24 PROJECT
Mepla multilayer piping was selected for the hot- and cold-water distribution network due to its ease of installation, reliability and reduced risk of theft compared with traditional metal piping materials.
Following the apartment connections, the project team installed the water supply risers and drop pipes within dedicated duct spaces. These were integrated with advanced metering technology to support efficient utility management and billing. The cold-water supply was fitted with Kamstrup smart meters, while hot-water consumption was monitored using LoRa-enabled prepaid smart meters, providing residents with a convenient token-based prepaid billing system.
Supplied by ALLYCiV Supplied by Seaqual Supplied by ALLYCiV
The hot-water reticulation system was designed as a ring-main network to ensure consistent hot-water availability throughout the development. Heated water was distributed through the main risers, with branch connections serving individual apartments. A dedicated hot-water return line and return header then circulated unused water back to the central plant for reheating, improving both efficiency and user comfort by reducing waiting times for hot water.
Supporting the entire system were two centralised hot-water plants, strategically located on the rooftop at the south-east and north-west corners of the development. Together, these plants supplied hot water to the 585 apartments. Each plant was equipped with three Alliance 135kW heat pumps and two 12kl heat accumulator storage vessels. Combined, the two installations provided a substantial 48 000l of hot-water storage capacity, ensuring reliable delivery of hot water while maximising energy efficiency through heat-pump technology.
The features and benefits of the new installation The installation was designed not only to provide reliable water services to residents, but also to improve long-term sustainability, reduce operating costs, and strengthen water security through a combination of storage, pressure management, rainwater harvesting and borehole utilisation.
The new water services installation delivers a range of operational, sustainability and reliability benefits, significantly enhancing the resilience and efficiency of the development:
• A key feature is the sectional steel storage tank, which serves a dual purpose by providing both domestic water storage and firefighting reserve capacity within a single integrated system. The domestic storage component is sized to provide approximately two days of backup water supply, offering residents greater security and continuity of service during municipal water interruptions or supply restrictions.
• To ensure a consistent water supply throughout the high-rise development, the system incorporates water booster pump sets that maintain stable and regulated water pressure to all apartments. This allows residents to enjoy reliable water delivery regardless of fluctuations in pressure from the local water authority, ensuring improved comfort and system performance across all floors of the building.
• The development also embraces sustainable water management practices through the rehabilitation and upgrading of an existing borehole. The borehole now supplies water to a dedicated 5kl storage tank, providing a costeffective alternative water source for landscape irrigation. By utilising groundwater for non-potable applications such as watering gardens and lawns, the development reduces its dependence on treated municipal water and achieves ongoing savings on water consumption costs.
www. plumbingafrica. co. za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline November 2026 Volume 32 I Number 09