Fifth Edition
•
Jun/Jul 2016
Contents
1 EDITOR’S NOTE
2 A ROAD MAP TO A
MORE VIABLE AND
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
FOR AMATOLA WATER
A road map to a more viable
and sustainable future.
6 PRESIDENTIAL
INTERVENTION TO ENSURE
ACCESS TO SAFE AND
RELIABLE WATER &
SANITATION SERVICES FOR
MTHATHA COMMUNITIES
Amatola Water has been
given the enormous task of
implementing 20 water and
sanitation projects in Mthatha.
4 NEW BOARD OF
DIRECTORS FOR
AMATOLA WATER
11 MAJOR CASH INJECTION
TO OVERHAUL AMATOLA
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
Amatola Water is proud to
announce the appointment
of its new nine-member
Board of Directors.
Amatola Water has been
granted huge cash injection
from the Regional Bulk
Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) to
overhaul its primary infrastructure.
5 HARD WORK AND
DEDICATION EARNS
AMATOLA WATER LAB
ISO 17025 ACCREDITATION
12 THOUGHT STREAM
Desalination – an alternative
solution to SA’s
water supply challenges
The hard work and dedication
of the Amatola Water’s
Scientific Services team has
finally paid off.
14 JAMES KLEYNHANS
UPGRADE TO AUGMENT
WATER SUPPLY TO MAKANA
15 AW ROLLS OUT
TENDER SUPPORT
TRAINING FOR SMMES
As part of its Enterprise
Development programme,
Amatola Water held supplier
development training sessions.
16 PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST
Cornerstone to Amatola
Water’s service excellence.
18
Advancing Youth
Empowerment at Amatola Water.
20 IN BRIEF
Science Centre launch for
Cofimvaba.
DWS Deputy Minister hands
over Media Classroom to
Cabane Junior Secondary
School.
21 WISA 2016
The largest gathering of
water sector minds.
The James Kleynhans Bulk Water
Supply Project in the Makana Local
Municipality.
6
18
#YOUTH MONTH
21
P A G E
1
EDITOR’S
Note
Welcome to our first edition of Spillway for 2016.
Now, on to this issue of Spillway. In this edition, we give you
a sneak peak at the organisation’s newly appointed Board
Before I tell you about what’s in this issue of Spillway, I would
of Directors, whose term commenced in February this year.
first like to recap the following points about the newsletter for
our new readers:
We celebrate the great work that is done by the Amatola
Water team throughout our area of operation and how they
Spillway is an Amatola Water stakeholder publication, which
are changing the lives of the many communities we service
is published twice a year (on a six-monthly basis), as a
through the projects that Amatola Water is implementing.
platform for keeping our stakeholders up to date with key
developments and news from Amatola Water.
An example of such is the King Sabata Dalindyebo
Presidential Intervention (KSD PI) taking place in and around
The newsletter offers a snapshot of the activities carried out
Mthatha in the OR Tambo District Municipality, to address
by Amatola Water throughout the Eastern Cape Province,
the area’s persistent infrastructure backlogs and service
ranging from infrastructure development to key water
delivery challenges. We cover a number of projects that
services or sectoral developments.
fall under this intervention and how these will benefit the
communities of Mthatha and surrounds. The amount of
In each issue, the newsletter will carry information and
work that has already been done to date within the KSD PI
news about on-going projects and upcoming activities within
is truly amazing. I hope you enjoy reading the story.
Amatola Water for the benefit of our stakeholders. We also
publish a column on topical issues in water services delivery,
We round up this issue by highlighting a few of the government
featured as ‘Thought Stream’ and offer a round-up of water
initiated campaigns that have influenced the water sector,
sector news in the ‘In Brief’ section.
such as National Water Week and Youth Month.
Our main aim is to make Spillway a platform for dialogue
I trust you will enjoy the read.
and information-sharing, as well as a vehicle for inputs on
how best to advance water services delivery in the Easter
Cape. As such, your ideas and comments are welcome!
Connie Buso-Niwa
Communications Manager
WE VALUE YOUR
FEEDBACK
Let us know what you think of Spillway and its content.
Send your comments to [email protected].
P A G E
2
A road map to a more viable and
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
FOR AMATOLA WATER
Eastern Cape Provincial Water utility,
Amatola Water is embarking on a 20year strategic roadmap – a bold and
strategic direction for the utility.
A plan that recently appointed Amatola Water CEO, Lefadi
Makibinyane, says depicts an organisation that is poised
for a more viable and sustainable future.
Now in its third year of implementation, the strategic plan
maps out a 20-year planning outlook for Amatola Water.
According to Makibinyane, the strategic plan reinforces
the utility’s renewed focus on its primary mandate – that
of bulk water provision, whilst also providing a framework
for achieving the organisation’s 20-year goal - to have a
90/10 percentage split between Primary and Secondary
Business activities by the year 2033.
