Lies Hidden in the Rocks

Sivhili Injhiniyeringi June 2008 Vol 16 No 6

One solution to water supply problems lies hidden in the rocks P CA The likelihood of a global drought in 2009–2016 A W A R D S W I N N E R 2 0 0 7 FOR EXCELLENCE IN MAGAZINE PUBLISHING AND JOURNALISM VRESAP to be operational by November Implementation of the reserve at the Berg River Dam and Supplement Scheme Outeniqua Coast Water Situation Study 24 MONTHS TO FIFA 2010

P CA A W A R D S W I N N E R 2 0 0 7 FOR EXCELLENCE IN MAGAZINE PUBLISHING AND JOURNALISM Tshivenda ON THE COVER One of GEL’s new Beretta T46 drilling rigs installing lateral support to the Western access tunnel at the Soccer City Stadium On the cover where the 2010 FIFA World Cup final will be played. This tunnel was constructed under the existing West grandstand, with Ensuring solid foundations for the FIFA supported faces of up to 9 m high; in total, World Cup’s flagship stadium 46 approximately 500 m2 lateral support was installed to three tunnels and the multi- WATER ENGINEERING OTHER PROJECTS storey parkade Potable water reservoir under construction 49 One solution to water supply problems Cape Town Terminal expansion on track 50 lies hidden in the rocks 2 Anglian Water’s biggest ever project 53 Dynamic planning process for water Recycling our roads 57 and sewer infrastructure 5 Boost for safer crane operations 55 Berg Water Project reserve releases: Traffic control centres for Limpopo 59 Implementation of the reserve at the Berg Published by SAICE/SAISI Block 19, Thornhill Office Park, River Dam and Supplement Scheme 8 PEOPLE 61 Bekker Street, Vorna Valley, Midrand Private Bag X200, Halfway House, 1685 Tel 011-805-5947/48, Fax 011-805-5971 http://www.civils.org.za How has the ecological reserve influenced the [email protected] HISTORY AND HERITAGE design and operation of the Berg River Dam? 12 Editor Past Master 17: Sir John Coode 62 Sarie Moolman [email protected] Tel 012-804-2754, Cell 082-376-2652 Outeniqua Coast Water Situation Study 16

Editorial Panel IN BRIEF 65 Elsabé Kearsley (chair), Irvin Luker (vice-chair), Johan de The likelihood of a global drought Koker (president), Wally Burdzik, Huibrecht Kop, Jeffrey Urban water management challenge Court ruling on Mahachi, Jones Moloisane, Hermien Pieterse, Eben Rust, Marco van Dijk, Michelle Theron, Sarie Moolman in 2009–2016 22 water ‘global precedent’ Lusip Dams, Swaziland (editor), Barbara Spence (advertising), Verelene de Koker (secretariat), Dawie Botha (executive director), Water awards Dutch water innovation Zina Girald, Marie Ashpole Towards sustainable development: Achieve Hydroelectric dams in Asia Class of ’58 Business Annual subscription rate SA R560,00 (VAT included), International US$120,00 development potential, support key on the move Record year for cement Upgrading

Advertising of Knysna Road PDNA commended Concrete Barbara Spence, Avenue Advertising ecosystems and provide poverty relief 27 [email protected] pavement paper wins SAICE award Nanowires may Tel 011-463-7940, Fax 011-463-7939 Cell 082-881-3454 VRESAP to be operational by November 33 boost solar cell efficiency Global award for Gautrain Design and reproduction Fire door orders for two 2010 stadia Umhlanga’ s Marketing Support Services, Menlo Park, Pretoria International water distribution systems Ridgeside development Transport conference at CSIR Printing Ultra Litho, Johannesburg conference for Kruger 37 Golder’s new Mozambique office Road rehabilitation The South African Institution of Civil Engineering project in Free State ‘Dearth of disabled facilities’ accepts no responsibility for any statements made or opinions expressed in this publication. Consequently Refurbish, repair or replace? 39 nobody connected with the publication of the magazine, in particular the proprietors, the publishers and the editors, will be liable for any loss or damage sustained Tough water usage challenge ahead 41 SAICE AND PROFESSIONAL NEWS by any reader as a result of his or her action upon any statement or opinion published in this magazine. Honorary degree conferred on James L Barnard 80 Mbashe North project nearly completed 42 ISSN 1021-2000 Sad news … 81

BLISHE PU RS Gijima: Branch visits 2008 E Reservoir built with hollow-core precast 82 N I Z

G A

A S

M F concrete slabs: A South African first Diarise this! 84 O 44 N A I O S S O C I AT Civil Engineering | June 2008 Info Dr Ricky Murray Groundwater Africa T 021-881-3082 [email protected]

WATER ENGINEERING One solution to water supply problems lies hidden in the rocks

THE SECURITY AND QUALITY of the 1 water supply is a major issue facing every South African community. From tiny dorps to big cities, the demands for potable and industrial or agricultural usage water are ever increasing. Some areas are fortunate to have either or both consistent rainfall and sufficient river and dam capacity, but many municipalities are subject to seasonally distorted rainfall patterns and some face radical demand spikes (for example Plettenberg Bay, which has a huge jump in usage in the peak of summer). In the past, the solution provided by consulting engineers in bigger communities has been to build dams and in water table and ‘bank’ the water for later concept in other parts of the world. smaller towns to extract groundwater via usage. Buried in the rocks there is no The Indian government recently pro- boreholes. Both these approaches have now evaporation loss – which can amount to a duced a master plan for artificial recharge become problematic. Most potential major drop in water levels up to 3 m per annum and is committing R33 billion to the con- dam sites have been utilised and there is in dams – and the dangers of contami- cept over ten years in an effort to capture growing awareness of the massive envi- nation are markedly reduced. Unless a over 36 000 million cubic metres of water ronmental damage and subsequent hidden scheme is poorly designed, virtually all across 450 000 km2. cost in dam construction. And the over- recharged water can be recovered and Amsterdam receives 60 % of its use of boreholes has caused an alarming techniques can be used to reverse hy- drinking water from a scheme that in- drop in the water table in many areas and a draulic gradients causing even ‘lost’ water volves spreading treated river water over subsequent decline in water quality. to flow back into the well field. 40 recharge ponds covering 86 ha which Increasingly, the answer for engineers The water usually needs to be treated have an infiltration rate of 20 cm/day engaged in water projects is to explore before it is sent below to prevent clog- and an average sub-surface travel time the possibility of managed artificial re- ging of the surface of the basins or the of 90 days. The water is then recaptured charging of aquifers. Artificial recharge boreholes, although in many European through drains and open canals situated (AR), as the technique is widely known, countries the process itself is used for about 60 m from the infiltration basins. involves transferring river or dam water water treatment purposes with the sandy Mt Gambier in South Australia is underground by means of infiltration aquifers serving as giant natural filters. an isolated city in an arid region and basins or borehole injection to boost the Artificial recharge is a widely used channels all of its stormwater into an

Civil Engineering | June 2008 2

Main natural recharge area underlying karst aquifer using more than 4 300 drainage wells producing an annual Proposed main arti cial recharge of up to 6,2 million cubic metres. recharge area Arti cial recharge Unsurprisingly, the Israelis have to replenish well elds pioneered artificial recharge – the biggest Auas Mountains Group 12 of their schemes in the Dan Region uses boreholes the aquifer media to supply irrigation Group 4 Group 3 Group 9 boreholes boreholes needs from Tel Aviv’s treated reclaimed boreholes City centre Spring wastewater – but it’s the United States Year 1950 water level that has the most extensive history in the technique and there has been a notice- Year 2000 water level able increase in usage in the past twenty Regional decline, creating a vast storage area years. The largest existing operation is in Localised depression, creating the Las Vegas Valley which has a recovery a limited storage area capacity of 0,59 million cubic metres per day, but the Florida Everglades, New York City and San Antonio all run AR schemes. also to provide a regulatory framework for 1 Las Vegas Valley, USA: artificial An American Water Works implementation. The strategy is being im- recharge injection point Association survey shows that most plemented by DWAF’s Directorate: Water 2 Karkams, Namaqualand: artificial recharge schemes are used primarily for municipal Resource Planning Systems. sand filter with pump house in the background supplies and for seasonal storage, but Dr Ricky Murray, a hydrogeologist 3 Fracturing in the Windhoek quartzites secondary benefits are also often cited like engaged by DWAF to implement their ensures very high permeabilities. Injection recovery of groundwater levels, preven- strategy, points out that ‘many of our local rates of up to 60 ℓ/s can be achieved tion of saltwater intrusion, protection of geological formations contain appropriate 4 Windhoek’s artificial recharge approach habitats and improvements in ground- aquifers that could be used to enhance water quality. Although most schemes the water supply at far cheaper and more planning borehole injection tests into the use surface water as their sole source of efficient rates than dams’. The capital cost local aquifer and if the results are positive, injection, a number involve transferring of a typical AR scheme is often well under they will be able to save on the cost of con- water from one aquifer to another. half that incurred in more conventional structing an off-channel storage dam from South Africa’s Department of Water surface storage schemes and artificial re- the Keurbooms River. Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) has recently charge offers considerable benefits in terms The relatively limited number of finalised a strategy on artificial recharge to of any quantifiable costs of climate change. South African AR schemes are all detailed encourage its expanded usage locally and The local authorities in Plettenberg Bay are in the DWAF strategy, which can be

Civil Engineering | June 2008 1 4 Dr Ricky Murray

ability of the filtration surface of the recharge facility (the basin or the borehole) or it can apply to the aquifer itself. The former is reasonably easy to monitor and remedy, the latter is more gradual and can become irreversible, especially in a borehole-fed system. Various forms of clogging have been identified including suspended solids, microbial growth, chemical precipitation, clay swelling and dispersion, air entrapment, gas binding and the mechanical jamming and mobili- sation of aquifer sediments. Furthermore, some potentially negative environmental impacts of AR schemes need to be monitored closely. A raised water table becomes more vulner- able to pollution and might exacerbate flooding; it can also cause vegetation downloaded from http://www.dwaf.gov. long borehole injection tests and even dieback and could destabilise roads and za (go to ‘Documents’ – two-thirds down longer abstraction tests established the buildings. On the other hand, lower the long list of DWAF documents you’ll viability of rapid replenishment and large- groundwater levels can impact on river find the strategy under ‘Other: Integrated scale abstraction. flow regimes and wetland eco-systems as water resource planning – National Dr Murray says there are several ‘suc- well as damaging tree root systems and Documents’). cess factors’ which determine the likely can cause land subsidence and the drying Polokwane, Atlantis and Karkams in value of any AR scheme: up of existing boreholes. Namaqualand have successfully imple- ■ Water used must be of a consistently Murray is convinced that where aqui- mented AR and Plettenberg Bay, Prince high quality with low turbidity, and fers are well understood and well moni- Albert and Langebaan are actively investi- borehole injection methods demand tored, the potential for AR is substantial gating projects at the moment. higher quality than infiltration basins in South Africa, especially given the The Namibians have been far more ■ The surface water (which is usually high evaporation rates for surface-stored active in this area. The Omaruru Delta saturated with oxygen) must be chemi- water caused by the hot and windy con- aquifer is recharged via infiltration basins cally compatible with the groundwater ditions that prevail across most of the for the supply of Swakopmund and Walvis which may be more anoxic and even country. Bay, reversing decades of a declining anaerobic Smaller, more isolated communities water table because of over-abstraction, ■ The aquifer geochemistry is important, which suffer from long, dry spells are and the capital, Windhoek, uses AR as some rock types might cause health the obvious immediate candidates but extensively to ensure the security of its problems in underground water with the proper application of DWAF’s supply. It opted for a groundwater solu- ■ The hydraulic conductivity of the rock strategy, careful testing and competent tion from the nearby mountainous aquifer or soil is critical. It needs to be suf- management, artificial recharge could rather a surface water transfer system ficient both at the point of recharge and play a far bigger role than that. from the distant Okavango basin. The further afield – in hard rock environ- Some really ambitious thinking estimated savings amount to R1,3 billion. ments the fractures need to be reason- includes the possibility of transforming Currently 10 % of the city’s supply is ably extensive and interconnected dry Northern Cape areas into fertile achieved through groundwater, but an ■ The hydraulic gradient will determine agricultural land through AR, as has hap- ambitious expansion scheme that includes where the water flows once it has en- pened in Israel and the Burdekin River AR is in place to increase that percentage. tered the sub-surface. In some cases Scheme in Australia. The extensive Table An additional ten injection/abstraction it will be possible and cost effective to Mountain Group Aquifer also represents boreholes are currently being added to recover water at the point of recharge a potentially gigantic underground res- the existing five and the target capacity but in others it will be preferable to ab- ervoir to meet the long-term needs of the is 8 million cubic metres or ~250 litres stract the water down-gradient entire region. Interfering so radically and per second of continuous injection. This Murray also points out that artificial on such a huge scale in environmentally is equivalent to 40 % of the city’s annual recharge systems can range from the very sensitive areas is obviously at best a very water requirements. simple to the highly sophisticated, but distant prospect and requires consider- Windhoek’s aquifer of quartzites and they all present management challenges. able research, but more immediate priori- schists is highly fractured and complex In particular the issue of clogging or ties can be met almost immediately with with intense faulting and folding but plugging has to be watched carefully. This artificial recharge at a great cost saving to extensive testing that included six-month- can apply to the reduction of the perme- ratepayers.

Civil Engineering | June 2008 Text Kerry Fair GLS Consulting (Pty) Ltd Stellenbosch [email protected] Alexander Sinske GLS Consulting (Pty) Ltd Stellenbosch [email protected] Dynamic planning process for water and sewer infrastructure

As we all know, ‘planning’, or rather flow is calculated as a percentage of Once construction is complete, the as- ‘lack of planning’, has become a buzz the water consumption builts are produced and are captured for word in casual South African conversa- ■ Determine future flows due to ex- inclusion in the existing system model. tion in the past few months. Add to pected future developments within the this the rather vague and inflammatory study area. The town planners draw up THE CHALLENGE phrase ‘water crisis’ that has been recently a spatial development framework for Accurate and up-to-date models of the introduced to the debate and it becomes the study area which identifies which existing systems are required to evaluate evident that it is necessary to explain, land is to be developed and how it is to the effect of any prospective large briefly and in lay terms, the systems and be developed. The information is used new demands or flows in the system. procedures that are used for municipal to determine the future water de- Checking the effect of new developments water and sewer infrastructure planning. mands and sewer flows which should in this way allows the engineers to im- be catered for by the infrastructure mediately see whether the existing infra- THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ■ The ultimate future infrastructure structure can handle the new loads or, if INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING model is produced using the existing not, which measures should be taken to In the municipal context, water and system model as a base. New pipes increase the capacity of the system. sewer infrastructures consist of pipes, required for the future developments Traditionally, in South Africa the pump stations, reservoirs, water care are added to the existing model which process of producing a master plan works and wastewater treatment plants. is then populated with expected flows for water and sewer infrastructure is Planning in this sector involves checking assuming that all development has repeated and updated every two to five the sizes and capacities of the existing taken place, all vacant stands are oc- years, depending on the rate of develop- infrastructure, followed by the prepara- cupied and all sub-division of existing ment in the study area. tion of a master plan which defines the stands has taken place. Where the Over the last decade there has been a placement and sizing of improvements existing infrastructure is not sufficient government drive to provide basic serv- and additions to the existing system for the future needs, improvements ices to all residents. This, together with a to meet the requirements of the future called master plan items are made. construction boom, has resulted in con- system after the expected developments The master plan items include new siderable development in certain areas have taken place. The master plan also reservoirs and water towers, new pipes, of the country. It has been found that includes the timing of these improve- pump stations and valves unless newly constructed infrastructure ments as well as a capital expenditure ■ Once the master plan items have been elements are captured regularly, the programme for budget purposes and determined, their expected costs are models of the existing systems soon be- prioritisation of capital projects. calculated and a master plan table come outdated. The basic steps are as follows: is generated which summarises the Not only have the number of applica- ■ Develop computer models representing required improvements, their phasing tions for development been significant, the existing water and sewer system and costs but it has been experienced that applica- so that the existing situation can be Once it is established that it is time tions are being made to develop more checked. Problems which already exist to implement a master plan item, it is houses or flats on a piece of land than can be identified and addressed. The addressed by the service provider. A de- was originally planned for. Once veri- water sales for every consumer in the tailed design is made and the work is put fied and accepted, these trends should municipal billing database are used to out to tender. Construction of the infra- be accommodated in future planning, populate the existing system models structure element follows, during which with corresponding adjustments to the with accurate flow information. Sewer time construction drawings are available. capacities of the planned infrastructure.

Civil Engineering | June 2008 2 1 1b SWIFT Update present demands (ii) EXSTING Add (i) SOFTWARE MODEL AS-BUILTS Wadiso and Sewsan are commercially 1a available software packages used for the CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS hydraulic modelling of water and sewer

UNIT COST Merge (iii) TABLE infrastructure respectively. Both prod- Revise 4a ucts run within Albion, a GIS/CAD en- FUTURE Remove (i) DEVELOPMENTS vironment, which allows for clear visual MODEL

Update PRIORITY-YEAR TABLE interpretation of the systems, integration

Revise with other GIS and database information TOWNSHIP

Update APPLICATIONS 5 and high speed performance on large Merge (iii) MASTER PLAN Remove (i) systems. These products were designed ITEMS TABLE and developed by GLS Software (Pty) 4b REINFORCEMENTS Remove (i) Ltd. Their close association with the en- MODEL gineering team of GLS Consulting (Pty) SPATIAL Integrate Update DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Ltd ensures that the products are con-

PROJECT tinuously being improved so that both MANAGER (IBIS) Merge (iii) data capturing and system modelling are Update

Plan future system and update (v) streamlined, accurate and efficient. 4 3 Swift was also developed by GLS FUTURE Update (iv) FUTURE MODEL DEVELOPMENTS (SWIFT FUTURE) Software (Pty) Ltd to process the water

6 REPORTING AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (IMQS) sales information from the treasury billing systems and link the sales directly to the models. The challenge has been to develop a models to the existing system models. IMQS, the reporting software, was strategy to manage, capture and utilise In the process all master plan items are designed to graphically represent integrated information, keep the models up to date, regularly re-evaluated, along with the asset infrastructure information. It specifi- plan for the future and revise the plan- summary of costs and phasing in the cally caters for the large volume of data re- ning given new information. Up-to-date master plan table. This in turn integrates sulting from the production of management information should be available from with the project management software. reports and information made available by the model at any time to facilitate deci- Because of the dynamic nature of the several products used for the roads, water, sion- making for both the existing and planning process and the large volumes sewer, electricity and storm water master future systems, allowing for prompt and of information it was decided that the plans that had been created for hundreds of accurate responses to queries and appli- reporting system should be paperless government and municipal authorities. cations for new developments. and integrated with the management information system. All information CONCLUSION THE DYNAMIC on the existing system, existing land The authors have been involved with MASTER PLANNING PROCESS uses, zoning, water sales and flows, master planning for almost 20 years. The The dynamic master planning process future developments, future system and dynamic master planning process has has been developed to organise the flow master plan items, projects and costs is evolved and is currently fully operational of information between the various presented in IMQS, a user-friendly GIS- in the Tshwane Metropole, while parts of entities, as shown in the figure above. based, but GIS-independent, manage- the process have been implemented for Without discussing all of the procedures ment information system. Information numerous other municipalities. and processes, which goes beyond the and results are presented in IMQS in For more information on the software scope of this article, it can be stated that the form of pre-defined maps, graphs visit www.gls.co.za or www.imqs.co.za. the primary aim of the dynamic master and tables, allowing for easy access for planning process is to maintain accurate various levels of management and staff Acknowledgements models of both existing and future infra- within the municipality. The authors would like to acknowledge the structure requirements. Other important data which is used following organisations for the contribution The existing system model is con- in the master planning process and to successfully instituting the dynamic master tinuously updated by capturing and which requires regular updating includes planning process: adding the as-built information as it be- cadastral shape files, aerial photographs ■ The staff and directors of GLS Consulting comes available. The future model is also and digital terrain models. Additional (Pty) Ltd, GLS Software (Pty) Ltd and IMQS continuously updated and adjusted with output from the master planning in- Software (Pty) Ltd for the customisation of information regarding changes to the fu- cludes plan books of the layout of the software, input and invaluable experience ture development areas and with details system with user required information, ■ Dr Heinz Jacobs (University of Stellenbosch) obtained from projects which are cur- GIS shape files of the drainage areas and for his contribution to the paper on which rently being designed and constructed. related information such as sewer flow, this article is based As construction is completed and the water demand and land use summaries. ■ To Benjamin Harper for developing Albion, as-builts are issued, the corresponding Summary tables of infrastructure up- the GIS/CAD-based platform on which the elements are moved from the future grades and costs are also generated. modelling software runs

Civil Engineering | June 2008 Berg Water Project reserve releases Implementation of the reserve at the Berg River Dam and Supplement Scheme

The Berg Water Project comprises TCTA, THE IMPLEMENTING AGENT durations and volumes of the high flow the 65 m high Berg River Dam for the Berg Water Project, appointed reserve releases, as follows: BRC (the Berg River Consultants – a joint ■ Daily average peak 65 m3/s: 3 days = and the Supplement Scheme venture of Ninham Shand, Knight Piésold 10,11 million m3 (160 m3/s instanta- situated 12 km downstream that and Goba) to undertake design and con- neous peak) struction supervision. The project will ■ Daily average peak 30 m3/s: 3 days = will pump water back into the be operated by the Department of Water 4,67 million m3 ■ 3 dam during the winter months. Affairs and the additional yield it provides Daily average peak 5 m /s: 3 days = will be for the benefit of the City of Cape 0,78 million m3 The outlet works of the Berg River Town. Ninham Shand was appointed by DEVELOPMENT OF THE Dam were designed to release the Department of Water Affairs (DWAF) to assist with the planning of the reserve RESERVE RELEASE TOOL both the low flow reserve and the releases. Consultative process high flow reserve with provision The project team held a series of consulta- PRELIMINARY RESERVE tive meetings with the riverine ecologists for a peak release of 160 m3/s. This The National Water Act of 1998 defines who had been involved in the determina- the reserve for basic human needs and the tion of the reserve to establish when the is the first dam in South Africa ecology. This is the quantity and quality high flow releases should be made and the with provision for both low and of water that must flow in a river below a peak discharges of the smaller high flow dam or other works to provide for basic releases known as freshets. The ecolo- high flow reserve releases and human needs and to protect the aquatic gists recommended the months in which these will be implemented for ecosystems. various releases should be made, and the The main purpose of the reserve instantaneous peak flows for the freshets. the first time during the winter releases from the Berg River Dam is to It was also their view that the high flow of 2008. This article briefly maintain the aquatic ecosystems in the releases should as far as possible coincide river below the dam. Therefore DWAF with natural flood events and that the describes the release tool which utilised the methodology developed by temperature of the water released should has been developed to assist the riverine ecologists, hydrologists, engi- be similar to that of the inflows to the neers and geomorphologists to determine dam. operators of the Berg River Dam the preliminary reserve for the Berg River to make the reserve releases Dam. The preliminary reserve prescribes Timing of high flow the duration curves for the low flow reserve release and design constraints releases from the Berg River Dam, the The practicality of making the high flow quality of the water released and also the (or environmental flood) releases to coin-

Civil Engineering | June 2008 1

cide with natural flood events, as recommended by the riverine ecologists, was discussed with the dam design team, the project authorities and the South African Weather Service (SAWS). The following constraints were identified: ■ The high flow outlet works comprise an intake tower with inlets at three levels, an emergency slab gate, and an outlet conduit with a radial gate at the down-

stream end. The inlets to the tower can 2 only be opened when the water level inside the tower is equal to that in the reservoir. The dam designers pointed out that the process of filling the outlet 1 Berg River Dam intake tower conduit could take some time. However, 2 Berg River Dam it was decided that this could be minimised by filling the 5,5 m diameter storm rainfall predictions it was de- outlet conduit in advance but not the cided that high flow releases should tower, as it would not be desirable to only be made after the desired flood permanently pressurise the conduit peaks have occurred. The effects of this ■ Extensive investigations were under- correlations between the radar results on downstream flood peaks were as- taken by Pegram and Associates to and the high-altitude rain gauges in sessed and it was agreed by the riverine assess whether it would be possible to the catchment. On the other hand, the ecologists that this approach was ac- utilise the data from the SAWS radar on rainfall predictions by the SAWS would ceptable Constantiaberg to predict rainfall in- provide the best indication of future tensities in advance. This approach was storm rainfall events High flow module of reserve release tool abandoned on account of the very poor ■ In view of the uncertainties regarding The high flow module of the reserve

Civil Engineering | June 2008 3

3 Development of the Reserve Release Tool 4 Reserve release tool: High Flow Module screen

in the dam and advises the operator which intake will best match the temperatures of the releases to those of the inflows

Low Flow Module of the tool The Low Flow Module of the tool similarly monitors inflows and temperatures on an ongoing basis. It then utilises the natural duration curves and those for the reserve releases without high flows together with 4 the water quality release module to recom- mend to the operator daily or weekly in arrears the intake to be selected, and the low flow releases to be made from the dam and the supplement scheme.

