Crucial environmental performance parameters for Rand Water
The fabrication plant also generates bitumen waste, which is
are:
removed from old pipe wrappings as part of the fabrication
process.
Waste management
Hazardous Waste Disposed
As a responsible waste generator, Rand Water disposes
of waste through a legally compliant service provider who
was appointed through a procurement process. Rand Water
produces general waste (paper, cans, glass, etc.) and
hazardous waste from operational processes.
The recycling strategy will not only focus on general waste,
but will also identify hazardous waste streams with recycling
or re-use potential and arrange for such respectively.
The graph below depicts hazardous waste that was disposed
of for the reporting period. Examples of hazardous waste
include fluorescent tubes, which are used for lighting of offices
and work areas. The tubes are removed by the waste service
provider from Rand Water, and transported to a treatment
facility where they are crushed and treated with a sodium
sulphide sulphur solution before disposal to hazardous landfill.
Our Scientific Services laboratory generates small volumes of
biological and chemical waste, from the testing procedures
used at the world-class facility, in ensuring that our potable
water meets the requirements of the SANS 241 standard.
60
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
Due to the expanse of our pipeline network and reservoirs,
Rand Water has sites stationed at strategic points within the
supply area; some located far from the cities and not serviced
my municipal sewage systems.
Rand Water subscribes to the ‘cradle to grave’ concept with
regards to waste management, and we therefore ensure
that we are aware of the eventual disposal of all our waste
streams, and ensure that this is done in a legally compliant
manner.
Water - abstraction, purification, distribution, water loss
and catchment management
We take all reasonable care to keep water losses to a minimum
in the abstraction, purification and distribution networks of our
operations, and constantly keep records of water balances
to meet the commitment of water conservation entrenched in
our SHEQ policy. Any discharges are duly reported to the
Department of Water Affairs. Rand Water also aggressively
manages the Vaal Catchment Management Area in striving to
maintain the quality of its raw water supply. Any development
that may encroach upon a water resource is managed
sustainably and in line with the National Water Act of 1998.
Rand Water follows a procedure for the assessing of
environmental aspects and impacts, and institutes controls
to ensure that in the purification and associated processes,
environmental risks are identified and reasonably mitigated.
Air- dust fall-out
impact to the environment. Risk Assessments are conducted
on potentially high risk areas such as the Panfontein Landfill
disposal site, and rehabilitation options have been identified
in line with legal requirements.
Biodiversity resources- search and rescue, alien invader
eradication
Rand Water practically implements measures such as
search and rescue activities for flora and fauna in areas
where development is earmarked, and before construction
activities. Red data species such as bullfrogs are re-located,
protected flora are ring-fenced or re-located, or nursed at
Rand Water’s own nursery. Monitoring and measurement of
key environmental aspects lead to programs such as the alien
eradication invader program which is in place for all major
sites and servitudes. Remarkable progress has been made
in alien eradication, and is of paramount importance to the
contribution to national water conservation measures.
Occupational Health and Safety – OHSAS 18001:2007
The aspect of dust fall-out is monitored monthly at the two
large purification works, Vereeniging and Zuikerbosch in
In line with the continual improvement we have further
accordance with SANS 1929:2005. At our Zuikerbosch
reduced the disabling injury rate (DIFR) target by 10.0% from
and Vereeniging purification works, burnt lime is used as part
0.55 to 0.50 DIFR. The actual for the period 2012/2013
of the purification process. The lime is stored and conveyed
was 0.33 compared with DIFR of 0.37 for previous year – a
to the works from ‘lime plants.’ These areas usually produce
12% improvement from the previous year. The ultimate goal is
dust and therefore Rand Water monitors the dust generation
ZERO INJURIES! at the workplace.
to ensure the safety of its employees as well as compliance
to the ambient air quality standards in terms of the National
This improvement is also confirmed by the reduced number of
Environmental Management Air Quality Act. Ambient nuisance
claims from the Federated Employers’ Mutual Assurance, and
dust monitoring is undertaken at all other sites every two years
resulted in some reduction in premiums in real terms.
as part of the occupational hygiene surveys.
The Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) program
The obligation of dust suppression at our construction sites has
focused on the identifying unsafe acts and conditions.
also been passed on to our contractors through Environmental
The OH&S strategy focused on the task observation, mini-
Management Plans which must be adhered to.
hazardous identification and risk assessment, including
the improvement of incident investigations on all incidents
Land- ecosystem management and land rehabilitation
occurring at the workplace. Emphasis was also placed on
All development footprints and servitudes are maintained to an
reporting all incidents especially near-misses. The OH&S
aesthetically pleasing level, and funds for rehabilitation after
construction activities are included in project management
planning by a dedicated rehabilitation department. Rand
Water strives to rehabilitate its footprint to a condition that
the site was before construction or to better it. In selecting
rehabilitation options, indigenous or otherwise beneficial
species are used for re-vegetation, and long term sustainability
of the survival of the ecosystem is addressed. Operational
procedures are in place for activities that may pose an
program elements delivered a list of risk control measures as
well as very effective action plans to prevent incidents from
happening.
Adherence to legislation is continually monitored and legal
updates are received and implemented through the corporate
SHE manuals to all the operating sites. Keeping up to date
with legislation is part of Rand Water’s SHEQ Policy which
includes self-regulation audits. This significantly contributes
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
61
to the maintenance of the OHSAS 18001:2007 SABS
Occupational Health Management
certification conditions. Excellent audit results were obtained
regarding compliance to the applicable OH&S legislations.
The occupational health management aims to maintain the
This culminated in maintaining our OHSAS 18001:2007 the
highest degree of wellbeing of all employees, and minimise
second time since the new version was implemented.
financial losses, through the maintenance of safety and healthy
workplace, targeted employee monitoring, effective remedial
actions to correct unacceptable deviations.
The table and graph below shows the progressive
improvements Rand Water has achieved and maintained.
This is achieved through the provision of medical and
YEAR
ACTUAL DIFR
TARGET DIFR
2005/06
0,41
1,00
2006/07
0,38
0,80
2007/08
0,54
0,80
2008/09
0,57
0,80
2009/10
0.53
0.80
2010/11
0.47
0.60
2011/12
0.35
0.55
2012/13
0.33
0.50
technical expertise to achieve improvements in the working
environmental, adaptation work to the individual worker, and
promotion of the health and welfare of workers. In this way
the services decrease the incidence of occupational injuries,
diseases, deaths and related disability.
The objectives are: To comply, as a minimum, with legal requirements
regarding the Occupational Health and Safety Act
No. 85 of 1993 and Regulations as amended.
 To continuously identify and assess occupational and
environmental hazards, risks and implement effective
mitigation plans
To identify and manage adverse health effects arising
from workplace conditions (including compensation
and rehabilitation where possible)
 To encourage and coach employees to maintain a
reasonable degree of general health and fitness to
work at all time
 To achieve a high level of co-operation between
management and employees on health, safety and
environmental control programs.
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rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
Rand Water’s occupational health management program has
meet the legislated standards in term of illumination, noise,
proven its resilience by the excellent performance that we
hazardous chemical substances and ergonomics.
continue to maintain regarding occupational illness, diseases
and ergonomics related diseases.
All areas in Rand Water meet these standards and where
deviations are identified corrective action is promptly carried out.
This robust program is based on the following elements:Occupational Health Risk Assessments
Occupational Risk Exposure Profile - OREP
All occupations within Rand Water have an OREP. This
These are frequently done by line management, SHE
document links the inherent job requirements with hazardous
representatives and Occupational Medical Practitioners.
exposures for the specific job or task and this forms the
In this process health hazards are identified and mitigated
minimum medical standard required to ensure the safety in a
through well-designed mitigation plans. Employees and their
specific position and reduce health risk.
representatives are encouraged to report health hazards
immediately so that appropriate corrective actions are taken.
Medical Surveillance Program - MSD
Rand Water continues to maintain a high standard of the
As Rand Water’s core business is about raw water abstraction,
MSD across all its sites. This program involved targeted
purification using chemicals, pumping to distribute water and
medical surveillance based upon hazardous exposures and
water care process; the following hazards are present and
a risk profile. This program is developed and guided by
well managed:
the Occupational Medical Practitioner and executed by the
Occupational Health Nursing Practitioner.
Physical hazard namely noise and vibration
exposures
Hazardous chemicals substances for the treatment
and purification of water
This program begins when employees enter Rand Water to
when the employee exits the organisation. The emphasis is
placed on all those employees who are exposed to potential
Biological hazards – from water care process
hazards and risks namely drivers, hazardous chemical
Ergonomics from operation of valves, construction
substance and working at heights.
and steel pipe fabrication.
Ergonomics Program
Our robust occupational health program manages all these
hazards effectively. During the reporting period there were no
cases reported from these hazards.
Occupational Hygiene Surveys
Ergonomics is the evolving field within occupational health
and there has been increased awareness of its impact on
worker health and has been increased awareness of its
impact on worker health. Recently there has also been an
increased awareness of its impact on worker health of recent.
All areas within Rand Water are subjected to these legislated
This involves stressors including: awkward postures, exertion
surveys. The objective of these is to ensure that all areas
of forces, contact stress etc.
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
63
The occupational hygiene surveys results and medical
Project Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (SHE)
surveillances have shown that these are effectively managed
plans by the contractors. This is done by the contractors
within Rand Water.
themselves as well as the Rand Water risk personnel. Project
Quality Management Systems (QMS) – ISO 9001:2008
In compliance with the SABS, the organisation’s certification
body, bi-annual SABS quality management audits were
held. The successful maintenance of this ISO 9001.2008
certificate again confirmed the continuing maturity level of the
Quality Management Systems. In these SABS audits our QMS
was found to continuously comply with all ISO 9001:2008
requirements.
Document control and continuous improvement are some of
the benefits Rand Water is ripping from the QMS. Operating
manuals, procedures, safe operating procedures and forms
are of a high standard in the organisation.
All QMS manuals were reviewed in the reporting period
to incorporate all identified gaps and also in line with the
continuous QMS improvements.
management teams are very vigilant on SHE issues forming
part of the site meetings and all SHE non-conformances are
handled there.
Improved SHE performance was experienced as the result
of being diligent with enforcement of SHE compliances.
Although, the year to date actual performance was 1.23 DIFR
better than the previous year 2.05 DIFR, improvements are still
required - see the graph below.
This safety performance for the construction industry is within
the acceptable limits. The trends showed that most of the
incidents came from excavations, man-machine interface and
inadequate and non-adherance to procedures where they are
adequate. Focus areas for improvement have been identified,
and they include writing, revising and carrying out regular
task observations on all critical tasks especially around the
excavation.
Contractor Management
In line with our capital expenditure targets as well as in
Rand Water - Contractors
Disabling injury frequency rates per 200 000 manhours worked
meeting Rand Water’s Growth Strategy, a number of capital
projects are undertaken to expand and maintain the integrity
of our infrastructure, to meet the nation’s potable water and
sanitation demands. The Board, Executive Management and
all involved in these projects are committed to zero injuries,
zero degrading incidents as well as timeous delivery of these
projects.
Enforcement of legislation especially on Occupational Health,
Safety and Environment (SHE) matters is the critical part of the
project management. The legislation and our SHE requirement
has been integrated into the project management process
from the project initiation to project hand over.
Over-and-above the self-monitoring the contractors carry,
Rand Water also conducts its frequent SHE inspections to
verify and ensure that the contractors adhere to their SHE
plans. Deviations are reported to the project team and followup done to ensure that the deviation is corrected.
During the reporting period, the number of contractor nonconformances to the SHE requirement significantly decreased.
This was due to the strict monitoring of compliance to the
64
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
Risk Finance
Rand Water self-insures for high frequency low severity losses
by means of a self-insurance fund. This entails having large
Aggregate Deductibles.
Risk transfer is effected for low
frequency but high severity losses by purchasing insurance
from the insurance market. Many forms of insurance are
purchased to protect Rand Water against various risks and
possible eventualities.
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
65
Rand Water’s Environmental Management Services
department is responsible for 4 main areas of
operation i.e.
Site maintenance and landscaping
Water Wise gardening,
Authorisations (including Environmental Authorisations, Heritage Impact Assessments
and Water Use Licenses)
Environmental rehabilitation
Our intention is to ensure that we retain our
impeccable record as an environmentally
responsible organisation. This we are able to do
through proactive environmental assessments and
our appropriate responses to these assessments.
In this Integrated Annual Report we highlight some of the key
from the relevant authorities prior to the commencement of
activities undertaken by the department during the year under
any project. This is in part due to our regular engagements
review.
with both the Department of Water Affairs and Environmental
Affairs.
Authorisations and reinstatement
During the year under review, Environmental Management
We have obtained, managed and monitored environmental
Services worked at ensuring that all the environmental aspects
authorisations on behalf of the organisation for the past five
of Rand Water’s projects are prioritised without compromising
financial years. In this time Rand Water has applied for
neither the organisation nor any other interested and
Water Use Licenses (WUL) in line with regulations as per the
affected parties.
National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998); Basic Assessments
authorisations, and adhering to compliance and monitoring
in line with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
requirements when working on our projects, we have remained
requirements of the National Environmental Management Act
committed to protecting the environment. This allows us to
(No.107 of 1998); as well as acquiring heritage permits for
again acknowledge the importance of biodiversity and our
the decommissioning of structures (60 years and older) as per
obligations as a responsible corporate citizen.
Together with attaining the appropriate
the directives contained in the National Heritage Act (No.
25 of 1999).
During the year under review, we received environmental
authorisations from the Department of Environmental Affairs
We are proud of our commitment in complying with legislation
(DEA) and the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural
outlined in the Acts in all our projects during the year under
Development (GDARD).
review.
In all instances we have acquired authorisation
Environmental authorisations received between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013
Description
Date received
Authority
Reference No
R5 phase two-Vlakfontein – Mamelodi
pipeline
12 June 2013
GDARD
Gaut 002/13-14/ E0245
G37/H37 Pipes crossing Ekurhuleni
14 August 2012
GDARD
Gaut 002/ 11-12 /E0244
B19 VG residue line
27 August 2012
DEA
14/12/16/3/3/1/445
Vaal Barrage structure refurbishment
08 August 2012
DEA
DEA/EIA/ 0000177/2011
ZBK -raising of canal wall
08 August 2012
GDARD
Gaut 002/10-11/E0184
H27, H16, H39, - Klipfontein pipeline
11 July 2012
GDRAD
Gaut 002/11-12/E0175
S4 Pipeline from the Van Dyk part of
Rynfield extension
11 July 2012
GDRAD
Gaut 002/11-12/E0175
K5 and K8 replacement of pipeline
21 November 2012
DEA
14/12/16/33/1/641
Vereeniging -residue pipeline line
21 June 2013
DEA
14/12/16/3/3/2/560
C25 Pipeline partial augmentation
of the Zwartkoppies pipeline
21 November 2012
DEA -
14/12/16/3/3/1/640
During the year under review 6 Water Use Licences were granted by the Department of Water Affairs.
Water Use Licences granted between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013
Description
Date received
Reference No
G37/H37 pipes intersecting Ekurhuleni
30 April 2013
14/12/16/3/3/1/649
C3 C5 C7 C10 C11 C24 Refurbishment of pipeline
25 April 2013
08/C22D/CI/2040
B17 and B18 Pipeline
16 July 2012
16/2/7/C221/E001
K5 and K8 Replacement of pipeline
23 November 2012
16/2/7/C212/W17
27 November 2012
16/2/7/C212/W17
23 July 2012
6/2/7/C212/W157
J8 Germiston Pipeline
L17 Pipeline
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
67
We acquired and monitored 78 authorisations over the past five financial years. Three Basic Assessments (BA) were class
applications that involved a multiple of our projects grouped together.
Total authorisation received between 2008 and 2013
Year
2012 /13
Exemption
for EIA.
1
2011/12
4
GA for WUL
2008/09
and before
TOTAL 78
BA
HIA
Waste
2
6
11
0
0
1
7
9
0
0
2
12
1
2010/11
2009/2010
WUL
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
11
0
3
5
3
15
51
1
3
During this period three projects were closed after adhering to the requirements of the authorisation and we have submitted closed
reports.
The monitoring specifications during this five year period have expanded as the requirements to monitor authorisations increased.
These are expected to further increase in order to meet the expected incoming demand.
Projects and authorisations monitored between 2008 and 2013
Year
No of ECO’s
Number of authorisations
been monitored with
authorisation
Number of authorisations
been monitored with RW
generic EMP
2012 /13
7
31
4
2011/12
7
24
2
2010/11
4
10
1
2009/2010
4
6
1
2008/09
2
4
0
We monitor our environmental management projects and these are in turn audited by an independent auditor every three months.
During the year under review, 35 projects monitored by 7 Environmental Control Officers (ECO’s ) attained an average compliance
score of 90%. We have set 90% for ourselves as the minimum compliance target for compliance.
Environmental Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation ensures that Rand Water’s infrastructure is protected from effects of erosion and other environmental impacts.
When required the appropriate environmental related authorisations are obtained prior to us undertaking this work. It also requires
that all construction sites are rehabilitated, after our construction work is completed, to as close to the original condition as is
possible.
As part of our work we monitored, maintained and reinstated eroded land above and adjacent to Rand Water properties,
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rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
linked to dolomitic areas or old mining areas.
reservoirs and pipelines. We implemented 27 rehabilitation
projects during the year under review covering an area of
approximately 447 086 m2. Our work included erosion

