola 6th July 2018 New technologies for water and wastewater treatment plants, as well as investments in ecological infrastructure, could reduce the risks of water pollution and failure of critical water supply infrastructure in the country, says global engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Aurecon South... →

Photo by Bloomberg
COLLABORATIVE MANAGEMENT South Africa is depending on a complex and technically challenging bulk-water supply which requires a high level of expertise and coordination

Low maintenance treatment plants supplied to hospital

6th July 2018 Global optimised resource management company Veolia Water Technologies South Africa recently designed, manufactured and commissioned two containerised, plug-and-play solutions for State-owned Bambisana Hospital in Goqwana township, Eastern Cape. The two packaged low-footprint and low maintenance... →

WATER SOLUTION Veolia's packaged water treatment plants provide potable water to Bambisana Hospital and treats its sewage water

S Africa wastewater facilities in disrepair

By: Donald Makhafola 6th July 2018 Half of South Africa’s water infrastructure is in disrepair and it will take significant financial investment, and political will, to restore it, according to the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). “Our research indicates that what is needed is investment in basic infrastructure such as fixing... →

WASTEWATER South Africa can increase the amount of wastewater treated, to boost water supply

Repairing of ageing water infrastructure can increase supply

By: Donald Makhafola 6th July 2018 Amid ageing water infrastructure in most developed areas in South Africa, engineering advisory firm WSP technical director water, transport and infrastructure Africa Arnaud Malan says there is a need to adopt more sustainable approaches to managing available water through smarter water governance... →

WATER SCARCE South Africa needs to adopt more sustainable approaches to managing available water through smarter water governance stewardship

Groundwater a viable water saving initiative

13th October 2017 South African consulting and engineering firm JG Afrika is working hard to change the mind-set around using South Africa’s groundwater to mitigate water scarcity, despite project failures in the past. JG Afrika technical director Mark Schapers and JG Afrika executive associate Regan Rose agree... →

MARK SCHAPERS JG Afrika’s systematic approach is transferred to all activities involved in completing groundwater projects

Global water insecurity calls for water infrastructure maintenance

13th October 2017 The growing funding gap to keep up with the rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of ageing water infrastructure is a global concern, particularly in the current age of austerity, says global engineering firm Aurecon. The firm emphasises that new water systems need to be built to cope with... →

Photo by Bloomberg
FOOD INSECURITY Food is heavily reliant on water supply. Scarce water supply puts crops and livestock at risk

Nonconformance of standards exacerbates drought conditions

By: Nica Schreuder 13th October 2017 Fundamental conformities not being upheld during the manufacturing stages of pipe production has exacerbated South Africa’s current water scarcity, says plastics and polymer testing laboratory P.E.S.C. MD Graham Marsberg. “The basics of pipe manufacturing involves quality workmanship. This... →

CONFORMING TO STANDARDS SATAS or SABS accreditation is essential to ensuring reliable water infrastructure that adheres to strict standards

Population increase outstrips water infrastructure

By: Nica Schreuder 13th October 2017 With South Africa’s population rapidly increasing in the past 60 years, water scarcity and a lack of adequate infrastructure continue to be of concern, says water components supplier African Pipes, Valves and Fittings director Ben Levitas. In the past, the traditional way of increasing to... →

BEDFORD DAM The Bedford Dam, constructed in 2011, is one of the few notable water infrastructure projects in the past 20 years

Technology suitable for South African context

By: Nica Schreuder 13th October 2017 In the quest to mitigate water supply difficulties that have been prevalent in South Africa in the past few years, international engineering consultancy and technology provider Royal HaskoningDHV says its range of innovative wastewater treatment and smart water solutions is relevant in the context. →

Western Cape municipality begins master plan to combat water loss

13th October 2017 The Drakenstein local municipality in Paarl, Western Cape, has begun a 20-year master plan to replace old or ageing asbestos pipes in the region with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, which will achieve significant success in reducing water loss throughout the municipal area. Water leakage... →

MASTER PLANNERS Willem Liebenberg and André Kowalewski (right) of the Drakenstein municipality are at the forefront of the master plan

Strides made in smart solutions

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 30th June 2017 An early flood warning app designed for the city of Accra, in Ghana, will make all the difference to the city’s resilience, its people and their future wellbeing, posits Royal HaskoningDHV global business line director water Anke Mastenbroek. The app is a notable example of a smart water solution... →

New solution available in SA

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 30th June 2017 US-based safe water disinfection company MIOX, a Johnson Matthey company, designs and manufactures on-site chemical generators, which are an alternative solution to using hazardous chemicals, and its many benefits can be applied positively in South Africa, suggests MIOX senior applications... →

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION MIOX’s on-site chemical generators are an alternative to using hazardous chemicals for water treatment

Short- and long-term options for ailing supply

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 30th June 2017 Although South Africa’s current dam infrastructure setup is reliable, sustainable consulting in the built and natural environment provider WSP Africa Structures senior engineer Peter Townshend says there are a number of short- and long-term solutions that South Africa can pursue to augment water... →

Photo by Duane Daws
DAMNING STATE Dams in South Africa are under pressure to meet a growing water demand

Smart water solutions promise improved efficiencies for S Africa

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 30th June 2017 Smart water solution technology will redefine everything the water and wastewater industries do, the extent of which we cannot begin to fathom, enthuses independent international engineering and project management consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV global business line director water Anke... →

DATA CRUNCHER Smart solutions combine large amount of raw data with artificial intelligence, in order to convert this into useful information to be used for predicting scenarios

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