SOUTH AFRICA
Gauteng told to continue water savings
Gauteng residents must continue saving water, even though dam levels are rising in the province, the Department of Water and Sanitation said recently.
“ We are still in a drought,” said spokesperson Sputnik Ratau.“ People must still continue to behave as though there is no water. They can’ t start relaxing.”
This was after water was released from the Sterkfontein Dam in November, and heavy rain pushed the level of the Vaal Dam up to 32.1 %.
Gauteng is among the provinces bearing the brunt of a drought in southern Africa.
In October 2016, the City of Johannesburg said the Vaal Dam was dipping below 30 %. Extra water restrictions were introduced to reduce consumption by 15 %.
The Vaal Dam system supplies water to Gauteng, North West Province, Mpumalanga, and the Free State.
The release of water from the Sterkfontein Dam was expected to bring some respite to Gauteng. u
Upgraded water treatment plant unveiled
Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane has officially unveiled the upgraded Paarl Waste Water Treatment Plant, in the Drakenstein Local Municipality.
The Paarl Waste Water Treatment Works( WWTW) project is one of the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant projects and the only treatment works serving the Paarl residential and industrial area.
The project contributes to the improvement of the quality of water in the Berg River and it will alleviate the negative impact of poor quality irrigation water.
The WWTW had effluent that did not comply with the required standards and had to be upgraded.
The Department of Water and Sanitation and the municipality have invested over R225-million for the development of the infrastructure. This will benefit more than 250 000 residents and the fruit industry in the area, which is dependent on water from the Berg River for irrigation purposes.
The project has also benefitted the local community by enabling people to gain experience and training in construction. u
AECOM’ s Badenhorst wins Engineer of the Year award
Danie Badenhorst, dams and hydropower lead at AECOM, won the prestigious title of Engineer of the Year at the 2016 SAICE-SAFCEC Civil Engineering Awards. Badenhorst was honoured for a 40-year career that has seen him working on more than 120 dam projects in Africa.
He has more than 20 years’ experience in major water resource and hydropower development projects, involving master planning, feasibility studies and design, totalling a 40-year career in civil engineering.
He has carried out numerous tasks as an approved professional engineer, a requirement in South Africa in terms of the National Water Act. In addition, Badenhorst has contributed to national and international best practice in dam engineering, including safety designs, and excelled as a meaningful mentor to many young engineers.
In line with creating awareness for civil engineering in South Africa, Badenhorst has represented the country at the annual meetings of the International Congress of Large Dams for several years. He has been the chairperson of the South African National Committee of Large Dams( SANCOLD) for the past seven years.
Badenhorst’ s work with AECOM has seen him involved in leadership roles with some of the most prominent current dam projects. These include the Itare Dam Water Supply Project in Kenya, the Mooi Mgeni Transfer Scheme for the Spring Grove Dam and Appurtenant Works, and the Umkhomazi Water Supply Project, together with the rehabilitation of 20 large dams for the Department of Water and Sanitation. u
AECOM
Danie Badenhorst has won the title of Engineer of the Year at the 2016 SAICE-SAFCEC Civil Engineering Awards.
SAPPMA elects new board members
The South African Plastic Pipes Manufacturers Association( SAPPMA) held its 12th annual general meeting towards the end of last year.
Speaking to the more than 40 captains of industry that were in attendance, CEO Jan Venter reiterated that SAPPMA’ s main focus for 2017 is to continue improving the long-term health of the plastics pipe industry. He thanked the team of volunteers serving on SAPPMA’ s Technical Committee for striving towards ensuring good product quality, an adherence to industry standards, accessing and sharing technical information, and delivering ongoing training and marketing services.
Four new SAPPMA members were elected to serve on the board. Brett Kimber( Marley Pipe Systems), Steve du Toit( DPI Plastics), Terence Hobson( Sun Ace), and Wally van Coller( Rare Plastics) will be joining Bernhard Mahl( Safripol) and CP Bandaru( Flotek), who will be continuing their twoyear period as directors.
6 Water Sewage & Effluent January / February 2017