channels of water from reservoirs
intervention, maintenance and rehabilitation after construction.
During the rehabilitation process, 1050 indigenous trees of
various sizes were planted, 192 alien plants were removed

drainage lines.
grass. At our Weltevreden Park reservoir, we recreated a

We also visit all previous erosion projects to ensure that no
Storm Water (STM) refers to erosion cases caused by
storm water (mainly municipal).
the installation of owl nesting boxes and bat roosting boxes to
encourage improved biodiversity.
River Crossing (RC), Wetlands (W): refers to erosion
occurring on pipeline across rivers, wetlands or
and approximately 344 294 m2 of land was covered with
typical Highveld grassland ecosystem at the site, coupled with
Overflow (OF): refers to erosion caused by flow

Scouring (SC): refers to erosion relating to the scouring
activities
further degradation occurs. All new erosion problems are
identified and these are added to the rehabilitation database.
A total of 31 erosion sites were undertaken during the review
period.
The cases of erosion were caused by either of the following:

Traffic on road or people (TR): this is the continuous
movement of vehicles and people across the Rand
Water servitude.

Activities relating to informal mining (M), occurring on
or adjacent to the Rand Water servitude.

Poor construction reinstatement (PCR): these are linked
to issues like insufficient backfilling after construction,
unlevelled areas and inadequate encasing of pipes
(at water course).This is mainly from historical aspects.

Poor rehabilitation (PR): refers to areas where there
was poor or no rehabilitation done after construction.
These are mainly of a historical nature.

Trees (T): refers to the effects of exotic trees invading
Rand Water’s servitude or properties.

Sinkholes (SI): refers to ground subsidence or collapses
Causes of erosion between 2004 and 2013 above and
adjacent to Rand Water properties, reservoir and pipelines
The causes of the different erosion at each site were plotted.
These are depicted in the table below. The major cause of
erosion has been identified as a consequence of increased
storm water runoff. This can be attributed to the increase
in built up environment as well as increased “flash” rainfall
events. Only a single case has been recorded as being in a
wetland. Our deduction is that many of the wetlands-related
problems would have been recorded as river crossing.
Our pipeline network is divided into three regions namely
North (N), South (S) and West (W). The below table indicates
that most of the erosion is occurring in the Western (W)
region, followed by the Southern (S) region with 41 cases and
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
69
Northern region (N) with 39 cases. The district with highest
During the year under review, 439 listed alien trees were
occurrence of erosion reported is Krugersdorp (19) followed
removed and 860 listed alien invasive shrubs were removed.
by Libanon (12) both these are in the Western district.
All these have been replaced with suitable non invasive plants.
Erosion cases reported per Rand Water district
We continue to advocate for the saving of water particularly
in households and gardens and have implemented a plan
to make use of recycled water within our nursery for the
propagation and growth of plants used on sites. The first
phase of this project has been completed with the installation
of three holding tanks coupled to a booster pump to run the
nursery’s irrigation. Storm water together with sample water
is currently channelled into retention ponds within the nursery
and this water is being filtered and boosted into the nursery
irrigation system thereby reducing the reliance on potable
water within the nursery.
Site Maintenance
Site maintenance and development is undertaken regularly
at all of our six major sites as well as at a number of minor
sites such as reservoirs and smaller depots. Whilst the most
of the horticultural site maintenance is undertaken by our
permanent staff, selected work is outsourced and maintained
by maintenance contractors as well as a select number of
experienced staff appointed seasonally to assist with activities
on our maintenance schedule. All our sites are rated monthly
against set maintenance criteria.
In support of sustainable biodiversity, the battle against Invasive
Alien Plants (IAP) continued on all sites, and we continue to
remove and control the spread of these listed invaders on an
on-going basis. We replace these with suitable indigenous
alternatives. University of South Africa (UNISA) was appointed
to identify all IAP’s and produce a proposed plan of removal.
An IAP’s Removal Plan has been implemented for the control
of IAP’s and is monitored and reported on quarterly. All IAP
trees removed are chipped and processed into bark mulch for
use within gardens on site to conserve water and improve soil
quality and water retention.
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rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
Water Conservation
Our Water Wise brand was established as part of Rand
Water’s environmental brand in 1997, and promotes
water conservation as mandated by the Water Services Act
(No.108 of 1997) through its multiple portfolio interactions.
The EMS aspect of our Water Wise brand focuses on water
conservation awareness to the adult market within the Rand
Water supply area.
As the adult target market is quite large, it has been segmented
into the ‘green industry’ as these are high-end water users,
office and residential parks and the public. The past financial
year has seen the expansion of this target market to include
more golf courses, rural and informal communities, and adhoc groups which include the elderly, prisoners and teachers
and ground staff at schools.
There are various messages that are appropriate for each
target market and these are communicated to each group
in various ways including research, displays, exhibitions,
demonstration
gardens,
awards
and
the
continuous
development of educational material such as z-folders,
booklets and media articles.
Research Projects
Demonstration Gardens
During the year under review UNISA was re-appointed as the
These gardens are an ideal way of practically demonstrating
tertiary institution to facilitate our collaborative environmental
Water
research projects. The contract was awarded for a three year
implemented in the garden. Currently, there is a garden at
period and seeks to assist in furthering water conservation
the Delta Environmental Centre in Johannesburg which has
initiatives within Rand Water through projects such as alien
been upgraded to ensure that the garden remains lush and
invasive plant identification and removal; and the development
attractive for its approximately 15 000 visitors a year. The
of a rehabilitation manual for areas where Rand Water has
gazebo structure in the garden was also upgraded and new
laid new pipelines or has undertaken repairs or maintenance
signboards have been fitted to make it more user friendly for
work to pipelines.
tour groups.
Projects such as the testing of grey water methodologies
The Water Wise garden at Walter Sisulu National Botanical
for domestic application and water use in the home vs. the
Gardens was also maintained attracting 219 000 visitors
garden have both concluded the majority of the research
during the year under review, of which 43% were previously
component and this will be finalised in the next financial
disadvantaged individuals and 46 % were recorded as being
year. Furthermore, numerous proposals for new projects
between the ages of 20 and 35 years.
Wise
principles
and
practices
that
can
be
were reviewed and streamlined for commencement in the
2013/2014 financial year. This will greatly aid water
The demonstration garden at our Vereeniging Pumping Station
conservation efforts, retaining our position at the forefront of
is used primarily to facilitate the educational campaign
environmental research activities.
conducted at this site. The garden has been extended to
Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)
EMS undertook a research project to “Investigate Acid Water
Plumes, Decants and Intersects with Rand Water’s Potable
Water Pipelines, and Environmental Mitigation Thereof: Phase
I” was completed in December 2012 and a hazard analysis
and risk assessment undertaken. Many useful databases were
also developed which now form part of the Rand Water
GIS database. Preparations for the next phase have been
initiated for implementation in the next financial year and
will consider proposals for environmental mitigation involving
bioremediation.
Panfontein rehabilitation (36 month project)
One of our new planned research projects aims to investigate
phytoremediation options for the Panfontein sludge disposal
site. This is related to a legal requirement and the outcome
from a previously conducted risk assessment. The project has
been successfully registered with UNISA who have sourced
the appropriate experts as supervisors to undertake the
project.
Water Wise initiatives
incorporate additional space and will also incorporate a
sensory garden trail and vegetable patch irrigated by rain
water harvesting as some of the Water Wise practices
implanted. This upgrade began during the year under review
and will be completed in the next financial year.
Awareness Programmes
A marketing campaign between Water Wise and SANA
was also undertaken which distributed A1 ABS boards and
z-folders to 40 nurseries within our area of supply which have
focused on one drop plants to attract birds and bees to the
garden. In addition a booklet has been drafted to educate the
green industry on alien invasive plants.
A new area of development for our Water Wise team
has been to provide education and awareness to rural
communities, ground staff at schools, prisoners and the elderly.
This has provided an opportunity to develop appropriate
material for these new audiences. The team has made these
interactions very practical and tangible focusing on aspects
of vegetable gardening which is not only sustainable but also
psychologically rewarding. We have identified this as an
area for development.
Rand Water has implemented the following initiatives in
support of our Water Wise Programme:
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
71
Awards
and garden design. Monthly newsletters are distributed to all
major sites of the organisation for dissemination to all Rand
Water Wise annually awards a trophy at two garden
Water staff. The topics are all water conservation related. A
design shows, the Lifestyle Garden Centre and at Garden
separate monthly newsletter is also sent out to the public on
World Garden Centre. The aim of these awards is to inspire
water conservation. At the end of the year under review 544
landscape students and established landscapers, and the
subscribers were registered. Access to the website can be
public to incorporate more Water Wise principles in their
obtained by visiting www.randwater.co.za and clicking on
landscapes.
the Water Wise logo.
In addition, a trophy for the best Water Wise landscape
A statistical analysis from many of the exhibitions indicates that
is also awarded annually to professional landscapers who
the general public is aware of the Water Wise brand. They
form part of the South African Landscapers Institute (SALI).
also find the displays very useful in communicating a Water
This award is presented at the South African Green Industries
Wise message however; they would like more information
Council (SAGIC) Convention.
on water conservation. Another important key finding is that
awareness of the brand does not necessarily translate to a
An agreement on a new Water Wise award has also
water-saving behaviour. These findings are crucial to improve
been finalised, focused at targeting the golf industry for the
the strategy of our Water Wise team.
Most Water Wise Golf Course. This is a very exciting new
development as golf courses are known to be high-volume
During the year under review, the Water Wise team set up a
water users and this proactive award necessitates a change
total of 18 displays and exhibitions which reached a minimum
in behaviour towards improved water conservation.
of 708 505 visitors (refer to Table 5). Ultimately, a return on
investment of 0.43 per visitor was estimated. 69 advertorials
Displays and educational material
were produced in 22 different magazines based on specific
target audiences reaching a minimum of 5 828 114 readers
We have developed a range of z-folder brochures, and
booklets which were distributed to the public at displays,
talks and events. In addition to the existing material, 3 new
educational z-folder brochures were created during the year
collectively for the year under review.
Intervention for creating water conservation awareness to
adult market
under review, i.e., One drop plants to attract birds, One drop
plants to attract bees and Water Wise Buildings, and the
Rand Water Guide to Water Wise Landscapes.
Furthermore, the Water Wise website has been updated with
all new material as well as new information on leak-fixing
72
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
No. of events/
advertorials
No. of people
reached
Displays and
exhibitions
18
708 505
Advertorials
69
5 828 114
Intervention
managing our strategic assets
After decades of expansion to meet the challenge of infrastructural
development and population growth, our infrastructure continues to be
adequate to meet our customers’ needs in the areas we service
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
73
Asset Management is the systematic and
coordinated activities and practices through
which we optimally manage our assets, their
associated performance, risks and expenditures
over their lifecycles for the purpose of achieving its
organisational strategic plan.
It is a relatively new formalised way of conducting business
Towards the end of the reporting period, approval was
adopted by world leading infrastructure companies. It is a
obtained for the establishment of an Asset Management
holistic and integrative approach to the managing of assets
Steering Committee (AM Steercom), reporting to the Portfolio
over its whole life, from inception to disposal. It is a strategic
Integrating committee. The AM Steercom will consist of senior
discipline which enhances the quality of decisions made by
members from all areas of the organisation, in order that asset
organisations with regards to their assets.
management will be treated as a busines wide imperative. The
Steercom will set and delegate improvement tasks under each
Typical results achieved by the effective implementation of Asset
Management are:
 Increases in customer satisfaction, sustainability,
profitability, availability, reliability, maintainability,
resilience, flexibility, compliance, efficiency, effectiveness,
safety, etc.
 Decreases in life cycle cost of assets, capital expenditure,
operational expenditure, supply failures, asset failures,
unplanned shutdowns, carbon emissions, etc.
We have adopted the Publicly Available Specification
for AssetManagement (PAS 55) as a framework for the
implementation of structured asset management. An asset
management policy, strategy and objectives have been
established. Current asset management status has been assessed
in terms of 17 key performance areas (KPA), and improvement
targets set out for each KPA.
74
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
KPA, monitor progress and generally drive the implementation
and integration of asset management as a way of life for the
business.
A defining feature of utilities such as Rand Water is the size
and value of infrastructure or fixed assets in relation to annual
turnover, and the intention to maintain these assets indefinitely
to provide specified levels of service. It follows that proper
management of fixed assets is a key success factor of the utility
– supporting achievement of agreed service levels to customers
at minimum long term cost.
As Rand Water enters a more mature phase, demand growth
is projected to continue, but with a long term decline in annual
growth rates. Due to a period of rapid growth in demand,
much of the infrastructure capacity has been added in the
last few decades. As rates of growth slow, the rate of adding
infrastructure will slow, and the average age will increase.
 Condition and performance assessment of all assets
Management of the existing assets will be planned in conjunction
on a repeatable, multi-year schedule, with resulting
with augmentation to meet demand growth.
action plans for the maintenance and renewal of
the assets. These assessments will be undertaken by
In order to manage this growing, ageing asset base throughout
multidisciplinary teams, where appropriate, in order to
its lifecycle, certain initiatives are already in hand:
obtain an integrated plan for the relevant plant.
 Completion of a comprehensive asset register, broken
down in terms of an agreed hierarchy of assets, and
 Upgrading of standards for design, specification,
assessment and maintenance of assets.
containing sufficient detail to allow proper lifecycle
planning.
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
75
Infrastructure
Johannesburg, the West Rand and greater Rustenburg.
We operate a network of 3 500 km of pipelines, two large
 Zwartkopjes (green) – central Johannesburg and a
combined pumping and purification stations (situated at
high-lying portion of the East Rand.
Vereeniging and Zuikerbosch), four main booster pumping
stations (Zwartkopjes, Palmiet, Mapleton and Eikenhof), 13

