pecifically in urban areas, our rivers
“ Shave become unstable due to the increase in cumulative run-off from the developed catchments,” said SRK partner and principal civil engineering technologist Murray Sim.“ A more regional approach is now required to solve the problem, to ensure the complete river system is taken into account.”
Johannesburg’ s longest river, the Braamfontein Spruit, is a case in point— and is the subject of a study by SRK on behalf of the Johannesburg Roads Agency. The study into the state of the Braamfontein Spruit will establish what needs to be done to improve the natural habitat and surrounding infrastructure, and will recommend rehabilitation and management measures to safeguard lives, property, and public assets.
Sim said one needs to understand the key drivers behind the river’ s instability, such as hard surface areas replacing natural vegetation, due to the increasing infrastructure
16 Water Sewage & Effluent May / June 2017