CONCLUSION The Berg River Dam is the first dam in South Africa from which it is required to make both low and high flow reserve releases. In particular, the release of high flows to coincide as closely as possible with the inflow hydrographs and temperatures of natural flood events necessitated the development of the reserve release tool to assist the operator. This tool assists the operator to select the appropriate intake and to prepare a gate opening schedule for high flow releases. The tool also assists the operator to plan the low flow releases by selecting the level of the release tool was developed to assist the the recession limb. The release peak of intake and determining the release flows. operator of the Berg River Dam to decide the release hydrograph can also be ex- The development of the reserve release when a flood should be released, the shape tended to match the inflow peak tool required close cooperation between of the hydrograph to be released and the ■ The tool compares the volume of the riverine ecologists and engineers. intake to be used for the release. The tool proposed release with that required by will be installed on the operator’s PC and the preliminary reserve and warns the Authors: Tente Tente – TCTA; Bertrand van Zyl will assist him/her as follows: operator if this is exceeded – Department of Water Affairs and Forestry; ■ The sophisticated supervisory control ■ The tool also provides the operator with Dr Mike Shand, Mlindi Makhabane, Ben and data acquisition (SCADA) system a schedule of times, releases and gate Abban and Wageed Kamish – Ninham Shand designed by BRC will also relay flow openings to make the high flow release Consulting Engineers and temperature data from flow gauges upstream of the dam to the tool. These Water Quality Module of the tool RESERVE RELEASE PROJECT TEAM flows are combined and adjusted to de- The Water Quality Module of the tool Beneficiary City of Cape Town termine the natural inflows to the dam utilises the CE-QUAL water quality Clients TCTA (Tente Tente) and DWAF Western and are displayed on an ongoing basis stratification model to predict the tem- Cape Region (Bertrand van Zyl) ■ The tool keeps track of the releases peratures in the reservoir during the Dam designer Berg River Consultants (BRC) already made and one hour after the release as follows: (Ninham Shand, Knight Piésold & Goba) inflow peak has occurred it advises the ■ On an ongoing basis the SCADA Consultant Ninham Shand operator if the inflow flood peak is suf- system relays to the tool data on the Project consultant Mike Shand ficient for a particular release temperature profile in the reservoir, the Project engineers Mlindi Makhabane, Ben ■ The tool provides the operator with inflows and their temperatures Abban and Wageed Kamish Environmental scientists Cate Brown, Dana the facility to select the rising limb of ■ The CE-QUAL model uses this data Gobler and Geordie Ractliffe the release hydrograph to match that and the proposed release hydrograph to of the inflow hydrograph and similarly predict the future temperature profiles

10 Civil Engineering | June 2008 Text Nigel Rossouw Head: Environment TCTA [email protected] Dana Grobler Cape Action for People and the Environment [email protected]

How has the ecological reserve influenced the design and operation of the Berg River Dam?

THE BERG WATER PROJECT (BWP) designed so as to ensure flows for the WHAT IS THE ECOLOGICAL RESERVE? is the culmination of a 14-year stra- ecological reserve. In addition, the ROD In the National Water Act (No 36 of tegic integrated planning process by stipulated that if monitoring demon- 1998, chapter 3, part 3, section 16) the the Department of Water Affairs and strated that the dam had an unaccept- Ecological Reserve is defined as: Forestry (DWAF) to identify appropriate able effect on the river, then the release … the basic human needs reserve measures to address the water shortage in pattern and ecological reserve quantity and the ecological reserve. The basic the Western Cape. The planning process would have to be revised. human needs reserve provides for the was initiated in 1989 and was called the In April 2002 Cabinet approved the essential needs of individuals served Western Cape Systems Analysis (WCSA). construction of the BWP on condition by the water resource in question and The purpose of the WCSA was to rec- that the CCT reduces the demand for includes water for drinking, for food oncile the water demand and water supply water by 20 % by the year 2020. The BWP preparation and for personal hygiene. for the Western Cape region. The WCSA is the first bulk water resource develop- The Ecological Reserve relates to the was a democratic public strategy process ment project that is directly linked to water required to protect the aquatic and was supported by technical and water demand management. In May ecosystems of the water resource. scientific assessment to aid decision- 2002 the Minister of Water Affairs and The Reserve refers to both the quan- making. The water situation assessment Forestry directed the Trans-Caledon tity and quality of the water in the conducted as part of the WCSA deter- Tunnel Authority (TCTA) in terms of resource, and will vary depending on mined that the City of Cape Town (CCT) section 103(2) of the National Water Act the class of the resource. would be the first metropolitan area in (No 86 of 1998) to fund and implement In South Africa the terminology used South Africa where water demand would the BWP as the agent for DWAF. for the provision of water of a suitable exceed the available water supply. The The BWP will increase the yield of the quality to protect the water resource WCSA provided a list of projects that Western Cape Water Supply System by is the ‘ecological reserve’. The term could be implemented to increase the 81 million m3 or 18 % from 2008. instream flow requirement (IFR) is also water supply. The BWP was the first large water in common usage in South Africa and One of the key projects identified was resources infrastructure development refers specifically to the flow require- the construction of a dam on the upper project in South Africa to be designed, ment (both flow volumes and variability) reaches of the Berg River. DWAF initi- constructed and operated within the to maintain a desired level of ecosystem ated the environmental impact assess- framework of the National Water Act functioning. Internationally other terms ment (EIA) process and the EIA report and in accordance with the guidelines of such as ‘environmental flow’ and ‘ecolog- was produced for decision-making in the World Commission on Dams. The ical flow’ are also used. Globally accepted 1996. The Department of Environmental dam was therefore required to be able to definitions are based on the following Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) issued the make releases to satisfy all aspects of the two aspects: record of decision (ROD) in 1999. The ecological reserve as prescribed by the ■ The quality, quantity and timing of ROD stipulated that the dam should be National Water Act. water flows required to maintain the

12 Civil Engineering | June 2008 components, functions, processes and A sustainable water resource and catch- resilience of aquatic ecosystems which ment management plan must be built provide goods and services to people upon a foundation of detailed scientific ■ The foundation from which socially knowledge about the river flows (in terms valued resources are derived and sup- of quantity and variability) and water ported, and without which no sustain- quality needed to sustain ecosystem health able use of the resource possible and functioning. When the water needs of aquatic ecosystems (for example rivers, 1 The Berg Water Project comprises the wetlands, estuaries and groundwater) are Berg River Dam (which is about 6 km west of clearly defined by scientists, engineers and Franschhoek) and the Supplement Scheme other professionals, water managers will be situated some 12 km downstream (which able to find ways of meeting human needs consists of a 1,6 m high diversion weir that for water while maintaining adequate river will divert a portion of the winter high flows flows for the ecosystem to ensure long- into a 3 ha off-channel balancing dam from term sustainable use of the Berg River. where the water will be pumped via a 12 km In South Africa, an aquatic ecosystem’s pipeline back into the Berg River Dam) water needs are determined during an eco- 2 The Berg River Dam is a concrete-face- logical reserve determination study. This rockfill dam type. The dam is 65 m high, 990 is an environmental water requirement m wide and 220 m in width. The gross storage prescription which describes the neces- capacity of the dam is 130 million m3. The outlet sary seasonal and inter-annual variation works have been designed to release both low needed in low flows, high flows and floods, flows and high flows with provision for a peak as well as the water quality requirement release of up to 200 m3/s, making it the first to support critically important ecological dam in South Africa in which provision is made functions and for the continued provision for flood releases for environmental purposes of valued services.

1 Supplement Drakenstein pump Scheme station

Balancing dam Drakenstein pipeline

Dasbos pump station

Berg River Dasbos inlet Dam

Dasbos tunnel

Theewaterskloof Riviersonderend – Dam Berg River Tunnel

Riviersonderend – Berg River Tunnel to Kleinplaas Dam and Cape Town

Civil Engineering | June 2008 13

Civil Engineering Magazine.indd 1 5/8/08 9:59:43 AM The ecological reserve provides for WHAT IS THE ECOLOGICAL RESERVE FOR THE For the ecological reserve determina- the maintenance of critically important UPPER BERG RIVER CATCHMENT? tion, detailed background studies and a aquatic attributes, goods and services The preliminary determination of the comprehensive analysis were undertaken (such biodiversity, dilution capacity, hab- ecological reserve for the upper Berg of the historical flows for the upper itat integrity, prevention of sedimentation River catchment for water quantity was catchment. In the determination of the etc.) and associated social services (such set at 31,1 % (that is, 44,061 million cubic ecological reserve, the duration curves for as fishing and water for river-dependent metres) of the mean annual runoff of the low flow releases to be made from the users and communities). 141,7 million cubic metres. Berg River Dam were determined and the high flow releases required were estab- BOX 1 lished to be as follows: ■ Daily average peak 65 m3/s over 3 days DWAF classifies water resources according to ecological categories. For some river systems, = 10,11 million cubic metres specific objectives have been set, for ecological, economic or social reasons. In such cases, (160 m3/s instantaneous peak) ecological flows need to be defined to meet those objectives. The application of the objec- ■ Daily average peak 30 m3/s over 3 days tive-based approach necessitates first that the desired status of the river must be set. It then = 4,67 million cubic metres should be possible to define threshold flows above or below which a change in status will be ■ Daily average peak 5 m3/s over 3 days = evident. DWAF sets objectives, according to different ecological management targets. The 0,78 million cubic metres determination and implementation of an ecological reserve is a practical river management What this means is that the ecological mechanism, which enables the water resource to be maintained in its set category. For the reserve releases will be based on pro- Berg River, the ecological category was set as a category C. viding a portion of the natural flow con- RIVER ECOLOGICAL CATEGORIES tributions (or inflows to the dam) of the Categories Description upper Berg River catchment for ensuring the continued functioning of the aquatic A Negligible modification from natural conditions. Negligible risk to sensitive species 3a and 3b The system for small releases is a B Slight modification from natural conditions. Slight risk to intolerant biota conventional pipe system that extracts water C Moderate modification from natural conditions. Especially intolerant biota from the dam for either environmental flows or may be reduced in number and extent for pumping to Cape Town to meet urban water D High degree of modification from natural conditions. Intolerant biota unlikely demand. The system consists of pipes and valves to be present in the intake tower, pipes under the embankment and the sleeve valves at the outlet works 4 The Berg River Dam intake tower is 3a 3b divided into two sections. The north section is a dry shaft (well) equipped with multi- levels inlets, pipes and valves which provide the facility for drawing water into the Cape Town supply system and provide for low flow (under 12 m3/s) environmental releases 5 The south section is an open vertical shaft (wet well) with multi-level gates for drawing water from the dam for high flows/floods (up to 160 m3/s) as required by the ecological reserve

14 Civil Engineering | June 2008 5 ecosystem below the dam. According to the determination, the ecological category of the Berg River was set at C (see Box 1).

HOW HAS THE ECOLOGICAL RESERVE INFLUENCED THE DESIGN OF THE BERG RIVER DAM? The requirement to implement the ecological reserve has dictated that the Berg River Dam be designed to cater for two distinct flow release systems, that is, small releases and large releases. The system for small releases occurs in the range 0,3 m3/s to 12 m3/s. These releases occur continually and are adjusted in magnitude as required by the ecological reserve and depending on the inflow into the Berg River Dam. The radial arm gate system for large flows is able to make releases up to 200 m3/s. These large flow releases will mimic naturally occurring flood events. The system for large flood releases is purely as a requirement of the ecological reserve ■ In drought years high flows will be and is unique. The system consists of a wet released unless no natural flood inflow well in the intake tower, a concrete conduit into the dam occurs at the appropriate through the dam wall and control gates. time of the year ■ On average approximately 16 million HOW WILL RELEASES FROM THE DAM BE cubic metres will be allocated for high MADE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE flow releases each year and 27 million ECOLOGICAL RESERVE? cubic metres for low flow releases ■ No base flow and high flow releases will occur out of phase with inflows into the CONCLUSIONS Berg River Dam Compliance with the requirements of the ■ Environmental flow releases to meet ecological reserve is expected to achieve the requirements of the Reserve will the following benefits: comprise the summer and winter base ■ Maintain the Berg River in Ecological flows of 4 m3/s on average in June, July, Category C August and September and the winter ■ Maintain the river ecosystem to con- high flow releases of up to 160 m3/s tinue to provide users with acceptable ■ During the summer months inflows water quality and an ecosystem that into the dam will be released to supply can support the living organisms in it the ecological reserve ■ Prevent increased sedimentation in spe- ■ Flood events of different magnitudes cific areas downstream of the dam (for will be made each year to simulate the example at Paarl) natural inflow patterns into the dam. This ■ Ensure that release patterns occurs includes floods with an average daily peak as close to the natural flow variability of 65 m3/s and a maximum instantaneous as possible (for instance for inter- and peak of 160 m3/s. The outlet structure of intra-annual floods and wet and dry- the dam is designed to allow the instan- season low flows) taneous peak to be increased to 200 m3/s. The Berg River Dam is unique and is the Dam releases will be operated in phase first large in-stream dam in South Africa with the natural flood events that is required to make both low and ■ High flow releases from the dam will be high flow (flood) ecological reserve re- no greater than the inflows into the dam, leases. The dam will be operated to ensure in other words these would coincide that the releases of low flows and high with the magnitude of natural events flows coincide as closely as possible with ■ During periods of drought the magni- natural inflows and natural flood events. tudes of the reserve releases would be reduced References are available on request

Civil Engineering | June 2008 15 Text Christo Dudenski UWP Consulting (Pty) Ltd [email protected]

Aldu le Grange BKS (Pty) Ltd [email protected]

Isa Thompson Department of Water Affairs and Forestry [email protected]

Outeniqua Coast Water Situation Study

IN MAY 2005 THE DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY AREA The area forms part of the Gouritz Water of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), The study area covers about 7 000 km2 of Management Area (WMA) and covers Directorate: National Water Resource land in the coastal belt between Stilbaai portions of its Gouritz and Coastal sub- Planning commissioned the Outeniqua and Knysna, which is bounded by the catchments. Coast Water Situation Study (OCWSS), Goukou River catchment to the west, the The runoff in the study area is cur- which was completed in December 2007. Noetzie River catchment to the east and rently regulated by 42 large dams with a The need for the study was driven by the Outeniqua and Langeberg mountain total storage capacity of about 65 million the fact that a number of towns in the ranges to the north. The area falls under m3. In addition, the area includes an esti- study area were experiencing serious pe- the jurisdiction of the Eden District mated 11 300 small privately owned farm riodic water shortages, mainly because of Municipality and includes significant por- dams with a combined storage capacity of substantial growth in urban water usage; tions of the Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George about 56 million m3. high ecological reserve requirements as- and Knysna municipalities. sociated with the ecologically important The total population of about 285 000 WATER REQUIREMENTS AND LAND USE coastal rivers; insufficient yield of the (2005) is expected to grow to about A summary of the estimated present and existing water sources; and inadequate 700 000 in 2025 and resides predomi- projected future water requirements per capacity of the bulk water supply infra- nantly in urban settlements. The ad- user sector for the entire study area is structure. These shortages have resulted ditional seasonal population is estimated provided in table 1. The distribution of the in prolonged water supply restrictions, at 360 000 (2005) people, which results water requirements between key catch- which impact on the potential for future in exceptionally high seasonal peak water ment areas is illustrated in figures 1 and 2. economic growth. Certain municipalities requirements. The urban and rural water require- have imposed moratoria on the approval The economy is characterised by ments were estimated on the basis of the of applications for new developments, significant agricultural developments, methodology developed for the National pending the implementation of water associated with crop production and af- Demographic Study (Schlemmer et al, source augmentation projects. forestation. The only large industrial de- DWAF, 2001). Provision was made for the The purpose of the OCWSS was to velopment of note is PetroSA near Mossel water requirements associated with the investigate the nature and the extent of Bay. A notable increase in golf course additional seasonal population and all the water balance problems in the area, developments has been observed during known planned developments, including to identify the problematic areas and to recent years, with 17 new developments in golf courses and other housing projects. evaluate possible reconciliation strategies the process of implementation. Various scenarios with regard to popula- needed to alleviate the yield deficit and to The study area is drained by 14 peren- tion and economic growth were devel- make adequate provision for the ecological nial rivers, which flow into the Indian oped and evaluated. Reserve, taking into consideration the Ocean. From a hydrological perspective, Detailed desktop studies were under- current and future situation in the more the study area covers portions of primary taken to determine the present and pro- seriously affected areas, such as the Mossel drainage regions H, J and K and is sub- jected future land-use for irrigation, farm Bay, George and Knysna municipalities. divided into 29 quaternary catchments. dams, afforestation and invasive alien

16 Civil Engineering | June 2008 Table 1 Consumptive water requirements per user sector for the study area plants (IAPs) and various scenarios with Water requirements (106 m3/a) Distribution, % of total regard to their future growth were evalu- User sector ated. The information was used to model 2005 2025 2005 2025 the water requirements and to update the Urban domestic 32,3 56,56 10 % 14 % hydrological model for the study area. The area under irrigation is projected Rural domestic and 2 6,42 7,4 2 % 2 % to increase from 397 km in 2005 to stock watering 451 km2 in 2025. The irrigation is mostly opportunistic, supplied from small farm Industrial 5,6 5,6 2 % 1 % dams and run-of-river abstraction works. Irrigation 166,93 193,84 53 % 47 % As a result of that, the assurance of supply Afforestation 63,04 63,04 20 % 15 % is relatively low, about 60 %. The area of the existing forestry Invasive alien plants 38,7 85,7 12 % 21 % plantations in 2005 has been estimated at 2 Total consumptive re- 472 km . For economic reasons, in 2000, 312,99 412,14 100 % 100 % quirements the large forestry growers in the area considered withdrawing significant portions of their plantations. However, in recent 1 years these plans have changed owing to the substantial growth in demand for timber. Forestry managers have recommended that the best practice would be to assume that the present plantation size would remain unchanged until 2025. The condensed area covered by IAPs is estimated to increase from 221 km2 in 2005 to 478 km2 in 2025. IAPs are widespread throughout the study area, but the most severe infestation is evident in the catchments of the Klein Brak, Great Brak, Maalgate, Gwaing, Kaaimans and Wolwe rivers, which cover most of the Mossel Bay, George and Knysna municipal areas.

SURFACE WATER RESOURCES The stream flow analysis for the study area was undertaken using the Water Resources Simulation Model 2000 and the simulated runoff sequences were cali- 2 brated against flow records from 12 flow- gauging stations. Land use, infrastructure and water use data sets were updated. The naturalised and 2005 MARs for the study area were estimated at 777 million m3/a and 558 million m3/a respectively. The Water Resources Yield Model (WRYM) was used to determine the individual yields for the major dams in the study area. Various scenarios with regard to the ecological water requirements (EWR) were also modelled. The water sources for the Mossel Bay Regional Water Supply Scheme (RWSS), which include a number of large dams (the Wolwedans, Klipheuwel, Ernst Robertson and Hartbeeskuil dams) and run-of-river schemes (Kleinbos Weir and

1 Water demands and yield balance in 2005 2 Water demands and yield balance in 2025

18 Civil Engineering | June 2008 Searles Furrow), are largely interlinked undertaken in the Mossel Bay area (qua- Mossel Bay Municipality and interdependent. For that reason, these ternary catchment K10A). The results The water requirements for all users schemes were modelled as a combined confirmed and exceeded the projections supplied by the Mossel Bay RWSS are system and the system operating rules made during the desktop study. estimated to grow from 16,8 million m3/a were optimised. in 2005 to 23,8 million m3/a in 2025, The system WRYM for the Mossel YIELD BALANCE while the total licensed allocation for the Bay Regional Water Supply System The yield balance for the study area was system from all existing water sources is was configured to include all existing modelled using the WRYM. The term 15,6 million m3/a. The system is already in sources, as well as three additional fu- ‘yield balance’ is defined as the difference deficit of about 1,2 million m3/a, which is ture water source development options, between the assured yield of the water expected to grow to about 8,2 million m3/ which include the raising of the existing resources and the water requirements in a a in 2025. However, it was estimated Klipheuwel Dam, the construction of specific area. during the OCWSS that there is a surplus the proposed Bottelierskop Dam on the Separate ecological reserve determi- yield of about 5 million m3/a available Moordkuil River, and the construction of nation studies are currently being under- from the Wolwedans and Klipheuwel a large farm dam on the Varings River. In taken by DWAF’s Directorate: Resource dams which has not been allocated yet. order to test the sensitivity of the yields, Directed Measures (RDM) in order to Various water source development op- the system was analysed for a number obtain a better understanding of the tions were assessed and the recommenda- of scenarios, which were composed on ecological water requirements of certain tions for reconciliation interventions are: the basis of different combinations of the sensitive rivers and estuaries. ■ The DWAF should increase the alloca- water sources and provision for the EWR. The yield balance estimates were un- tion for Mossel Bay Municipality from The yield from all existing sources dertaken for a number of scenarios based the Wolwedans Dam from 2,34 mil- with no provision for EWR is estimated on variations of two parameters, namely lion m3/a to 5,8 million m3/a at 24,3 million m3/a. For EWRs of 1 mil- the land and water use (present or future ■ The municipality should undertake a lion m3/a and 6 million m3/a for the Great scenario) and water sources, for which the project to develop and implement a Brak Estuary, the system yield is reduced yields were determined. In all instances the comprehensive Water Conservation by 1,49 million m3/a and 3,58 million m3/a, EWRs were considered and determined and Water Demand Management respectively. If the ecological reserve for on the basis of either the desktop model or (WC/WDM) strategy and programme the Moordkuil River is implemented in as provided by DWAF: RDM. The present- ■ The municipality should undertake a future, the yield will be further reduced by day yield balance for the study area is feasibility study to identify, evaluate 3,18 million m3/a. The Klipheuwel Dam, an estimated to be in deficit of about 1,3 mil- and implement possible supply-side off-channel dam close to the Moordkuil lion m3/a. If no additional water source interventions to reconcile the water River, is an existing scheme and the full developments are implemented in future, requirements with water availability. The EWR for the Moordkuil River is at present this deficit will increase to 28,3 million m3/ study should consider the development not supplied. a by 2025. The distribution of the yield bal- of groundwater sources, the raising of ance between key catchment areas for the the Klipheuwel Dam, the construction of GROUNDWATER RESOURCES years 2005 and 2025 is illustrated by colour the Bottelierskop Dam on the Moordkuil From a regional perspective, the coding in figures 1 and 2. River, the use of treated effluent for ir- groundwater recharge is estimated at Even if all presently known proposed rigation, industrial and potable use, and 351 million m3/a. Of this, an estimated surface water development options are im- the desalination of seawater. 141 million m3/a discharges into rivers plemented, the yield balance in 2025 will as the groundwater contribution to base still be in deficit of about 8,4 million m3/a. Hessequa Municipality flow and 210 million m3/a is potentially The development of alternative sources Measures to augment the existing source available for abstraction. The ground- such as groundwater, desalination of of supply to Riversdale are required. water resources in the study area are seawater and the use of treated effluent is Hessequa Municipality should under- currently not being utilised to their full therefore required. take a study to reconcile the yield of the potential, as the present groundwater use Korentepoort Dam with the allocations is estimated to be only in the order of RECONCILIATION STRATEGIES for all users. If surplus yield is avail- 9,21 million m3/a. The water supply situation in the Mossel able, the municipality should apply for A local-scale investigation was under- Bay and Hessequa municipal areas was licensing of additional abstractions. The taken to assess the potential for develop- assessed during the course of this study study should also investigate options to ment of groundwater sources to supply and possible options for the reconciliation increase the yield of the dam by raising of either alone, or in conjunction with surface of the water requirements with avail- the dam wall and/or clearing of IAPs in water sources, the water requirements in ability were developed and evaluated. The its catchment to increase run-off, as well specific areas. The investigation concluded George and Knysna municipalities re- as an investigation into the availability of that groundwater would be a feasible cently completed feasibility studies, which groundwater sources. source of supply of the long-term peak evaluated various options for the augmen- Desktop investigations undertaken requirements for Albertinia, Buffelsbaai, tation of the existing sources of supply during the course of this study have Sedgefield, Stilbaai, Gouritzmond, for their main water supply centres. The revealed that there is high potential for Vleesbaai and Boggomsbaai. recommendations for all areas are briefly further development of the groundwater Limited exploration drilling was summarised below. sources to meet the future water re-

Civil Engineering | June 2008 19 3 3 View towards Stilbaai 4 Garden Route Dam

solution for the augmentation of the existing water source. Potential drilling targets to the north of the town have been identified ■ Karatara The development of a new run-of-river abstraction works on the Karatara River, close to the town, has been identified as a possible water source augmentation option. The existing bulk water supply infrastructure needs to be upgraded

4 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ■ The ecological reserve requirements are the key for the determination of the available system yield and yield balance in the area. When the results from the current reserve determination study undertaken by DWAF become available, they should be used to update and refine the conclusions of the OCWSS regarding yields and yield balances ■ DWAF should undertake further studies to verify the allocation and lawful water use for irrigation and to update and refine the estimated areas covered by quirements for Albertinia, Stilbaai and further interventions irrigation, afforestation and IAPs Gouritzmond. The municipality should ■ Raise the Akkerkloof Dam and increase ■ IAP clearing projects in the area appear undertake further studies to develop addi- the pumping capacity from the river to have huge potential for preservation tional groundwater sources in these areas. ■ Investigate the refurbishing/upgrading of the water resources of the Charlesford/Eastford pumping ■ In order to enhance future hydrological George Municipality scheme to utilise the full permitted modelling, DWAF should refurbish cer- George Municipality should undertake capacity tain flow-gauging stations in the area, the following actions: ■ Investigate and implement the best which yielded inadequate flow records ■ A comprehensive WC/WDM study and scheme, which will provide storage on ■ The groundwater resources can play a implementation of all feasible interven- or near the Knysna River meaningful role in addressing many of tion ■ Investigate the feasibility of further use the water supply challenges in the study ■ Further studies and implementation of treated effluent for irrigation area of the following most feasible surface ■ Undertake further investigations and ■ All municipalities in the study area water source development options: revi- develop groundwater sources have implemented some WC/WDM talisation of the Kaaimans Weir scheme Water source augmentation options for interventions. However, the municipali- (already completed), combined with the other towns in Knysna Municipality are: ties should undertake the necessary raising of the Garden Route Dam and ■ Sedgefield Possible augmentation options formal and comprehensive WC/WDM the implementation of the Malgas Dam include the run-of-river abstraction studies, identify specific goals, and scheme from the Hoëkraal River, the construc- develop and implement a defined and ■ Further studies to select the most fea- tion of an off-channel storage dam at structured WC/WDM strategy and sible development options, which will the farm Swartrivier and the develop- programme to reduce their water re- be required to meet the requirements ment of groundwater quirements beyond 2022 ■ Rheenendal Augmentation options include the clearing of IAPs in the PROJECT TEAM Knysna Municipality upper reaches of the Homtini River The study was undertaken by UWP Knysna Municipality should undertake catchment, the construction of an Consulting (Pty) Ltd, in association with BKS the following actions regarding the aug- off-channel storage dam at the farm (Pty) Ltd, as the lead professional service mentation of the water sources for the Suurvlakte and/or the development of providers, supported by various Knysna RWSS: groundwater sources sub-consultants and DWAF directorates ■ Expand the existing WC/WDM in- ■ Buffelsbaai The development of ground- providing specialist services terventions, identify and implement water has been identified as the obvious

20 Civil Engineering | June 2008 Text W J R Alexander Professor Emeritus Department of Civil and Biosystems Engineering, University of Pretoria, and SAICE Honorary Fellow [email protected]

The likelihood of a global drought in 2009–2016

SOUTH AFRICA IS CURRENTLY 1 experiencing a severe energy crisis that has widespread consequences on all sectors of our society. Blame is being 0,6 levelled at the South African authorities for not heeding earlier warnings that 0,4 shortages would develop if additional power stations were not built to meet 0,2 the rapidly rising demand. It takes between five and ten years 0 to plan, design and construct large Temperature

power stations. Coal-burning and nu- 1850 1859 1868 1877 1886 1895 1904 1913 1922 1931 1940 1949 1958 1967 1976 1985 1994 2003 clear power stations are the only option -0,2

on the required scale. Restricting use Deviation from °C 14 through the imposition of electricity -0,4 rationing appears to be the only immediate solution. This is likely to continue -0,6 for at least the next five years. This is already having severe adverse effects on -0,8 South Africa’s economy. Year There is the possibility of an equally severe event occurring before the

1 Surface air temperature data, 1850–2006

Abbreviations used: IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This United Nations body was established in 1988 and produces five-yearly assessment reports. Its latest series of reports were published during 2007. A shortened synthesis report for decision-makers was distributed during the Bali Conference in November 2007. It is the reference used in these notes. GGEs – Undesirable greenhouse gas emissions, principally carbon dioxide. It is claimed that these emissions from coal-burning power stations, transport and industrial activity are causing increases in global air temperatures. These in turn are predicted to cause a whole series of undesirable consequences including increases in floods, droughts and environmental damage.