Palmiet (blue) – eastern and northern Johannesburg,
tertiary pumping stations and a number of enclosed reservoirs
large parts of Tshwane, and western portions of
and secondary booster stations. At least 60% of the value
Ekurhuleni.
of this infrastructure, estimated to be worth R80-billion at
replacement value, is located in our pipelines infrastructure.

Mapleton (yellow) – central and eastern parts of
Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, and selected areas in
Mpumalanga.
Augmentation and Renewal Planning
After decades of expansion to meet the challenge of
infrastructural development and population growth, our
infrastructure continues to be adequate to meet our customers’
needs in the areas we service. This is in itself remarkable
considering that in 1965, we were supplying 1 000
Megalitres a day (Ml/d) and that demand has increased
four-fold to 4 000 Ml/d.
and beyond by focusing on infrastructure renewal and
development. We work on a 20-year planning horizon,
driven by forecasts of future water consumer needs and the
need to maintain the capacity of existing infrastructure. This
involves analysis of trends and usage patterns, assessment of
condition and performance of infrastructure, compliance with
evolving legislation, and discussions with various stakeholders
on their expectations. Planning and management of assets is
undertaken on the basis of supply systems, matching system
capacity with projected customer requirements.
demand, with direct supply to mines making up most of the
balance. Periodically, we consult with major customers and
update projections of demands on the network. The latest
decreasing rates of annual demand growth. Rand Water now
supplies a predominantly urban, domestic consumer base.
Population growth is the main driver of demand growth,
with the economy having a secondary affect. Worldwide,
urbanising populations exhibit reduced rates of population
growth. In South Africa, this effect is magnified by the impact
of AIDS on fertility and mortality rates. Demographic studies
undertaken on behalf of Rand Water, confirm this trend.
Total average daily demand on our network is projected to
increase from the current demand slightly above 4000 Ml/d
to around 5500 Ml/d in 2030. This gives an average rate
Rand Water primarily draws raw water from the Vaal River
System. Two river stations – Zuikerbosch and Vereeniging –
abstract, purify and pump into the network some 98% of the
water supplied to our customers. About 90% of this water is
further pumped by four primary booster stations situated on
the southern side of the Witwatersrand ridge. The portions of
the network supplied by each pumping station are indicated
by colour coding all significant customer supply points on the
map as follows:
of demand growth of 1.75% per annum over this period.
The three metros supplied by Rand Water –Johannesburg,
Ekurhuleni and Tshwane – consume 75% of water supplied
from our network.
Projected peak demands by main system
Through the hydraulic modeling process, forecast demands
are added at each significant supply point. This allows the
estimation of peak flows in each pipeline, and peak demands
on each of the pumping stations. Results for each of the
Zuikerbosch – Vereeniging direct (brown) – southern
major systems are given in the table below (quoted capacities
Gauteng and northern Free State (localised), in
exclude standby units).
addition to supply to all booster pumping stations.
 Eikenhof
76
Our municipal customers account for more than 90% of total
forecast indicates a continuation of the trend of gradually
Rand Water is ensuring it is ready for the demands of 2030

Projected growth in water demands
(pink)
–
western
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
and
north-western
Peak demand forecasts and augmentation dates for main pumping stations
Station
Installed capacity
(Ml/d)
Available capacity
(Ml/d)
Proposed
additional capacity
(Ml/d)
Proposed year of
augmentation
(first phase)
Projected peak day demands
(Ml/d)
2020
2025
2030
2035
Primary pumping
Zuikerbosch
3900
3400
1200
2016/17
4400
3900
4400
3900
Vereeniging
1400
1200
Nil
N/A
1200
1200
1200
1200
Nil
Nil
1000 (2000)
2025
Nil
1000
1000
2000
2000
2000
Nil
N/A
1470
1610
1750
1880
800
700
200
2015
760
780
840
880
1870
1870
600
2015
2000
2190
2380
2570
960
800
300
2017
990
1080
1180
1270
Clarens Scheme
Booster pumping
Eikenhof
Zwartkopjes
Palmiet
Mapleton
Capital Expansion Programme
The last Rand Water augmentation was undertaken during
the 1990’s and this was referred to as the 92 scheme, this
programme increased the design capacity from 4500 Ml/d
to 4 600 Ml/d. The current 2009 Additional Water Supply
Scheme and general capital programme is aimed at ensuring
security of water supply, both quantity and quality of water
supplied, and the first phase will increase design capacity
to meet future demand. This programme is a combination of
augmentation and renovations. We plan to spend R14 billion
over the next five years on our water supply infrastructure, 2013
to 2018. Of this amount, 60% is allocated to augmentation
schemes, with the remaining 40% allocated to renovations and
Completed projects during the year under review are listed below;
BG3 raw water pipeline augmentation
The newly completed BG3 pipeline increases supply to match
the full capacity of the canal with the Vaal Dam at its lowest
upgrades of existing infrastructure.
operating level. The BG3 is a key piece of infrastructure in
Some of the major projects completed in the financial year
2012-13
to meet the on-going population and economic growth of the
Despite the persisting global financial strain, we have continued
to improve our capital expenditure performance year on year
and the completion of projects. The Rand Water capacity
expansion programme has shown remarkable progress in
the past few years of projects implementation. The significant
number of commissioned projects is evidence of the progress
that has been made so far. The completion of projects has
ensured continued assurance of securing of water supply.
the supply chain, ensuring that sufficient capacity is available
region in South Africa.
Construction of the BG3 pipeline – approximately 8600 m
of 3520 mm outside diameter spiral welded steel pipeline
supplying raw water from Vaal Dam to the Zoekfontein Control
Works, includes excavation, loading, unloading, blasting, pipe
laying and joining of steel pipes, backfilling, reinstatement and
construction of valve chambers, including all pipeline associated
infrastructure.
The BG3 pipeline has been installed alongside the BG1 and
BG2 in the same servitude on the eastern river bank of the Vaal
River.
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
77
The BG3 Pipeline will serve several purposes:
Installation of the first leg, a 1500 mm diameter pipeline
from Vlakfontein Reservoir to the southern boundary of the
 Primarily, it augments (increases) raw water capacity
Rietvlei nature reserve, south-east of Pretoria, is complete and
to Zuikerbosch by up to 2100 Ml/d which
in commission. This leg supplies growth along the route, and
accommodates the region’s growth water demand
provides adequate supply and pressure to the major Garsfontein
projected to 2030.
Reservoir zone of Tshwane Metro. The Bronberg Reservoir -
 Secondly, by duplicating the BG2 (existing line), the
BG3 allows the BG2 to be taken out of service for
crucially needed maintenance or renovation works.
 Thirdly, if the Vaal Dam drops abnormally low, the
BG1, BG2 (both existing pipelines constructed in
1964 & 1980 respectively) and BG3 will be capable
of supplying Zuikerbosch demand. As of 2011, if
the Vaal Dam drops below 85% Zuikerbosch cannot
supply more than 3700 Ml/d which puts the overall
supply to the region at risk.
Bloemendal pumping station to Delmas pipeline, also referred
to as N10
Mamelodi Extension is currently in the design phase and is
expected to be rolled out in 2014.
Renovation of B7 Zuikerbosch to Eikenhof Pipeline
The 45km long B7 pipeline of 2100 mm diameter includes
some 25 Km of prestressed concrete pipe. This concrete
portion has reached the end of its 40 year design life.
Detailed inspection and assessment indicated that cracking
and breakage of reinforcing steel wires was sufficiently
advanced in some sections to warrant urgent intervention.
The resulting project is close to completion, and includes:

Steel internal slip lining of 10 km (effectively installing
In October 2008, Rand Water, together with the Department
a new pipe inside the existing shell) to extend useful
of Water and Environmental Affairs, the Mpumalanga
life by at least 50 years
Provincial Department of Provincial and Local Government,

the Delmas Local Municipality entered into an agreement
Upgrading of all joints to prevent leakage due to pipe
movement and deterioration of joint materials
for this 38km bulk water supply to Delmas. This project was

Internal repair of pipe sections not requiring slip lining
a response to water challenges Delmas experienced in the

General upgrading of ancillary items such as valves
years between 1993 and 2007.
The Service Level Agreement was signed in 2010 for Rand
Water to implement the project. The project construction
started in November 2011 and completed the project in
July 2013. The project included the 610mm 38 km pipeline
and a 10 Mega-litres reservoir at the midpoint to between
Bloemendal pumping station and Delmas.
The designs for the water infrastructure, including piping and
reservoirs, were done` in-house by our design engineers.
The project management was done fully by Rand Water,
and the project was completed on time and within 5% of the
approved budget.
Vlakfontein Reservoir to Mamelodi pipeline augmentation
This project strengthens an existing route, supplying under
gravity from Vlakfontein Reservoir, north of Benoni, through to
eastern and central areas of Tshwane Metro. In addition to
growth in existing areas of supply, the pipeline supports supply
to an extended area of service, including the Mpumalanga
Western Highveld Region discussed above.
78
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
and chambers
H14
Construction commenced in May 2010 and was completed
in May 2013. The scope of work included the following:

Earthworks and installation of the 8900m of 1000mm
diameter steel pipeline
 Construction of air, scour and control sluice valve
chambers