“Our strategic direction responds to the developments
currently taking place in the water sector and positions
Amatola Water to be in a better position to cater for the
water services needs of the Eastern Cape Province.”
“We were guided by the Water Services Act, the National
Development Plan, the Department of Water & Sanitation’s
Institutional Re-alignment and Reform programme as
well as the provisions of the country’s Constitution, which
include the recognition of access to water and sanitation
as a basic right.”
“In working towards achieving the 20-year strategic
goal, we have set out a five-year objective, to achieve a
70/30 percentage split between Primary and Secondary
Business, respectively, in line with the Board’s mandate,”
says Makibinyane.
The utility aims to grow its Primary Business by increasing
the design standards of its water supply schemes.
“Over the next few years, we plan to upgrade six of our
water treatment plants and related bulk infrastructure,
equating to an increased production capacity in the long
term,” adds Makibinyane.
This, Makibinyane believes will contribute greatly to
expedited water services delivery by eradicating
backlogs; addressing water and sanitation needs in the
Eastern Cape, more especially in the provision of water
for socio-economic needs in rural areas; and ensuring a
decent standard of living for these communities.
P A G E
3
Ten Areas for Successful Water Utility Service Provision
As part of giving appropriate structure to its strategy, Amatola Water has adopted the Ten Areas for Successful Water
Utility Service Provision. This will ensure Amatola Water focuses on all the relevant areas to be a successful water utility.
Water and Wastewater Quality
Water Resource Adequacy
is achieved when Amatola Water produces bulk
potable water and wastewater in compliance with
statutory requirements and consistent with customer
needs at both Amatola Water-owned and Right of
Use (ROU) plants.
is achieved when Amatola Water assesses the scarcity
of freshwater resources, investigates sustainable
alternatives, manages water abstractions assiduously
and has access to stable raw water resources to meet
current and future customer needs.
Customer Satisfaction
Community / Environmental Sustainability
is the degree to which Amatola Water provides reliable,
responsive, and affordable products and services to
Water Services Authorities (WSAs) customers which
meet or surpass customer expectations. Timely
feedback to customer-agreed service levels to
maintain responsiveness to customers needs and to
delight these customers.
is achieved when Amatola Water is explicitly
cognisant of and attentive to the impacts it has on
current and future community sustainability, supports
socio economic development and manages its
operations, infrastructure, and investments to protect,
restore and enhance the natural environment, whilst
using energy and other natural resources efficiently.
Stakeholder Relationships and Support
Leadership and Employee Development
As an organ of state Amatola Water has a variety
of different stakeholders, most notable is the
Department of Water & Sanitation. This outcome
includes managing and building relationships with
the various stakeholder groups by aligning initiatives
to support key stakeholder programs and informed
by the inter-governmental framework, as well as
influencing these stakeholders to have common
understanding of Amatola Water role and catalytic
initiatives within the sector.
is achieved when Amatola Water is dedicated to
continual learning and improvement, recruits and
retains a workforce that is competent, motivated,
adaptive and works safely, ensures institutional
knowledge is retained and improved, provides
opportunities for professional and leadership
development and is led by an integrated senior
leadership team.
is achieved when Amatola Water’s infrastructure is
consistent with customer service levels, and consistent
with anticipated growth and system reliability goals.
is achieved when Amatola Water proactively and
effectively manages business risks across all areas of
the business in a manner that ensures sustainability
of the organisation even in times of challenges and
difficulties.
Infrastructure Stability
Financial Viability
is achieved when Amatola Water manages operating
expenditures and increasing revenues in a manner that
strengthens the balance sheet in a sustainable manner.
In addition, the organisation aims at a sustainable tariff
that is consistent with customer expectations, recovers
costs and provides for future expansion.
Operational Resiliency
Operational Optimisation
is achieved when Amatola Water has ongoing, timely,
cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable performance
improvements in all facets of its operations, has a
culture of accountability and every employee and
department striving to improve systems and processes.
P A G E
4
NEW BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
for Amatola Water
Amatola Water is proud to announce the
appointment of its new nine-member Board
of Directors.
The board comprises highly accomplished water sector and
business leaders who will serve a four-year term, effective
from February 2016.
Chairing the Board is Eastern Cape business woman and
former chief executive of Aspire and the Eastern Cape Parks
Board, Nokulunga Mnqeta. Sizwe Hadebe who has over 15
years in the water sector appointed as deputy chairman,
with Rhodes University professor and deputy dean in the
faculty of Commerce, Lynette Louw as the only member
that has been retained from the previous Board.
Brian Hollingworth, Mphoko Nzimande, Abraham Le Roux,
Chuma Mbande, Tebogo Maenetja and Eugene Jooste also
join the Amatola Water Board of Directors.
Welcoming the Board of Directors, Amatola Water chief
executive officer, Lefadi Makibinyane said the utility is
delighted to be welcoming its new board members, as
appointed by the Minister of Water and Sanitation.