22 Civil Engineering | June 2008 energy crisis is resolved. This is the amination of the concurrent variations The first exercise was to plot the likelihood of the occurrence of severe in solar activity. The fundamental issue temperature data. The result is in figure drought sequences of a magnitude equal is the separation of the effects of human 1. The temperatures are the deviations to that of the Great Depression drought activities from natural variability. from 14 ˚C. This is almost identical of the 1930s. They are likely to com- Numerical quantifications of the to the temperature graph in figure mence within the next 12 months, reach natural variability of rainfall, river flow SPM.1 in the IPCC’s synthesis report their peak two or three years later, and and open water surface evaporation (but distributed at Bali. The sharp upward continue through to 2016. not temperature) are the very essence trend since 1980 and the sustained high Consider the consequences. There of water resource analyses; flood mag- values during the past six years are also will be shortages of cooling water for nitude/frequency analyses; and natural very clear. This is the graph that the the inland coal-fired power stations for disaster mitigation studies. Those of IPCC relies on for evidence of human a start. This will exacerbate the energy us who are active in this field have a causality of global warming. The argu- crisis just at a time when things start professional responsibility to assess and ment is that this graph is proof of a improving. Then there will be all the report on the effects of human activi- causal linkage between increasing GGEs other consequences for agriculture, ties on these processes should they be and increasing global temperatures. rural communities and water supplies present. There are serious problems with this generally. Together with the present en- The most important (critical) data conclusion. Not only has there been no ergy crisis it will be a national disaster set in climate change studies is the sustained increase in global tempera- of enormous consequences. reconstructed global annual surface air tures since 1998, but during the past What is the likelihood of this occur- temperatures since 1850. These are the year global temperatures have shown a ring? foundations of the IPCC reports. This marked decrease. This is causing panic data set is not publically available despite among the climate change fraternity. THE EARTH’S CLIMATE its critical importance. I managed to For reasons that remain a mystery, The earth’s climate is driven by the re- obtain a copy. The annual sunspot data the IPCC failed to take the obvious next ceipt and redistribution of solar energy. are from the website http://sidc.oma. step. Could this increase be the conse- If global scale climatic changes are ob- be/DATA/yearssn.dat that I used for my quence of a concurrent increase in solar served, the investigation into the most earlier analyses. I now had two parallel activity? This is extremely important, likely cause should begin with an ex- sets of annual data from 1850 to 2006. as the solar linkage has to be eliminated before this temperature increase can be Table 1 Solar periodicity table attributed to human activities. Period year Periods It was a simple matter to produce 1 1843 1867 1889 1913 1933 1954 1976 1996 Excel graphs that showed both the 2 1844 1868 1890 1914 1934 1955 1977 1997 temperature and sunspot data and the corresponding linear trend lines. It is 3 1845 1869 1891 1915 1935 1956 1978 1998 common practice in preliminary time 4 1846 1870 1892 1916 1936 1957 1979 1999 series analyses to split the record into 5 1847 1871 1893 1917 1937 1958 1980 2000 two parts and examine them separately. 6 1848 1872 1894 1918 1938 1959 1981 2001 The year 1913 is the beginning of the 7 1849 1873 1895 1919 1939 1960 1982 2002 first double sunspot cycle during the past century and a convenient point to 8 1850 1874 1896 1920 1940 1961 1983 2003 split the data. 9 1851 1875 1897 1921 1941 1962 1984 2004 The two data sets were analysed. 10 1852 1876 1898 1922 1942 1963 1985 2005 While during the period 1913 to 2006 11 1853 1877 1899 1923 1943 1964 1986 2006 both the sunspot numbers and the 12 1854 1878 1900 1924 1944 1965 1987 2007 global temperatures showed increasing trends, during the earlier period 1850 to 13 1855 1879 1901 1925 1945 1966 1988 2008 1912 both the global temperatures and 14 1856 1880 1902 1926 1946 1967 1989 2009 sunspot numbers decreased during this 15 1857 1881 1903 1927 1947 1968 1990 2010 62-year period. 16 1858 1882 1904 1928 1948 1969 1991 2011 Given the above information, it 17 1859 1883 1905 1929 1949 1970 1992 2012 would be a very brave scientist who continues to claim that there is NO 18 1860 1884 1906 1930 1950 1971 1993 2013 linkage between variations in global 19 1861 1885 1907 1931 1951 1972 1994 2014 temperatures and corresponding vari- 20 1862 1886 1908 1932 1952 1973 1995 2015 ations in sunspot activity. Even more 21 1863 1887 1909 1953 1974 2016 importantly, the IPCC scientists were 22 1864 1888 1910 1975 negligent, bordering on irresponsible, not to carry out these simple analyses 23 1865 1911 that go to the very core of climate 24 1866 1912 change science, and need only a few

Civil Engineering | June 2008 23 What then is an appropriate time unit for examining the relationship 2 Periodicity graph showing range between variations in solar activity and global air temperatures? The obvious of annual sunspot numbers 3 River flow prediction model candidate is the length of the double sunspot cycle. In the analyses that follow, we are simply using a solar-related time unit. In principle this is a logical hours of effort using readily available computer software. extension from a 24-hour day, to a 365-day year, to a 21-year solar period PREDICTABILITY The cyclical and therefore predictable behaviour of sunspot activity is beyond 2 all doubt. It has also been known for 200,0 more than 100 years in South Africa 180,0 that there is a synchronous linkage between sunspot numbers and South 160,0 African rainfall and river flow. As ex- 140,0 plained in ‘Linkages between solar ac- 120,0 Average tivity, climate predictability and water 100,0 resource development’ (Alexander et 80,0 al 2007) the alternating sunspot cycles

Number of sunspots 60,0 are causally related to the acceleration 40,0 and deceleration of the sun as it moves 20,0 through galactic space. 0,0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SCALE DEPENDENCE It was obvious from the analyses that Period year a synchronous relationship exists between sunspot activity and global air Table 2 Annual sunspot numbers Period 1843 1867 1889 1913 1933 1954 1976 1996 Lowest Highest Average year 1 10,7 7,3 6,3 1,4 5,7 4,4 12,6 8,6 1,4 12,6 7,1 2 15,0 37,6 7,1 9,6 8,7 38,0 27,5 21,5 7,1 38,0 20,6 3 40,1 74,0 35,6 47,4 36,1 141,7 92,5 64,3 35,6 141,7 66,5 4 61,5 139,0 73,0 57,1 79,7 190,2 155,4 93,3 57,1 190,2 106,2 5 98,5 111,2 85,1 103,9 114,4 184,8 154,6 119,6 85,1 184,8 121,5 6 124,7 101,6 78,0 80,6 109,6 159,0 140,5 111,0 78,0 159,0 113,1 7 96,3 66,2 64,0 63,6 88,8 112,3 115,9 104,0 63,6 115,9 88,9 8 66,6 44,7 41,8 37,6 67,8 53,9 66,6 63,7 37,6 67,8 55,3 9 64,5 17,0 26,2 26,1 47,5 37,6 45,9 40,4 17,0 64,5 38,2 10 54,1 11,3 26,7 14,2 30,6 27,9 17,9 29,8 11,3 54,1 26,6 11 39,0 12,4 12,1 5,8 16,3 10,2 13,4 15,2 5,8 39,0 15,6 12 20,6 3,4 9,5 16,7 9,6 15,1 29,2 3,4 29,2 14,9 13 6,7 6,0 2,7 44,3 33,2 47,0 100,2 2,7 100,2 34,3 14 4,3 32,3 5,0 63,9 92,6 93,7 157,6 4,3 157,6 64,2 15 22,7 54,3 24,4 69,0 151,6 105,9 142,6 22,7 151,6 81,5 16 54,8 59,7 42,0 77,8 136,3 105,5 145,7 42,0 145,7 88,8 17 93,8 63,7 63,5 64,9 134,7 104,5 94,3 63,5 134,7 88,5 18 95,8 63,5 53,8 35,7 83,9 66,6 54,6 35,7 95,8 64,8 19 77,2 52,2 62,0 21,2 69,4 68,9 29,9 21,2 77,2 54,4 20 59,1 25,4 48,5 11,1 31,5 38,0 17,5 11,1 59,1 33,0 21 44,0 13,1 43,9 13,9 34,5 13,1 44,0 29,9 22 47,0 6,8 18,6 15,5 6,8 47,0 22,0 23 30,5 5,7 5,7 30,5 18,1 24 16,3 3,6 3,6 16,3 10,0

24 Civil Engineering | June 2008 temperatures on a multi-decadal scale. SOLAR PERIODICITY TABLE PERIODIC BEHAVIOUR Yet much has been made of studies that The years during which the sunspot Table 3 is based on information in showed that variations in received solar minima associated with the double P D Tyson’s book Climate change and energy were too small to account for sunspot cycle occurred are readily iden- variability in southern Africa. It was pub- the observed climate variations. The tified in the annual sunspot data. These, lished in 1987 – a year before the estab- authors then erroneously assumed that together with the number of years lishment of the IPCC. It must be stressed no causal relationship existed. Their between them are as follows: 1843 (24) that the interest is in sequences of years, studies failed to address the well-docu- 1867 (22) 1889 (24) 1913 (20) 1933 (21) not individual years. This is where other mented historical linkages that demon- 1954 (22) 1976 (20) 1996 (21) 2017. researchers made a fundamental mistake. strate the presence of this synchronous It was now possible to produce a They searched for linkages between solar behaviour. Why did the IPCC scientists solar periodicity table that will allow activity and climate on a yearly basis in- deliberately omit mention of this infor- any time series data to be rearranged stead of a periodic basis. When they could mation? The most likely reason is that and analysed using the solar period as a not detect it they assumed that no linkage these scientists used annual time scales basic time unit. This is shown in table 1. was present. in their studies, not realising that their It is a simple matter to substitute the It is a simple matter to construct table conclusions were scale dependent. available data values for each year, and 4 from this information. It shows the What then is an appropriate time unit carry out the analyses in Excel. Table 2 years in which the double sunspot cycles for examining the relationship between shows the sunspot data for each year in commenced in the left-hand column and variations in solar activity and global air the solar periodicity table. the period year numbers in the top row. temperatures? The obvious candidate is the Each column in the table begins The grouping of wet and dry sequences length of the double sunspot cycle. In the with the year in which the solar and the correlation with the double sun- analyses that follow, we are simply using a minimum associated with the double spot cycle is even clearer than before. solar-related time unit. In principle this is sunspot cycle occurred. The data were Compare this information with figure a logical extension from a 24-hour day, to a analysed row by row and then plotted in 2 above. Note the dominance of wet years 365-day year, to a 21-year solar period. The the periodicity graph (figure 2). associated with the first sunspot cycle difference is that the length of the solar Note in particular the difference in (years 1 to 11), and dry years with the period is not precise but varies within a the distribution of the sunspot numbers second sunspot cycle (years 12 to 22). The narrow range. The reasons are given in the and their ranges in the alternating cycles. association of the alternating sunspot joint paper referred to above. cycles with the wet and dry periods is very clear. It is a suitable basis for the 3 prediction of the likelihood of drought % MAR Periodic dam in ows 300 % sequences in the years ahead.

250 % Table 3 Periodic range of wet and dry rainfall 200 % sequences (after Tyson 1987) Years Wet/dry 150 % 1971–1980 Wet 1962–1970 Dry 100 %

Mean annual runo (%) 1953–1961 Wet

50 % 1944–1952 Dry 1933–1943 Wet 0 % 1925–1932 Dry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 2221 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 9505 0695 07 9508 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 1916–1924 Wet Period All(Ave) J Ave GD Ave MS Ave W Ave HH Ave ZH Ave NG Ave VG Ave Mo Ave G Ave 1905–1915 Dry

Table 4 Periodic behaviour of South African rainfall Period 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 starting 1996 ???????? 1976 W W W W W 1954 WWWWWWWWDDDDDDDDDWWWWW 1933 WWWWWWWWWWWD DD D D D D D D W 1913 DDDWWWWWWWWWDD D D D D D D 1889 DDDDDDDD

Civil Engineering | June 2008 25 All indications are that we are now the remaining sites. Internet traffic expressing concerns re- on the threshold of global cooling We are at present in period year 13 lating to the lack of solar activity during (2007–2008). Note the very clear, well the past year and the possibility that the associated with the second and above average recorded river flows for world may be entering an ice age. While less active solar cycle. The delayed the present hydrological year (13). Even this may be premature, the linkage be- more importantly, note the succession of tween the abnormally cold weather being solar minimum occurred earlier below average river flows in the period experienced in the northern hemisphere this year (January 2008). A severe years that lie ahead (14 to 20). Analyses and the abnormal lack of sunspot activity of other long hydrological data series during this period is causing consider- global drought will almost certainly show similar characteristics. able concern. be one of the consequences This prediction model is based on the All indications are that we are now thoroughly studied, synchronous linkage on the threshold of global cooling as- between periodic solar activity and the sociated with the second and less active hydro-meteorological processes. It has solar cycle. The delayed solar minimum DROUGHT ALERT been tested and verified. The likelihood occurred earlier this year (January 2008). It is important to note that periodicity in of prolonged, severe droughts from next A severe global drought will almost cer- the data was used as the prediction tool year onwards is very real. tainly be one of the consequences. and not the sunspot cyclicity. Can we venture an estimate of how Figure 3 is a river flow prediction severe the droughts are likely to be? Reference model prepared by Alwyn van der There were five dry (drought) sequences This article should be studied in conjunction Merwe. It shows the periodic dam in- during the past century. One of them the paper by Alexander, Bailey, Bredenkamp, flows for ten sites in the South African was the Great Depression drought. As Van der Merwe and Willemse, Linkages be- interior. For each record, the average for a first estimate there is therefore a 20 % tween solar activity, climate predictability and each period year was determined using likelihood of it being repeated in the water resource development, Journal of the the method described above. These pe- years ahead. South African Institution of Civil Engineering, riod year averages were then plotted in As I write these notes there is a Vol 49 No 2 June 2007, pages 32–44, Paper the figure. The process was repeated for considerable volume of international 659, and the references therein.

26 Civil Engineering | June 2008 1

Towards sustainable development Achieve development potential, support key ecosystems and provide poverty relief

CLANWILLIAM DAM, a mass gravity 2 structure with thirteen crest gates, is located on the Olifants River in the Western Cape near the town of Clanwilliam and the Cederberg mountains. The dam wall is 43 m high and the storage capacity of 122 million m3 is only about 30 % of the present-day mean annual runoff. Water stored in the dam is mainly used for irrigation. The Lower Olifants River Government Water Scheme (LORGWS) supplies raw water from Clanwilliam Dam and Bulshoek Weir to farmers, municipalities, mines, and industries in the Olifants River Valley between the dam and the estuary. There is a requirement for a better assurance of supply for agriculture from the LORGWS and demand for further water al- flood events, the Department of Water 1 Clanwilliam Dam wall locations. There is also pressure to allocate Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) plans to 2 Bulshoek Weir additional water to resource-poor farmers implement remedial measures in the in this area, to alleviate poverty and address near future. These would involve major Figure 1 shows Clanwilliam Dam the need for water sector reform. construction works and present an op- and figure 2 shows Bulshoek Weir, which In order to comply with the current portunity to raise the dam and thereby is located 30 km below the Clanwilliam dam safety standards concerning extreme increase its yield. Dam on the Olifants River.

Civil Engineering | June 2008 27 AIMS OF STUDY Recommendations from the study, which Clanwilliam Dam to meet the EWRs The aim of the feasibility study was to focused on the riverine and estuarine downstream of the Bulshoek Weir and verify the technical, environmental, so- ecological water requirements, were taken at the estuary. Yields were determined cial, economic and financial viability of into account in the feasibility study. at various levels of assurance of supply raising Clanwilliam Dam. The study also The natural mean annual runoff of for the current dam and the three dam aimed to determine the optimal height the Olifants River above Clanwilliam raising options. for such raising, if found to be viable. Four Dam is 356 million m3/a. Average supply raising options, namely no raising (0 m), from the LORGWS over the last 25 years WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT and 5 m, 10 m and 15 m raisings were was estimated as 174 million m3/a, but The impacts on thermal stratification and considered. Other options for increasing during droughts the supply was curtailed. release temperatures of raising the dam supply volumes for irrigation, including Farmers currently receive water at an wall were modelled, as well as the miti- clearing invasive alien vegetation, reducing unacceptably low assurance of supply, gating effects of installing a multi-level system losses, agricultural water demand estimated to be around the 1:5 year level outlet structure. management, and the use of groundwater of assurance. The water quality requirement is (from fractured rock aquifers of the Table Data on land use and agricultural predominantly a temperature constraint Mountain Group) were evaluated to ensure demands, farm dam capacities and the due to the spawning requirements of the that the DWAF is aware of the full range of extent of invasive alien vegetation in Clanwilliam yellow fish downstream of alternatives and their implications. Figure the catchment upstream of Bulshoek the dam. The temperature of water re- 3 shows the bulk water infrastructure of Weir were updated as part of this study. leased from the dam should be within the the LORGWS. Various scenarios were analysed, using range of 18–24 ˚C during the months of the Water Resources Yield Model, to de- October to January. It was concluded that ECOLOGICAL NEEDS AND YIELD ANALYSIS termine the historical yields of the system as water in the dam will stratify during A comprehensive reserve (basic human for the existing (unraised) dam and for the summer months any raising of the needs and ecological water requirements, three dam raising options. The scenarios dam wall should be accompanied by the EWRs) assessment for the Olifants/ investigated also took account of the construction of a multi-level outlet struc- Doring rivers was completed in 2006. influence on yield of making releases from ture to release water of the appropriate temperature to meet the downstream 3 requirements. This would to some extent offset the impacts on aquatic life of the reduced flows in the downstream river during the winter months.

DAM DESIGN The design philosophy took account of the likely deterioration of the prestressed cable anchors and was based on providing long-term structural stability, minimal operational requirements, predictable operation and minimal maintenance requirements. Alkali-aggregate reaction had been identified on the surface of the current structure but it was concluded that this did not significantly lower the engineering properties of the concrete. A number of options for improving the stability and raising the dam were analysed and preliminary designs were prepared to an acceptable level of detail. The method of raising proposed is to remove the crest gates and bridge and to construct an integral mass concrete structure against the downstream face of the existing mass gravity dam. The construction of a multi- level outlet works may potentially involve coring through the existing wall. Ogee and labyrinth outlet configurations were assessed.

3 Map of existing LORGWS bulk water infrastructure

28 Civil Engineering | June 2008 OTHER SUPPORTING gions of the Olifants River System, by uti- viduals and activities will benefit from the TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS lising the additional irrigation water from dam raising, while others will be either Soils, water requirements and crops the potential raising of Clanwilliam Dam. temporarily disrupted or permanently A soils map was compiled for the Olifants The existing irrigation farming practices affected in a negative way. Therefore a River Basin from Keerom, south of in the various regions of the study area socio-economic impact assessment was Citrusdal, to the coast. An expert system are relatively capital-intensive and risky, undertaken to analyse and to weigh these approach was used to evaluate the po- but the financial analyses indicated that affects against each another. It was deter- tential of the different soil types for the these are economically viable. On account mined that the positive impacts would far production of annual and perennial crops. of the capital-intensive requirements of exceed the negative impacts. Based on these evaluations it was clear the farming practices it will be generally The social benefits arising from the that the availability of land with suit- be more viable to expand existing farms raising of Clanwilliam Dam will be im- able soil for irrigated agriculture is not than to develop new irrigation farms, al- portant for the poverty alleviation strate- a restrictive factor for the expansion of though in some areas development of new gies in the study area. Jobs, new sources of irrigation activities, although some soils irrigation farms would be viable. income and opportunities for economic limitations would have to be ameliorated. advancement will be created. With ade- The irrigation water requirements of Socio-economic implications quate support in terms of access to trans- deciduous fruit, citrus and grapes were The Olifants River Valley is characterised port, training and funding, the project determined for the various regions and by significant disparities in income and could result in significant improvements various climatically adapted crops cur- social circumstances, with many workers in the overall standards of living. rently grown in the study area, as well as only being seasonally employed. Both the suitable alternative crops, were identified. Cederberg and Matzikama municipalities Irrigation development are characterised by vast areas of rural, and water distribution options Financial viability of irrigation farming agricultural and conservation land, with The options for productively and cost- The financial viability of existing irriga- small urban centres. Poverty is particu- effectively distributing and utilising tion farming was evaluated, as well as the larly high in the rural areas. The chief eco- the additional water that will be made viability of expansion in the different re- nomic activity is agriculture. Some indi- available through the raising of the dam

Civil Engineering | June 2008 29 4

PROJECT TEAM Clients The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Directorate Options Analyses consultant Ninham Shand Consulting Engineers Associated firms Asch Professional Services (Pty) Ltd and Jakoet & Associates Consulting Engineers cc Project director Dr Mike Shand Project manager Erik van der Berg

4 The N7 next to Clanwilliam Dam capital cost of making the dam safe. For a discount rate of 6 % the lowest URV is were investigated and costed. A range of for the 9 m raising. A 15 m raising would ■ A multi-level outlet structure must be water uses and options for distributing have a URV of R 0,45/m3. Incremental built for all dam raising options to en- water for agricultural and other uses were URVs were also determined. The incre- sure that the water quality and temper- considered and evaluated and it was found mental cost of raising the dam from 13 m ature requirements of the downstream that although it would be beneficial to to 15 m would be particularly high, espe- aquatic habitat can be satisfied improve the assurance of supply to users cially for the higher discount rates. ■ A raising of 13 m appears to provide the served by the LORGWS canal system, it maximum benefit at acceptable cost. would not be economical to increase the Environmental authorisation The incremental URV of raising the capacity of the canal system. Measures A full environmental impact assessment dam from 13 m to 15 m would be unac- to reduce system losses were also investi- process was undertaken to investigate, ceptably high compared with the likely gated and recommended. describe and assess the potential en- cost of any future bulk water develop- vironmental impacts of the proposed ment in the catchment (most likely Resource-poor farmers project and to provide recommendations groundwater) The potential raising of Clanwilliam Dam regarding the potential for mitigation of ■ The 13 m raising would provide a yield offers a unique opportunity to make water impacts, and how the positive impacts of 70 million m3/a, after allowing for available to address some of the social could be enhanced. A range of specialist the implementation of the ecological challenges by supporting water allocation supporting studies was undertaken, Reserve, at a capital cost of R365 mil- reform. Ways were identified to utilise including vegetation, freshwater fish, hy- lion (2006 costs) the additional yield made available by drogeological, infrastructural, social and the dam raising to meet these objectives heritage assessments and reserve extrapo- Water use and to ensure that the available natural lation from nearby sites. ■ DWAF should ensure that as much resources of the area are used to the The impacts on the existing roads and of the water made available from the greatest benefit of society. other infrastructure surrounding the dam raising of Clanwilliam Dam as practi- The main conclusion from this evalu- basin will depend on the height of the cally possible is utilised for transforma- ation was that there is potential to use raising. Portions of the N7 national road tion and poverty alleviation in the area water to support the development of his- to the west of the dam would need to be ■ In order to ensure the equitable torically disadvantaged individuals in the relocated, as well as sections of secondary distribution of the benefits from the area, but that the solution is not a single roads. It would likely to be too expensive raising of the dam, a multi-stakeholder large-scale resource-poor farmer scheme. to relocate a section of Divisional Road Olifants/Doring River Development Instead a suite of development options 2183 along the eastern bank of the dam. Agency or other relevant implementa- was proposed. The proposed development As scheduled activities require tion vehicle should be established options will require significant engage- authorisation from the Provincial ■ The further identification of suitable ment by the DWAF and close cooperation Department of Environmental Affairs and farms or projects to potentially take with other spheres of government to Development Planning (D: EA& DP), the up any additional water can to a large ensure their success. Key to this will be to environmental impact report was sub- extent be left to the implementing develop a clear mandate on how the water mitted to D: EA& DP in October 2007 for agency and the potential users, however will be allocated. their review and decision. resource-poor farmers would need specific support Financial evaluation KEY RECOMMENDATIONS Capital costs (based on 2006 costs) were Dam raising The authors are all from Ninham Shand determined for making the dam safe for ■ DWAF recommends that Clanwilliam Consulting Engineers: Erik van der Berg, extreme flood events (0 m for dam safety), Dam be raised by constructing an in- project director (erik.vanderberg@shands. as well as for raising the dam by 5 m, 10 m tegral mass concrete structure against co.za); Dr Mike Shand, consultant (mike.shand@ and 15 m. Unit reference values (URVs) the downstream face of the existing shands.co.za); Karen Shippey, associate (Karen. were determined for the various dam mass gravity dam. The method of [email protected]); Anton Sparks, principal raising options for discount rates of 4 %, construction and the type of spillway engineer ([email protected]); and 6 % and 8 %. The URVs were based on the will be established during the detailed Wageed Kamish, principal engineer (wageed. capital costs of the three raisings less the design phase [email protected]

30 Civil Engineering | June 2008 VRESAP to be operational by November

The Vaal River Eastern Subsystem Augmentation Project (VRESAP), also financed by TCTA. The borrowings are known as the Vaal Pipeline Project, is being implemented to meet in TCTA’s name with recourse against the income stream from the project. the growing water demands of Eskom and Sasol in the Mpumalanga PARTNERSHIPS Highveld region. The scheme will transfer water via a 121 km pipeline Two agreements set out the institutional from the Vaal Dam near Vaal Marina to the Knoppiesfontein diversion arrangements between DWAF and the structure which discharges into either the Trichardtsfontein or main users, Eskom and Sasol (agreement 1) and DWAF and TCTA (agreement Bosjesspruit dams near Secunda. VRESAP will augment the yield of 2). These agreements were signed in the Vaal River Eastern Subsystem (VRESS) by 160 million m3 per year October 2005. Agreement 1 sets out the terms and conditions of supply from DWAF to the users, as well as the terms and conditions CABINET APPROVED VRESAP on 6 Government Notice 21017 of 24 March of payment by the users of all raw water October 2004. On 26 November 2004 the 2000, TCTA may perform any additional delivered. Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, functions required in terms of a direc- Agreement 2 sets out the terms and in terms of section 103(2) of the National tive by the Minister of Water Affairs conditions relating to the implementation Water Act (No 36 of 1998), directed and Forestry under section 103(2) of of the project and the payment by DWAF TCTA to fund and implement VRESAP. the National Water Act. VRESAP is a to TCTA for bulk raw water delivered. In terms of clause 24 of the revised separate ring-fenced project without a TCTA’s credit exposure is therefore to notice of establishment published in government guarantee, implemented and DWAF and not to the users.