Valves installation

Pipe jacking

Environmental rehabilitation
Planned projects in progress
The planned projects are listed under two main categories,
namely:
 Augmentation projects that have the primary purpose of
increasing the capacity to meet growth in demand and
area of service; and
 Renewal projects, including upgrade, rehabilitation and
The capital expenditure plan incorporates capital investment of
replacement projects that have the primary purpose of
R9.4 billion for augmentation, R6.6 billion for renewal, R5.8
maintaining existing capacity to supply both quantity and
billion for growth projects outside the core business and R0.3
quality.
billion for moveable assets for the period 2013/18.
Some projects, particularly involving pipelines, will serve a dual
purpose.
Analysis of the Capex Breakdown in ZAR million
2013
Bulk Water Supply System
2014
2015
1,636
2,524
2,552
2016
2017
2,477
2018
2,339
2,348
TOTAL
12,240
Augment Infrastructure Projects
913
1,501
1,653
1,589
1,448
1,364
7,555
Existing Augmentation
700
760
664
1,044
1,080
740
4,288
New Augmentation
213
741
989
545
368
624
3,267
Rehabilitation Projects
723
1,023
899
888
891
984
4,685
Existing Rehabilitation
193
128
61
18
30
39
276
New Rehabilitation
530
895
838
870
861
945
4,409
-
713
1,828
1,678
389
139
4,747
70
70
50
50
50
50
270
1,706
3,307
4,430
4,505
3,078
2,837
17,257
Growth Projects
Movable Assets
TOTAL CAPEX
Analysis of the top five projects within the 5 year period
Capital Project
Estimated Cost (R’m)
System
Augment/Renewal
(R’m)
Renewal
Zuikerbosch Scheme
2,120
Zuikerbosch
Augment
ZB to Palmiet pipeline
1,280
Palmiet
Augment
Palmiet to Klipfontein pipeline
375
Palmiet
Augment
Palmiet engine room 3
349
Palmiet
Augment
R5 Vlakfontein – Mamelodi
343
Mapleton
Augment
Expanded area of service
Western Highveld Region
Rand Water was appointed as the implementing agent for the
Mpumalanga Western Highveld Region by Department of Water
Affairs and Environmental Affairs (DWAE). Our appointment is
for the management, operation and maintenance of the water
supply services in the southern part of the Western Highveld
Water Supply Scheme. This also includes the Kungwini bulk
water supply services in the area of Bronkhorstspruit, Ekangala
and Ekandustria. Our involvement in the short term support
Major Capital Projects
Expenditure occurred on more than 300 projects during the
financial year. However, the top five projects accounted for
more than 40% of total capital expenditure. These five projects
involve augmentation, upgrading and extension of pipeline
routes, reflecting the importance and value of pipelines as a
proportion of our total infrastructure.
Top five projects in terms of capital expenditure in
2012/2013
intervention has positively impacted the following aspects of
Supply to Palmiet is provided only from Zuikerbosch river station,
bulk potable water services provision:
along two routes. The first route consists of the B4, B6 and B10
pipelines. The second route involves the B7 and B12 pipelines,
•
Water quality
running from Zuikerbosch to Zwartkopjes Farm (west), and
•
Water supply management
feeding the B13 running to Palmiet. At current rates of demand
•
Equitable distribution to cross-border communities
growth, the combined capacity of these pipeline routes will be
reached by 2015.
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
79
The B4, B6 and B10 pipelines are all pre-stressed concrete
are too small for this process, and are smaller than desirable
(PC) pipelines, which have been identified as high risk
from a hydraulic perspective, again due to the technology
category pipes, potentially requiring significant refurbishment
limitations at the time (pipe mills could not roll larger diameters
work in the short to medium term. First stage renovation of
with thicker walls). Preventing joint movement and leakage
the B4 pipeline has been completed, but increasing demand
is also important where these pipes run through dolomitic
will make it more difficult to take these lines out of service
ground conditions.
for renovation. Installing a new steel pipeline will provide a
window of opportunity for such work, and reduce the risk of
Under this project, these pipelines are removed, and a larger
supply failure along this important route. This route is cross-
diameter pipeline is installed between Zwartkopjes and
connected to the Zuikerbosch – Mapleton supply system by
Leeuwpoort depot.
the short B9 connecting pipeline, at a location known as
the capacity of the old pipelines to be removed, as well
Slangfontein. Surplus pipeline capacity after augmentation
as allowing for growth in water demand from the system to
of this route can be used to increase this inter-system support,
beyond 2020. The proposed pipeline is stepped down from
and delay augmentation of the direct Mapleton supply route.
1400 mm diameter at Zwartkopjes, to 900 mm diameter at
Replace C6/C17 pipelines - Zwartkopjes System
replacement and augmentation
Steel pipeline – 26 km x 1400 to 900 mm diameter.
The Zwartkopjes – East Rand system supplies Katlehong –
Natalspruit, Boksburg Central and Rand Water’s Benoni
Reservoir. Two of the pipelines (the C8 and C17) branch
off from the main route and, in addition to certain local
connections, join and support the Mapleton – Brakpan
system, which operates at lower pressures.
The C6 and the first 10 km of the C17 was installed in the
1920’s and 1930’s. They are 600mm diameter or smaller,
with lead caulked joints and a bitumen paint coating – typical
of the available technology in those years. The normal method
of renovating lead-jointed pipes is to apply cement mortar
lining after welding internal wrapper plates across the joints
to prevent movement and leakage, and to provide electrical
continuity for cathodic protection systems. These pipelines
80
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
The new pipeline is sized to replace
Leeuwpoort. The scope allows for recovery of sections of
pipe for possible use in by-pass pipework or lower pressure
systems elsewhere, depending on loss of wall thickness due
to internal and external corrosion. Project planned to be
completed in this financial year.
Upgrade of N7, N8 pipelines from Secunda to Bethal
This eastward leg of the our infrastructure supplies into
Mpumalanga. The portion from Secunda to the termination at
Bethal was acquired from the municipality, and contains small
diameter asbestos cement pipes. These are being replaced
with steel pipes to increase capacity and improve reliability.
An interesting feature is that much of the pipe is recovered
from elsewhere in the network, having become too small for
current needs. Pipe still in acceptable condition is refurbished
and used in this relatively low capacity part of the network, at
substantial saving in comparison to the purchase of new pipe.
Brakfontein to Hartbeespoort Dam Scheme
Pipeline Renovation Planning and sample Projects
This project will initially strengthen the supply to Diepsloot
All pipelines have been ranked in terms of level of risk,
and environs. Subsequent stages supply Mnandi and other
including such factors as age, materials of construction, joint
growth areas between Midrand and Pretoria, and will extend
type, and dolomitic ground conditions. It is planned to carry out
the regional bulk supply to areas around Hartbeespoort
inspection and assessment of 1500 km of pipe with the highest
Dam.Installation of the first portions of the scheme (H33,
ranking over the next 5 years. This will feed into the pipeline
H34 pipelines) is complete, and is assisting supply to the
renovation programme, as the focus of capital expenditure
Diepsloot supply zone of Johannesburg Water. The system
moves from augmentation to renewal. The renovation of the
extension along a new route towards Hartbeespoort Dam
2100 mm diameter B7 pipeline is in progress. The phased
(H35 pipeline) is close to completion.
reconditioning of the 1800 mm diameter O2 pipeline is an
Pipeline renovation
ongoing project. The 32km-long pipeline, which runs from
Alberton to Kempton Park, has taken two years to recondition
Less than 10% of Rand Water’s 3 500-km pipeline network is
because of the length of the pipeline and the need to avoid
constructed out of concrete pipes, the rest of the pipelines are
operational disruption, particularly at peak demand periods.
manufactured from steel. We will renovate or replace all the
The project involves inserting steel lining into five kilometres of
concrete pipelines – about 200 km – with steel pipes where
the O2 pipeline, as well as fixing and renovating the joints
the condition is not acceptable in terms of risk. Thereafter an
and valve chambers.
ongoing repetitive condition assessment will be carried out
and the exercise repeated, where necessary. The latter are
more suitable than concrete pipes, as steel tends to develop
a leak, rather than rupture, while concrete is more likely to
rupture and cause potential damage to people and property.
Some of Rand Water’s pipelines are 70 years of age,
the overall majority are between 15 and 50 years old.
A programme of refurbishment, renovation and replacement
is therefore essential. A range of techniques have been
employed, including aerial surveys of its pipeline network by
use of thermal remote scanning technology. Through thermal
remote sensing, leaks in large diameter pipes are detected.
This allows for early repairs and helps to reduce water wastage.
During the survey, digital seamless maps are produced and
geographically modified for use in government or council
Global Information System (GIS). High-resolution infrared
Installation of Cathodic Protection System on the Rand
Water pipeline network
The Rand Water pipeline network is exposed to corrosion
from stray current sources, corrosive soils, and microbiological
corrosion, that results in metal loss and threatens the integrity
of the pipeline network. It is therefore necessary that corrosion
mitigation measures be put in place for the prevention of
these attacks from corrosion. The implementation of Carthodic
Protection (CP) System is per geographical regions of
the pipeline network and the pumping stations. Cathodic
Protection and Corrosive surveys have been completed in the
entire Rand Water pipeline network as well as the pumping
stations. The Installation of CP at Zwartkopjes, Zuikerbosch
and Vereeniging and the regions is in progress and the
anticipated completion date for the entire network is 2014.
images are produced as well as high definition video output
linked with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) information.
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
81
82
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
Rand Water has an impeccable reputation with
regard to the provision of safe and wholesome
drinking water and intends to sustain this
achievement into the future.
Our activities are an indication of our commitment
in this regard and our customers can rest assured
that the quality of the water that they receive on tap
is safe for consumption.
Rand Water has always placed a very high premium on the quality of its water and as such we have again provided water that
met both the national drinking water standards as well as the World Health Organisation’s drinking water quality guidelines.
To ensure that Rand Water is able to sustain this performance into the future, we not only rely on compliance monitoring but have
implemented an extensive integrated water quality management plan which promotes multiple quality assurance checkpoints (multi
barrier approach) throughout the entire water supply chain. This risk based system is able to pro-actively identify challenges and
also employs pre-defined corrective protocols for those determinants that have the highest probability of failure.
The principle of “healthy catchments = healthy water” has been adopted by Rand Water and
incorporated into the Water Quality Safety Plan in the form of a “catchment to tap” approach. This
approach spans the concerns and health of those consumers who drink the water supplied by Rand
Water as well as the people living in the catchment who also depend on the source water for their
livelihood.
As the “Deterioration in raw water quality” has been identified as the No. 1 risk to Rand Water during the year under review, we
endeavour to work closely with communities, stakeholders and regulators to identify possible risks to water quality and strategies
to address these risks.
To circumvent the problems intrinsic to ad hoc monitoring, we have over 500 on-line monitoring devices, installed at key points
throughout the water supply chain, capable of providing real time water quality information required for optimum functioning of our
water treatment systems whilst enabling ongoing water quality verification.
Deteriorating raw water resources have also received attention and on-line monitoring devices
were installed at key points within the catchments from which we derive our drinking water to
provide real time information. In order to remain abreast of activities that may impact our source
water quality, Rand Water also participates in all available catchment and national forums during
which it lobbies its interest where water quality is compromised. An informed customer base is also
important to Rand Water and in this regard the www.reservoir.co.za website, which provides a
wealth of water quality related information in respect of both drinking and source water quality, is
maintained for public information. The website is extensively used by the public, research institutions,
consultants and water quality managers.
Rand Water has an impeccable reputation with regard to the provision of safe and wholesome drinking water and intends to sustain
this achievement into the future. The activities described above are an indication of its commitment in this regard and its customers
can rest assured that the quality of the water that they receive on tap is safe for consumption.
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
83
Source Water Quality
Our supply area, driven economically by the Vaal River,
the lifeline of Rand Water’s consumers if pollution cannot be
curtailed.
generates 60% of South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),
Sewage contamination remains a major concern, apart from
which is equal to 10% of the whole Continent’s GDP. The Vaal
the treatment works operated by the larger metros, practically
Dam is the hub of water supply in the Vaal River System. Rand
none of the works in the catchment area are operated at a
Water, Sasol (Sasolburg), Eskom and Mittal Steel as well as
level where effluent of acceptable quality is discharged into
downstream users such as irrigators, Midvaal and Sedibeng
the environment.
Water are supplied or supported with water released from Vaal
Dam.
Catchment Management
Source Water Quality staff actively engage with stakeholders
The quality of the region’s water resources came under the
at Catchment Forum level to address water management
spotlight during the year and received extensive media attention.
issues. Water quality reports are produced and discussed,
This was as a result of a number of incidents and discoveries
highlighting both “hot spot” issues as well as cumulative trends
made that caused major concerns about the efficiency of
in water quality. These reports are also shared with DWA and
the management structures and interventions related to water
are published on the www.reservoir.co.za website.
resources.
The decanting of acid mine drainage from various mines
in the Johannesburg region again received attention in the
media. Numerous television and radio programmes covered
the matter. The decanting of this water presents serious threats
with respect to possible sinkhole formation and obviously
the pollution of receiving streams. The Cradle of Humankind
World Heritage Site is also under threat. Fortunately, the
implementation of short-term solutions are on schedule.
Rand Water actively participates in the process
of moving towards the establishment of the
Upper Vaal Catchment Management Agency
(CMA).
This process continues even in the absence of the establishment
of the upper Vaal CMA, as Rand Water views the protection of
its source waters as vital to its ability to provide an uninterrupted
This involves the neutralisation of the water in all three
supply of world class potable water.
basins and discharging the saline water into the Klip-and
Eutrophication and the Vaal Barrage
Blesbokspruit rivers respectively.
Although there has been a general improvement (due to the
An additional concern with respect to acid mine water is the
engagement of Rand Water staff with stakeholders), spillages
rapid establishment of new mines and the high number of
of raw sewage continued to bombard the Barrage reservoir
pending mining applications for new coal mines to satisfy
with high levels of nutrients and faecal bacteria.
Eskom’s increased demand. Most of these mines are in the
upper reaches of the Vaal River’s catchment, and will destroy
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rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
Although an improvement in the effluent quality from some
of the sewage treatment plants has already been observed,
weirs as well as selected water quality variables. The
spillages still arise from pipeline bursts and pump failures.
instruments are linked to data loggers equipped with cell
The improvements can be ascribed to Rand Water’s vigilant
phone technology, through which the data is sent to a central
monitoring and reporting of spills, combined with the “Green
server. This real time information of the determinants measured
Drop” assessment by the Department of Water Affairs. Rand
is available on line to staff in the Water Quality Specialist
Water’s Bulk Sanitation department has also been appointed
Services Department. This system has vastly improved
as management contractors by the Emfuleni municipality, to
response time to pollution incidents, as well as significantly
manage the three sewage treatment works in the area on its
improve the information base, which will contribute to a better
behalf.
understanding of the dynamics of the Vaal River system.
Compliance to effluent standards has increased significantly,
The Vaal Dam Catchment Area
and the fact that action is being taken as a result of public
A number of water quality issues have been identified with
pressure, is comforting. It is also an indication that awareness
regard to the current water quality in the Vaal River system.
levels among the general public are fairly high, and that
Some are related to the full length of the Vaal River while
people are making use of forums such as the catchment
others are of a localised nature. An increase in salinity has
forums, and information made available by us, to inform and
had the greatest impact on the usage of water in the Vaal
educate.
River.
Monitoring
The rivers and dams in the catchments of Rand Water’s
area of interest are extensively monitored and a great
deal of effort goes into communicating the water quality
status of the catchments to the consumers. This takes place
through involvement in each and every catchment forum
and the Upper Vaal Water Management Area’s website,
(www.reservoir.co.za) which is maintained by Rand Water.
Rand Water fulfils the role of water quality auditor and
facilitator in these forums, as it has the most comprehensive
database of chemical, biological, and microbiological data.
The increase in Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and concomitant
increase in constituents such as chloride and sulphate has
major implications on domestic, industrial and agricultural
water users. The occurrence of microbiological pollutants
as localised problems is also an emerging concern. This is
indicative of sewage works and related infrastructure not
being properly operated, managed and maintained.
Coal mining activities in the upper reaches of
the Vaal River are rapidly increasing.
In addition, a huge number of additional applications for
As a result of the increasing water quality problems, economic
mining rights are being processed by the relevant government
pressures and uncertainties surrounding incidents such as fish
departments. These are already impacting on the water
kills, we have installed a number of electronic monitoring units
quality of the Vaal River, and, if not regulated effectively, will
at selected sites in the Vaal and Wilge Rivers and the Vaal
have similar effects on the river to what the coal mining in the
River Barrage reservoir. These instruments measure flow at
Witbank area had on the Olifants River (where crocodiles
have died as a result of poor water quality).
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
85
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rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
Eutrophication is the other key water quality challenge in
with the expansion of water borne sewage systems in the urban
the Vaal River System and has resulted in algal blooms and
areas.
growth of water hyacinth. Impacts have also resulted in
economic implications for water users and large expenditure
to control it.
The two most important water quality issues to be managed
in the Barrage catchment for most of the sample points are
biological (in the form of faecal coliforms) and chemical
Municipal wastewater effluent is the principal contributor to
(in the form of gold mining and industrial impacts through
eutrophication and degradation of the Vaal River aquatic
manganese, sodium and sulphate). The threat of acid
system, it is, however, also one of the impacts that is most
mine drainage (AMD) will hopefully be mitigated by the
easy to mitigate because it is easily identified, measured, and
implementation of the short- to medium term interventions by
susceptible to control by policies and regulation. A number
the Department of Water Affairs. Irrespective of the quality
of directives have been issued by the Department of Water
of such water, these decants will have major effects on the
Affairs to some of the towns in the catchment, instructing them
overall hydrology of the catchment.
to improve their effluent management from waste water works.
Unfortunately this has not had the desired effect.
In the long-term, increased pressure is expected from
population expansion and development in the Vaal River
catchment, which will increase pollution levels. This in
turn will necessitate additional measures and strategies to
maintain acceptable pollution levels in the Vaal River system.
Law enforcement regarding pollution has been nonexistent for
many years due to a lack of human resources in government
departments resulting in them not being able to police the Vaal
Dam catchment. It is only through continuous actions of the
catchment forums, Rand Water staff and other stakeholders,
that these problematic areas have been highlighted and are
now being addressed by the Department of Water Affairs and
the local municipalities.
is that of controlling diffuse sources of pollution. In this
regard, the biological impact of uncontrolled wastewater
runoff from informal settlements, burst pipes due to lack of
maintenance and general lack of waste management, has
seen a deterioration over the year in biological water quality.
This can and will lead to potential harmful effects on the
human populations who use the Barrage catchment river
systems for domestic and recreation uses. The occurrence of
high numbers of Giardia and Cryptosporidium cysts in the
tributaries of the Barrage is major cause for concern.
Regarding the eutrophic status of the Vaal River system, the
Vaal River downstream of the Vaal Dam is severely impacted
resulting in degradation of ecological integrity. It must be
noted that the Vaal Barrage catchment is described as a
In our view, serious attention should be given by municipalities
to upgrade the sewage infrastructures, minimise the ingress
of storm water into the sewer system during high flow events,
and minimise operational spillages.
The more difficult issue of water quality management
Improved quality of
the sewage effluent will contribute to the environmental
sustainability of the Vaal River ecosystem.
The Vaal Barrage Catchment Area
The Vaal Barrage catchment receives extensive volumes
of water from point source discharges. The point source
discharges include the major wastewater treatment works run
by Johannesburg Water, ERWAT and Metsi-a-Lekoa as well as
discharges from gold mines. The bulk of the salt load from the
mines is being discharged from Aurora (formerly Grootvlei) and
ERPM. There are also industrial effluent discharges, the largest
being from SAPPI Enstra, Sasol Sasolburg and the storm water
runoff from Mittal Steel Vanderbijlpark. The discharge volumes
serious “hotspot” with the highest levels of pollution (bacteria,
algae, heavy metals, salts and nutrients) recorded throughout
the entire Vaal River system. The pollution levels in the Klip
River and Rietspruit catchments of the Vaal Barrage catchment
are unacceptably high and the scale of nutrient inputs far
exceeds the capacity of the natural environment to assimilate
the waste discharged into these river systems.
Rand Water still successfully implements the Vaal River
Complex Structure Plan of 1996, which provides guidance
for the control over development in the riparian zone of the
Barrage reservoir. The purpose of the Structure Plan is to
protect the river from dense urbanisation on the banks, which
presents a pollution risk to the water. Typical of Rand Water’s
consistence and tenacity is the recent end of a 23 year legal
battle with a property owner who built a house below the
flood line. The house was eventually demolished in 2012.
from the wastewater treatment plants will grow with time as the
water requirements grow and the level of services is improved
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
87
PRODUCTION WATER QUALITY ASSURANCE
Water Quality Benchmarking
Water Quality Specifications
We benchmark the quality of water supplied to local
We have adopted the SANS 241 drinking water quality
standard (95% compliance to class I and 99% compliance to
class II) as delivery specification to its customers. In addition
the organisation has a comprehensive and more stringent
internal production specification so that it can deliver to its
customers with certainty on the SANS 241 specifications.
Water Quality Measurement and Reporting
three ISO 9001 certified site labs, over 500 online instruments
and ISO17025 and ISO43 accredited laboratory. Extensive
programmes
have
been
documented
drinking water quality guidelines. The assessment for nonorganic parameters is presented on Table 2.
The results
compare favourably with the WHO water quality guidelines
Independent External Audit on water quality supplied
To ensure confidence in the quality of the water supplied by
Rand Water, an independent water quality audit is conducted
Rand Water has extensive measurement capacity consisting of
monitoring
authorities against the World Health Organisation (WHO)
and
complied with. The online instrument upgrade programme for
the two production sites of Zuikerbosch and Vereeniging has
been completed. An online instruments upgrade programme
is in progress for the Booster sites.
Water Quality Management System
Rand Water is committed to a documented systematic risk
based water quality management system. In line with this,
a Water Quality Safety Plan (WQSP), which is based on
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and
ISO9001 principles, has been documented and the third
revision completed as part of continuous improvement.
A detailed water quality risk register has been established
and the third revision completed. An initiative to align
different site procedures with the WQSP was completed.
In addition, an organisation wide multi-stakeholder water
quality management standing committee has been functional
for the last ten years, and meets on a monthly basis.
The Water Quality Management System was highly rated
in the 2012 Blue Drop audit process conducted by the
Department of Water Affairs. This is reported in more detail
elsewhere in the report.
monthly. The organisation subjects itself to an independent
system to assess water quality supplied to local authorities
(Table 3) via an external party. During the current financial
year, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)’s
Analytical Services team was used.
Organic contaminants
The occurrence of organic contaminants in the drinking water
value chain (from source to tap) is a growing concern for the
Drinking Water industry and its consumers given the adverse
health risks these contaminants can cause to the general public.
These adverse health effects include endocrine disruption,
toxicity, teratogenicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. In
the interest of public health protection, monitoring programmes
have been developed for an extended list of potential organic
contaminants.
Table 4 contains details of compounds that have been
assessed in the Rand Water drinking water value chain. None
of these compounds have been detected at levels that are a
concern to human health. Monitoring of organic parameters
is subject to an ongoing investigation as measurement of
these parameters is complex and limited analytical capacity
is available in South Africa.
Department of Water Affairs Blue Drop System
The Department of Water Affairs has established a repository,
the Blue Drop System, for data from water service providers.
WATER QUALITY IN THE BULK DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
Water Quality Supply to Local authorities
Rand Water has adopted the SANS 241 drinking water
The following aspects, amongst others, are continuously
updated on this system:

Supply system registration

Details of the supply system
commitment to Blue Drop Regulation certification requirements.