“I believe that each individual brings with them a broad
range of skills and knowledge that will assist the utility as it
charts its future path in the water sector.”
“We are confident that they will support the utility in their
role as board members and lead it to greater heights. We
will draw from their experience and expertise in taking
Amatola Water forward as we embark on our 20-year
strategic direction,” he added.
Makibinyane also expressed words of thanks for dedicated
service to previous board, under the leadership of
Nothemba Mlonzi, for the oversight given to the utility in
their tenure.
For board member profiles visit www.amatolawater.co.za
P A G E
5
Hard Work
&
DEDICATION EARNS AMATOLA WATER
LAB ISO 17025 ACCREDITATION
The hard work and dedication of Amatola Water’s
Scientific Services team has finally paid off, as the
utility successfully regains its ISO 17025 laboratory
accreditation status.
Following a successful audit by the South African
National Accreditation System (SANAS), the ISO 17025
accreditation has been re-instated to Amatola Water
after it was suspended in 2011 due to a number of
findings raised by SANAS.
SANAS is the only national body responsible for carrying
out accreditations in respect of conformity assessments,
as mandated through the Accreditation for Conformity
Assessment, Calibration and Good Laboratory Practice Act
(Act 19 of 2006).
The utility began the journey to prepare for the
accreditation process by having all laboratory staff trained
on all of the accreditation requirements, both technical
and management-related, says the Laboratory Manager,
Maurice Bila. “Team work was key in putting all the
necessary documentation together and ensuring that all
procedures, manuals, methods, and forms were in place.”
“The methods which the lab is now accredited for include,
Ammonium, Chloride, Sulphate, Fluoride, Ortho Phosphate,
Total Alkalinity, Electrical Conductivity, pH, Turbidity, EC
(Potable), E. Coli and the Total Coliforms.”
“To be internationally recognized is a great achievement for
the organisation. The accreditation means the laboratory is
capable of producing data that is reliable and credible, which
can be accepted by other recognised international bodies.”
“The accreditation gives assurance to our customers that
our quality management system is of the highest standard
and that the water quality results produced are credible,
accurate and traceable,” Bila added.
The validity period for the accreditation is five years, effective
from November 2015, with assessments taking place annually
to ensure continuous improvements and ongoing commitment
to the laboratory’s Quality Management system.
P A G E
6
PRESIDENTIAL INTERVENTION
TO ENSURE ACCESS TO
safe and reliable
WATER & SANITATION SERVICES
FOR MTHATHA COMMUNITIES
Amatola Water has been given the enormous task of implementing 90 water and sanitation
projects in Mthatha – worth over R3.5 billion, as part of the King Sabata Dalindyebo
Presidential Intervention (KSDPI) – an initiative to upgrade the town’s infrastructure, including
roads, transport, housing and water & sanitation.
P A G E
The town of Mthatha, which forms part of the King Sabata
“The bulk water projects are aimed at unlocking housing
Dalindyebo Local Municipality and falls under O.R. Tambo
and commercial developments for the region, rather
District Municipality as its Water Services Authority (WSA), is
than just Mthatha town. The projects incorporate a 30km
surrounded by a number of rural villages where access to
radius around the Mthatha Dam and will feed into the five
potable water is either limited or non-existent.
developmental corridors via two major regional water
treatment works, being Thornhill and Rosedale.”
The KSDPI aims to rectify the existing service-delivery
shortfalls in the area. The project as a whole is
“Ultimately, the supply area of Mthatha Dam will be
Government’s commitment to improving the livelihood of
extended to a 50km radius. In addition the Coffee Bay
the people living in the impoverished area by addressing
local corridor that is also under construction will ultimately
the water and wastewater infrastructure capacity to ensure
link to the Mqanduli corridor and terminal reservoir,”
stability and reliability.
explains Amatola Water project manager, Mzoli Hlwele.
The King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality’s Breaking
“Despite being the largest dam in the Eastern Cape with
New Ground (BNG) housing initiative, which seeks to
a capacity of 254 million m³, Mthatha Dam, located
deliver some 17 000 new low-income houses in Mthatha,
some 8km from Mthatha town has been underutilised and
together with the planned upgrade of some 18,000 existing
residents in the area have relied on groundwater for their
low income households in the area, are the cornerstone of
drinking water. The project therefore taps into Mthatha
the intervention.
Dam and integrate the existing stand-alone schemes,
resulting in increased reliability and quality of water
As implementing agent, Amatola Water is tasked
supply to some 100 000 households in the area.”
with implementing a series of water and wastewater
infrastructure upgrades on behalf of the O.R. Tambo District
Once completed, the KSDPI will bring about numerous
Municipality to address service backlogs and provide a
social benefits for the Mthatha communities, elaborates
reliable water supply to the area.
