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