Civil Engineering | June 2008 33 1 1 The 1 900 mm diameter pipe bridge 2 Installing an isolating valve 3 Installing the pipe on the bridge

GOVERNANCE AND FUNDING TCTA’s board is ultimately responsible to the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry and to Cabinet for the implementation of VRESAP. The VRESAP Technical Committee accommodates the participation of TCTA’s partners (Eskom, Sasol and DWAF) in implementing the project. An independent engineering panel reviews all technical implementation aspects of the project and makes recommendations to the committee. The long-term funding process for VRESAP was finalised by the signing ceremony of the loan agreements on 24 January 2006. 2 PROJECT PROFILE The augmentation project for the transfer of water into the VRESS – a sub-system of the integrated Vaal River system – will involve the installation of a pumping system to convey raw water from a new intake at the Vaal Dam to an upgraded Knoppiesfontein diversion structure. The abstraction point at the Vaal Dam is approximately 1 000 m upstream from Vaal Marina. The upgraded diversion structure at Knoppiesfontein will be able to convey and divert raw water pumped from the existing Grootfontein Pump Station. The components of the project include: ■ An abstraction works, including balancing facilities, at Vaal Dam ■ A high-lift pump station, capable of delivering 5,4 m3/s ■ An upgraded Knoppiesfontein diversion 3 structure ■ Some 115 km of 1 900 mm nominal diameter (subsurface) all welded steel pipeline ■ Six kilometres of 1 200 mm nominal diameter steel pipeline from Knoppiesfontein to Bosjesspruit Dam ■ Air ventilation valves and scour cham- bers (above surface) at intervals along the pipeline route The total yield of the pipeline is 160 million m3 per annum.

PROJECT ENGINEERING Contracts The professional design and supervision functions for the project are provided by a consortium of local civil engineering consultants operating under the name

34 Civil Engineering | June 2008 Vaal Pipeline Consultants (VPC) and constructed along the pipeline to provide construction impacts are contained and comprising Goba, Ninham Shand and protection against damage in the pipeline mitigated as far as possible. P D Naidoo and Associates. system caused by high pressures gener- Two construction contracts were ated from the sudden opening or closure Environmental awarded. The first, for the supply and of valves in the system, or failure of the Monitoring Committee (EMC) installation of the pipeline, was awarded pumping system. The EMC was constituted and held its in October 2005. The R1,6 billion con- inaugural meeting in March 2006, and tract was awarded to a civil engineering Diversion structure has continued its work as environmental construction joint venture, Mpumalanga From the surge tank, approximately ‘watchdog’ for the entire project. Pipeline Contractors Joint Venture 190 m above the Vaal Dam water level, (MPC), which consists of Murray and water flows downhill to the diversion Nurseries for indigenous plants Roberts, Group Five, WK Pipelines and structure at Knoppiesfontein near One of the requirements of the EMP was the J and J Group. Secunda. The diversion structure is essen- the rescue of indigenous rare and endan- The R425 million contract for civil tially a large tank from which the water gered plants from construction areas. The structures, mechanical, electrical, in- discharge is split to flow in either the di- plants were identified prior to construc- strumentation and piping works was rection of Bosjesspruit Dam nearest to the tion and removed to a nursery established awarded in November 2005 to a joint Sasol facility or to the Trichardsfontein to care for the plants until completion of venture between Chinese Overseas Dam nearest the Eskom power plant. construction activities, when the plants Engineering Corporation (Covec) and The pipeline runs through largely will be used in the rehabilitation of the Mathe Construction, a fully black-owned agricultural land and is buried between project area. This nursery has also pro- company. 1,2 m and 7 m deep, depending on the ter- vided employment and developed skills in An independent specialist inspec- rain. Pipe jacking has been used where the the project area. tion contract was awarded to a local pipeline crosses other existing national inspectorate firm, Pipetech. The R11 infrastructure such as roads and rail- PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY million contract entails the supervision roads. After completion of construction, Target percentages have been defined for and control of the operations especially normal activities shall resume above the the various contracts: those relating to piping and mechanical pipeline, except that no structures may be ■ To maximise employment opportuni- installation to ensure the highest quality built directly above the pipeline. ties for the local communities of work. Where the pipeline travels under ■ To minimise the utilisation of imported streams and in close proximity of set- labour within the ambit of applicable Abstraction works tlements measures are taken in order to legislation A new abstraction works is being built minimise the impact on the environment ■ To maximise contracting, training and to extract water from the Vaal Dam. The and communities. development opportunities for local abstraction works consists of an approach businesses, HDI-owned businesses and channel excavated underwater in rock ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SMMEs so as to ensure maximum pro- and a concrete shaft of close to 25 m deep Environmental authorisation curement opportunities – comprising intake structure and low lift In order to obtain the requisite envi- ■ To give effect to this policy, each pump station. Two sets of three low lift ronmental authorisation for the imple- contract awarded on the VRESAP pump units draw water from the intake mentation of VRESAP, TCTA procured stipulates employment, training and and discharge it through a 1,9 m diameter, the services of independent consulting procurement targets. The performance 800 m pipeline into three balancing dams environmentalists and public involvement of the contractor against the targets is where silt in the raw water is allowed to specialists to conduct the environmental monitored on a monthly basis settle, ensuring the required quality. impact assessment (EIA) and public ■ The project has provided some 750 tem- involvement process in March 2005. The porary jobs during construction and 20 High lift pump system EIA report was submitted to DEAT in permanent ones during the operation Downstream of the balancing dams the July 2005. Having reviewed and accepted and maintenance phase water is led into a series of high lift pumps the report, the department issued a record each with its own booster pump. Booster of decision (RoD) in September 2005, CHALLENGES pumps are provided to create allowable authorising the project. Completing the According to Paul le Roux, the VPC suction pressure for optimum perform- EIA process and obtaining the RoD in this project manager, a number of significant ance of the high lift pumping system. The relatively short time was a major achieve- challenges were associated with the high lift pump system delivers the water ment for TCTA. Aware of the immense project: to a level in the region of 350 m higher at time constraints, the VRESAP team ■ The compilation and coordination a rate of 5 400 litres per second. decided to prepare an EMP as part of the of the tender documentation was EIA process. This approach achieved the extremely complicated as a result of The pipeline desired outcome and with the issuing of significant changes made to the initial The system will pump water from the the RoD, the EMP was also approved. The preliminary design report recommen- Vaal Dam through a 1,9 m diameter pipe- requirements of the EMP were translated dations line to a surge tank located 54 km away into detailed environmental specifications ■ An engineering solution for the near Greylingstad. A surge tank has been in the various contracts to ensure that abstraction works in the Vaal Dam.

Civil Engineering | June 2008 35 Underwater blasting and dredging is 4 The abstraction works coffer dam with the 4 required to remove over 10 000 m3 of Vaal Dam in the background material and create a suitable approach channel. As the underwater blasting time constraints on supply eventually skills are not readily available in South eliminated this alternative Africa, an international specialist sub- ■ Managing the manufacture, supply contractor is required and installation of the 1 900 mm ■ The site of the permanent abstrac- diameter continuously welded steel tion works had to be shifted because pipe has been a key factor for project of unforeseen geological conditions, success. Mittal has had to supply on thus delaying this component of the average 11 coils of steel per day to two works and entailing the design and pipe manufacturers that converted the of English proficiency and project commissioning of a floating temporary coils to 19 m long pipes at a rate of 24 management skills, thus complicating abstraction works to ensure water de- pipes per day all communication channels on site. livery by the contracted date ■ Electrical and mechanical works are Workshops were held early in the ■ The selection of appropriate pipe line normally modular with design being contract to facilitate a mutual under- material. The combination of dif- undertaken by the contractor in some standing of the cultural and manage- ferent grades of steel was investigated. instances while in a normal civil envi- ment differences and thereby facilitate The use of Grade X65 steel plate was ronment, design is normally done by project progress initially a concern because of the the employer. Paul le Roux explained ■ The fast-tracked nature of the project lead times required to stabilise the that approximately 20 % of the VO21 required highly stringent quality con- metallurgical consistency. Successful contract value is mechanical/electrical trol on site. completion of recent export contracts work that is integrated within the civil by Mittal addressed this scheduling contractual environment COMMISSIONING OF THE WORKS concern. An alternative to steel was ■ The COVEC component of the C- The commissioning of the project is set ductile iron imported from France. MC contract are managed almost to commence in August with the works The many joints and potential leakage, exclusively by Chinese engineers being ready for operations and water de- exchange rate fluctuations and severe and foremen with varying degrees livery in November this year.

36 Civil Engineering | June 2008 International water distribution systems conference for Kruger

Skukuza rest camp in the Kruger WDSA2008 will without doubt be the foremost specialised conference on water National Park will be the venue for the distribution systems in the world this year, attracting world leaders on various 10th International Water Distribution System Analysis (WDSA) conference aspects of water distribution systems which will take place from 17 to 20 August 2008. The conference, known as conference in three parallel sessions. note address will be held on the Sunday WDSA2008, is hosted by the University WDSA2008 will without doubt be evening in the Skukuza amphitheatre. of Johannesburg and is officially spon- the foremost specialised conference on This will be followed by a meet-and- sored by Rand Water. It is a particular water distribution systems in the world greet function around large bonfires. honour for South Africa that the 2008 this year, attracting world leaders on Delegates will be given ample oppor- WDSA conference will be the first in various aspects of water distribution tunity for game viewing and networking. the WDSA series to be hosted outside systems. Besides the support of SAICE, The conference programme allows for the USA. WDSA2008 is endorsed by the fol- early morning and late afternoon game The main objectives of the confer- lowing organisations: drives when game viewing is at its best. ence are to provide a forum for water ■ American Society of Civil Engineers On the Monday evening, an optional distribution professionals to interact ■ International Water Association night game drive is offered, followed by and share knowledge, stimulate sci- ■ International Association of a bush braai and a talk on the stars in entific collaboration, encourage and Hydraulic Research the southern hemisphere. The confer- foster debate on new ways to supply ■ UK Institute of Civil Engineers ence dinner on the Tuesday evening will and manage drinking water systems, ■ Department of Water Affairs and be held at the Skukuza golf club with and bring together researchers and Forestry guest speaker Willem Botha, a profes- practitioners from developing and de- ■ Water Institute of Southern Africa sional game ranger and award-winning veloped countries. Specific themes for ■ Institute of Municipal Engineers of photographer. On the last afternoon of WDSA2008 include all aspects of water Southern Africa the conference, a behind-the-scenes tour distribution system modelling and ap- The unique location of Skukuza created of the civil engineering challenges in the plication, including system reliability a number of challenges for the organ- Kruger National Park is planned. and security, water demand, water isers that required innovative thinking INFO quality, leakage management and water to solve. A major challenge was that supply in developing countries. The call Skukuza does not have a venue that Professor Kobus van Zyl (conference chair) for abstracts attracted over 140 submis- can hold the more than 200 delegates T 011-559-2345 sions from around the world. Of these, expected at the conference. For this [email protected] 120 were selected for presentation at the reason, the conference opening and key- www.uj.ac.za/wdsa2008

Civil Engineering | June 2008 37 ad v ert o ria l

Refurbish, repair or replace?

The Galaxy panel reservoir offered an afford- Close investigations of the reservoirs reconstruction method consists of installing able, safe and efficient water storage solution vealed that their failure was largely attributed to a series of in-situ vertical concrete columns to the Ntabaskop and Insiminya Community substandard and shoddy workmanship, charac- interspaced with pre-cast concrete walling Water Supply Scheme’s increasing water loss teristic of many labour-intensive RDP projects on a concrete base, with all joints sealed problems. of the time. The larger cracks over the entire with a bitumen sealant to render the tank During early 2003 the Umgeni Water structure could have been due to weak concrete waterproof. These are usually roofed with Operations Division experienced difficulties mixes. The difficult terrain, hills and poor site galvanised roof sheeting. This reservoir de- in coordinating water balancing checks in the access, compounded by very limited access to sign was not considered, for various reasons: Ntabaskop and Insiminya areas due to severe good clean water and raw materials, are guaran- tanks need high load access roads to site, water leakages in most of the ferro-cement teed to have contributed to these failures. leading to considerable extra project ex- reservoirs within the reticulated network. In a The urgency to repair these reservoirs was pense with construction possibly hampered combined attempt to investigate and resolve further compounded by a need to transfer by difficult terrain; ongoing maintenance is the situation, the Umgeni Water Design ownership of the reservoirs from the Local required by these reservoir types; and there Support Division was tasked to prepare a Water Committees (LWC), supported by always needs to be water in the tank comprehensive report together with recom- Umgeni Water to the newly appointed Water ■ Galaxy reservoirs as supplied, installed and mendations of repair, refurbishment or replace- Services Authority (WSA) and Water Services commissioned by SBS Water Systems (Pty) ment. Ntabaskop is situated in the Ndwedwe Provider (WSP), Ilembe District Municipality. Limited of Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, was the magisterial district approximately 40 km north- Before any transfer could be undertaken, the recommended option for various reasons, west of the town of Verulam, in KwaZulu-Natal, reservoirs had to be presented in a fully op- including the following: and falls within the jurisdiction of the Ilembe erational and leak free condition to the Ilembe ■ Being the most economical option, more District Municipality. District Municipality. than R450 000 cheaper than pre-fabri- The original reticulation scheme was con- The results of the investigation done by cated concrete and as much as R930 000 structed in 1994 as part of a labour-intensive Umgeni Water were made known and included cheaper than pressed steel project funded by the then Port Natal-Ebdwe many thoroughly researched options, amongst ■ It was the only option to offer a ten-year Joint Services Board. The second phase was un- others, use of cementatious repair products; non-leak guarantee. This was welcomed dertaken in 1998 as part of the Reconstruction use of bituminous torch on and paint on by the Ilembe District Municipality, who and Development Programme (RDP) funded by methods of repair; and bladder-type liners to had seen the limited reliability of rein- the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry be installed inside ferro-cement tanks. forced ferro-cement reservoirs which had (DWAF). All the above were deemed ‘temporary’ lasted less than ten years The reservoirs were of varying sizes and ‘unsatisfactory’, as they provided no lasting ■ The Galaxy reservoir was able to be ranging from break pressure tanks of 1 000 ℓ, warranty/guarantee. The idea of replacing the constructed on the existing ferro-cement 50 kℓ and a number of 100 kℓ and 200 kℓ reservoirs was then proposed as a longer-term floor/base, requiring minimal site prepara- structures. The basic construction method of more proactive method of approach consists tion and concrete work all the ferro-cement reservoirs was the same: and included the following possibilities:: ■ Ease of assembly and construction meant they were circular with dome shaped roof ■ Pressed steel tanks These were found to be that all reservoirs could be replaced designs, wall heights of 2,1 m and 80 mm exorbitantly expensive and required the without constructing new roads thick, reinforced with 3,6 mm x 100 mm mesh tank to be position on base supports which ■ The contract period is short and delivery placed two layers back to back. The reservoir were too difficult to achieve given the dif- speedy floors were of 5,6 mm x 200 mm square mesh ficult terrain and limited space available on ■ Should the end user so desire, the res- covered to form a 100 mm thick concrete some sites ervoirs can be increased in volume or floor slab. ■ Prefabricated concrete reservoirs This particular dismantled and re-assembled elsewhere

Civil Engineering | June 2008 39 1a 1b 2a

2b 3 4

1a and 1b Original ferro-cement reservoirs showing extensive leaks, cracks and sprawling of reinforcing internally 2a and 2b Demolishing of reinforced ferro- cement reservoirs;, walls demolished to floor level, leaving concrete base only 3 Installation of Galaxy reservoir inside the ‘old reservoir’ footprint – the panels had to be carried up the hill to the final location 4 Installation of Galaxy reservoir roof before final trimming. The difficulty of site access is clearly shown in this picture: all materials were carried from the roads and houses below

In a record period of less than three months the 17 failing ferro-cement reservoirs were demolished, the existing floors levelled where necessary, and new Zincalume Galaxy panel reservoirs with Aqualiner installed and commissioned. Thanks to using Galaxy reservoirs the stakeholders were able to bring the project in on time and within the limited budget available to them. As a result of this successfully completed project, the Ilembe District Municipality now use Galaxy reservoirs on numerous of their water supply projects. Galaxy reservoirs are now available throughout South Africa as well as other African countries through of an extensive distribution network.

INFO

Delayne Gray SBS Water Systems (Pty) Limited T 031-716-1820 Call 086-048-2657 for your closest distributor’s details or log on to www.galaxyafrica.com

40 Civil Engineering | June 2008 Tough water usage challenge ahead

While the platinum mining industry Consulting is providing services to most of continues to enjoy a boom phase, mines in the mining operations in the region to en- the water-scarce Eastern Limb face a chal- sure the optimum use of available water. lenge in water management never before ‘We have examined various alternatives experienced in mining in South Africa. to supply clients at different stages with The Eastern Limb is in a region that enough water. We also assist with trying to incorporates Polokwane and Burgersfort, minimise the amount of water that a mine where some 12 mining operations are pro- needs by reducing water losses from a mine. ducing platinum for the world market. We try to reduce the water make up by According to Peter Shepherd, prin- using less water, by creating fewer areas for cipal hydrologist and a partner with SRK evaporation, reducing seepage, and deter- Consulting, mines in the Eastern Limb mining where water can be re-used. aim to produce 1 tonne of ore mined using ‘This helps in two respects; reducing the 1 000 litres of water, or less. take-off from the river to make up the water He said SRK Consulting had been supply and reducing pollution to the envi- providing services to the mining industry ronment. Instead of water discharging to the in South Africa for 30 years and the extent environment it is re-used. Today this is the of the challenges being faced in the water- main focus of all mines,’ he said. scarce Eastern Limb had set new bounda- Water is becoming a scarce commodity ries. and the National Water Act (No 36 of 1998) ‘There is a lot in the planning phase. The requires mines to focus on water manage- South African Department of Water Affairs ment especially since the introduction of is planning a number of transfer schemes Regulation 704 of the Water Act in 1998. and the development of bulk water infra- ‘The mines are endeavouring to use structure to supply the mines, but this is yet a maximum of 1 000 litres per tonne of to be put in place,’ he said. ‘It is envisaged ore mined, with the ultimate objective of that more water will come from the Olifants reducing this to 200 litres,’ he said. ‘Tough River, with an increase in the height of the targets have to be achieved because mining Arabie Dam. The proposed construction of cannot continue if there is no water.’ a new dam in an environmentally sensitive Shepherd said SRK Consulting has a area on the Steelpoort River upstream of team of about 40 people who are employed the Kruger National Park would also help exclusively in the management of water in alleviate water needs. mines in South Africa. They are concerned ‘Billions of rands will have to be put into with surface water, ground water, quality of projects to supply the mines with enough water and legal compliances at the mines. water in the future,’ he said. ‘Mines in the Regulation 704 of the Water Act re- Eastern Limb are managing at present but quired mines to manage water effectively, we will have to continue reassessing where and to avoid contamination of the envi- water is available and how we will transfer ronment. Contaminated water has to be it to the mines. This is an extremely tough reused in the mine and cannot leave the challenge. mine property. However, loss of water on a ‘An increase in water supply to the mining property can escalate to 50 % of the Eastern Limb is much dependent on water delivered to the mines, mainly due to whether or not these projects will proceed,’ evaporation, he explained. he said. Asked whether the mining operations Shepherd added that four years ago, SRK are meeting the requirements of the Act Consulting designed and was responsible he said most mines are working towards for the construction management of a weir this within time tables set by the depart- on the Olifants River, near Lebalelo, as well ment for compliance. Audits are also as of a pipeline to supply a number of mines mandatory to ensure compliance within in the Eastern Limb with water. Today, SRK five to ten years.