Hlwele – “By linking into these dysfunctional schemes,
operational and maintenance costs will be reduced
“The primary focus is to expand the existing Mthatha
and the local municipalities linked to this water and
Town bulk water supply system operated by the O.R.
sanitation project will benefit by enjoying improved
Tambo District Municipality, to create a regional scheme
financial viability.”
extending along five development corridors and serving
just over one million people.”
7
P A G E
8
“Rural life will be significantly improved to the predominantly
Bulk Water Project Scope:
rural villages surrounding Mthatha, as the supply of water to the
households is not only for drinking, but also can also be used for
•Thornhill Raw Water pipes & WTW (Package 1): Upgrading
small-scale vegetable gardens, small-scale farming in order to
Mthatha Raw Water Supply to Thornhill WTW, upgrading of
improve their livelihood.”
Thornhill WTW, 6 contracts with total value R188 million.
“The reliability of the upgraded water supply will provide an
enhanced level of assurance, which will directly benefit the
•Mthatha South (Package 2): Mthatha Central : nine
contracts with total value R351 million.
Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital’s pilot National Health
Insurance centre, as the hospital needs a constant water supply
to operate and provide health-care services to the community.”
•Mqanduli Corridor (Package 3): Signal Hill Strategic
Linkages & Mqanduli Bulk Conveyance: five contracts
with total value R227 million.
“The communities will be provided with water that meets the
highest standards. This will lead to a huge enhancement of
•Libode Corridor (Package 1 & 4): Libode Bulk Supply
public health to the people who are within the radius of that
pipelines and reservoirs: six contracts with total value
infrastructure. The project will also go a long way to relieving
R187 million.
the burden of school-going children from fetching water. Other
economic benefits include cultural tourism spinoffs,” he adds.
•Signal Hill Strategic Linkages and Airport Corridor
(Package 3): Reservoir and bulk pipelines to Fort Bedfort
The new bulk pipeline infrastructure work on the intervention is
Hospital, Military Base, Airport and surrounding areas: six
expected to be completed by mid-2018, while the secondary
contracts with total value of R103 million.
bulk and the water-to-tap portion is to be completed by end-2018.
•Package 5 to 9: Libode & Ngqeleni Corridors: Bulk
WATER PIPELINE NETWORK:
Conveyance , Rosedale WTW & Nqadu Corridor, Phase 2
Thornhill WTW upgrade - at tender and design stage with
•The Bulk Water Master Plan enables an integrated
estimated value of R1.8 billion.
approach to water supply by tapping into the Mthatha
Dam, which will feed into five corridors via the Thornhill
Project Milestones:
and Rosedale water treatment works (WTW). The five
corridors are:
•Of the 100km of steel pipes and GRP, 90% have been laid.
•
Mqanduli
•The Libode Corridor Phase 1: 36 km pipeline from
•
Nqadu
Rosedale reservoir to Libode is 97% complete and
•
Libode
Rosedale 20Mℓ reservoir is 95% complete. Pipe
•
Ngqeleni
laying to Maydene Farm area and Mist Mount area is
•
Mthatha Central and Airport.
100% complete.
•The corridors span across the local municipalities of
King Sabata Dalindyebo, Nyandeni and Mhlontlo,
with the Mqanduli Corridor extending as far as
KuGxwalibomvu & Mahlathini in the South and
QweQwe and Qunu in the West.
P A G E
•Raw water projects are 95% complete, the 4.4 km of
9
•Construction of the Northern Outfall Sewer to intercept the
raw-water steel pipelines from the Mthatha Dam to the
sewage flows and convey by gravity to a pump station
Thornhill WTW is 100% complete and the upgrade of
adjacent to the sewage treatment works. It is envisaged
Mthatha Dam Pump Station is 82%.
that the Northern Sewer would replace numerous
overloaded pump stations situated along the Mthatha and
•The upgrade of Thornhill WTW from 60 Mℓ to 80 Mℓ per
hence avoid the need for doubling up many of the rising
day is 100% complete.
mains associated with these pump stations and to relieve
the burden of operations and maintenance of these pump
•Libode Ngqeleni Corridor: Phase 1 is under construction,
station to O.R. Tambo District Municipality.
with completion expected in December 2016. Phase 2:
19 contracts are just been awarded in June 2016 and
Based on the findings and recommendations of the Waste
planned to be completed in June 2017.
Water Master Plan for Mthatha, as well as the planning made
available from BNG, this resulted in the implementation of
•Mthatha South Corridor: Bulk pipeline from Thornhill
WTW to Signal Hill and from Signal Hill to Zamukulungisa
three separate components, namely:
•Upgrading of the Mthatha Waste Water Treatment Works
reservoir is 99% complete and the BNG pipeline
(WWTW).
linkages are 100% complete.
•Southern Sewers - Upgrade and Refurbishment of the
•Airport Corridor: Pipeline Construction is 88% complete;
existing Bulk Sewers in Mthatha.
with 100% complete 10Mℓ Fairfield reservoir.