Water quality monitoring programs
The drinking water quality delivered to Rand Water local

Operations staff classification and qualifications

Details of the water quality testing facilities

Water quality data
quality standard for compliance with national legislation for
the delivery of safe drinking water to local authorities and
authorities during this financial year was of acceptable
quality. All physical, chemical and biological health related
parameters were complied with (Table 1).
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rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
Local authority assistance programme
In 2012 Rand Water kicked off an initiative to assist local
authorities with the achievement of Blue Drop status in the
2014 Blue Drop audit. This assistance was offered to all local
authorities in the Rand Water area of supply and 16 of the
17 local authorities have taken advantage of this opportunity.
In the most recent customer satisfaction survey, undertaken in
the Standard Plate Count (SPC) for the fridge sample was well
within recommended limits, it was much higher than the count
for the sample taken directly from the tap. Consumer was
informed of the results and she was happy with the action
taken. She was advised on the cleaning and replacement of
the filters to prevent future bacteriological growth.
Complaint 2
April 2013, satisfaction with the level of assistance was rated
Consumer was diagnosed with high metals (Aluminium,
at 94,4%. This assistance will continue in the next financial
Nickel and lead) in his blood. The doctor indicated that
year and will culminate in the 2014 Blue Drop A udit.
there may be a problem with the metal content of the drinking
water. Rand Water was requested to investigate this finding.
Onsite investigation was conducted and revealed that the
RETAIL WATER QUALITY
water samples taken from various points, complied with the
Consumer Complaints
SANS 241 drinking water standard and there was no cause
There were fifteen consumer complaints that required further
technical investigation by Rand Water during the 2012/2013
reporting period. These complaints are summarised in the table
for concern. Consumer was informed of the results and she
was satisfied with the action taken.
Complaint 3
below, the majority of the complaints were health related.
Ekurhuleni Metro requested assistance with a consumer
All of the consumer complaints were successfully addressed
complaint they had in the Croydon area. The complainant
and reported to the relevant local authorities. An increasing
reported that the water tasted and smelled like turpentine.
number of consumer complaints are being referred to the
The results confirmed that the water taken inside the house
relevant local authority technical staff for further investigation,
smelled of turpentine and the water from the outside tap had
as the level of competence of staff in these authorities has
no smell. Ekurhuleni Metro confirmed that the complainant
improved over time.
had found a rusted container in the shed, partially filled with
turpentine, and he will take steps to remove it and clean up
any spillage. Liquids such as solvents, fuel and oil should not
be spilt, disposed of in close proximity to water pipes (PVC)
as this may impart tastes and odours to the water.
Consumer Complaints Service Evaluations
The service evaluations done on the complaints indicated that
complainants were satisfied with the action taken.
The following direct comments were provided by customers.
Examples of some complaints:
Complaint 1
Consumer had concerns about her health as the doctor told
“Rand Water people were very helpful and
accommodative”
her that the cause of her bladder infection was due to E coli
“ The information and advice given was very helpful”
in the drinking water. Investigations were carried out by Rand
“ Rand Water made me to look at the complaint differently
Water. The water samples taken from various points in the
house (including water from the water dispenser) complied
with the SANS 241 drinking water specifications. The results
of the water samples taken indicated a significant difference
in bacteriological growth in the kitchen tap sample and the
water sample taken from the fridge water dispenser. Although
Tap Programme
The Tap Analysis Programme has been operational for 15
years. This voluntary programme, which monitors water quality
at the end consumer in the household, currently monitors 73
sample points covering 12 municipal areas that are supplied
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
89
by Rand Water. The data collected confirms the excellent
 Media issues: This includes efforts to educate and
water quality that is supplied to the end consumer.
inform the wider public on the general water quality
management through print and electronic media.
Technical Meetings
Water Quality Technical meetings are held bimonthly,
 Bulk water supply contract: addresses any changes in
clauses related to water quality in the contract.
between the water quality Specialist Services department
and municipalities within Rand Water’s service area.
These meetings were initiated in 2007 with the bigger
 Review legal requirements: Issues such as SANS 241,
Water Act, Water Services Act, consumer protection
municipalities and then expanded to include most of
act and fluoridation regulation and other water related
the municipalities in Rand Water supply area. We are
legal requirements are discussed.
currently holding these technical meetings with the following
municipalities:
Johannesburg
Ekurhuleni,
Water,
Emfuleni,
Lesedi,
Govan
Madibeng,
Mbeki,
Merafong,
Midvaal, Mogale, Ngwathe, Randfontein, Royal Bafokeng,
Rustenburg, Tshwane and Westonaria. The meetings with
these fifteen municipalities are scheduled to take place
bimonthly or quarterly, depending on the agreement between
Rand Water and individual municipalities. The following
topics are covered in the meetings:
ANALYTICAL SERVICES
Monitoring and management of water quality relies heavily
on water quality data generated for the entire supply
chain associated with the production of potable water.
The analytical laboratories of Rand Water produce water
quality data and related information used by Rand Water
in its quest to supply affordable, healthy drinking water
within its area of supply. Many thousands of water samples
 Blue drop regulations: issues such as water safety plan,
are taken from source to tap by Rand Water and these
risk register, incident management protocols and a
samples are analysed by Rand Water Analytical Services to
customer interaction protocol are addressed to ensure
provide biological and chemical data. The data produced
alignment between Rand Water and municipalities.
by the laboratories are for parameters stipulated by National
 Disinfection (Chlorine) process and concentrations:
We report on any fluctuation in chlorine concentration
between Rand Water and individual municipalities
 Review water quality supplied between Rand Water
and individual municipalities
 Review monitoring programmes in place
Standards (SANS 0241) as well as International Standards
(World Health Organisation) with respect to potable water
quality.
Rand Water laboratories are comprised of dedicated ISO
17025 accredited facilities (Rand Water Analytical Services),
as well as site laboratories situated at the production sites. Rand
Water Analytical Services is a specialised and dedicated facility
comprising four laboratories: Microbiology, Hydrobiology,
 Consumer complaints: Water quality complaints
received from customers are reported
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rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
Organic Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry. Each of these
laboratories remains fully accredited by SANAS (South
African National Accreditation System) demonstrating their
algae and algal toxin monitoring, aquatic invertebrate
compliance to international best practices with respect to the
assessment and aquatic bio-monitoring. Scientists from the
production of analytical data. Furthermore, these laboratories
Hydrobiology laboratory are collaborating with North West
participate in various national and international proficiency
University and the University of Adelaide, Australia on the
testing schemes to monitor their performance against peer
predictive modelling of toxic cyanobacteria in source water.
laboratories with respect to the confidence placed in their
Recent developments with the water authority in Singapore
technical competence and integrity.
have initiated collaboration between water operators at the
The Inorganic Laboratory has recently finalised
the optimisation of the laboratory process flows
in order to expand analytical capability to
accommodate additional workloads arriving
from various Waste Water Treatment Plants.
These efforts are to support the expansion of Rand Water into
the sanitation sector. The Inorganic laboratory produces data
on metals, trace elements, ionic content, and the aesthetic
qualities of water. The newly introduced process flows
segregate the production of data for potable water from that
for waste water.
The complexities developing in the catchment with respect
to water quality are providing significant challenges to the
Organic laboratory. Parent compounds and metabolites of an
array of pharmaceutical products and cosmetics have been
detected in certain waste streams. The Organic laboratory
therefore embarked on analysing for endocrine disruptor
Singapore utility and Rand Water Hydrobiologists to assist
operators in Singapore with invertebrate monitoring.
The Microbiology laboratory focuses on analysing water
samples for bacteria, protozoans and viruses. The classical
techniques used in this laboratory are gradually being
replaced by technologically advanced molecular techniques.
This change over provides for rapid detection of organisms
with the confidence required of such analytical tests.
The microbiology laboratory developed and implemented a
new molecular based method for the rapid detection of Vibrio
cholerae in water. The newly implemented method was also
successfully accredited by the accreditation authority.
This laboratory is currently preparing to
introduce methods for the genotyping of
protozoans which will position the laboratory
to forewarn Rand Water of potential threats in
raw water quality.
compounds to proactively monitor for the prevalence of these
Laboratory staff engage in collaborative work with their peers
compounds. Although Pharmaceutical and Personal Care
both nationally and internationally, and also present their
Products (PPCPs) and Endocrine Disruptor Compounds (EDCs)
findings at various conferences. All four laboratories support a
are not regulated in the supply of potable water in South
variety of skills development programs, including experiential
Africa, Rand Water has proactively embarked on monitoring
training, bursars, and graduate development (Rand Water
for these compounds in its supply chain.
internal graduates and National treasury graduates).
The focus of the Hydrobiology laboratory is aquatic toxicity,
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
91
PROCESS TECHNOLOGY
The “water is life” philosophy is underpinned by the provision
of safe drinking water that is devoid of both chemical and
microbiological risk. In this regard, the Process Technology
appropriate coagulants for this treatment. Different organic
coagulant products from Rand Water’s current suppliers were
technically evaluated on different blends of Vaal Dam and
Vaal River water to assess its capability for treatment.
Department is responsible for ensuring the selection and
The Department conducts an ongoing review of alternate
implementation of the most appropriate technology in order
chemical treatment options in order to ensure that Rand Water
for Rand Water to consistently meet this goal.
utilises the most appropriate treatment regime. Two projects
The current public focus on acid mine drainage perhaps
lent a greater emphasis to the role of technology in water
treatment and several options for the potential future treatment
of contaminated sources were considered over the last year.
The Department was also actively involved in an empirical
pilot plant trial to evaluate the treatment of mine fissure
relating to alternate chemicals were undertaken during the
year in review, being an empirical assessment of aluminium
sulphate for primary coagulation and a preliminary evaluation
of chlorine dioxide as a co-disinfectant. The latter will be
subjected to a more thorough assessment in the new financial
year.
water to a drinking water standard. In line with the negative
Current infrastructure expansions necessitated a confirmation
environmental impact of mine water on raw water sources,
of treatment technology requirements for Rand Water.
the future general deterioration in source water quality was a
In addition to an internal assessment of suitable water
key issue which required increased attention during the year
treatment technology options, an independent project on
in review. The impact on treatment costs associated with the
alternate treatment processes was completed by the Tshwane
likely requirement of more advanced technology in the future
University of Technology (TUT) under the auspices of the Rand
was the focus of several investigations.
Water Chair in Water Utilisation. The TUT report confirmed
Key projects undertaken and focus areas in the year
under review:
One of Process Technology’s core functions is to verify the
technical suitability of water treatment chemicals currently in
use at Rand Water. Comprehensive evaluations undertaken
on chemicals submitted for tender purposes and on-line
instruments in this review period included quick lime,
polyacrylamide, polymeric based coagulants and on-line
analysers for the analyses of pH, conductivity and turbidity.
The use of alternative source water (Vaal River Intake) and the
possible changing of Rand Water’s current raw water matrix,
necessitate Process Technology to ensure the use of the most
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rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
that the current suite of technology remains the most cost
effective for the treatment of Vaal Dam water to the required
quality standards.
In keeping with topical issues in water quality, an investigation
on fractionation of natural organic matter (NOM) using
recently developed techniques in the raw water and its removal
through the treatment process is in progress. Investigation
into the removal Natural Organic Material (NOM) using
granular activated carbon (GAC) and powdered activated
carbon (PAC) is in progress. Preliminary results indicate
average removal efficiency of NOM increased by 20%,
chlorine demand decreased by 37% and total trihalomethane
decreased by 58% when retrofitting GAC as final adsorption
process after filtration.
In keeping abreast with latest trends and developments in
Two
the water treatment industry, Process Technology designed
completed their tenure in the Process Technology Department
a prototype hybrid immersed ultrafiltration membrane plant.
in 2012. Both successfully completed their assigned projects,
The prototype hybrid plant consists of adsorption pre-treatment
which addressed benchmarking of water treatment technology
Graduate
Development
Programme
candidates
process with powdered activated carbon (PAC), coagulation/
and a strategic review of disinfection at Rand Water.
flocculation and membrane filtration step. It will be used to
The work resulted in an international publication as well as
evaluate the treatment of Vaal dam water to potable standard.
several presentations at local symposia.
Furthermore the prototype membrane plant will also be used
to investigate the treatment of filter backwash water.
Representatives from the Department visited Nam Water and
the City of Windhoek in Namibia to study water treatment
Calibration and validation of the disinfected decay models
technology that has been successfully employed for water
developed for the chlorinated and chloraminated distribution
reuse purposes. Given the critical shortage of future water
networks was conducted. The primary objective of this
supplies, the recycling and reuse of water will be inevitable
investigation was to compare predicted disinfectant residuals
and Rand Water must proactively establish the most
with field measurements. It was observed that with changing
appropriate technology solutions to address this issue.
raw water quality and different pipe lining material the models
will require continuous re-engineering on an on-going basis.
A project on biofilm monitoring in conjunction with
Strategic Asset Management (SAM) division is in progress.
The investigation is conducted on a dedicated pipeline
(referred to as R5 pipeline) designed and commissioned by
SAM division for research and development. The total length
of the pipeline is 13 kilometres. The pipeline consists of the
two different types anti-microbial pipe lining and epoxy.
The objectives of the investigation include hydraulic capacity,
water quality, disinfectant depletion and biofilm formation.
Three in-line biofilm devices will be installed.
The disposal of water treatment works residue was the subject
of a renewed effort to find sustainable solutions to this historic
problem. A number of previous options were revisited and
a multidisciplinary team was assembled to consider new
initiatives and coordinate efforts in this regard.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Scientific Services Information Management (IM) is currently
responsible for maintaining the Laboratory Information
Management Systems (LIMS) installation based at Analytical
Services in Vereeniging. Water samples from the entire
distribution network as well as catchment areas are processed
at this ISO17025 accredited laboratory. To maintain this
quality system, Information Management is tasked with
ensuring that the information and results are processed
and reported to the relevant people. IM helps the lab by
automating many of the manual processes thus ensuring valid
data within acceptable specifications with minimal human
error.
The Analytical Services IM team automated the Chlorophyll
A, Chlorophyll 665, Phytoplankton, SASS Invertebrate,
Invertebrate Identification and Enumeration method and Elisa
Microcystin methods for the Hydrobiology laboratory.
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
93
They also installed an Invoicing and Billing system at
These installations had fallen into disrepair, with some
Laboratory Customer Services to improve interaction with
not being used anymore. IM then applied sound project
Rand Water customers. Further to that, certain instruments
management principles to upgrade these outdated LIMS
within the Organic Chemistry laboratory were also interfaced
version 4 systems to the current LIMS version 6. This new
directly into the LIMS system. These projects were completed
version brought the smaller laboratories on par with the
at the highest quality and well within specified timelines and
Analytical Services laboratory in terms of the systems used.
budget. The future at Analytical Services is promising, with
Improved user management and reporting also resulted
numerous identified projects for the Microbiology, Inorganic,
from this upgrade. The IM LIMS sites team, in the process
Organic and Hydrobiology labs filling the IM pipeline.
of upgrading the LIMS installation, also closed out all audit
As a result of the good work done by Scientific Services
Information Management, the section was also tasked to
assume complete responsibility of the LIMS installations at
the various sites (Zuikerbosch, Vereeniging and Zwartkopjes).
findings identified previously. This project extended over 18
months, scheduled for completion at end June 2013. The final
sign-off was received on 31 May 2013, a month ahead of
schedule.
RAND WATER WINS THE INTERNATIONAL WATER ASSOCIATION WATER SAFETY PLANNING AWARD
scheme in 2011 and sought nominations from water suppliers
to recognise their efforts in improving drinking water quality.
A total of 15 entries were received for the scheme, all of which
were evaluated by an international judging panel against a
set of criterion, including: demonstration of Water Safety Plan
implementation, demonstrable outreach to stakeholder groups,
knowledge and capacity development programmes in place,
and upgrade plan. Additionally, the judges reviewed the
entries on originality and innovation and complexity of the
problem or situation that the work addressed.
Rand Water was granted the Honorary Award. Recognising
the complexity of its operation as a bulk supplier Rand Water
has developed a comprehensive training programme and
introduced asset life cycle management as a result of their
Water Safety Plan. Chair of the Judging Panel, Professor Jose
Vieria (University of Minho, Portugal) commented that: “Rand
Water demonstrated a high organisational safety culture when
implementing a Water Safety Plan (WSP) in a voluntarily and
in-house basis since 2004. They have actively promoted the
WSP principles in a number of geographically independent
sites, and introduced an internal audit, undertaken by its own
It has been 8 years since Water Safety Plans (WSPs) were
included in international reference documents: the 3rd Edition
of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines for
Drinking-water Quality and the International Water Association
(IWA) Bonn Charter for Safe Drinking Water. In this time, the
approach has been embraced by a wide group of stakeholders
in a diverse set of circumstances to contribute to improving
water safety and safeguarding public health. It is within this
context that IWA launched the Drinking Water Safety Awards
94
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
governance unit in preparation for the independent audit.
Professor Hamanth Kasan, General Manager of Scientific
Services at Rand Water said that the company is “overjoyed at
receiving recognition from IWA for its continuous improvements
in the field of drinking water safety”. Professor Kasan added:
“The organisation sees this as appropriate reward for many
years of innovation in the development and implementation of
WSPs. This would not have been possible without the support
of all stakeholders, who have partnered cooperatively, to
achieve success in our multi-party supply chain.”
Water Wise education
The Water Wise Education Team (WWET) continues to
encourage learners and teachers to live a Water Wise lifestyle
through interactive educational programmes, roadshows and
exhibitions at 5 Water Wise Education Centres, namely:
 The National Youth Water Summit organised by the
Department of Water Affairs (DWA) was co-hosted by
Rand Water and despite teething problems was very
well attended and successful.
 On-going training of Baragwanath nursing students on
water, sanitation and water-borne diseases.

