Hatch Goba is committed to municipal water infrastructure in SA
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PRESS RELEASE
Hatch Goba is committed to municipal water infrastructure in SA
10 September, 2013:Consulting engineering and project implementation firm Hatch Goba has successfullyassisted municipalities across South Africa in streamlining their water management strategies by providing expertise and assistance through the company's Water Business Unit, which boasts more than 100 water engineering staff nationwide.
Hatch Goba Water Business Unit Regional Director Andrew Officer points out that the divisionspecialises in the planning, designing, commissioning and operation of numerous types of water projects, including; bulk water infrastructure; dams, tunnels and hydropower, mining and industrial water services, water and wastewater treatment and trenchless technology.
"We offer a full spectrum of services to municipal clients. This includes water demand and water loss management, in addition to bulk water supply and wet services infrastructure design. Our understanding of local water conditions, combined with project experience and technical knowledge enables us to develop strategic and integrated plans for short and long term water resource management, while using practical approaches to minimise capital and operational costs," he says.
Among the most high profile municipal projects currently being undertaken by the Hatch Goba Water Business Unit is the East London Sewer Diversion Tunnel.Officer reveals that the company was commissioned by Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipalityto investigate the most effective method for diverting sewage to the new wastewater treatment works.
"The client was looking at efficiently pumping a considerable amount of sewage from a large outfall sewer in East London, to the wastewater works over a 30 year period. After a detailed analysis the Hatch Goba team recommended a 3,5kmlong, 3mdiameter tunnel gravity system instead," he adds.
Although this has a larger initial capital outlay, Officer claims that the total cost of ownership in the long term is greatly reduced, due to the fact that a substantial amount of energy is saved. "This energy saving also makes the micro tunnel a more environmentally friendly option. Following this successful recommendation, Hatch Goba was also appointed to oversee the design, tender documentation and construction management of this project."
Hatch Goba has also played an instrumental role in assisting KwaZulu Natal water authority Umgeni Water in the Durban Heights booster pump station and water treatment works upgrade. The Durban Heights booster pump station is a 1, 5 MW, 5m3/s capacity potable water pump station fed from the Durban Heights Reservoir 3. Hatch Goba provided services for design and tender, detailed design and construction monitoring and commissioning for the project.
Officer notes that Hatch Gobaalso provided Umgeni Water with project administration, documentation and construction monitoring of a valve replacement programme at the Durban HeightsWater Treatment Works, which has a capacity of around 600 ML per day. "Filter backwash valves and actuators are being replaced on all 66 filters. The existing pneumatically operated actuators are being replaced by more advanced electric ones, which will be programmed to integrate with the existing supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems."
eThekwini Water and Sanitation is another municipal authority that has commissioned Hatch Goba to undertake work on the Mahatma Ghandi Road Sewer Pump Station Relocation, and at the Durban Harbour Services Tunnel Replacement Project. After being appointed to undertake design and construction management for a sewage pump station relocation and gravity sewer extension along Mahatma Gandhi Road in Durban, Officer indicates that micro tunnelling was selected as the best method.
"Micro tunnelling was identified as the most effective method for this project, due to the fact that the project had to be undertaken with minimal disruption to traffic, surrounding businesses, protected historical buildings and essential underground services that were in close proximity to the construction site," he continues.
As part of the Durban Harbour Services Tunnel Replacement Project, the planned widening and deepening of the harbour entrance necessitated the replacement of the existing tunnel with a longer and deeper tunnel designed to carry various sewer, water, electrical and communication services across the harbour entrance. Hatch Goba was responsible for the design and construction supervision of the 530mlong, 4,4mdiameter segmentally-lined TBM driven tunnel.
According to Officer, this was the first sub-aqueous soft ground tunnel in South Africa, designed with some of the steepest grades and tightest vertical curves due to space constraints."Despite these unique challenges, the project was completed on time and within budget, with no major stoppages during the tunnel drive," he states.
Hatch Goba also boasts experience in storm water projects, following its successful completion of the Majaneng storm water management project for the City of Tshwane.The Kudube Extension 10 and Majaneng tribal area had been subjected to regular flooding during the rainy season, due to a poorly definedwatercourse. As a result, the company was appointed to determine options for the control and safe discharge of storm flows through this area, including rehabilitation of the Majaneng dam spillway, as well as the design and construction of a separate retention dam and canal.
Looking to the future, Officer believes that water and wastewater treatment holds the potential for considerable growth within the Hatch Goba Water Business Unit. "A large number of treatment plants across South Africa are deteriorating, and local authorities are seeking to upgrade the existing infrastructure. Having established a proven track record in this area of expertise, I am confident that the Hatch Goba Water Business Unitwill experience measurable long term growth in this sector."
Beyond South Africa's borders, Officer points out that the company will focus on small to medium sized dam projects, as well as rural bulk water supply. "We are actively involved in projects in Botswana and Mozambique, and are looking at expanding our footprint into Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania - where we plan to focus on the larger scale bulk water supply projects."
Officer explains that the Hatch Goba Water Business Unit’s capabilities encompass the full range of the hydrological cycle and includes all types of water and sewage related infrastructure, centred around an integrated approach to water resource management, while recognising the important value of water as a key national resource.
"We constantly review methods of efficient and cost effective water use and management in our designs, with a team of technical and engineering experts committed to delivering sustainable water development and management solutions, across the full range of planning, design, implementation and commissioning, maintenance and asset management. The Hatch Goba water business unit is supported by 7 000 project delivery professionals located in 65 offices worldwide, making it a comprehensive solutions provider to all water related projects across Africa," he concludes.
Ends.
Notes to the Editor
There are numerous photographs specific to this press release. Please visit http://media.ngage.co.za and click on the Hatch Goba link.
About Hatch Goba
Hatch Goba supplies process and business consulting, information technology, engineering, Procurement and project and construction management and operational services to the mining, metallurgical, energy and infrastructure industries.
Media Contact
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