•
The upgrade of the Mthatha Northern Outfall Sewers.
•Mqanduli Corridor: at 84% completion. The first delivery
of water to the last reservoir is expected by April 2017.
Bulk Sanitation Project Scope:
•Phase 1B-1: Upgrading of existing wastewater treatment
SANITATION:
plant and sewer networks to meet the phase one
requirements of the BNG Phase 1 – 6500 housing units, 1
The objectives of the KSD PI sanitation infrastructure are:
contract with a total value of R20 million.
•Provision of the requisite bulk sewerage infrastructure in
support the KSD BNG housing initiative, taking cognisance
•Phase 1B-2: Construction of the New Intake Works with a
of planned development initiatives within Mthatha, i.e.
capacity of 50Mℓ/day to accommodate future inflow at the
make provision for these developments in the planning
head of works, 1 contract with the total value of R21 million.
and design of the BNG infrastructure requirements.
•Phase 2: Upgrade and Extension to the Existing Mthatha
•Refurbish existing bulk sewerage infrastructure currently
WWTW Civil, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Works
operating at or beyond capacity, not directly impacted
– 12Mℓ/day Bio filter Module Plant, 1 contract with the
by the BNG initiative.
value of R176 million.
P A G E
1 0
•Phase A: The construction of a new outfall sewer from
•Phase A: The construction of NOS pump station and
Fort Gale, along the Mthatha River to Norwood, with a
the DN1200 concrete sewer pipeline from Fort Gale are
new pump station at the Waste Water Treatment Plant,
90% complete.
four contracts with the value of R288 million.
•Phase B: Extension of NOS and North- western sewers- to
•Phase B: The extension of the new outfall sewer to cover
be approved for design.
the rest of the northern and north-western suburbs, at
estimated value of R668 million.
KSDPI ECONOMIC SPINOFFS:
Project Milestones:
•
1796 local jobs have been created to date.
•Phase 1B1: The upgrade of Mthatha WWTW from 12 Mℓ
•
R23 million has been paid in wages.
to 18 Mℓ per day is 100% complete.
•28 out of the 72 water and sanitation projects,
•Phase 1B2: The upgrade of Mthatha WWTW intake-works
to 50Mℓ/day is 100%.
•Phase 2: The upgrade of Mthatha WWTW by additional
12 Mℓ/day Bio-filter module plant is 71% complete and
planned to be completed by October 2016.
amounting to R667 million, currently in construction,
have been awarded to local contractors.
P A G E
1 1
Major cash injection
TO OVERHAUL AMATOLA
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
Amatola Water has been granted huge
cash injection from the Regional Bulk
Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) to overhaul its
primary infrastructure, in a bid to increase
production capacity and ensure safe,
sustainable and reliable water supply.
Amatola Water CEO, Lefadi Makibinyane says the project
will benefit six of the utility’s water treatment plants and help
boost each plant’s production capacity to just over five
mega liters per day.
The six plants that are currently being upgraded are
Nahoon, Sandile, Peddie, Debe Nek, Masincedane and
Binfield water treatment works.
Of the R2,5 billion total cost of the project, around
R137 million will go towards the upgrading of the water
treatment works. The rest of the funds have been set aside
for the associated distribution infrastructure, to ensure
the additional supply can be distributed efficiently to
recipient communities; with a portion earmarked for village
reticulation infrastructure to be constructed in order to
ensure backlogs are eliminated and assurance of supply
meets the required standards.
Around R217 million has been set aside for the 2016/17
financial year.
According to Makibinyane, economically depressed
communities falling within the Mdantsane area of
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and those in the
Ngqushwa, Nkonkobe and Amahlathi Municipalities
within the Amathole District Municipality that are
currently receiving a minimum standard of 25 liters of
water per person per day, are among those that will
benefit from the project.
“This project will improve the quality of life to about 47 142
households within the stated municipalities, who will have
access to 750 liters per day, as opposed to the minimum
standard of 25 liters per person per day. While an estimated
4 057 predominantly indigent households will receive
access to piped water, and for the first time benefit from
access to safe, sustainable and reliable water supply,”
Makibinyane explained.
Other spinoffs of the project, directly linked to the improved
level of water supply include among others, an improved
quality of life and household health, as well as increased
economic and social growth.
P A G E
1 2
Thought Stream
WITH ANDRÉ DYER
DESALINATION
AN ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION TO SA’S
WATER SUPPLY CHALLENGES
Water is an essential resource in the production of goods and services, including food,
electricity and most manufactured products. In order to support financially sustainable economic
activities, it is therefore essential to ensure that water supply is reliable and predictable.
Given the current drought that is gripping most parts of
the country, there has never been a more opportune time
for us to look at alternative water supply solutions at our
disposal - with desalination being one such solution.
While water conservation awareness and the reduction
of consumption are but some of the ways to help curb
the effects of the drought, they are far off from offering a
complete solution to the country’s water scarcity.