Civil Engineering | June 2008 41 Mbashe North project nearly completed

1 Construction of Phase 1 of the Eastern Cape’s Mbashe North water supply project – which includes the water treatment works on the banks of the Mgwali River – is nearing completion. The Amathole District Municipality, which appointed Stemele Bosch Africa (SBA), to design and implement this water supply scheme, originally anticipated this project would provide potable water to about 35 000 people living in the immediate area. ‘The project has since been extended to include additional communities, which means ultimately, about 63 000 people will receive potable water from this scheme,’ says André Naudé, director of SBA, part of the B & A Group. ‘It has been challenging to efficiently phase the scheme and to design a water treatment works that can be

42 Civil Engineering | June 2008 easily augmented to cater for the increase ployment exists. This financial injection 1 Phase 1 of the Eastern Cape’s Mbashe North in water demand as future phases are con- impacts positively on households in this water supply project – which includes the water nected to the scheme.’ poverty stricken area. treatment works on the banks of the Mgwali The R29-million Phase 1 water treat- Phase 2, which consists of the con- River – is nearing completion ment facility will initially treat 3,8 Mℓ/d, struction of the rising main, is due for 2 The Amathole District Municipality, which with an ultimate capacity of 7,6 Mℓ/d. completion in August 2008. appointed Stemele Bosch Africa (SBA), to design The treatment facility and associated and implement this water supply scheme, INFO works for Phase 1 include a raw water originally hoped to provide potable water to intake structure, pump station and reser- André Naudé about 35 000 people living in the immediate voir, a 315 mm diameter uPVC pumping Stemele Bosch Africa area. The project has since been extended and main, mixing channel and sedimentation T 043-721-1717 will ultimately provide potable water to about tanks. The project also encompasses E-mail [email protected] 63 000 people rapid gravity filters, a clear-water reservoir, pump station and water tank, as 2 well as wastewater and sewers gravity pipelines. Sludge ponds, access roads, security fencing and chemical dosing buildings are also being constructed. SBA is responsible for both the commissioning and installation of electrical and mechanical equipment. Local communities are benefiting from this project, which is providing desperately needed employment in the area as new skills are being learned and transferred to the community. It is anticipated that by completion of Phase 1, over 22 000 manday jobs will have been created in an area where little opportunity for em-

Civil Engineering | June 2008 43 Reservoir built with hollow-core precast concrete slabs A South African first

LINDLEY, A SMALL TOWN in the 1 eastern Free State, is where South Africa’s first complete reservoir (wall and roof) using precast hollow-core concrete slabs was erected. A skills shortage, especially of concrete specialists and shuttering expertise, led to a decision to extend precast slab technology, which has already been successfully used on reservoir roofs, to the walls. Besides negating the skills shortage, opting for the precast route meant substantial cost and time savings, while simultaneously guaranteeing consistency in the quality and requisite properties of the walls. The Lindley reservoir forms part of the government’s programme of bringing water and water-borne sanitation to all South African communities. At a capacity of 1,2 Mℓ, the reservoir will supply 950 housing units that are to be erected on the outskirts of Lindley in the course of skills. As things stood at Lindley, it would Lindley reservoir took three weeks to con- 2008/09. have taken much longer, as neither condi- struct. It comprised a reinforced concrete Johann Steyn of MVDXariep tion applied. outer ring beam 400 mm wide x 500 mm Consulting Engineers, the company ‘Being the first of its kind, this project deep and projected 300 mm above the responsible for the design and project involved a learning curve for all partici- concrete floor to provide adequate shear management, said the walls took a mere pants. Even so, the entire project only resistance to the reservoir walls. The three days to erect. took seven weeks to complete. And, pro- 150 mm thick reinforced concrete floor ‘Had we opted for traditional shut- vided all the precast material is to hand, was cast in four strips and the joints tering it would have required four 1,2 m future reservoir projects using precast were sealed with horizontally positioned lift sections, each of which would have slab technology on the walls, columns, rubber water stops. taken about seven days to complete. On beams and roofs should take no more Wall slabs were supplied by a CMA this basis the whole project would have than ten days to complete once the in-situ member company, Bloemfontein-based stretched over six weeks had we been well floor has been constructed,’ said Steyn. Stabilan. Based on hollow-core prestressed equipped and had access to the necessary The in-situ concrete floor at the technology, each wall slab measures

44 Civil Engineering | June 2008 1,2 m x 4,5 m x 250 mm thick and is rated evaluated on the basis of available skills installed to ensure that, when necessary, at a compressive strength of 50 MPa. and equipment at any given time.’ water can be pumped into the water tower However, unlike traditional slabs which are In addition to the new Lindley res- before the reservoir. fully hollow-core, the lower 1,2 m of each ervoir, a 150 kℓ sectional steel pressure CMA director John Cairns comments slab was cast in solid concrete to provide tower was erected close to the reservoir. that the Lindley reservoir project is fur- additional shear strength. Once installed, The tower, which consists of a galvanised ther evidence of the versatility of precast the joints between the slabs were grouted steel tank on a steel frame, rises to 9 m hollow-core slab technology. and a horizontally positioned steel strap at its apex. It was installed to feed the ‘Precast concrete is still underuti- measuring 90 mm x 8 mm was fastened surrounding higher-lying areas which, lised in the country, but engineers are 1 200 mm from the top of the wall to due to a lack of water pressure, cannot be becoming increasingly attuned to its provide ring tension to the upper section adequately supplied by the reservoir. The advantages, as this project clearly demon- of the wall panels. The inside of the walls reservoir and the water tower are supplied strates,’ says Cairns. were then lined with 30 mm thick gunite by electronically controlled pumps which, and painted with a waterproof sealant in turn, feed all the other reservoirs in 1 and 2 South Africa’s first reservoir with from Multi Chemical Construction. Lindley. precast hollow-core concrete slabs is being An additional vertically positioned Following a path of least resistance, constructed at Lindley in the Free State rubber water stop was also installed along the pump fills the concrete reservoir 3 The completed 1,2 Mℓ Lindley Reservoir, with the bottom of the inner slab wall. It was first. However, an over-riding system of a 150 kℓ sectional steel pressure tower positioned covered with gunite, half of which was electronically controlled valves has been behind it imbedded into the floor to prevent leaking through the bottom of the wall panels. 2 Precast roof slabs, in various lengths, 1,2 m wide and 160 mm thick, were supplied by Stabilan to cover the 17 m diameter reservoir. They are supported by the precast walls on the circumfer- ence as well as two beams which divide the reservoir into three sections. Each beam is in turn supported by three columns. Measuring 330 mm x 330 mm and 330 mm wide x 1 200 mm deep respectively, the columns and beams were constructed from masonry with infill concrete in order to make use of the local bricklayers. The beams and columns could have been replaced by precast components manufactured by Stabilan. After being placed into position, the roof slabs were grouted and covered with a cement screed 100 mm thick at the centre of the reservoir and 50 mm thick at its perimeter, thereby creating a 50 mm 3 drainage slope. Steyn commented further that the quality control of concrete in water retaining structures is all important. ‘On- site concrete mixing requires a full-rime supervisor to ensure that the quality is of the right quality and consistency and this certainly applied at Lindley.’ Steyn believes that many more such reservoirs are likely to be constructed as the government’s water and sanitation programme gains momentum. ‘I believe precast slab technology will come into its own, especially in small towns and rural centres where the expertise for shutter work is simply not available. A different situation applies in the cities where each project should be

Civil Engineering | June 2008 45 o n t h e c o v er Ensuring solid foundations for the FIFA World Cup’s flagship stadium

1 2

Upgrading and reconstructing the DURING THE INITIAL STAGES of been necessary to drill through ducts left former FNB stadium to create the work at Soccer City, there was a flurry of in the piles into underlying bedrock and activity with GEL’s piling rigs installing install ground anchors. new Soccer City involved a great around 1 300 piles with a diameter of be- Exceptionally difficult ground condi- deal of geotechnical work due to tween 600 mm and 1 500 mm to depths tions at the site have posed a consider- of up to 30 m around the stadium. Work able challenge to GEL, said GEL’s Mark the difficult ground conditions began on this fast-track project in mid- Laidlaw. ‘We had to drill through layers encountered there. Ground March 2007 and was due for completion of quartzite and sandstone boulders by the end of May 2008. As foundations to ensure stable founding. To do this Engineering (GEL), a division are completed, the Grinaker-LTA/ we brought in the most powerful auger of Grinaker-LTA, has currently Interbeton Joint Venture, to whom GEL piling rigs in the country – a Casagrande is subcontracting, moves in to progress B200 and a Soilmec R620 – which have installed foundation piling for the construction further. torque capacities of 20 ton metres.’ stands and the integrated roof Piles are being installed inside the There were five piling rigs on site at stadium to support the seating as well peak and 13 000 m3 of concrete will have structure, as well as lateral support as around the perimeter for specially been used for 20 000 m of piled founda- designed foundations to shaft columns tions. for three access tunnels and a supporting the stadium roof. These latter parkade – all with a contract value foundations are between 1 200 mm and ACCESS TUNNELS 1 500 mm in diameter and have been As well as foundation piling, GEL is of approximately R100 million designed to accommodate massive uplift installing lateral support for three access forces. To counter these forces, it has tunnels to the soccer field.

46 Civil Engineering | June 2008 3

1 A Soilmec RT3/S drilling for shaft foundation piles 4 2 A view of the north-east corner of the stadium, with piling rigs in both the foreground and the background 3 Piling operations in progress adjacent to the western grandstand 4 GEL’S Casagrande B200 piling rig has a torque capacity of 20 ton metres

Creating the 4 m wide, 50 m long tunnel on the west side was more complicated because it had to be excavated underneath the existing grandstand. The tunnels on the north east and south west sides, however, allowed easier access. GEL was responsible for soil nailing and gunniting the lateral support to the excavation faces which are up to 9 m deep. Approximately 5 000 m2 of lateral support will be provided by GEL for the tunnels together with the basement for the parkade adjacent to the west side of the stadium. The foundation piles and lateral support have been designed by ARQ Consulting Engineers, and the site is being ably managed by GEL’s project manager, Alan Scott.

Civil Engineering | June 2008 47 O T H E R pr o jects Potable water reservoir under construction

The wider portions of the City demands. Also in 1998, the Western A freeboard of 610 mm is provided Roodepoort and Randburg areas within Metropolitan Council (currently JW) above the full supply level and provision is Johannesburg Water’s (JW) area of service purchased storage to the capacity of 2,3 Mℓ made to accommodate an overflow rate of have been supplied by water from the Rand from the proposed Weltevreden Reservoir. 87 Mℓ per day with the water level 195 mm Water’s Meredale System, and specifically The site of the reservoir is within Rand above full supply level. The working water through direct feeds from the 1 000 mm Water’s fenced property in Christiaan de depth of the reservoir is 12,5 m. Flexible diameter F34 pipeline linked to the Wet Drive between John Vorster Avenue jointing of the various structural elements Waterval Reservoir Sub-system. At the ter- and Rinyani Road in Randburg and com- allows the structure to accommodate dif- mination of the F34 pipeline, Rand Water prises 24,8 ha of land on the crest of a ferential movements and expansion joints owns a vacant site where the three main hill. The boundaries of the site are next to are provided every 31 m. The walls were Rand Water meters supplying Randburg private residences. designed in modules of 15,5 m length and (JW’s Boschkop, Honeydew and Randpark A fairly good basal vegetation layer has a conventional heel-and-toe cantilever Ridge zones – BHR) are situated. developed on the site with several grass retaining wall was used. With the current and anticipated species present and large stands of exotic The 600 mm diameter columns at growth rate within the BHR zones and be- trees. 7,750 m centres go up to the underside of yond, it was resolved that the F34 pipeline An environmental study was con- the 200 mm thick roof slab over which is would need to be augmented by the end of ducted of the site and project as a whole a 2,0 m square upstand of 150 mm height. 2008. A final analysis conducted indicated and an environmental scoping report and The bases of the columns are supported di- that it was cheaper to construct a reservoir environmental management plan were pre- rectly onto the floor slab, which is 200 mm than to bring the augmentation of the F34 pared which provide detailed mitigation thick. The floor slabs slope towards a cen- pipeline forward. In addition to these, measures for identified impacts. tral drainage channel to facilitate cleaning operational problems were experienced at of the reservoir. The post-tensioned roof the Waterval Reservoir during periods of DESIGN slab, 200 mm thick, has a 150 mm thick high demands in October/November 2005, The design is generally in accordance layer of 50 mm store covering it as a tem- thus indicating the need for supplementary with the recommendations of the British perature insulation layer. storage within the sub-system. Standard Code of Practice BS 8007 and BS Below the floor and wall sections, a To review the demands in the BHR 8110 as well as BS 5896 and SABS 1200. compartmental drainage system was put water district and beyond with a view to The reservoir is situated close to the in place, consisting of an 80 mm thick no- optimising usage of the new reservoir crown of a small hill, with the ground fines layer of concrete placed over a geofr- by the benefiting municipalities, regular sloping away in all directions, at a gradual abic to prevent hydrostatic build-up. Nine discussions were held between Rand slope ranging between 2,5 % and 5 %. compartments drain separately to facilitate Water and Mogale City. Both JW and Rand The site is underlain by granitic rocks the tracing of leaks. Water have investigated the options for of the Basement Complex as exposed in Water is fed into the reservoir via a maximising the use of the Weltevreden the Johannesburg–Pretoria Dome. The 1 600 mm diameter steel pipe running Reservoir and integrating it within the reservoir is sunk into the ground and the through the wall above the floor slab. The existing system without compromising the perimeter walls are backfilled so that ap- pipe is supported on pedestals and inside current level of service. Further expansion proximately the top metre of the reservoir the reservoir changes from a steel to a to the proposed Weltevreden Reservoir only will be visible at the end of construc- GRP pipe which is routed to some distance System was also mentioned and inves- tion. With a plan area of 12 170 m2, the before taking a right angled turn and tigated to a limited stage. Both JW and reservoir has 187 columns supporting a extending further away. Extraction is via Mogale City have indicated support for post-tensioned prestressed roof. The floor a sump some distance away and opposite the reservoir and were satisfied with the is also for the most part post-tensioned to the position of entrance of the pipe proposed operating expansion method- with the sloping portion of the floor being through the wall. This routing of the inlet ology. JW has subsequently provided Rand flat at approximately 20 degrees from the pipe ensures circulation of the water. Water with the estimated current and horizontal. The perimeter wall is a rein- Construction started in May 2007 future water demands for the Weltevreden forced concrete wall of the cantilevered and the reservoir is due for completion in Reservoir System, including the Mogale type 4,5 m high. March 2009.

Civil Engineering | June 2008 49 1

Cape Town Terminal expansion on track

Cape Town Container Terminal’s R4,2 billion expansion ■ Replacement of the old ship-to-shore cranes with Super Post programme is moving full steam ahead since commencing mid- Panamax cranes with twin lift capability January 2008, despite early delays from the strong ‘Cape Doctor’ ■ Increasing stack capacity by moving from straddle carriers to a wind which hampered the terminal’s productivity earlier this rubber tyred gantry crane (RTG) operation year. A crane erection site will be assembled at the terminal during Transnet’s Port Terminals Business Unit Executive, Oscar 2008. The site will be used for the delivery and assembly of two Borchards, said subcontractors at the country’s second largest new Liebherr ship-to-shore cranes that are scheduled to arrive container terminal were working hard to meet the port oper- in June 2008. Eight new ship-to-shore cranes will replace the ator’s forecast capacity improvement from 740,000 TEUs to current fleet of four Demag and two Noell cranes at the terminal, 1,4 million TEUs by the end of 2012. while half of the new Liebherr fleet is expected to be in place by ‘We are currently blasting hard rock and initial earthworks December 2008. are in progress. Danish subcontractor Rohde Nielsen has also Before the end of 2008, the terminal marshalling yard will be completed soft dredging works at berth 601 as part of the converted to a staging area. move to enable larger vessels to pass through the harbour,’ says The deepening of the first berth, 601, is expected to be com- Borchards. pleted in February 2009. It will swing into operation at its new The key aspects of the project are: depth of 15,5 m and will be served by the first four Liebherr ship- ■ Construction of a deeper terminal with new quay wall suitable to-shore cranes. for Super Post Panamax cranes Remaining berths 602 to 604, together with the Ben

50 Civil Engineering | June 2008 2 1 The current fleet of four Demag and two Noell cranes which will be replaced by eight new Liebherr ship-to-shore cranes as part of the CTCT expansion programme. The Leibherr cranes are scheduled to arrive in June 2008 2 and 3 The project includes the demolition of non- essential infrastructure and buildings and reconfiguration of the terminal stacking area to maximise stack capacity

Schoeman Basin, will be deepened to 15,5 m. These works will be carried out in sections throughout the five-year programme by a consortium comprising WHBO and locally based Civil and Coastal. This staggered approach will ensure that overall terminal productivity be maintained during the construction programme. ‘We are slowly but steadily transforming the container ter- 3 minal into a modern four-berth facility that is able to cater for larger new-generation vessels, which require more water and upgraded quay facilities,’ says Borchards. A major aspect of the expansion programme is the move from straddle carriers to an RTG operation. The cranes will be a huge first for the Western Cape, given that Pier 1 in Durban is the only other terminal to boast these world-class cranes. The RTG contract is due to be awarded in June 2008 and the delivery of the first RTGs is expected to commence in mid-2009. By the end of the expansion programme in 2012, the Cape Town Container Terminal will boast no fewer than 32 RTGs with ergonomic features to enhance operators’ comfort and productivity, including an air-conditioned driver’s cabin at the top of the crane. The cranes will span five containers and a roadway and are capable of stacking five high. They will be supplied with a GPS which will update the operating system as each container is stacked in its specific location. A team of trainers, already trained by Sri Lankan experts at Pier 1 in Durban, will be tasked with passing on their skills and knowledge to lifting equipment operators at the Cape Town Container Terminal. Once the first RTGs arrive next year, they will be used to offer further operator training within the terminal environment. In its entirety, the Cape Town Container Terminal expansion project includes the demolition of non-essential infrastructure and buildings, reconfiguration of the terminal to maximise stack capacity, a reefer-point expansion programme, and extension of the quayline by 10 m to accommodate the new gantry cranes. Borchards said Transnet Port Terminals was currently diverting container vessels with their own ships’ gear to Cape Town’s Multipurpose Terminal to maintain productivity. In addition two additional berths, berth 502 and 700, are being used to cater for vessels with their own ships’ gear. The five-year construction programme is an element of parent company Transnet Ltd’s R28 billion investment in port- related projects, from an overall R78 billion planned for investment over the next five years to decrease mounting pressure on the country’s port system.

INFO

Oscar Borchards BU: Cape Town Container Terminal Transnet Port Terminals [email protected]

Civil Engineering | June 2008 51 Anglian Water’s biggest ever project

THE FINALISATION of the Wing Pipe stringing preparation during construction Extension Project is Anglian Water’s biggest ever project, providing drinking an alternative habitat for wildlife during water to over a million people. periods of lowered reservoir levels. They One of the leading providers of water also constructed additional dams in the and wastewater services in the United existing reservoirs to maintain water levels Kingdom, Anglian Water is located in the in bays during lowered levels in the main east of England and serves the needs of reservoirs. around six million industrial, commercial The legal environmental protection on and domestic customers. the project placed considerable limitations Andrew Jordaan from Mott Macdonald on the design team. Fortunately these ob- Engineers became involved in the Wing stacles did not present any problems while Extension Project nearly two years ago. He working in Civil Designer. produced the preliminary and final designs ‘The program automatically picked for 40 km of the new pipeline on a South up the long sections off the DTM without African infrastructure software design any user intervention. We used the aerial package, Civil Designer. pictures as a background and placed the Andrew is a South African civil engi- contours and cadastral plans over it to plan neer with extensive experience in various and plot the routes. The pipelines were high-level projects. When the opportunity laid across agricultural land and involved arose to practise these skills at the UK- crossings of railways, roads and rivers. based Mott MacDonald, he grabbed the ‘The software was therefore instru- opportunity with both hands and hasn’t in 1975 to store and provide water for mental in helping us complete the prelimi- looked back since. treatment in the supply of domestic and nary designs, feasibility studies and DTM The Wing Water Treatment Works commercial users. Prior to the commence- which extended into the final design for extension began in 2005 when Anglian ment of the project, the existing pipelines the tunnel crossings of the major roads and Water indicated its plans to abstract more and water treatment works were capable railways,’ explains Andrew. water from Rutland Water and extend of taking up to 75 % of the amount of The construction of the water treat- the existing water treatment works at water that Anglian Water was permitted ment works and the laying of the pipelines the Wing for further water supply to the by license. With the proposed extensions, will be completed in March 2010. It will population. With the emergence of 90 000 Anglian Water will be able to extract up supply an average of 50 million litres per additional homes, the project finally got off to the full licensed amount from Rutland day, rising to 90 million liters per day the ground. Water. at peak times. In addition, work for the Andrew explains: ‘Anglian Water had Rutland Water’s wetland area is pro- wetlands will be completed by November to extend its existing water treatment tected by law as a special protection area. 2010. works at the Wing to provide drinking Owing to this legal environmental protec- According to Andrew, the project will water to meet the increase in consumption, Anglian Water is obligated to ensure remain a highlight in his working career. tion. This meant that the new underground that future plans for water provision incor- INFO pipelines had to be laid from Rutland porate the protection of special wildlife of Water to the Wing extension and from the the reservoir. Charles Scott Wing to Kettering via Corby.’ The team of designers therefore cre- T 021-701-1850 Rutland Water was built as a reservoir ated additional lagoons and wetlands as [email protected]

Civil Engineering | June 2008 53 Boost for safer crane operations

IN A FASCINATING EXERCISE, tions, stacking, de-stacking and loading containers and other cargo are being of- containers onto private transport in the floaded from ships in Durban harbour stacking yard and overcoming operational using the latest cranes – without the ves- challenges like drop boxes, high wind sels actually being in the terminal. speeds and container swaying. Using cutting-edge technology in Louis du Toit, business unit execu- the form of state-of-the-art computers tive at the Transnet Academy – School and giant screens inside a 40 ft shipping of Port Operations, said the advanced container, a make-believe situation is system replaced the outdated crane created to help crane operators at Pier 1 simulator previously used at the Transnet Container Terminal in Durban practise National Ports Authority School of Port challenging manoeuvres involving heavy Operations. and expensive cranes. The technology ‘We are currently training 24 RTG enables the simulation of weather condi- operators and 12 STS crane operators at tions, environment and situations that Pier 1. However, the facility is mobile and cannot be safely replicated using tradi- will eventually be moved to Port Elizabeth tional training methods. where critical training will be provided Durban Port simulator South African port operator Transnet to operators for work at the new Port of Port Terminals recently partnered with Ngqura,’ he said. and they are starting to recognise major African National Engineering – the local Ash Ramnath, systems analyst at Port growth in shipping and construction.’ agent for GlobalSim, a world leader in Terminals, will work closely with African GlobalSim’s simulators are found in simulation training systems for the crane- National Engineering to ensure the simu- several major ports worldwide. In the and material-handling market. lator will be transported safely and set up past five years, the company has delivered The partnership has seen the intro- for training in Ngqura. 86 simulators to customers at ports in duction of the R6,7 million MasterLift ‘We expect that all crane operators at Marseilles, New York, Los Angeles, Long 4000 advanced training simulator at Pier Transnet Port Terminals will be exposed Beach, Hamburg, Tacoma, Le Havre, 1. The high-tech software and hardware to the simulator at some stage or another,’ Oakland and Antwerpen. system is a dual function simulator inte- said Du Toit. The port of Hamburg’s limited ac- grating two models – a Liebherr P171L Previously, RTG training was car- cess to actual cranes for training was ship-to-shore (STS) Crane and a Kalmar ried out at Pier 1 by Port Management also remedied by GlobalSim’s MasterLift E1 rubber tired gantry (RTG) crane. Container Services or Aitken Spence, but 4000 system, which has replaced 60 % of Willie Coetsee, operations training the simulator will now enable the School Hamburg’s need for training hours on live manager at Transnet Port Terminals, said of Port Operations’ own instructors to cranes. The port has subsequently reduced the simulator was introduced to increase conduct the training. live crane training by 50 % and saved thou- the safety and efficiency of critical crane Refresher training for existing op- sands of euros in fuel, maintenance and operations at South African ports. erators will also be introduced at Pier other crane-related operating costs. ‘The MasterLif 4000 system consists 1 and the Durban Container Terminal. Some benefits of the MasterLif 4000 of a simulated training environment for The actual training of a new recruit cur- system are: a trainee operator and a monitoring sta- rently takes a total of twelve weeks. It is ■ Reduced overall training time and re- tion for the facilitator and three students. estimated that a maximum of five days on fresher training for veteran operators Operators are able to hone their skills in the simulator will reduce training time ■ Comprehensive training when live order to achieve set productivity targets, by at least two weeks, if not more. Actual equipment is unavailable without interrupting normal operations training time will vary depending on indi- ■ Reduced costs and accidents involving or causing millions of rands worth of vidual ability. novice operators on expensive equip- damage to equipment,’ he said. Scott Huntsman, president and CEO ment Coetsee said the system enables of GlobalSim, said: ‘We see this pro- ■ Repetitive practice of hazardous or crane operators to carry out simulation gramme as a significant step in opening life-threatening scenarios that would be exercises including loading and unloading up the continent of Africa to advanced dangerous and impractical to practise a vessel under various weather condi- training tools. Africa has many ports live.