Delta Environmental Centre, Victory Park

Rand Water Nature Centre, Glenvista
sustainable Water Wise vegetable gardens to be

Vereeniging Purification Station
planted in a crèche in Alexandra and in Bertrams

Jewish National Fund Walter Sisulu Environmental
Centre, Mamelodi

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Roodepoort.
 Sponsorship through Bella Vista School enabled two
Primary School.
 The Yebo Gogga exhibition at Wits University in May
2013 was again a great success with this year’s
theme being “Underground”. 2646 learners and a
During the year under review 608 programmes, roadshows
number of adults visited the interactive exhibition on
and exhibitions were held with 70 000 learners, teachers
the Water Cycle and Acid Mine Drainage and the
and adults. The quality of the education service, as evaluated
display was very well received with much positive
by teachers, was 95.2%.
feedback.
Having an extra 6 permanent staff being taken on during this
 Teacher training has been a great success with
financial period has helped greatly in offering Water Wise
over 800 teachers having been reached. A very
programmes and developing new programmes. This brings
effective relationship with Mpumalanga Department
the total NUMBER of permanent WWET staff to 10. The
of Education has developed. The WWET was invited
success behind spreading the Water Wise message is also
to present at their annual Environmental Education
working in partnership with a number of organisations, such
Conference on 25th May in Badplaas which was a
as Delta Environmental Centre, the Jewish National Fund,
great success.
Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre, Walter Sisulu National
Botanical Garden, Johannesburg Zoo, Johannesburg City
 The Mazda Wildlife Fund vehicle sponsorship
Parks, Wildlife & Environment Society (WESSA), Gauteng
contract at Delta Environmental Centre was extended
Alliance, Coca Cola, Gauteng Department of Education, Sci
for another year. Our thanks to the Mazda Wildlife
Bono Science Centre, Gauteng Department of Agriculture
Fund for their ongoing support.
and Rural Development, Sasol, ArcelorMittal, Emfuleni
Municipality, to name a few.
Highlights of the Water Wise activities during the year in
review include:
 The WWET conducted EduPlant programmes for
Food and Trees for Africa.
 The Gauteng Department of Education invited the
team for the prize giving ceremony that was held at
 A joint programme on aquatic ecosystems was
Diepsloot High. The learners were given a project
developed and implemented at the Johannesburg Zoo
on water management which not only focused on
for Grade 10 Natural Sciences.
Life Sciences but was also supposed to integrate
 Partnerships with WESSA and Eco-Schools has
resulted in all WWET staff being trained as EcoSchool Node Co-ordinators.
 Several new programmes have been developed and
technology when solving water problems. The learners
came up with wonderful ideas and the WWET
faciliated a Water Wise Quiz and Manzi’s Water
Wise Roadshow.
successfully implemented at all the centres to support
 The WWET organised a Christmas for Kids function
the new CAPS (Curriculum and Assessment Policy
in December which was held at the Carl Sithole
Statement) school curriculum in all education phases
Orphanage in Soweto. The function was very
from Foundation to Further Education and Training.
successful and the biggest contribution towards the
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
95
success of the function was the willingness of the
Tap Water” which involved using the WWET train
Scientific Services staff to contribute gifts for the kids
as part of an interactive story. The team received the
at the centre. Manzi also made time and attended the
third place award for Best Exhibition: Businesses.
function to edutain the learners staying at the centre.
During that week a programme on the Aqualibrium
 With the assistance from Coca Cola Canners of South
Africa two schools that the WWET works with, Reahile
and Dawn Park Primary have received rainwater
harvesting tanks. These tanks will help the schools
to save a lot of water as they both have vegetable
gardens and sports fields to maintain.
 Learners from Jiswa Training Centre, which is a school
for learners with special educational needs, visited
the Rand Water Nature Centre for a Water Wise
programme.
 Since the introduction of the Life Sciences project at
the Rand Water Nature Centre, in partnership with the
Gauteng Department of Education, 46 bookings were
made for the service. This service assists the learners
with the completion of the Life Sciences project that the
learners have to submit at the end of the year which
counts towards their final mark.
 The Riverside Hotel and the Vanderbijlpark Rotary
Club requested the team’s assistance for their Madiba
Day celebrations on 18 July.
 The team facilitated an exhibition and activities at the
National Science Week at Osizweni in Secunda,
which was from 30 July to 3 August 2012.
 The Sasol Techno X Exhibition in Sasolburg was held
from 13 to 17 August. The Water Wise Exhibition
theme was “The Water Wise Express Train is Your
96
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
activity (developed by the South African Institution
of Civil Engineering - SAICE) was facilitated on the
exhibition stand and water purification programmes
were conducted at the Vereeniging Purification Station
as part of the site visits. A letter of appreciation was
presented to Rand Water for the site visits.
 February saw the WWET from Vereeniging facilitating
22 roadshows and reaching 16 085 learners with
the Water Wise message. 20 of the roadshows were
at schools in the Metsimaholo region. The WWET
is working in partnership with Sasol, Department of
Education and Department of Water Affairs for the
Busa Metsi Project.
 The Team assisted Marketing and Stakeholder Relations
with an exhibit and a Manzi “Meet and Greet” at the
Randfontein Show on 1 and 2 March where 2000
people from various ages and backgrounds were
exposed to Manzi and the 6 Meanings of Being
Water Wise.
 The team conducted a session with the Vereeniging
Station staff at the Recreation Club for the Station
Managers’ Roadshow.
 Students from North West University (NWU), Vaal
University of Technology (VUT) and University of
Johannesburg made use of the WWET to further their
learning.
 A number of Biodiversity and Water Wise programmes
were merged at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical
Garden and are now being offered to schools.
 Manzi had the opportunity to visit Parliament in Cape
Manzi’s Water Wise House that shows how
Manzi uses water wisely on the outside and on
the inside of his house.
Town in May and he had the privilege of escorting the
 A new WWET brochure that advertises the services
Minister of Water Affairs around the exhibition area at
offered by the team at the 5 different Water Wise
the parliament hall.
education centres.
The team has also developed a number of Water
Wise education materials:
 4 advertorials in the Spur Restaurant’s Totem Magazine
for September, December, April and June.
 An advertorial in the EnviroKids magazine February
edition.
 Three funky 6 metre hexagonal Water Wise exhibition
stands, i.e.
An advert which is a game that illustrates the
edutaining services WWET offers;
A river scene that shows an above water scene
Two Water Wise Holiday Programmes for the
children of Rand Water staff were organised for
the financial year:
 The December 2012 Holiday Programme was to
Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary and Vulpro (a vulture
rehabilitation centre) in Hartbeespoort; and
 The April 2013 Holiday Programme was to the MonteCasino Bird Gardens.
The Water Wise Education Team uses a number of effective
avenues in order to spread the Water Wise message and will
continue to broaden its services to ensure that our customers
live a Water Wise lifestyle.
on the outside of the exhibition and an underwater
scene on the inside;
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
97
Communities are facing challenges relating to water
and sanitation services provision in South Africa and
Africa as a whole. The establishment of our Sector
Growth and Development Division is Rand Water’s
response to these water related challenges in order
to mitigate and negate their negative impact to the
environment, society and the economy.
Our growth thrust is founded on the expertise which Rand
The Sector Growth and Development Division comprises of
Water has accumulated over the past years in the water
the following departments;
business. It is therefore our responsibility to identify the market
needs and then package our solutions properly in order to

Water services
respond effectively and efficiently to what the national and

Business Development
international (Africa) water market demands.