Coastal towns like Mosselbay and Sedgefield in the
Western Cape have tapped into desalination as a
solution for their water challenges, both using seawater
reverse osmosis plants to supplement water provision
during drought conditions.
In the Eastern Cape, we have the Albany Coast
seawater reverse osmosis (RO) plant located at
Bushman’s River Mouth in the Ndlambe Local
Municipality, which is owned and operated by
P A G E
1 3
Amatola Water. The Albany Coast RO plant is the
key challenge to running a desalination plant is the
first desalination plant in South Africa, having been
cost of production, especially during winter months
commissioned in 1997.
when electricity tariffs tend to be on a high. With higher
than anticipated electricity and maintenance costs,
Reverse Osmosis is the most common form of
desalination remains about twice as expensive as
desalination, and involves forcing water through
treating rainwater or wastewater.
cartridges that contain thin-film composite polyamide
membranes, which trap salt and other impurities but
Some environmentalists have long opposed desalination
allow the fresh water through.
due to the high energy the process demands, and other
environmental considerations such as the impact of
According to a study done by Keith Turner from Royal
drawing large quantities of seawater from the ocean.
Haskoning DHV and published by the Water Research
Commission in 2016, as a water scarce region, Ndlambe
However, with the effects of climate change, such
has limited access to freshwater dams and rivers. “The
a decreasing rainfall resulting to lower dams levels
scarcity is also increased by the geological conditions
and the prevalence of drought, a growing number of
imposed by the Bokkeveld shale which limit the use of
countries are looking to desalination for water security.
boreholes because of its imperviousness (limits to the
passage of water into the ground) and the releasing of
A case in point is Australia, which launched a massive
salts into groundwater.”
desalination plant build programme when the worst
drought broke in the country between 1997 and 2009. In
The Albany Coast plant abstracts raw water from beach
Perth, Western Australia, the general sentiment towards
wells (Diaz Cross well field) which supplements the
desalination is very positive, wherein the desalination
plant’s supply; produces potable water through the
plants are fully utilized and supply nearly half of Perth’s
process of reverse osmosis (RO); and supplies treated
water requirement, with the view that these plants were
desalinated water to the Bushmans River reservoir and
key investments in building water resilience.
Kenton-on-Sea settlements, serving the communities of
Bushman’s River, Harmony Park, Marselle, Kenton and
In the words of Western Australian Water Minister,
Kenton Eco Estate.
Bill Marmion: “Nothing is more important to Western
Australians than the security of our water supply. As
Due to the deteriorating quality of the water sourced
we experience an increasingly dry climate, evidenced
from the Diaz Aquifer, the only alternative and available
by dwindling inflow to our dams, we must re-think
water resource for the area is seawater.
the way we source water.” In line with this thinking,
Water Corporation has embarked on a ten year plan
The Albany Coast water supply system, including the
to drought-proof Perth by 2022 so that sufficient water
RO plant and nearby well fields, has a capacity of
supplies are maintained, whatever the weather, (Water
approximately 1.8 Mℓ/day RO and 1.2 Mℓ/day from the
Research Commission:The Water Wheel,June 2015).
dune wells.
The Australian example offers a preview of where much
Like the Mosselbay and Sedgefield plants, the Albany
of the world is headed, should the dry conditions prevail.
Coast RO plant also utilises high pressure reverse osmosis
As the pressure on South Africa’s water resources
where the Electric Conductivity (EC) is >20 000mS/m of
continues to rise as a result of the prevailing drought and
which seawater is ±55 000 mS/m).
increasing demand, it remains to be seen whether these
will encourage a positive shift towards desalination as
Even with its numerous positives for water security, the
an alternative solution to the country’s water challenges.
cost of desalinated water remains a bone of contention
for many. One reason is the huge amount of energy
André Dyer is Amatola Water’s Water Services Operations
required to push water through the membranes. The
Manager.
P A G E
1 4
James Kleynhans upgrade
TO AUGMENT WATER
SUPPLY TO MAKANA
Amatola Water has been appointed by the
Department of Water & Sanitation (DWS)
to plan, design and implement the James
Kleynhans Bulk Water Supply Project
at Makana Local Municipality, which is
located within the Sarah Baartman District
in the Eastern Cape.
The scope of the contract includes the
augmentation of the existing water treatment works,
storage reservoirs and pump station. These will be
constructed in two phases.
The project has a budget allocation of over R132.8
million, funded through the DWS Regional Bulk
Infrastructure Grant.
Upon completion, the James Kleynhans Bulk Water
Supply project will ensure the provision of an
assured supply of potable water to approximately
90,100 people who live in the Grahamstown area.
Work on the project is expected to be completed
by December 2017.