Civil Engineering | June 2008 55 AD V ERT O RIA L Recycling our roads

Roads are expensive and use a lot of raw ■ Developments in cold in-place recycling and its resources, the Aggregate and Sand materials to construct. But few people realise that of damaged granular pavements, utilising Producers Association of South Africa (ASPASA) our blacktops are completely recyclable – and emulsions and foamed bitumen, has encour- has declared its commitment to sustainability re-using asphalt, as well as other waste mate- aged the re-use of existing materials through by balancing economic growth, environmental rials, to build new roads will save South Africa bitumen stabilisation. At the same time cold equilibrium and social performance. a great deal of money and precious resources, in-place recycling will have a significant im- In a recent publication ASPASA made it clear writes Trevor Distin, CEO of the Southern African pact on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emis- that effective sustainability should enjoy the Bitumen Association (Sabita). sions, energy consumption and the industry’s total buy-in of all stakeholders (industry, authori- The accelerating depletion of the full spec- carbon footprint ties, labour and the community) and that these trum of the earth’s natural resources – from oil to ■ The versatility of hot mix asphalt fosters the controls and regulations should be enforced to aggregates and clean air – relentlessly raises the use of a wide range of materials that would create an equitable, enabling environment for spectre of a compromised world in which future otherwise be classed as waste. These include sustainability. generations are unable to match availability to steel slag, rubber from scrapped tyres which A major focus area for sustainability is the necessity. are crumbed for modification of bitumen, control of GHGs. A recent paper by the French- This frightening prospect, which calls into cellulose fibres and even glass – all of which based Colas Group, focusing on the contribution question the responsibility of current political have acceptable engineering properties ap- of the road construction and transport industries and industrial leaders towards a long-term future, propriate to new asphalt mixes. It is important to the emission of GHGs, concluded that: has, alongside the rising awareness of climate to note that these materials, including the RAP ■ Energy consumption and GHG emissions change, given rise to a burgeoning world-wide itself, remains 100 % recyclable, and may be linked to pavement construction are much trend towards sustainable practices in the utilisa- re-used again and again less than those caused by total cumulative tion of resources. ■ A resource which is seldom mentioned in this traffic using the road during its life (less than At an increasing rate, the same process scenario is the rapid depletion of landfill sites. 1 % in the case of bituminous and semi-rigid is taking place in South Africa, and one of the As a primary user of thousands of tons of ma- pavements carrying moderate and high levels leaders in this field is Sabita, which has already terials, all of which can be recycled time and of traffic) started establishing protocols and industry again, the hot mix asphalt industry is a major ■ For hot mix bituminous pavements, the two standards for recycling asphalt pavements – one contributor to the process of minimising the main processes responsible for GHG emissions of the few industrial materials that is 100 % proliferation of landfills are binder and asphalt manufacture. However, recyclable. ■ The environmental degradation caused by in the case of reinforced concrete pavements The motive is to ensure the perpetuation of gravel roads is recognised as a serious problem the main processes responsible are cement South Africa’s hot mix asphalt and road construc- in South Africa, where the majority of our rural and steel manufacture tion industry and thus ensure the sustainability roads are unsurfaced. The demand for regular ■ For new pavements, the most polluting struc- of our industry. To achieve this objective will re-gravelling places immense pressure on the tures are reinforced concrete and the least demand that today’s leaders act today in order to environment for the ongoing supply of gravel, polluting are those using bitumen emulsion ensure the availability of product for tomorrow, dust from these roads has adverse effects on technology but there are also numerous downstream ben- both roadside crops and the health and life- ■ For rehabilitation, in-situ bitumen emulsion efits. These include: style of residents living close to passing traffic, recycling is the process that consumes the ■ Improved cost-effectiveness in the construc- and the heavy machine use demanded by least energy and contributes least to the tion and maintenance of road networks; by ongoing reshaping and re-gravelling adds sig- greenhouse effect incorporating reclaimed asphalt pavements nificantly to costly fuel usage and the emission Sabita currently has several far-reaching initia- (RAP) in new asphalt mixes, the road owners of GHGs. All these problems could be avoided tives under way to improve the technologies are using materials they already own. While through cost-effective surfacing – which appropriate to sustainability, introduce and RAP provides a ready source of reusable ag- would also have the benefit of reducing road entrench protocols aimed at maximising gregate, it also provides additional bitumen user costs and hence the price of consumer resource utilisation and optimise both the re- binder, thus reducing the demand for non- goods, and promoting cheaper mobility for use of existing asphalt and the introduction of renewable virgin raw materials. RAP replaces rural residents products currently regarded as waste. large amounts of virgin aggregate (which con- Like Sabita, which is committed to providing These projects are grounded in a commit- stitutes around 95 % of the volume of hot mix an adequate and efficient transport system ment throughout the bituminous products asphalt) when used in new asphalt mixes with minimum impact on the environment industry to responsible best practice, which

Civil Engineering | June 2008 57 demands that we ensure that bottom line tured and placed at ambient temperatures has not always been vindicated by experience profit is not pursued at the expense of existing by emulsifying the bitumen with chemically with this type of pavement in South Africa. It health, safety and environmental concerns, nor treated water, with significant reduction in is also true that high modulus asphalt tech- of the long-term viability of the industry. GHG emissions nology is currently available, which elevates But several misconceptions about the ■ Additives can also be added to the bitumen the traffic-carrying capacities of asphalt pave- sustainability of road pavement materials need during the manufacture of asphalt to reduce ments to levels previously unattainable to be cleared up to ensure that decision-makers the mixing and paving temperatures by up ■ Concrete is not economically viable as a cost- are able to reach informed conclusions when to 40 °C effective pavement for low trafficked roads allocating funding: ■ During an analysis period of, say, 40 years, it because of its high initial cost ■ When making a comparison between asphalt may be true that a concrete pavement would ■ Up to 80 % of Southern Africa’s flexible pave- and concrete to determine their respective only require limited, periodic maintenance ments are surfaced with a bituminous surface energy consumption and GHG emissions, life- and repair measures. An asphalt pavement, on treatment as opposed to asphalt or concrete, cycle inventories covering the entire process the other hand, will normally be designed to due to their cost-effectiveness from the manufacture of the raw component undergo periodic rehabilitation or strength- In the environment of diminishing resources and materials to the construction of the final pave- ening in the form of overlays. This staged increasing costs in which the road construction ment need to be carried out. Such inventories construction, typical of asphalt pavements, is sector operates, and given South Africa’s over- studies have shown clearly that ashalt pave- a major financial or economic advantage, for riding need to facilitate cost-effective infrastruc- ments are more environmentally friendly than both taxpayers and investors in concessioned ture provision, a duty of care must be borne by rigid pavements (concrete) highways industry associations such as Sabita to ensure ■ Although the manufacture and construction ■ Full-depth asphalt pavements, known as that decision-makers at all levels have accurate, of a reinforced concrete pavement is a cold perpetual pavements, can be constructed (US up-to-date, and relevant information. Sabita has process, the manufacture of cement and steel and Europe) to ensure longer life and lower now undertaken to facilitate a thorough analysis is carried out at temperatures of up to 1 600 °C maintenance costs over the full design life of of all the issues outlined above. The resulting ■ Asphalt is mixed and laid at temperatures the structure information will be presented in an objective way above 130 ,°C and the bitumen itself is distilled ■ The perception that concrete pavements have and disseminated for the guidance of both gov- at a temperature below 375 °.C However, a traffic-carrying capacity significantly in ex- ernment and industry – and the ultimate benefit bituminous materials can also be manufac- cess of that associated with asphalt pavements of all road users.

58 Civil Engineering | June 2008 Traffic control centres for Limpopo

SSI Engineers and Environmental better load distribution over all the axles Consultants in joint venture (JV) with and the vehicle released back onto the Asch Consulting Engineers have entered highway – or until the transport operator the construction supervision phase of a sends another vehicle to carry the excess multi-million contract awarded by the goods and its payload returns to within South African National Roads Agency legal limits. Limited (SANRAL) for the design and If the payload is in violation of the supervision of three hi-tech traffic control legal limit, the vehicle will be obliged to centres in Limpopo Province. undergo a roadworthy test to determine The R170 million project includes whether it is roadworthy in its overloaded two traffic control centres – including state. Depending on the severity of the weighbridges and holding areas – serving findings, the vehicle may not be allowed both directions of the Limpopo N1 and back onto the road until it is repaired on R101 and a satellite traffic control centre site or towed to a repair facility. Both the without a holding bay on the intersection overloading and roadworthy transgres- of the N11 and R101. sions are logged onto the system and must The facilities use weigh-in-motion be corrected by the truck operator before technology underneath the surface of the vehicle can be released. the road to alert road officials to possible The satellite traffic control centre on payload infringements. By weighing the the N11 employs weigh-in-motion sensors force of each axle, officials can determine to identify potentially overloaded vehicles. whether the vehicle is within statutory These vehicles are fitted with electronic limits. tracking tags and directed to the N1 fa- As a vehicle approaches the N1 and cility for static weighing. R101 traffic control centres, its registra- The electronics systems were designed tion plate is scanned and a digital image by specialist sub-consultants Techso and of the vehicle is captured. After driving are among a new generation of hi-tech over the weigh-in-motion sensors in a controls for traffic control centres. All screener lane, the vehicle’s weight is cap- incoming data is captured on a central tured and added to the record. If payload processing system that collates infor- violation is indicated, the automated mation from the various sub-systems system manipulates traffic lights and to create a comprehensive database of booms, directing the truck to the static vehicle loading (and overloading) infor- scale area, where it is weighed again and mation. This, in turn, allows SANRAL to its registration and image are again cap- manage its infrastructure more efficiently. tured and married to the existing record. The system will be linked to the If there is indeed a weight infringement, Department of Transport’s National the system routes the vehicle to a holding Traffic Information System (eNaTIS) area where its load can be repacked for database.

Civil Engineering | June 2008 59 People

1 2 3 4

BRYAN PERRIE NEW MD OF C&CI the development of the computer program 1 Bryan Perrie Bryan Perrie has been appointed man- cncPave for the design of concrete roads. 2 Stuart Knight has been appointed managing aging director of the Cement & Concrete In addition to many papers and director of Liviero Civils (Pty) Ltd Institute (C&CI) in succession to Dr publications, Perrie is joint author of 3 Charles Wright has been appointed Graham Grieve, who is retiring. Concrete industrial floors on the ground contracts director at Liviero Civils (Pty) Ltd Perrie (52) is regarded as one of South and author of Low-volume concrete roads 4 Violet Mphafudi Africa’s top authorities on concrete pave- and Concrete intersections. He has also ments and is internationally held in high written sections of Fulton’s concrete tech- of workers from these communities. So regard for his expertise in this field. He is nology. successful has she been, that her original the C&CI’s concrete roads project leader workforce of 42 people has doubled to over and was also, prior to his new appoint- BUSINESSWOMAN HONOURED 80. Women make up 40 % of her staff – a ment, technical manager of the Institute. Entrepreneur Violet Mphafudi has proved fact of which she is very proud. He obtained his BSc Eng (Civ) degree that labour-enhanced road surfacing is Sabita CEO Trevor Distin said at Wits in 1977 and his MSc Eng degree the way to go in order to upgrade gravel Mphafudi and her company are a shining from the same university in 1995. His dis- roads in previously disadvantaged areas example of how emerging contractors sertation was entitled ‘Testing of curing and create thousands of sustainable jobs. can make an enormous difference in the compounds for concrete’. Violet, who is managing director of upgrading of gravel roads to a surfaced He joined the C&CI in 1984 as paving Vioflo Services (Pty) Ltd, has been named standard by optimising the employment engineer after working for Murray & as the recipient of the 2007 Sabita Award of labour from local communities without Roberts Road and Earthworks. Part of his for Outstanding Achievement in Asphalt compromising on the cost vis-à-vis duties at the C&CI subsequently included Technology which was conferred by the conventional mechanical methods or the responsibility for the cement monitoring Southern African Bitumen Association quality of the finished product. activities of the Institute. In 1994, he (Sabita) for her sterling employment of ‘We hope that by recognising Violet was appointed technical manager of the labour-enhanced methods to upgrade and her endeavours we will inspire more C&CI, carrying responsibility for all the some 40 km of gravel roads to a surfaced entrepreneurs like her all over South technical operations. standard in the Hammanskraal and Africa and spur all levels of government At the beginning of 1999 – following surrounding townships of the Tshwane into recognising the immense value that the C&CI structural shift from a purely Metro over the past nine months. labour-enhanced methods can play in technical to a technical marketing or- Mphafudi (44), a mother of three, com- road provision, but also in creating and ganisation – Perrie was appointed roads menced a three-year tender to rehabilitate sustaining a great many jobs. Every town project leader to increase the market share and maintain roads in the Hammanskraal needs a Violet, if not several Violets. for concrete in road applications. He was and Mabopane areas in May last year. By ‘In Violet, we have a worthy recipient of instrumental in the establishment of the using hand-operated machinery and a the Sabita Award. We are delighted at her Road Pavements Forum (to which road surfacing methodology developed by the success and determination, and we wish practitioners are invited twice annually Johannesburg-based company Tarfix, she her all of the very best in every challenge for updates on new developments) and for has been able to employ a large number she tackles in future,’ said Distin.

Civil Engineering | June 2008 61 h ist o r y and h eritage

Past Master 17 Sir John Coode

Several engineers have had a 1 1 Sir John Coode lasting influence on the well-being of 2 The breakwater under construction Cape Town – one thinks of Stewart, 3 Prince Alfred tips the first load of stone to Lloyd-Davies, Shand and Morris – but start construction of the breakwater for Cape few have been as influential as Sir John Town’s harbour Coode. It was his plan for the progressive development of the Table Bay Harbour could be implemented within an affordable complex which eventually led to the recla- annual expenditure. He conceived the idea mation of the foreshore and thus doubled of a breakwater into the bay from the site the effective area of the CBD. Coode also of the Chavonnes Battery, which would made a huge contribution to the develop- protect an inner dock and thereafter an ment of the harbours at East London and outer basin. It was still an expensive plan Durban and had a hand in the design of for the cash-strapped colony, but the Cape most other South African ports. politicians were ready to approve it. Coode was born in Bodmin, Cornwall, Opposition came from the representa- in 1816 and became a pupil of the well- to South Africa. tives of the Eastern Cape who, with some known harbour engineer James Walker. At In the 1850s South Africa was gradu- justification, believed that too much of the the time artificial harbours were virtually ally emerging from its pre-colonial back- fragile colonial budget was spent on Cape unknown, as most ports were situated in wardness. Michell (PM 2) and Montagu Town. It was only when Grey proposed river mouths or coves. At this early stage (PM 5) had – literally – paved the way with that Prince Alfred – eldest son of the of his career Coode attracted attention by their roads and passes. Now, with a new Queen – should launch the scheme that personally developing and using diving representative government and a progres- Victorian and Empire loyalty overcame apparatus to investigate underwater sive governor in Sir George Grey, thoughts local prejudice, and the vote was passed. conditions for breakwater design. After turned to railways and harbours. The works for the Alfred Basin began qualifying he joined the practice of another The roadstead in Table Bay had always in 1860 with due pomp and ceremony, famous harbour pioneer, James Rendel, been treacherous; with the increase in and the first load for the breakwater was and was appointed Resident Engineer for trade, the threat of further disasters was tipped by the young prince. The works the huge Portland Harbour project south ever prevalent. More practically perhaps, were without doubt the most extensive and of Weymouth, Dorset, which is still one the age of steam had arrived and the Cape technically difficult ever undertaken in the of the largest expanses of water in the had become an important coaling sta- colony. Blasting techniques, diving ma- world enclosed by breakwaters. When tion, but refuelling by means of jetties and chines, cranes and steam machinery were Rendel died in 1856 Coode was appointed lighters was slow, dirty and inefficient. employed for the first time, and a broad- Engineer-in-Chief, and within a few years Under British rule individuals and groups gauge railway was laid to carry stone to the he was recognised as the leading authority began campaigning for a safe and practical breakwater. The Robinson Dry Dock, one on artificial harbours. The project took 23 harbour, and eventually the authorities of the best facilities of its kind in the world years to complete, after which Coode was realised that the public had a sound case. at the time, was added in 1882. knighted for his services. A well-known engineer, Captain James Coode visited the Colony several The first president of SAICE, John Vetch, drew up preliminary plans, but the times to check progress and to keep in Brown, served his pupillage under Coode proposals were too expensive. Whitehall touch with his Chief Resident Engineer, on the Portland Harbour works but we do then turned to the acknowledged expert, Thomas Andrews. Whatever the actual not know whether this connection led him Coode, who produced a scheme which cost, the outcome was soon justified. After

62 Civil Engineering | June 2008 the docks were officially opened in 1870 Master in 1852. He planned to narrow the sign expert and coastal engineer. Coode’s – again by Prince Alfred, by now Duke of mouth of the bay by building breakwa- plan was supported by the Colonial Office, Edinburgh – the wharves were soon filled ters from the Point and the Bluff. Work and again there was debate, dithering and with shipping, and Cape Town became a started on the North Pier, but Lieutenant- deadlock. Eventually Coode decided he port of preference. Coode was forthwith Governor Scott, who fancied himself as had had enough, and he withdrew from the commissioned to extend the breakwater an engineer, decided that Milne’s scheme scheme. and proceed with the larger Victoria was flawed and dismissed him. For sev- A new engineer, Cathcart Methven, Basin. These works took place between enteen years Scott fiddled around with was appointed, and after further delays 1883 and 1893, by which stage Cape Town his own plans and built two useless piers, and interference he implemented what was had a sizeable and viable terminal for wasting some £100 000 of public money in effect Coode’s scheme. After more than the growing overseas trade. But Coode without making any improvement to the fifty years of controversy, Durban could at foresaw that more wharfage would be nec- harbour. A board of enquiry was then ap- last take its place among the great ports of essary, and he had ideas for a large basin pointed under the chairmanship of Harry the world. south of his existing works. These were Escombe, but accomplished little. But Coode’s colonial works were not lim- implemented after his death in 1892, and Escombe realised that a viable harbour ited to South Africa and he is acclaimed in time the giant Duncan Dock was built would really put Durban on the map, and for the harbours at Melbourne, Freemantle as an extension to his original concept. he became the champion of a drive to sort and – what is generally considered his Meanwhile it had become time for the out the problems at the mouth of the bay. masterpiece – at Colombo, Ceylon (now Eastern Cape to get its fair share of devel- He went back to John Milne, now 74 years Sri Lanka). As president of the ICE he opment capital. With the improvement old, to help him with his vision. promoted the notion that young British in local finances through the discovery of At this stage, in 1871, Coode was ap- engineers would best gain experience by diamonds, and the consequent increase pointed by the Colonial Office to investi- service in the colonies, and this may well in trade, Coode was appointed in 1870 to gate a solution. His first plan did not find have influenced a number of engineers to report on all ports and harbours in the favour with Milne. There was a long and come to South Africa and eventually to Colony. He duly planned improvements bitter controversy culminating in Coode settle here. Although he may not have been to the facilities at Port Alfred, Knysna and producing a second, more elaborate plan resident in South Africa, we can only agree Mossel Bay. For Port Elizabeth he designed in 1877. This one was not acceptable to that his impact on this country was huge the north and south jetties and a retaining Escombe, who was by now a member of and permanent. wall to train the Baakens River and the Legislative Assembly and was also be- improve scour. These were constructed ginning to set himself up as a harbour de- Tony Murray between 1876 and 1881. Anchorage in the Buffalo River at 2 East London was hindered, in common with most South African rivers, by a sand bar across the mouth. Before Coode arrived in 1870 some work on a breakwater had been done by Woodford Pilkington, the Assistant Colonial Engineer. Coode continued with this and also built training walls along the river banks to improve the river current, which would then scour out the channel. It took twelve years to establish a navigable channel, by which time wharfs had also been built to improve 3 landing arrangements. When Coode visited the works in 1881 the value of imports had risen from £21 000 in 1869 to £2 115 000. Improvements continued, but the greatest impact was made when Coode recommended that a suction dredger be acquired. TheLucy , acquired in 1886, deepened the river channel and kept the sand bar open, and proved the final factor in making East London an important port. Durban Harbour also had difficulties with a sand bar, but here there was an additional problem – interfering politicians. The first efforts to control the sand bar were made by John Milne, a Scottish engineer who accepted the position of Harbour

Civil Engineering | June 2008 63 IN BRIEF catchments is still lacking,’ she said. ‘Extensive been heralded as a global precedent in the international experience in design methods struggle for the basic human right to water. and tools is available and this experience, par- The City of Johannesburg is expected to ap- ticularly in the field of alternative stormwater peal the judgment and residents realise that management, needs to be adapted to South ‘the struggle will not end anytime soon’, re- African conditions.’ ports IRIN, the humanitarian news and analysis SOUTH AFRICA FACING Jay Bhagwan, WRC Director: Water Use service of the UN Office for the Coordination of and Waste Management Key Strategic Area, Humanitarian Affairs. URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT indicates however that the research and ‘Water is life, sanitation is dignity – this research capacity in this subject area has case is about the fundamental right to have CHALLENGE dwindled over the past years. He says the access to sufficient water and the right to continuous change in demographics in resi- human dignity,’ said Judge Moroa Tsoka in PRESSURE IS BEING PLACED on urban water dential settlement patterns, from high density the Johannesburg High Court. management systems in South Africa as a to low density and from high income and In a class-action suit, five residents of result of the accelerated provision of housing, low income, is requiring more innovative and Phiri, one of Soweto’s poorest townships, water and sanitation to previously unserviced affordable technological interventions. Many asked the court to order the city to provide sectors of the population, together with the studies are now beginning to focus on the at least 50 litres of free water per person per rapid rise in urban, commercial and residential impacts of low-income, high-density urban day, double what they currently receive but developments. settlements on stormwater runoff. Bhagwan the basic minimum prescribed by the World A recent project says in its report entitled also highlights that lack of attention and Health Organisation. Strategic guidance towards prioritising storm- investment in drainage is resulting in rapid They also asked that they be given the water management research in human settle- deterioration and ageing of infrastructure. choice of an ordinary credit water meter ments that a number of projects classified as Further upgrading is required to accommo- instead of the prepaid system imposed by the top priority are to be undertaken to deal with date growing settlements. city, on which the court ruled in their favour the growing challenge relating to stormwater Burke went on to add that approaches as well. management in human settlements. have now been developed to enable com- ‘The case is the first in which a South The Water Research Commission (WRC) munities to assist in the decision-making proc- African court has come out in favour of the commissioned a specific needs analysis esses that link socio-economic, environmental poor. It sets a global precedent; it shows study in 2005 to identify research needs in and technical/engineering aspects related the defects of prepaid water meters, which urban stormwater drainage and sanitation. A to water and waste management issues, in- require people to pay in advance, which dis- follow-up project was commissioned in 2006 cluding stormwater. criminates against the poor,’ Ashfaq Khalfan, to identify additional needs and to prioritise She added, however, that while storm- Coordinator of the Right to Water Programme these within the context of urban water man- water quality and the sources of pollutants of the Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions agement. have been widely researched, the component (CHORE), told IRIN. According to Jacky Burke, lead researcher dealing with how to effectively manage these CHORE, a Geneva-based non-govern- on the study from SRK Consulting (SRK), the aspects for environmental and socio-eco- mental organisation (NGO) that campaigns for two main components of the study were an nomic well-being has many gaps. the protection of housing rights, had joined assessment of the current stormwater manage- Several options for treating stormwater the High Court proceedings as a ‘friend of the ment situation in local government, followed are available, but the applicability on a wide court’, which allows an independent party to by a prioritisation of future research needs that scale in South Africa has not yet been assessed introduce useful information relating to the would lead to improvements. ‘Two main cri- adequately. So far, the focus in South Africa case, with the permission of the court. teria crucial to stormwater management were on re-use of stormwater has largely been on The UN suggests that in most cases 50 identified as institutional arrangements and re-use in industry and the mining sector and litres of water a day is insufficient. During available resources.’ via infiltration to groundwater. However, alter- his submissions in December 2007, Wim Seventeen top priority needs were rec- native re-use options used internationally may Trengove, advocate for the Phiri residents, ognised. A further evaluation of these needs provide sustainable solutions to stormwater said international research showed that across identified seven as sector needs rather than management in South Africa. the globe in areas comparable to South Africa research needs falling within the ambit of the between 150 and 400 litres a day per person WRC. These sector needs fall under, among was the norm. others, the Department of Water Affairs and ‘This decision will be an immense boost Forestry, the SA Local Government Association, to poor communities in South Africa and else- the Department of Provincial and Local where. It is a warning shot against attempts Government, the Institution of Municipal to forcibly impose prepaid water systems on Engineering of Southern Africa, and the Water COURT RULING ON WATER the poor elsewhere in Africa and globally,’ Information Network of South Africa. Khalfan said. Burke says that research has been done lo- SETS ‘GLOBAL PRECEDENT’ The judgment incorporates the best of cally and internationally on urban stormwater South African jurisprudence, international in general. ‘Although the physical and chem- A LANDMARK HIGH COURT RULING against a law and comparative jurisprudence, a CHORE ical aspects of stormwater runoff appear to be multimillion-dollar prepaid water scheme in statement said. ‘It creates a useful precedent well understood, specific knowledge of local South Africa’s largest township, Soweto, has for litigation globally.’

Civil Engineering | June 2008 65 Unconstitutional and unlawful of prepayment meters seems to me to be James said the prepaid system had been Johannesburg Water, the utility owned by credit control. If this is true, I am unable to put into operation because it ‘would allow the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan understand why this credit control measure residents to control their consumption’ and Municipality, started installing prepaid water is only suitable in the historically poor black thus benefit the poor, as water would cost meters in Phiri in 2003, and the argument over areas and not the historically rich white areas. them nothing if they used only the free whether this was constitutional or not has Bad payers cannot be described in terms of allocation. With more than 78 000 meters been running since then. colour or geographical area,’ he maintained. installed to date, the new system had thus far The prepaid meters, deemed ‘uncon- saved 52 billion litres of water. stitutional and unlawful’ by the court, auto- Underlying problem not solved According to the City of Johannesburg matically disconnect the water supply once Virgil James, spokesman for the City of website, households used 66 000 litres per a household has used up the 6 000 free litres Johannesburg, said ‘the implication [of the month in 2003. This had dropped by a stag- given by the city. The connection remains ruling] is huge’. gering 81 % per user to 12 000 litres per severed unless the user can afford to top up. The prepaid system was part of a larger month in 2007. ‘To expect the applicants to restrict their scheme called operation Gcin’amanzi, James said the prepaid meters ‘should water usage, to compromise their health by meaning ‘save water’, to improve and expand not be seen as a punitive measure; residents limiting the number of toilet flushes in order Soweto’s ageing waterworks. ‘The idea is to in other areas also pay for use with conven- to save water, is to deny them the rights to save water – there have been huge water tional meters. If they don’t pay, they also get health and to lead a dignified lifestyle,’ Judge problems over the years. It’s about upgrading cut off.’ Tsoka ruled. the whole system in Soweto,’ James told IRIN. He remarked that ‘there is a culture of Tsoka argued that it contravened the ‘The problem for the city had been non-payment throughout the whole city. ‘right to equality’ if some Johannesburg the large amount water that was unac- Water in Soweto had never been metered residents – those with regular meters – got counted for,’ he said. Estimates on the City of before in the first place, so conventional water access to credit, while those in other areas Johannesburg’s website put water loss in the meters would not work there – people would – such as the residents of Soweto with township alone at about seven billion litres just not pay for consumption.’ prepaid systems – were denied the same a month. ‘The meters have already led to a Soweto residents used to receive unlim- privilege. significant reduction in unaccounted water ited water for a flat fee of R149 (about US$20) ‘The underlying basis for the introduction loss, saving money.’ but payment levels were always low due to

