Water, Sewage & Effluent Mar Vol 30 No 2 | Page 29

Unique self-cleaning aspects
The word unique is used to describe so
many innovations, but it should mean that
which is existing as the only one or sole
example. By definition, unique inventions
do not stay unique for long, as the design
is usually copied. Jordaan says Moedi
wa Batho came up with the self-cleaning
design and though he can’t be certain this
type of design hasn’t been used elsewhere,
he is not aware of others. He explains the
unique design in simple terms.
“The reservoir has an internal wall, and
naturally has an inlet and outlet; it is a
double reservoir, but with the inner wall
going about 40% of the way up to height of
the outer wall,” he says.
“When you want to clean the inner ring
of reservoir, you apply the first alternative
(See figure 1 part A), which means you

industry
debate

Rapid rate
The rapid rate at which this reservoir is
being built is made possible by choosing a
pre-cast roof. M&D Construction cast the
walls and the floor of the structure in situ.
This called for careful scheduling to avoid
difficulties in terms of gaining access.
The contractor has to work around
a tower crane which is used for lifting
formwork, as well as undertaking concrete
pours and steel work. Venter says the
crane has been positioned in the middle
of the structure, which has been divided
into four quadrants. Firstly, the walls of
three quadrants will be completed, ready to
receive the pre-cast roof.
Only one quadrant is left open at the
front of the structure. Once the roof is
completed on the three quadrants, the
contractor will then pour the foundation
of the last quadrant. This allows access
to the reservoir to the base of the tower
crane to reach t