P A G E
1 5
AMATOLA WATER ROLLS OUT
supplier development
TRAINING FOR SMMES
As part of its Enterprise Development programme,
businesses by capacitating the SMMEs so that they are
Amatola Water held supplier development training
able to compete effectively when submitting bids for
sessions for the utility’s database registered Small,
work in response to tenders.”
Medium and Macro Enterprises (SMMEs).
“Through these sessions we want to ensure skills transfer
SMMEs who attended the training came from the areas
and knowledge sharing while also encouraging broad
of Mthatha, Port Alfred and East London, representing
tender awareness among SMMEs, with the view that
various business sectors, including Construction, ICT,
once they understand and are fully aware of all the
Engineering and Professional Services.
tendering compliance and quality requirements,
they can compete for opportunities. This will provide
Amatola Water’s Supply Chain Manager, Sharlene Links
the SMMEs with the competitive edge they require to
says the main aim of the supplier development training is
compete for business and ultimately yield positive
to provide the entrepreneurs with the necessary skills, for
results for their businesses,” Links adds.
them to ultimately participate in opportunities presented
by Amatola Water.
The training forms part of Amatola Water’s broader supplier
development programme that will be rolled-out in the
“We want to contribute to the sustainable growth of these
The objectives of the Tender Advice
Training Sessions were:
• To assist SMMEs to understand the principles
of public sector procurement and services.
• To help SMMEs to take advantage of existing
business opportunities for public sector work
and understand how to respond to them
effectively.
• To capacitate SMMEs with bid quality and
compliance requirements knowledge, to a
level where they can be able to grow their
businesses.
course of the year.
P A G E
1 6
Putting people first
CORNERSTONE TO AMATOLA
WATER’S SERVICE EXCELLENCE
P A G E
1 7
Amatola Water has the Batho Pele (People First) Principles as part of its quest to
promote service excellence in the public sector.
“Batho Pele means putting ‘people first’, and through this
The principles are aligned with the Constitutional
initiative Amatola Water aims to cultivate a people and
ideals of:
service-centred organisational culture.”
• Promoting and maintaining high standards of
“The ultimate objective is to encourage our workforce
to implement the key pillars of the Batho Pele Principles,
namely - ‘We belong, We care and We serve’ - and
professional ethics;
• Providing service impartially, fairly, equitably and
to commit them to the high standard of engagement
advocated by Batho Pele, especially when dealing with
our stakeholders,” says Amatola Water’s Acting Corporate
Services Director, Nolitha Klu.
To launch the Batho Pele programme, training sessions were
held for Amatola Water management at the Nahoon Dam
without bias;
• Utilizing resources efficiently and effectively;
• Responding to people’s needs; the citizens are
encouraged to participate in policy-making; and
complex during the months of April, May and June 2016.
• Rendering an accountable, transparent, and
The training was facilitated by the Change Management
development-oriented public administration.
unit in the Eastern Cape Premier’s Office, and was focused
on the eight Batho Pele principles, which are consultation,
service standards, access, courtesy, information, openness
and transparency, redress and value for money.
“Working jointly with the Premier Office, our Training
Department will oversee the roll-out of Batho Pele
programme throughout the organisation and ensure
The Batho Pele Principles have been developed to serve
as a policy and legislative framework regarding service
that it is a permanent feature of how Amatola Water runs
its business,” says Klu.
delivery in the public service.
KEY PILLARS OF THE BATHO PELE PRINCIPLES
We Belong
We Care
We Serve
It’s about caring for people
we render service to
It’s about working together as
teams with fellow colleagues
It’s about going beyond
the call of duty
#Youth
MONTH
P A G E
1 9
Advancing Youth Empowerment at Amatola Water
Amatola Water prides itself in its contribution to youth
“One key initiative that proactively assists with advancing
empowerment through various initiatives, aimed at
youth development at Amatola Water is our NQF Level
providing opportunities and support to young people,
4 Water & Waste Water Learnership programme that
including skills development, study opportunities,
is targeted at unemployed youth between the ages
employment etc.
of 18 and 35. 36 learners are currently enrolled in the
learnership, which is run in partnership with Ndlambe
“We understand that some of the challenges faced by
Local Municipality.”
the youth today are unemployment and skills shortage.
So, as an agent of socio-economic development in the
“Working together with municipalities as our partners, we
Eastern Cape, our approach to youth empowerment is to
anticipate that upon completion of the training, these
contribute towards the upskilling of unemployed youth
learners can be absorbed into the job market within local
within the water sector,” says Amatola Water’s Acting
government,” adds Klu.
Corporate Service Director, Nolitha Klu.
With June celebrated as Youth Month in South Africa, and specifically June 16th, which is commemorated
as Youth Day, let’s take a look at what Amatola Water is currently doing to advance youth empowerment
and to positively contribute to the country’s socio-economic development:
• 33% of Amatola Water staff complement is youth.
• 2.6% of management is comprised of young people.
• Training & Skills Development:
-
- 78 staff members within the age of 35 are employed in various scarce skills professional careers i.e.