66 Civil Engineering | June 2008 the long-standing practice of boycotting will feed from the Usuthu River, water being The water distribution system is to be com- services payments, which was used as a diverted from the wet season flood flows. pleted by August 2008 and irrigation should method of opposition to the apartheid gov- The project is divided in to two phases; commence in October 2008. ernment in the 1980s. phase 1 being the construction of the dams The project team consists of three teams, Free water was not sustainable, James and a distribution system to irrigate close to the client, consulting engineers and various argued, because the city was also under pres- 6 500 ha of irrigable land. The second phase contractors. The client’s team is made of the sure to collect money to be able to provide consists of construction a water distribution SWADE CEO, project director, engineering services. ‘We don’t get it for free [from our system of approximately 5 000 ha. manager and the ADEMU manager (Agricultural supplier],’ he pointed out. The aim of the project is to reduce pov- Development and Environmental Management Nevertheless, a way should be found to erty and improve the standard of living for Unit). The consultant’s team is made of the subsidise the ‘poorest of the poor, but the 15 000 people in the Lower Usuthu basin, in team leader, two senior resident engineers money will still have to come from somewhere south-east Swaziland. Most are subsistence and resident engineers for the four different – now, even those that don’t need it, that can farmers who live in the lowveld under some- sections works. The contractor at the weir and afford it, are getting water for free,’ he said. times quite difficult conditions. The project sand trap is Group Fice, CMC is constructing the But the court said there was no need for will achieve this through commercialising and feeder canal and main canal south, and a joint the water utility to recoup investments, and intensification of agriculture by integrating venture between Concor, Group Five and Inyatsi insisted that Johannesburg City had both the smallholder household farmers into the com- Construction is constructing the dams. financial means and access to sufficient water mercial economy through the provision of to provide 50 litres per person per day. irrigation infrastructure and by sustainable TEXT improvement in environmental health Sandile Mhlanga Not over yet The project is divided mainly into ASMSAICE Patra Sindane, spokesman for the Coalition four sections: the weir and sand trap, the [email protected] Against Water Privatisation, told IRIN that feeder canal, the three dams and the main residents of Phiri ‘were already removing [the canal south. The three dams consists of prepaid meters] and bypassing them’. 1 250 000 m3 bulk excavations, 35 000 m3 The challenge now is to make sure that of conventional concrete and 560 000 t of Joburg water respects the judge’s order,’ crushed products, 400 000 m3 of rockfill Sindane commented. ‘The struggle will not and 420 000 m3 of clay core and filters. WATER AWARDS PRESENTED end anytime soon.’ Mhlathuzane Dam is constructed from roller James pointed out that the judge had not compacted concrete (RCC) 50 m high, 300 m THE INAUGURAL WATER CONSERVATION and said residents could go ahead and remove long, 135 000 m3 of RCC, Golome Dam a clay Water Demand Management Awards were the meters. ‘This will lead to more huge water core/rockfill dam, 50 m high, 650 m long, presented by Mrs L B Hendriks, the Minister of loss and high repair costs. This is not going to Saddle Dam a homogeneous fill dam, 10 m Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), at a func- end now,’ he warned. high, 900 m long and a spillway constructed tion at Gallagher Estate in Midrand. ‘A ruling has been made and City of from conventional vibrated concrete (CVC) In her address, the Minister said that these Johannesburg has to respect the ruling. We with an ogee type overflow structure. awards are an important part of efforts to are now analysing the ruling in depth in order The project is currently in the completion to be able to make an informed decision as to stage of the major infrastructure. Water has whether we want to appeal or not.’ been impounded in the reservoir and shortly Merwe du Preez, chairman of the Gamtoos will be commissioning the weir and feeder Irrigation Board (winner in the Irrigation canal. The first phase of the water distribution Sector), Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry system has been awarded and to Inyatsi con- Lindiwe Hendriks, and Pierre Joubert, CEO struction and construction is soon to begin. of the Gamtoos Irrigation Board

E1,6 BILLION WELL SPENT ON LUSIP DAMS, SWAZILAND

THE LOWER USUTHU SMALLHOLDER IRRIGATION PROJECT (LUSIP) is a poverty- alleviation project by the government of Swaziland that is managed by Swaziland Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise, SWADE, a parastatal of the Ministry of Natural Resources. The project involves the construction of three dams, namely Mhlathuzane Golome and Saddle dam, weir and sand trap, feeder canal and the main canal south. The dams

Civil Engineering | June 2008 67 create a culture of water conservation amongst University of Technology. China and several proposed for the Mekong South Africans by recognising excellence in It makes use of bacteria which do not River in Southeast Asia. Researcher Guy Lanza the implementation of water conservation and grow in floc form, as is normally the case, but of the University of Massachusetts Amherst is water demand management programmes. She rather as concentrated and compact granules. working to limit the environmental impact of added that in a water-scarce country with a These granules sink much faster than flocs, these projects, which he says often deliver a growing economy, the challenge is how to go whereby the entire treatment system requires legacy of economic hardship and health prob- beyond the provision of access to water and less space and has lower construction costs. lems instead of prosperity for people living sanitation services and also ensure the con- The Nereda technology is financially attractive near the dams and downstream. tinued availability well into the future. due to its lower investment cost and lower ‘After dam construction, there is an im- A recent Water Research Commission energy consumption. The technology can be mediate drop in water quality that destroys project estimated that revenue not earned used for treating both municipal and industrial useful fish populations and poses a threat to by municipalities as a result of water losses is wastewater. Nereda is already operational in livestock and humans,’ says Lanza, an aquatic in excess of R3,2 billion per annum. Through the Netherlands, and Nereda treatment plants biologist and microbiologist who consults for DWAF’s water conservation pilot programme are currently under construction in South the environmental organization International water and revenue losses are being addressed Africa and Portugal. Rivers. ‘Converting river systems into lakes also and results are very promising with some mu- According to Stavros Dimas, European creates more habitat for the snails and mos- nicipalities already saving in excess of 40 % of Commissioner for the Environment, the EBAE quitoes that carry malaria, dengue fever and their total raw water bill. winners are ‘the best of the best: the most far- schistosomiasis, leading to an increase in the sighted, responsible and innovative companies number of cases of these diseases.’ in Europe’. Lanza recently critiqued the Nam Theun Every two years, the European Commission 2 Hydroelectric Project, a 1 200 foot wide honours those European companies that dis- expanse across the Nam Theun River in Laos tinguish themselves with products or services that will be completed in December 2009. that are innovative, cost effective and protect Dam gate closure and reservoir filling were due EUROPEAN COMMISSION the environment. to begin in June 2008, and power from the dam will be exported to Thailand as part of the SHORTLISTS DUTCH Laotian government’s plan to generate export revenue by building more than 30 dams by WATER INNOVATION 2020. After reviewing the NT2 environmental ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY DHV has been assessment and management plan, Lanza shortlisted by the European Commission BIOLOGIST IS WORKING worked with International Rivers, and together for a 2008 European Business Award for the their efforts helped to convince the Nam Environment (EBAE). TO LIMIT IMPACT OF Theun 2 Power Company to remove some of The jury selected DHV in the ‘eco-innova- the biomass, in the form of fallen trees and tive processes’ category on the basis of the HYDROELECTRIC DAMS IN ASIA leaves, before filling the reservoir instead of company’s environmentally friendly Nereda simply leaving it behind to rot. The experience water treatment technology. Nereda is the RIVERS AROUND THE WORLD are being tamed with Nam Theun 2 has highlighted the impor- latest innovative technology for the treatment by massive hydroelectric dams, with high- tance of clearing biomass from future dam of wastewater developed by DHV and Delft profile projects under construction in Laos and projects, a requirement the Laotian government is reportedly considering. Lanza says, however, that the Nam Theun 2 biomass clearance plans, which include cutting and burning biomass from part of the reservoir area, may not prevent significant water-quality problems. ‘Burning biomass adds air pollutants, including carbon dioxide, ozone and other greenhouse gasses, and toxic substances such as mercury,’ he says. ‘Burning will also release mercury to the soil and greatly accelerate the release of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from the biomass.’ After burning, nutrients from the ash would trigger and support the sudden growth of excess bacteria and algae in the water as the reservoir fills, triggering a cascade of water- quality problems, including greatly reduced dissolved oxygen, fish kills, the formation of toxic metabolites by cyanobacteria, and the release of toxic gasses and metals such as

68 Civil Engineering | June 2008 hydrogen sulfide and mercury from reservoir in the number of cases of these diseases. solution which once installed will eliminate sediments. ‘Midstream dams are again being pro- the majority of problems currently being Leaving the biomass behind would also be posed for the Mekong River, and we are experienced at local facilities. These include problematic, says Lanza, since rotting vegeta- finding that disease-causing schistosomes crust build-up, floaters and sedimentation. In tion would increase greenhouse gas emissions are much more prevalent in this area than we all three cases the ultimate result is unpleasant from the reservoir, use the available oxygen originally thought. This must be considered odour emission and pump blockages. in the water, cause fish kills and result in water when developing future environmental assess- Known as TOP, the system’s modular, flex- that was unsuitable for drinking and irrigation. ment and management plans,’ says Lanza. ible design comes in a range of sizes to suit In 1996, Lanza reviewed the environmental depths between 1,5 m and 6 m and capacities Newswise impact report for the Nam Leuk Hydropower between 4 ℓ and 95 ℓ per second. Project in Laos and visited the site after the ‘Our engineers take full responsibility for dam was complete, which reinforced his con- dimensioning a customer’s pump station and cerns and confirmed his predictions. completing the order, which reduces costs for ‘After the completion of Nam Leuk, there project planning and installation,’ Hultzer says. was a sharp drop in the oxygen content of ‘ITT Water & Wastewater’s philosophy water in the lake and blooms of cyanobacteria TOP SOLUTION FOR has always been to make equipment that that release toxins that are deadly to livestock maximises lifecycle economy, which means and can cause liver cancer in humans,’ says WASTEWATER PUMPING designing for long service life and minimum Lanza. ‘The data show that water-quality downtime,’ he continues. ‘And this is exactly problems eliminated useful species of fish that The cost of installing wastewater the design criteria behind the successful TOP people depend on for food and livelihood, pumping solutions can be time consuming pump station.’ replacing them with less desirable species.’ and prohibitive as an extensive civil infrastruc- Villagers downstream of the project were ture is required. Retrofitting and upgrading experiencing water-quality problems, and the Not so, says Mark Hultzer, business unit The TOP turnkey concept is the ideal solution Nam Leuk reservoir provided expanded habi- manager – public utilities at ITT Water & for refurbishing old pump stations. ITT Water & tats for the snails and mosquitoes that carry Wastewater, who claims that the company has Wastewater engineers can retrofit old stations schistosomiasis and malaria, threatening a rise developed a turnkey wastewater pump station with a TOP solution delivered as a kit, which is

Civil Engineering | June 2008 69 on 4 April to celebrate their 50th reunion. Twenty-nine of the original 58 students – from BUSINESS ON THE MOVE as far afield as Australia, Canada, the US, Zimbabwe and, of course, South Africa – were BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST of its kind in the joined by two of their lecturers, Professor Mike country, a new virtual office park has been de Kock and Tony Kilner, to relive their happy established in the centre of the Maputo days at the university. The gathering was or- Development Corridor (MDC). For any business ganised by classmate Ron Strybis. Some of the or entrepreneur needing temporary – yet fixed graduates had not seen each other since the – office space, Central Park in Nelspruit has the day they graduated in 1958 so there was lots of solution for commuters, sales executives and catching up to do. small, medium or start-up businesses. At the last minute there was a scramble Obviating the need to sign long leases, to change the programme to fit into Eksom’s Central Park has fully equipped, serviced of- ‘scheduled power shedding”. The reunion fices available for a few hours, a few days, a included fascinating talks given by six of the regular weekly or monthly slot, or whatever alumni on topics which ranged from ‘Emperor is needed. This flexible arrangement doesn’t Bokassa – madman for a client’ and a slide cost much either: at only R200 per day, Central show of Colorado to ‘Kite surfing – a retire- Park is affordable for all types of business. ment option’. They were then taken on a tour Customers can rent a desk, boardroom or con- of the research laboratories where they met ference room; they will have broadband access then installed in the existing structure with a various academics and students who spoke to the internet (the first 5 MB of usage is free), minimum of construction work and no added to them about the research happening in the telephones, printers, stationery and reception excavation needed. department. services as well as a fully equipped mini con- Retrofitting a TOP station can help to sig- The rest of the weekend was spent ference room that seats 40+ people. nificantly reduce the costs of service call-outs having dinner at Kelvin Grove, going up Table Comprising rail, road, port and terminal and maintenance and to achieve operating Mountain (kindly sponsored by one of the facilities, the Maputo Development Corridor cost reductions. Larger models (with discharge alumni); visiting the 2010 FIFA World Cup sta- is seeing billions of rands being spent on diameters of 65 mm to 150 mm) are fitted with dium currently being built in Green Point, and projects to help release potential in the a MULTI/JOINT, which takes a wide range of lunching at Bing Walker’s home in Llandudno. landlocked regions of Mpumalanga, Gauteng external pipe diameters and piping materials: They all said they had a wonderful time and Limpopo. The Department of Trade and stainless steel, cast iron, carbon steel, glass and were impressed by the university and all Industry has identified that tourism, manu- fibre and PE. the new developments happening in the fac- facturing and agriculture will be the primary The discharge connection also allows an ulty. When asked what made this class so spe- industries. Central Park developers J D & angular deviation of ±7°, so the pipe end can cial that there was such a good turnout after Associates anticipate an increasing demand for be simply inserted into it and tightened. With 50 years – they all replied: Bing Walker – he was temporary office space as deals are struck in no welding or drilling required, there is a sig- the greatest cheer leader for six years! the region. nificant saving in installation time. They have all diarised their 60th reunion, John Powell of J D & Associates says that Customers already operating installations which will be taking place in 2018! not all of the businesses linked to the MDC with old wastewater pumps can extend the will want to establish permanent office space, service life of equipment and benefit from particularly as they may only need to be in the superior pumping efficiencies by using the Flygt N pump upgrade kit. The ITT Water & Wastewater TOP system is suitable for wastewater, transfer stations and other chemical pumping stations.

CLASS OF ‘58

CIVIL ENGINEERING GRADUATES of the 1958 class gathered at the University of Cape Town

Some of the graduates in the Water Research Lab in the Department of Civil Engineering: Bob Blyth, Jannie de Villiers, Neil Grant, Bing Walker and Eric Burnett

70 Civil Engineering | June 2008 area for a few weeks. ‘Commuting has never John Sheath, marketing manager of C&CI ‘Last year was also a remarkably good been made so easy or so efficient!’ and author of the annual review, however year in terms of the volume of residential notes that this total included 1,6 million tonnes building activity, but much of this had to do First World in the bush of fly ash and slagment used for extending or with a mini-surge in demand that overflowed Business in the bush takes on new meaning at enhancing concrete mixes and that this total from 2006, thanks largely to transfer duty and Central Park. As a light industrial and commer- should therefore not be included in cement personal tax relief. The non-residential market cial high-tech business park, Central Park has demand or capacity comparisons. maintained good growth, although slower appeal for businesses that want good network Sales to neighbouring countries were economic growth and infrastructure bottle- links, a beautiful environment and First World 18,5 % up on 2006 with particularly strong de- necks will inevitably impact investment in this facilities. ‘Nelspruit is fast emerging as a major mand from Botswana (up 33 %) and Namibia category,’ he adds. international hub,’ adds Powell. (up 12 %). Looking to the future, Sheath says Domestically, cement sales to the nine although the economy had experienced set- South African provinces were 6,6 % higher backs since the beginning of 2008, the more with positive growth shown in all the prov- positive news is the government’s commit- inces, except for the Western Cape, which ment to infrastructural spending which should showed a 1,7 % decline in cement demand. support construction growth in the short and The Eastern Cape and Northern Cape showed long term. ANOTHER RECORD YEAR FOR the greatest increase in sales (12 %), with ‘The longer-term view on the residential Gauteng demand up by 10 % last year. property market remains depressed as high CEMENT PRODUCTS SALES Sheath reports that cement sales to civil interest rates and continued pressure on engineering contractors – in line with the building cost inflation negatively affect afford- A RECORD TOTAL of 15,3 million tonnes of exceptional growth in this industry sector – in- ability. However, the low-cost and affordable cementitious products were sold in the creased by 23,5 % in 2007. ‘Sales to blenders housing sector could well boom with R39 bil- southern African region in 2007 – a 7,4 % of cementitious products were also very high, lion of the government’s infrastructure budget growth on the previous year, according to the reaching the 1 million tonne level for the first allocated to this sector.’ Cement & Concrete Institute’s 2007 Cement & time, and showing an increase of nearly 25 % He comments that the medium-term Concrete Review. over 2006,’ he states. outlook for retail space is less favourable and

Civil Engineering | June 2008 71 that the development of industrial space has also slowed down. However, with the civil engineering sector expected to continue its unprecedented growth this year, industry forecasts for cementitious demand in 2008 are still positive, although generally reflecting the slower growth experienced in the residential sector.

INFO

John Sheath C&CI Midrand T 011-315-0300

UPGRADING OF KNYSNA Knysna Road upgrade employee, the percentage of female and black ROAD AND ASSOCIATED employees, the percentage of black directors ■ The roads authority did not allow trenching (executive and non-executive), the percentage INTERSECTIONS across the existing roadway and all ducts of female directors (executive and non-execu- had to be installed using horizontal drilling tive), company policies (written) and company OWING TO THE HIGH ECONOMIC GROWTH Although the contract was completed ap- accreditations. rate and development experienced in George proximately six weeks late as a result of the Says Dempsey Naidoo, PDNA executive over the past few years, namely the Garden above problems, the intersection was opened chairman: ‘The fact that PDNA was named Route Mall, the Kraaibosch Residential Estate to traffic in time for the Blue Mountain and as a Top 500 Highly Commended Company and the Blue Mountain Village, the project of Kraaibosch Estate developments. within the Consulting Engineers: Mining and upgrading the Knysna Road and Kraaibosch Infrastructure Sector is a fantastic achieve- surrounding areas was undertaken by the INFO ment. However, we shall not be resting on our George office of consulting engineers Vela VKE. Michael Coetzee laurels and will use this success as encourage- The purpose for the upgrading of this road Vela VKE Consulting Engineers ment to do even better next year.’ was to: T 044-873-5029 ■ Ensure easy access to developments [email protected] ■ Minimise congestion and ensure high mobility and traffic flow ■ Accommodate public transport PDNA COMMENDED IN ■ Integrate non-motorised transport facilities ■ Ensure adequate access to adjacent devel- TOP 500 LISTING CONCRETE PAVEMENT TESTING opments and road networks ■ Set the standard for future road construc- P D NAIDOO & ASSOCIATES (PDNA), one of the PAPER WINS SAICE AWARD tion in the Kraaibosch area largest historically disadvantaged engineering Public transport is seen as an integral part practices in South Africa, has been named as THE NEW CEMENT & CONCRETE INSTITUTE of the development of the Kraaibosch road a highly commended company within the Top MD, Bryan Perrie, and fellow authors Pieter network. The development of some 2 400 500: South Africa’s Best Companies’ Consulting Strauss, Louw du Plessis and Dennis Rossmann residential units will create many job oppor- Engineers: Mining and Infrastructure Sector. were recently honoured with the South tunities, not only during the construction but Top 500 is an annual B2B publication African Institution of Civil Engineers (SAICE) also in the long term. that identifies companies achieving the Transportation Engineering Division award for Problems encountered during construc- highest level of performance and success by the Best Paper in 2007. tion included: researching the performance information of The paper, entitled ‘Accelerated pavement ■ High traffic volumes and speeding vehicles thousands of organisations annually, assessing testing of load transfer through aggregate ■ Existing service relocations these companies within their industry sectors, interlock and the influence of crack width ■ Inclement weather and finally by compiling a list of the top 500 and aggregate type – a case study’, was pre- ■ Unsuitable in-situ soil conditions below the performing firms over 100 sectors. sented at the International Workshop on Best roadbed. Material had to be removed to a Companies are reviewed against a 13- Practices for Concrete Pavements, in Recife, depth of up to 800 mm below the roadbed point set of criteria. Corporate performance Brazil, in October 2007. and replaced with suitable road building is measured against turnover, growth (%), Another paper, ‘Ultra thin continuously material from commercial sources growth (rands), CSI expenditure, turnover per reinforced concrete pavement research in SA’,

72 Civil Engineering | June 2008 by Perrie, Strauss, Du Plessis and Kannemeyer, As one of 22 category winners, judges Roberts, Strategic Partners Group, Bouygues, presented at the International Conference on recognised Gautrain’s expertise to overcome and Bombardier have been integral in reaching Concrete Roads held in Midrand in August the unique engineering and socio-economic signature of financial close last year.’ 2007, received a commendation. developmental requirements of this PPP As a Gauteng Provincial Government initia- project. Geological difficulties, the intricate tive, Gautrain is recognised as the biggest PPP topography of Gauteng and the unique project in Africa. Gautrain’s private partners socio-economic deliverables of Gautrain are structured under the Bombela Concession Project made it a deserving winner. Other PPP Company. projects shortlisted in the Best Global Project to Sign category were Britannia Mine Water GLOBAL AWARD BY Treatment Plant and the Conference Centre Dublin. PUBLIC PRIVATE ’This award shows we can hold our own in the world,’ says Jack van der Merwe, CEO of the PARTNERSHIP INDUSTRY Gautrain Management Agency and Gautrain NANOWIRES MAY BOOST Project Leader. ‘It is attributed to hard-working HAVING WON A COVETED AWARD as the Best South Africans like Metja Ledwaba from SOLAR CELL EFFICIENCY Global Project to Sign, Gautrain earned the Ledwaba Mazwai that was responsible for respect of the international public private the legal aspects of putting the Gautrain deal University of California, San Diego elec- partnership (PPP) industry at the tenth annual together. This was done in association with trical engineers have created experimental Public Private Finance Awards evening held on international legal consultants Pinsent Masons,’ solar cells spiked with nanowires that could 29 April in London. says Van der Merwe. lead to highly efficient thin-film solar cells of The awards are the biggest event in the Jerome Govender, CEO of the Bombela the future. PPP industry, attended by over 1 400 people last Concession Company which holds the 20- Indium phosphide (InP) nanowires can year. The winners are picked by an independent year concession to design, build, part-finance, serve as electron superhighways that carry panel of partnership experts to highlight the operate, and maintain Gautrain, said: ‘Tthis electrons kicked loose by photons of light best deals and companies in the market. The confirms our belief that Gautrain is truly a directly to the device’s electron-attracting competition is held by the Public Private Finance world-class South African project. Along electrode – and this scenario could boost thin- magazine, a respected publication about PPP with the Gauteng Provincial Government, film solar cell efficiency, according to research projects in the United Kingdom and Europe. Bombela’s sponsor companies, Murray & recently published in NanoLetters.

Civil Engineering | June 2008 73 The new design increases the number of substrates that could serve as foundations for addressed – including the issue of polymer electrons that make it from the light-absorbing next-generation photovoltaics that conform to degradation. ‘The polymers degrade quickly polymer to an electrode. By reducing electron- the curved surfaces like rooftops, cars or other when exposed to air. Researchers around the hole recombination, the UC San Diego engi- supporting structures, the engineers say. world are working to improve the properties of neers have demonstrated a way to increases ‘By growing nanowires directly on an organic polymers,’ said Paul Yu. the efficiency with which sunlight can be con- untreated electrode surface, you can start As it was a proof-of-concept project, the verted to electricity in thin-film photovoltaics. thinking about incorporating millions or bil- UCSD engineers did not measure how ef- Including nanowires in the experimental lions of nanowires in a single device. I think this ficiently the device converted sunlight to elec- solar cell increased the ‘forward bias current’ is where the field is eventually going to end tricity. This explains, in part, why the authors – which is a measure of electrical current – by up,’ said Novotny. ‘But I think we are at least refer to the device in their NanoLetters paper as six to seven orders of magnitude as compared a decade away from this becoming a main- a ‘photodiode’ rather than a ‘photovoltaic’. to their polymer-only control device, the engi- stream technology.’ Having a more efficient method for get- neers found. ting electrons to their electrode means that The online journal NanoLetters published Polymer solar cells and nanowires meet researchers can make thin-film polymer solar this new work on polymer/nanowire hybrid As in more traditional organic polymer thin- cells that are a little bit thicker, and this could photovoltaics in February 2008. film solar cells, the polymer material in the increase the amount of sunlight that the de- ‘If you provide electrons with a defined experimental system absorbs photons of light. vices absorb. pathway to the electrode, you can reduce To convert this energy to electricity, each some of the inefficiencies that currently photon-absorbing electron must split apart Newswise plague thin-film solar cells made from polymer from its hole companion at the interface of the mixtures. More efficient transport of electrons polymer and the nanowire – a region known and holes – collectively known as carriers as the p-n junction. – is critical for creating more efficient solar Once the electron and hole split, the elec- cells,’ said Clint Novotny, the first author of tron travels down the nanowire – the electron the NanoLetters paper and a recent electrical superhighway – and merges seamlessly with FIRE DOOR ORDERS SECURED engineering PhD from UC San Diego’s Jacobs the electron-capturing electrode. This rapid School of Engineering. Novotny is now shuttling of electrons from the p-n junction FOR TWO 2010 STADIA working on solar technologies at BAE Systems. to the electrode could serve to make future photovoltaic devices made with polymers BITCON INDUSTRIES, a leading supplier of fire Simplified nanowire growth more efficient. doors, has secured contracts for its products The engineers devised a way to grow ‘In effect, we used nanowires to extend for two of the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadia cur- nanowires directly on the electrode. This an electrode into the polymer material,’ said rently under construction. advance allowed them to create the electron co-author Edward Yu, a professor of electrical Bob Vollmer, director of Bitcon, says the superhighways that deliver electrons from engineering at UCSD’s Jacobs School of company is supplying the fire door require- the polymer-nanowire interface directly to an Engineering. ments for both the Mbombela Stadium in electrode. While the electrons travel down the Nelspruit and the Moses Mabhida Stadium in ‘If nanowires are going to be used mas- nanowires in one direction, the holes travel Durban. ‘The Mbombela Stadium order is for sively in photovoltaic devices, then the growth along the nanowires in the opposite direction hinged fire doors and also transformer room mechanism of nanowires on arbitrary metallic – until the nanowire dead ends. At this point, doors, and Bitcon is supplying hinged fire surfaces is an issue of great importance,’ said the holes are forced to travel through a thin doors for the Moses Mabhida Stadium.’ co-author Paul Yu, a professor of electrical en- polymer layer before reaching their electrode. Bitcon’s Rubidor fire doors are clad with a gineering at UC San Diego’s Jacobs School of Today’s thin-film polymer photovoltaics do variety of finishes including masonite, timber Engineering. ‘We contributed one approach to not provide freed electrons with a direct path veneers, Formica laminates, and edged with growing nanowires directly on metal.’ from the p-n junction to the electrode – a situ- hardwood lipping. Double doors are fitted The UCSD electrical engineers grew their ation which increases recombination between with rebated stainless steel meeting stiles. InP nanowires on the metal electrode – holes and electrons and reduces efficiency The door frames are pressed from either indium tin oxide (ITO) – and then covered the in converting sunlight to electricity. In many 1,6 mm (Class A & B) or 2 mm (Class D) steel nanowire-electrode platform in the organic of today’s polymer photovoltaics, interfaces sheet, or from galvanised sheet if required. polymer, P3HT, also known as poly(3-hexy- between two different polymers serve as the Heavy-duty flanged brass hinges with nylon lthiophene). The researchers say they were p-n junction. Some experimental photovoltaic washers are fitted to the doors and viewing the first group to publish work demonstrating designs do include nanowires or carbon nano- panels can be included where permitted. growth of nanowires directly on metal tubes, but these wires and tubes are not elec- Bitcon transformer room doors are de- electrodes without using specially prepared trically connected to an electrode. Thus, they signed for durability and security. The doors substrates such as gold nanodrops. do not minimise electron-hole recombination are supplied with special pressed metal ‘Just a layer of metal can work. In this by providing electrons with a direct path from frames in a double rebated profile. Fitted with paper we used ITO, but you can use other the p-n junction to the electrode the way the heavy-duty hinges, the doors also feature pull metals, including aluminium,’ said Paul Yu. new UCSD design does. handles, pad latch and barrel bolts. Louvre Growing nanowires directly on untreated Before these kinds of electron superhigh- vents and panels can be fitted for air flow and electrodes is an important step toward the ways can be incorporated into photovoltaic ventilation. goal of growing nanowires on cheap metal devices, a series of technical hurdles must be A subsidiary of Vitrex, Bitcon operates from

74 Civil Engineering | June 2008 a high-technology manufacturing plant in Jet Park where its respected Rubidor fire doors are produced to meet the requirements of the national test standard, SANS 1253:2003. Bitcon recently completed an expansion programme to boost manufacturing capacity and stock- holding.