9 staff members within the age of 35 were awarded study assistance to the value of R176 876.
- 2 staff members within the age of 35 are currently enrolled in the Amatola Water NQF Level 4 Learnership
- 36 learners are enrolled in the Water and Waste Water Treatment Learnership in partnership with Ndlambe
scientists, engineers, artisans.
Programme as part of Internal Development of staff.
Municipality.
• Education & Awareness:
- Around 105 young people of school going age went through the Nahoon WTW and the Bushman’s Reverse
Osmosis Plant as part of Amatola Water’s contribution to water education and awareness through the
school tour programme.
• Community Support & Public Participation:
- Over 300 youths supported through Amatola Water’s corporate social responsibility programme.
• Job Creation:
- Around 65% young people are temporarily employed as part of the King Sabata Dalindyebo Presidential
Intervention.
• 85% young people are temporarily employed in the Public Works project for which Amatola Water is an
implementing agent.
P A G E
2 0
IN BRIEF
SCIENCE CENTRE LAUNCH FOR COFIMVABA
The Minister of Science and Technology ((DST), Naledi
Pando, together with the Eastern Cape Department of
Education (ECDoE) and the Department of Basic Education
launched the first ever Science Centre for Cofimvaba at a
sod-turning ceremony during Youth Month.
The R30 million science centre forms part of the DST led
technology for rural education development programme
and is set to be completed by March 2017.
Approximately 3 500 learners from various high schools
around Cofimvaba attended the launch, with Amatola
Water among the institutions that exhibited at the event,
including the Department of Science & Technology,
University of South Africa (UNISA), CSIR, Eskom, and others.
The Amatola Water exhibition stand drew a number of
learners with a keen interest in Microbiology.
Speaking at the event, Minister Pando encouraged
learners towards maths and science, and for them totake
their studies further and not be satisfied with merely
completing high school level.
She pleaded with the community and youth to protect
the Science Centre and ensure that it is never used to
express any level of anger. Her emphasis was that when
the community destroys facilities they destroy the future of
those benefiting from it.
DWS DEPUTY MINISTER HANDS OVER
MEDIA CLASSROOM TO CABANE JUNIOR
SECONDARY SCHOOL
In celebration of National Water Week, on 4 March 2016, the
Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in partnership with
MTN Foundation handed over a media classroom to Cabane
Junior Secondary School located at Mzimvubu Local
Municipality in Mount Frere.
National Water Week, is an annual campaign by the
department aimed at raising awareness among the broader
South African communityabout the importance and value
of water, the need for sustainable management of the
resource and the role water plays in eradicating poverty
and under-development in South Africa.
The handover falls under the department’s flagship
programme – Baswa Le Meetse ‘Youth in Water’, which was
launched in 2003 as an initiative within the 2020 Vision for
Water & Sanitation Education Programme (2020VFWSEP).
The learners from Cabane Junior Secondary School
received the media classroom for winning first prize in the
drama category of the 2012 Baswa Le Meetse national
campaign.
The media classroom comprised of 20 computer
workstations, a multifunction printer, data projector,
interactive whiteboard, air conditioner and R1 0000
internet service subsidy for 24 months.
Addressing the community of Cabane, Deputy Minister of
Water & Sanitation, Ms. Pam Tshwete appealed to them to
take special care and look after the media classroom as it
will also assist future generations.
P A G E
2 1
WISA 2016
THE LARGEST GATHERING
OF WATER SECTOR MINDS
Amatola Water was among the many government and water sector industry players that
attended the 2016 Water Institute of South Africa conference (WISA) Biennial Conference
held in Durban recently.
Lauded as the largest gathering of water sector minds in
The four-day programme also included over 150
Southern Africa, the WISA conference attracted around
exhibitors, with Amatola Water among the list of
2,000 local and international delegates, including
exhibitors.
engineers, municipalities, water industry stakeholders
and the like.
“The Wisa conference is an excellent platform for
networking with industry players, establishing business
Under the theme ‘Water – The Ultimate Constraint’ the
contacts and positioning the organisation. The interest
conference programme featured more than 100 expert
shown by visitors and delegates at Amatola Water’s
speakers dissecting issues crucial to the effective
exhibition stand was overwhelmingly positive, with
management of our water resources, with sub-themes
around 80 visitors to the stand each day,” says Public
ranging from community water supply and sanitation,
Relations Officer, Tandi Thomas.
industrial water and effluent, the information technology,
legislation management and institutional affairs and
fracking to name the few.
HEAD OFFICE
Amatola House,
6 Lancaster Road, Vincent, 5247
Tel 043 707 3700
[email protected]
PUBLISHED BY
Amatola Water Board
Amatola House,
6 Lancaster Road, Vincent, 5247
ENQUIRIES
Communications Department
Amatola Water Board
Telephone: 043 707 3700
Fax: 043 707 3701
www.amatolawater.co.za