INFO

Bob Vollmer Bitcon Industries T 011-826-6057

UMHLANGA’ S RIDGESIDE DEVELOPMENT

BOSCH PROJECTS, part of Tongaat Hulett Development’s professional team, has com- in four phases over the next decade, will use business and residential components, pleted the preliminary design of the electrical link Umhlanga Ridge to the sea, via a unique where buildings, parks and piazzas will be reticulation network as well as the street and coastal setting with maximised sea and forest terraced to minimise the steep slope of the urban lighting system for Umhlanga’s pro- views,’ says Derick Serfontein, a director of land. Basement parking will enhance open posed Ridgeside development. Bosch Projects, part of the B & A Group. ‘This public spaces.’ ‘The 140 ha site, which will be developed prestigious development will include mixed Forty hectares of the site will be green

Civil Engineering | June 2008 75 space with water features and pond systems Ambientais, Mozambique. Impacto are a and there will be cycle and walking paths GOLDER ASSOCIATES AFRICA well-established environmental consultancy which will be illuminated and monitored via in Mozambique which has provided a wide CCTV. OPENS MOZAMBIQUE OFFICE range of environmental services for govern- The mixed-use precinct will include ment agencies, NGO’s and the private sector, 150 000 m2 of offices, residential property and FOLLOWING CLOSELY on the establishment and it will complement Golder Associates’ the R1,3-billion Marriot Hotel. The office park of an office in Ghana, which will serve West international expertise with local knowledge precinct will include 100 000 m2 of prime office Africa, Golder Associates has opened Golder and experience.’ accommodation. Associados Moçambique Limitada (GAML) Golder Associados Moçambique Limitada The lighting system for the proposed its Maputo-based Mozambique office, on 16 will join local professional associations in pedestrian and vehicular bridge will also be April 2008. The office will serve the mining, oil Mozambique will become involved in hosting designed by the Tongaat Hulett Developments and gas industries in that country and forms local training events and seminars as part of its team. part of a proactive expansion strategy into the community development strategies. continent that will enable Golder Associates to While the company is at present estab- INFO better serve its clients in Africa. lishing and consolidating its presence, it will Derick Serfontein Says Frank Wimberley, regional manager: move quickly to grow the office by local Bosch Projects, part of The B & A Group ‘Mozambique is southern Africa’s fastest- recruitment strategies. In addition, it will be PO Box 2009 growing economy after Angola. It is expected fully committed to hosting and attending Durban 4000 to grow 8 % this year and the country has high-profile marketing events. T 031-250-0500 recently benefited from debt relief and rising One of the first high-profile events to be investment in large projects such as the Mozal attended by Golder was the Mozambique aluminium smelter. Mining and Energy Conference (MMEC) ‘The Mozambique government is also en- on April 16 and 17 at Joaquim Chissano couraging large infrastructure investments as Conference Centre in Maputo. a means to stimulate growth. Any large-scale infrastructure investment offers many oppor- TRANSPORT tunities for Golder Associates to be the con- INFO sultant of choice by offering our full spectrum Jacquie Pastor CONFERENCE AT CSIR of products and services, while contributing to Golder Associates sustainable development.’ 011-254-4849 THE 27TH ANNUAL Southern African Transport The newly opened Maputo office already Conference and exhibition will take place has an established client base including Rio from 7 to 11 July 2008 at the CSIR International Doce Mozambique (RDMZ), owned by the Convention Centre. The Minister of Transport Brazilian mining and metals company, Vale. will deliver the opening address. RDMZ owns the Moatize Coal Mine in Tete, Steve Phillips, Secretary-General of FEHRL Mozambique, which consists of five open-cast LARGEST ROAD in Brussels; Professor Dinesh Mohan, WHO pits for which Golder Associates has already Collaborating Centre, Indian Institute of completed three large projects worth more REHABILITATION Technology, Delhi; and Lloyd Wright, Viva, Peru, than US$3 million. have been invited to present papers at the In addition, Golder Associates PROJECT IN THE FREE plenary sessions. Mozambique has environmental and infra- Sessions to be presented are: Transport structure projects under way with: STATE APPOINTS WSP Planning, Infrastructure, Rail and Transport ■ Riversdale Mining Limited – which has Logistics, Capacity Building / R&D, Traffic large coal projects in the Tete region, WSP SA Civil and Structural Engineers (Pty) Ltd Management and Safety, Public Transport and Mozambique have been appointed on one of the biggest Traffic Engineering. ■ Mittal Steel South Africa – Africa’s largest road rehabilitation projects ever to take place In addition, the following will be pre- steel manufacturer, which owns two steel in the Free State by the Free State Department sented: mills in Mozambique of Public Works, Roads and Transport. The ap- ■ Workshop: MLS/MMLS Applications and ■ BHP Billiton – the diversified resources com- pointment is for the rehabilitation of Route R59 Testing Protocols pany, which is involved in a mineral sands which comprises roads P10/1 and P83/1 be- ■ Workshop: BRT: Implementation project in Mozambique’s Gaza Province tween the Vaal River at the Free State/Gauteng ■ SAICE Symposium: Progress on 2010 Current projects for which the Mozambique border and the N1 in the Free State. office will take responsibility amount to more According to WSP SA Civil and Structural INFO than US$3,5 million and include environmental Engineers Hennie Landman, the project, which Ammie Wissing impact studies and infrastructure develop- is a year into construction, is progressing well T 012-348-4493 ment work. A further six proposed projects are and it is anticipated that the June 2009 com- [email protected] in the pipeline. pletion date will be achieved. www.up.ac.za/academic/civil/satc.html Says Wimberley: ‘We have established The project comprises major pavement an alliance with the environmental and rehabilitation and strengthening of Road P83/1 projects group, Impacto Projectos e Estudos through the reconstruction of the existing

76 Civil Engineering | June 2008 pavement layers. Extensive geometric and people with physical impairment, says leading Forbes believes South Africans should safety improvements are being implemented Johannesburg businessperson Eunice Forbes. strive to become automatically disability- to Road P10/1. A dual carriageway is being Forbes is founder and CEO of specialised conscious. ‘Architectural training should constructed with a 700 mm wide painted sports surfaces supplier Fintrex and also the also place more emphasis on facilities for median from Route R57, just west of Vaalwater, current president of Master Builders South the disabled. Municipal authorities should to the Barrage Road intersection. From Barrage Africa (MBSA). not approve building plans with inadequate Road to the N1 freeway the existing road is Speaking in her personal capacity, Forbes provision and central government needs to also being upgraded and climbing lanes con- – who herself is physically impaired after being introduce more stringent legislation to protect structed at up-grades. The project also entails stricken by polio as a child – says her business the rights of physically impaired people – and the widening of two existing bridge structures trips around southern Africa continuously re- see that the laws are enforced,’ she urges. on Road P10/1, the construction of concrete veal the dearth of facilities for the disabled. bridge balustrades and the rehabilitation of ‘It constantly shows that many architects INFO five bridges in the Sasolburg vicinity. are either lacking in their knowledge or apa- Eunice Forbes thetic regarding the needs of the physically Fintrex, Sandton INFO impaired. They do not seem to realise that it T 011-883-9867 www.wspgroup.co.za goes far beyond just obligatory ramps, a few wide parking bays, and toilets for the disabled,’ Forbes stated. ‘Disabled overseas visitors to the 2010 FIFA World Cup are in for a shock when they land in South Africa. ‘I also believe the architectural profession WORLD CUP TOURISTS WILL generally avoids the risk of offending clients by standing up for the rights of the disabled BE ‘SHOCKED AT DEARTH when designing new public facilities. This is because there are cost implications and OF DISABLED FACILITIES’ – more often than not – clients are not prepared to spend more than the bare minimum There is an urgent need for architects and on facilities for the disabled which all too often specifiers to fully understand the needs of dictates design.’

78 Civil Engineering | June 2008 ENTRY FORM

This section must be completed by the person submitting the photo/s COMPETITION RULES: NAME______1. The competition is open to the general public to submit photographs. ADDRESS______2. It is essential that entries portray people and/or projects in civil engineering. ______2007 winner: Drilling holes, taken by Kevin Wright 3. Photographs will be judged in ONE general category only. TEL______FAX______4. Entries must be colour prints and in A4 size. Only quality prints will be accepted. Please supply electronic copies of the print/s in jpeg format, E-MAIL______300dpi. 5. Please complete an entry form for each entry and PHOTO TITLE ______supply an appropriate title & short description of each project. It is essential that the photographer’s DESCRIPTION______name is included. 6. Please supply details of the client, consultant ______and contractor involved in the project. 7. The entrant is responsible for obtaining permission for the use of the photographic material as well as PROJECT INFO ______subject material from the authority or project manager concerned. ______8. Entries submitted by organisations must be accompanied by written consent of the PHOTOGRAPHER______1st runner-up: Construction Reflection’ entered by Johan Gillmer. photographer. (Name and surname of the photographer to be inserted) Photograph taken by Eduard de Wet 9. Permission for the reproduction of photos for any exhibition or publicity is assumed unless the entrant This section must be completed by the photographer or the company specifies otherwise. Due recognition will be given that owns the photo. to the photographer. If you are not the photographer or if you are submitting the photograph on behalf 10. No responsibility will be accepted for any loss or of a company owning the photograph, please sign on behalf of. damage to entries. 11. Closing date: 25 July 2008 I hereby grant permission for reproduction and agree to abide by the rules 12. Adjudication: September 2008 - SAICE National of the competition. Office - Midrand Signature:______NB:* The entrant's name, address and title (all of which must correspond with details on the entry form) must appear on the back of 2nd runner-up: ‘Klein Karoo Opera House’ submitted and photographed the print by Jasper van Breda Please complete theentry form and send to : Private Bag X200, Halfway House, 1685.Fax: (011) 805 5971

This form is available on the SAICE website: http://www.civils.org.za/EventsAwards/PhotoCompetition/tabid/115/Default.aspx

Prizes sponsored by Sanlam COBALT South Africa'sSMART legacy - cat's eyes, the dolos, the impact roller, the CAT Scan, the Kreepy Krauly … AreYOU asSMART or SMART er than this?

DoYOU have innovative ideas/projects/equipment to resolve, for instance, > traffic congestion > water conservation/recycling issues > sustainable housing for healthy communities > South Africa's sanitation backlog > ergonomic challenges for women in construction, e.g. lightweight tools OR > haveYOU designed a small section of a BIG project that provides a solution, as for ALL the above, that is S - sustainable M - magnificent thinking/innovation A - amazing solution R - right for the time and place T - truly and proudly Civils South Africa

IfYOU answeredYES to even some of the above, SAICE needsYOUR submission! TheSMART Awards are awarded to individuals and not to projects.

ENTRY FORM: Please contact Zina Girald on e-mail: [email protected] SAICE AND PR O FESSI O NA L N E W S Honorary degree conferred on James L Barnard

1 ON 10 MARCH 2008, the University civil engineer at the CSIR – the same of Johannesburg conferred an honorary institution where Dr Barnard started his degree in civil engineering on Dr James L research career more than 40 years ago. Barnard, internationally known pioneer and expert on biological denitrification CELEBRATION DINNER and phosphate removal from wastewater. After the graduation ceremony, a select The degree was conferred by Ms group of water engineering experts and Wendy Luhabe, Chancellor of the guests attended a celebration dinner in University, during a graduation ceremony honour of Dr Barnard at the Johannesburg on the Auckland Park campus of the Country Club. The event was co-sponsored University of Johannesburg. The guest by the University of Johannesburg and speaker was Dr Kevin Wall, well-known Golder Associates. Professor Francis Legge, head of 1 Dr James Barnard at the graduation the Department of Civil Engineering ceremony Science at the University of Johannesburg,

Barnard Laudatio Africa in 1971 after his doctoral studies, a growing be biologically removed, but also unravelling environmental awareness dictated that the high the complicated biological pathway of the James Barnard was born on 6 June 1935. He levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in wastewater process. This paved the way for the application graduated as a civil engineer at the University of should be significantly reduced before treated of biological phosphorus removal to full-scale Stellenbosch and spent a few years in practice wastewater is returned to natural streams. The wastewater treatment. The idea that nitrogen before starting a research career at the CSIR’s common belief, then, was that these contami- and phosphorus could be reduced in the same National Building Research Institute in Pretoria nants could only be removed by adding more biological process was revolutionary and met in 1963. He left for the USA in 1967, where he chemicals to the water. As the available chemical with disbelief and skepticism by many scientists obtained a master’s degree at the University of methods left much to be desired in terms of ex- and engineers. Despite discouragement from Texas and a doctoral degree in environmental pense, dependability and environmental impact, the industrial, commercial and academic com- engineering at Vanderbilt University. He returned Barnard turned his attention to the alternative munities, Barnard persisted in his pursuit of both to South Africa in 1971 as senior chief research biological removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. scientific understanding and practical applica- officer at the CSIR’s National Institute for Water He soon found that the conventional wastewater tion. His research opened the door to one of the Research in Pretoria. treatment process could be adapted to remove greatest advances in wastewater treatment ever, Three years later he was one of the primary almost all nitrogen without the addition of any eventually leading to thousands of nitrogen and forces to establish the company Meiring & chemicals. These findings, first published in 1973, phosphorus removal applications throughout Barnard in Pretoria, which developed into a triggered intensive research all over the world. the world. leading South African water engineering con- Within three months of Barnard’s momentous Barnard is universally recognised and re- sultancy – today known as Golder Associates. In discovery of nitrogen removal, the concept was vered as the creator of biological nitrogen and 1993 he left Meiring & Barnard to become chief accepted by the City of Johannesburg for the phosphorus removal. As a pioneering engineer, process engineer for Reid Crowther in Vancouver. design of three large new nitrogen removal scientist, researcher and teacher, he has touched Since 1998 he has been the global technology plants, putting the city on the cutting edge of the lives of millions, some as individuals and practice leader and senior process specialist at wastewater treatment technology. Barnard then others as an anonymous guardian of earth’s Black & Veatch in Kansas City. Both these compa- turned to the remaining problem of phosphorus water – an irreplaceable resource. Dr James L nies are eminent engineering consultancies with removal, and after two more years of intensive Barnard’s contribution will continue to have high international profiles. laboratory, pilot plant and literature studies, he a profound effect on the lives of millions, for At the time when Barnard returned to South demonstrated not only how phosphorus could many years to come.

80 Civil Engineering | June 2008 welcomed the guests. Dr Andre van Niekerk, director of Golder Associates, then traced the genealogy of Golder Associates to the consulting firm of Meiring and Barnard, which was estab- Sad news … lished in the early 1970s by Dr Barnard and Mr Piet Meiring, who was also IT IS WITH A SENSE of great sadness and loss present. A short address by Professor Theo that we have to announce the death of Jaco de Andrew, executive dean of the Faculty of Wet, one of the key members of the magazine Engineering, was followed by a toast to and journal team, on 24 May 2008. civil engineering by Professor Johannes Jaco died after sustaining multiple injuries Haarhoff. Mr Piet Odendaal, retired di- in a car accident near Matla. He was 32. rector of the Water Research Commission, As chief graphic designer at Marketing proposed a toast to Dr Barnard. Support Services, in Pretoria, Jaco always In his response, Dr Barnard urged impressed with his creativity, meticulous atten- the industry to rise to the next challenge tion to detail and professionalism. As such, his awaiting wastewater treatment, namely contribution to Civil Engineering winning a PiCA not only the removal of phosphate from Award last year cannot be underestimated. wastewater, but the recovery of phosphate Jaco also had another link to the civil to replenish the rapid dwindling world engineering profession. One of his brothers, supply of phosphate, having grave conse- Gerhard, works for BKS in Pretoria. quences for the world food supply. Ons gedagtes gaan uit na sy vrou, Gerieke, The evening was rounded off by sy kinders, Abrie en Wieke, ander lede van messages and impromptu contributions die familie, en natuurlik sy kollegas. He will be by Eric Hall (retired Johannesburg City sorely missed – also as a friend. Engineer), Lucas van Vuuren (previously a colleague of Barnard at the CSIR), George Sarie Moolman Ekama (professor at UCT) and Johannes Haarhoff (UJ). Civil Engineering | June 2008 81 GIJIMA BRANCH VISITS 2008

1 upington

Die takbesoeke vir 2008 het vroeg begin toe ons delegasie van vier op 27 Februarie kort na agtuur op David Leukes se vrien- delike span daar by Frans Ferreira-hulle se kantore toegesak het. Die Upingtonners weet hoe om te organiseer en ‘n vars span het telkens oorgeneem. Na ’n gesellige ontbyt saam met Frans, was ’n besoek aan ’n jong besigheid wat laslappie-kunswerke maak, en sodoende werk skep, eerste op die lys. Die span van Vezokuhle Creative Textile Mosaics maak die mooiste goed, 2 3 soos muurbehangsels, kussings, sakke en teemusse, uit snippertjies lap en weggooi- wynsakfoelie. Hul pragtige produkte doen hul naam verseker gestand – Vezokuhle is die Xhosa-woord vir ’om skoonheid te toon’. Sedert 2005 word Vezokuhle deur die Department van Kuns en Kultuur erken en ondersteun as ’n opwindende nuwe onderneming. Gerty Willemse, wat ons rondgeneem het, se entoesi- asme vir die saak is aansteeklik, maar 4 vir Vezokuhle om lewensvatbaar te bly, benodig hulle deurlopende ondersteuning

1 Vezokuhle: Dawie Botha en Gerty Willemse met Ria Botha in die agtergrond 2 Teemussies in gelid by Vezokuhle 3 Gesellig saam met die Upingtontak 4 Gehoed en gespoor – ‘n voorvereiste vir toegang tot ‘n deel van die KWV se konsentraataanleg in Upington. Dawie en Ria Botha saam met Frans Ferreira van die Upingtontak

82 Civil Engineering | June 2008 en ’n groeiende mark. Moontlik is hier ’n SAICE is indeed alive and well in the staff who are fulfilling an enormous task geleentheid vir die konferensiebedryf om Cape! in difficult circumstances, as we learnt items met ’n eg Suid-Afrikaanse Noord- The evening event at Kelvin Grove during an informal get-together in the Kaapse identiteit te laat maak. Besoek saw the Cape Town faithful – and some staff room afterwards. Many thanks to hulle gerus by www.vezokuhle.heksie. of the stalwarts – turn up to hear the the engineering staff of the University of co.za of skakel Gerty op 083-226-5821. president speak. Professor Dereck Sparks, Stellenbosch – especially HOD Christo Die KWV se brandewynstokery en John English, Dr Ross Parry-Davies, Dr Bester – for the warm reception. die druiwesap-konsentraataanleg was Graham Ross, Louis de Waal, Brenda It was already past three when the volgende op die lys. Altus Theron het Sudano – all were there to welcome us. team was released to saviour a bit of ons deur sy netjiese aanleg geneem en How nice to be their colleagues and com- the glorious Cape. A great thank you to onderhoudend gesels oor die prosesse wat rades in arms … Marianne Vanderschuren and team! in ketel op hittige ketel aan die gebeur is The Friday circuit included a talk en oor hoe en waar die plaaslike siviele- at the Bellville campus of the Cape Dawie Botha ingenieursbedryf sy aanleg verbeter het. Peninsula University of Technology. As So sonder ophef en trompetgeskal usual the students were there en masse maak Upington se bedrywe ’n groot by- – a responsive and friendly audience, 5 SAICE stalwart Professor Dereck Sparks drae tot uitvoere en plaaslike vrolikheid indeed! Many thanks to HOD Ashaadia thanking the president for his talk at the in die vorm van sap, wyn, brandewyn, Kamalie for hosting us. Western Cape branch function at Kelvin Grove spiritus, en droë en vars vrugte. Intussen Next stop – beautiful, busy 6 SAICE President 2008 Johan de Koker toets die Duitsers ook steeds hul vinnige Stellenbosch, and yet another student addressing students at UCT motors hier in die bloedige hitte op die audience. If all these bright-eyed young 7 Marianne Vanderschuren, chair of the Kalahari se drumpel. people enter the profession, we will be Western Cape Branch with Verelene de Koker Die aandfunksie was soos gewoonlik in good hands. We salute the academic and Ria Botha at the branch function spoggerig en keurig – uit die boonste rakke! Sowat van gasvryheid sien ’n mens 5 6 nie elke dag nie. Baie dankie, Upington! WESTERN CAPE

After a solid breakfast in Upington, the single muffin that has replaced the Airlink breakfast had no takers from our team. We arrived in Cape Town as scheduled, but our hopes of being on time at the University of Cape Town were dashed by baggage bumbling. I remain unimpressed by ACSA and their contractors – especially when you have to wait such a long time for your luggage and particularly when if the hordes of airport staff leaning against pillars and lounging 7 in chairs are so unhelpful when asked for assistance! Perhaps ACSA should bear in mind that the days left to 2010 are steadily getting fewer … At the University of Cape Town, Neil Armitage’s students were patiently waiting to be addressed by the SAICE president. Some interesting questions from the audience had the president and executive director thinking on their feet! From UCT we went to Valkenburg farm for lunch at the Fig Tree Restaurant. The rest of the afternoon was taken up by a lively committee meeting chaired by Marianne Vanderschuren. We were amazed at how almost every item on the agenda elicited input and comment.

Civil Engineering | June 2008 83 Classic Seminars: courses 2008 Course Venue Start End Advanced Microsoft Project Durban 21/7/2008 22/7/2008 Johannesburg (Midrand) 24/7/2008 25/7/2008 Durban 27/11/2008 28/11/2008 Johannesburg (Midrand) 1/12/2008 2/12/2008 Project Management with Microsoft Project Johannesburg (Midrand) 16/9/2008 18/9/2008 Durban 9/9/2008 11/9/2008 Durban 29/10/2008 31/10/2008 Johannesburg (Midrand) 05/11/2008 07/11/2008 Bloemfontein 12/11/2008 14/11/2008 Cape Town 12/11/2008 14/11/2008 East London 19/11/2008 21/11/2008 Johannesburg (Midrand) 19/11/2008 21/11/2008 Project Management for You Durban 8/10/2008 10/10/2008 Johannesburg (Midrand) 15/10/2008 17/10/2008 Please diarise now and watch out for inserts to be mailed with the magazine! INFO Suzette Bull, Classic Seminars, T 086-100-2000, F 031-765-6398, [email protected], www.classic-sa.co.za

Date Event and CPD validation number Presenters/venue Contact details 17–18 July – Durban Engineering and Construction Short Chris Wentzel Cindy Contract [email protected] SAICEcon08/00311/11 25–27 June – East London Project Management with Microsoft Andrew Holden [email protected] Project SAICEproj07/00181/10 21–27 June – Gauteng The Application of Finite Element Method Roland Prukl Dawn Hermanus 6–12 September – Gauteng in Practice [email protected] 8–14 November – Gauteng SAICEstr06/00018/08 6–12 December – Gauteng 22 June – 19 July – Stellenbosch Construction Management Programme University of Stellenbosch Alett Slabbert SAICEcon07/00199/10 www.cpm.sun.ac.za 021-808-4363 [email protected] 23–27 June – Johannesburg Design of Masonry Structures A N Fried, H C Uzoebgo, O J [email protected]. 30–2 July – Durban Kanyeto ac.za www.wits.ac.za/enterprise [email protected] 1–3 July – Heidelburg Engineering and Construction Contract Chris Wentzel Cindy 12–14 August – Witbank SAICEcon07/00201/09 [email protected] 17–18 September – Midrand 14–15 July – Durban Business Finances for Built Environmental Wolf Weidemann Dawn Hermanus 11–12 November – Gauteng Professionals [email protected] 24–25 November – Gauteng SAICEfin06/00004/08 17–18 July - Durban Handling Projects in a Consulting Wolf Weidemann Dawn Hermanus 6–7 November – Gauteng Engineer’s Practice [email protected] DiariseSAICEproj06/00003/08 this! 22–23 July – Gauteng Basic Construction Estimating & Planning Phil Watson Sharon Mugeri SAICEcon06/00106/09 [email protected] 4–5 August – Gauteng Soil Stabilisation J Coetzee [email protected] SAICEtr06/00024/08 18–20 August – Port Elizabeth Environmental Management for the S Ballot SARF Roads [email protected] 27–31 October – Gauteng Tailings Course 2008 Beric Robinson [email protected] SAICEot07/00232/10 24–26 November – Cape Town 2nd International Conference on Concrete www.civil.uct.ac.za/iccrrr [email protected] Repair, Rehabilitation and Retrofitting 021-689-7471

For more information on courses, venues and course outlines please visit http://www.civils.org.za/courses.html or contact [email protected]

84 Civil Engineering | June 2008