Bulk Sanitation

Strategic Customer Partnerships
Our strategic growth imperatives are underpinned by the

Water Demand Management
following salient factors;

Catchment Management services

Research, Development and innovation


Government is demanding greater support from
State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to contribute to the
The revenue generating departments are tasked with the
national socio-economic development goals.
responsibility of growing the business by providing;
Rand Water seizing a market opportunity to create
water services capacity in areas where there is


Management support, infrastructure upgrades,
lack thereof, inefficiencies and losses.
process optimisation, training, operation/
The need for Rand Water to diversify its service
maintenance of water and wastewater treatment
offerings and income stream.
(including acid mine drainage and water reuse)
Service delivery shortfalls present good
schemes.
opportunities for Rand Water to acquire new

Water quality management services.
business.

Water use and demand management services to
98

rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
reduce non-revenue water.

Catchment management services to preserve the
Refurbishment of Water Scheme: Bushbuckridge Water
quality of raw water in rivers and dams.
Following a Ministerial directive issued on 2 February 2010,
The non-revenue generating departments provide business
Rand Water (RW) was requested to assist Bushbuckridge
development and customer management services, as well as
Water. Based on the due diligence investigation, the following
Research, Development and Innovation.
projects were prioritised and funded for implementation;

Water Services
Establishment and implementation of metering and
billing
Construction of the Emergency Raw Water Pipeline to

Repair/replace/refurbish pumping units
Supply Ermelo Water Works (Northern)

Implementation of an asset management system,
Telemetry and SCADA Systems
The town of Ermelo and its township in the Msukalikwa Local
Municipality area experienced severe water shortages since
November 2012 due to the drying up of the two dams, i.e.
Douglas Dam and Willem Brummer Dam.
The Department of Water Affairs appointed Rand Water to
investigate the problem and find and implement solutions to
resolve the crisis.
The implementation of the abovementioned projects will
assist Bushbuckridge Water to produce authentic water bills,
improve efficiency of treatment schemes and management
thereof. A budget amounting to R18 million is allocated to this
project. Completion is expected by February 2014.
Improvement of Water Supply in Katanga (DRC)
Rand Water has been appointed by the Department of Water
The recommended solution was to install an emergency
affairs as an implementing agent for the Katanga Water
pipelines above ground which is 350 mm in diameter and
supply improvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo
12km long to supply raw water from the Southern Water
(DRC). The purpose of this project is to improve the condition
Works (SWTW) to the Northern Water Works (NWTW) due
of the water supply schemes in Lubumbashi, Katanga District
to water shortage from
in the DRC.
The total project value was R52 529 417.63 inclusive of VAT
The project goal is to increase pumping capacity (replace old
with a two months duration for construction.
pumps and motors), increase reliability of supply, reduce water
losses, increase availability of pumps, improve water quality
The construction of the pipeline was completed within four
in the prioritised areas and enhance equipment sustainability.
months. Commissioning was successfully concluded and the
All the materials needed for the successful rehabilitation of
water crisis was resolved.
the pumping system for the city of Lubumbashi have been
procured in South Africa and shipped to the DRC to be
installed.The project budget is R22 million and forms part of
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
99
the African reconnaissance projects coordinated through the
Implementing Agent for the Gauteng and Northern Cape
department of water affairs. The expected completion date is
Rapid Response Unit
now October 2013.
Client: DWA
Budget: R2.2 million
Period Duration:
May 2013 – March 2014
Sasol Pipeline Project
Rand Water has been involved in the design, construction,
supervision and operations and maintenance of 13.5km long,
600mm diameter steel pipe which supplies raw water to
SASOL plant in Secunda. The project has been running since
2006 and was extended for another 5 years in January 2012.
Operations of the Eskom Grootvlei Power Station Water
Treatment Plant
Critical analysis of the water value chain has revealed
weaknesses and inefficiencies which lead to challenges in
providing quality water services. The resultant failure of the
infrastructure is further compounded by natural disasters.
In spite of these challenges the Department of Water affairs
and the water sector have to ensure that there is adequate
capacity and financial support to ensure rapid response
should any of these failures occur. The DWA has appointed
Client: Eskom
Rand Water as implementing agent to respond to crises that
Budget: R11.4million
result from water and wastewater infrastructure challenges
Period Duration:
September 2010 – August 2014
e.g. cholera outbreaks and sewage spillage.
The Grootvlei Power Station Water Treatment Plant purifies
Rand Water is currently responding to the following
raw water from the Vaal Dam and pumps it to the Power
challenges in the Northern Cape Region:
Station via a 45 km underground pipeline. The water is further
treated at the power Station to boiler feed water and is also
used for cooling processes. The plant pumps an average of
26.1 million litres per daily.
 Professional support to Municipalities to ensure safe
drinking water supply.
 Implementation of the Work plan for the Northern
Cape Transfers and refurbishment programs.
Refurbishment of Infrastructure
Joe Gqabi District Municipality (JGDM)
Due to the population growth and insufficient funds to maintain
and operate the waste water treatment plants, the JGDM had
experienced numerous problems related to the operation and
treatment of their waste water treatment works in Oviston.
The terms of reference for the appointment included
conducting an audit in order to propose appropriate upgrade
and refurbishment so that the final effluent is compliant with the
requirements of SANS 0241. The rehabilitation also made
provision for the rehabilitation of associated civil and pipeline
infrastructure. The refurbishment was conducted through the
Accelerated Community Infrastructure Programme (ACIP) a
DWA funded program. Similar challenges were experienced
at their Aliwal North WWTW. The challenges experienced
included dysfunctional WWTW and raw sewage spillage
into the Orange River. These were refurbished during the year
under review.All the appointments have been completed to
the satisfaction of both JGDM (client)and DWA (funder).
 Provision of Technical and Engineering support to
DWA Northern Cape Region
Institutional Support to Botshelo Water Board
The Minister took a decision to intervene in the affairs of
Botshelo Water after realising that the utility required support
in a couple of disciplines which included but was not
limited to leadership, governance, financial management,
operations and maintenance. The Minister requested Rand
Water to second officials in strategic positions to provide the
necessary support in order to turn around Botshelo Water.
Additional support is made available by Rand Water as
and when required. The project commenced in July 2012
and it should be completed by December 2014. This
intervention was aimed at turning around the state of Botshelo
Water and providing a sustainability plan going forward.
The project scope encompasses the entire value chain
required to manage a water utility. This include, but not limited
to; operation and maintenance, corporate services, finance
and administration, policy formulation, Human resource
management, infrastructure development and management,
board governance and compliance reporting.
100
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
Bottled Tap Water
carbonate and flavour the water.

The product is utilised for internal Rand Water
purposes as well as for supplying government
institutions such as the Department of Water Affairs.

We are currently designing a long-term business
plan that may include the entry of this product
into the retail sector of the Fast Moving Consumer
Goods (FMCG) market.
The Rand Water bottling water plant was commissioned in
January 2013 and has an ability to produce 2000 bottles
per hour. It has complied with all the commissioning and
acceptance testing criteria. The design of the plant was based
on the premise that there should be minimal interference with
the water that comes through our treatment works processes.
The only additional physical treatment provided is that of
filtration through a three stage pre-filtration system (5um,
1um and 0.45um) to remove suspended solids. The plant is
designed to run for 24 hours a day, seven days a week and
can be adjusted based on our internal specifications.
Quality Management
The quality management system at Rand Water (which is
based on the ISO 9001 quality management system) will
be implemented at the bottling water plant in an effort to
achieve accreditation status as soon as possible. Policies and
procedures will need to be designed and staff trained and
certified competent to enable the bottling water operations to
achieve an ISO 9001 standard accreditation.
Water Quality Management
A Water Quality Plan (WQP) has been designed and
comprises two major components viz. the Water Quality
Monitoring Program as well as the Water Quality Assurance
Program.
During the year under review our Sector Growth and Development Division was responsible for the design, build, installation, operations and maintenance of a bottling water plant
with the intent of bottling tap water.
Elements of the project to be noted include;
The bottled water product not only complies with SANS 241
drinking water quality standard but also to a myriad of other
legislative Acts and Regulations which are not necessarily
associated with the water industry e.g. Foodstuff, Cosmetics
and Disinfectants Act, 1972, Health Act, 1977, Trade
Metrology Act, 1973 and the Consumer Protection Act,
2008.

The bottling water plant being modular in nature
with capacity to accommodate future upgrades
to the plant which may include the ability to
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
101
The primary objective of our Bulk Sanitation
Department is to extend sanitation services to
water service authorities and institutions within,
and beyond our area of supply. Rand Water`s
partnership with the Department of Water Affairs
and local authorities focuses on addressing
sanitation challenges such that the country’s
environmental assets and natural resources are
protected and preserved.
Our work in this arena, as outlined by the Water Services Act
(No. 108 of 1997), includes the assessment of wastewater
treatment plants, and providing site specific recommendations
Projects
Emfuleni Local Municipality
to municipalities, to ensure effluent compliance to Department
of Water Affairs Green Drop Certification Programme.
In September 2009, we entered into a five year partnership with
We are involved with the provision of the management,
the Emfuleni Local Municipality for the provision of operations
operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment
and maintenance of both its sewage pump stations and its
works; capacity building and training of process controllers;
three Wastewater Treatment Plants; capacity building; the
industrial effluent monitoring programme; the refurbishment
implementation of an Industrial Effluent Monitoring Programme
and process upgrade of water and wastewater treatment
(IEMP); and a process upgrade and plant refurbishment.
works; the management of the pump stations; and the
refurbishment of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) plants.
The overall final effluent compliance of the Emfuleni Wastewater
Treatment Works for the year under review is tabulated below.
This was achievable due to the commitment of Rand Water
Process
Upgrade
of
WWTW
Effluent
Re-use
102
Our
Management,
Operation &
Maintenance
of WWTWs
Bulk
Sanitation
Value Chain
Management,
Operation &
Maintenance
of AMD
Plants
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
and the Emfuleni Local Municipality’s management and
technical staff.
Industrial
Effluent
Monitoring
Programme
Capacity
Building
Through
On-job
Training
Monthly Percentage Effluent Compliance
Month
Sebokeng
Rietspruit
Leeuwkuil
Jul-12
100
91
97
Aug-12
91
93
98
Sep-12
97
78
94
Oct-12
98
71
84
Nov-12
95
90
94
Dec-12
100
94
100
Jan-13
91
88
88
Feb-13
97
81
88
Mar-13
88
84
85
Apr-13
93
94
91
May-13
97
93
87
Jun-13
97
91
87
Year Ave
95
87
91
pump stations, spillages have been reduced by 70%. Pump
station overall availability has been increased to over 80%.
The Municipality at times does request assistance from Rand
Water regarding the maintenance of their networks which are
not part of our contractual agreements.
Industrial Effluent Monitoring Programme
All local authorities are responsible for pollution control and
prevention thereof within its boundaries. Local authorities are
responsible for ensuring that all water users pay according to
the quantity and quality of effluent produced by them and that
Green Drop Certification
the taxpayer does not indirectly subsidise industries for the
The assessment session for the 2011/2012 Green Drop
treatment of industrial effluent.
cycle as facilitated by the Department of Water Affairs
occurred in September 2012. The provisional scores for the
Since Rand Water partnered with Emfuleni Local Municipality
plants are as follows;
in 2009, an Industrial Effluent Monitoring Programme was
drafted from the relevant municipal by-laws. An Industrial

Leeuwkuil WWTW (80 - 84% B-)
Effluent Monitoring Programme includes the monitoring of

Sebokeng WWTW (70 - 79% C+)
those industries discharging into the municipal sewer systems.

Rietspruit WWTW (50 - 69% C-).
The industries are categorised, monitored, controlled and
appropriately billed. At present there are thirteen large
water users (wet industries) discharging effluent into two of
Emfuleni Municipal wastewater treatment works (Rietspruit
and Leeuwkuil Wastewater Treatment Works) – collectively
contributing to 1.25% of the hydraulic load on the Works.
Both treatment plants eventually discharge into a tributary of
the Upper Vaal River. It is critical that industries discharging
to the wastewater treatment works are correctly monitored
and controlled. The industrial data for the year under
review indicates that the average industrial organic loading
The final moderated Green Drop scores will be made
available later in 2013.
Maintenance of Pump Stations
Rand Water is providing maintenance to all 44 pump stations
in the Emfuleni Local Municipality. Our staff based on site
at the pump stations is a combination of general workers,
Engineers and a Maintenance Manager. This combination of
in-house skills as well as contractors is used to ensure that the
work is carried out to the highest accepted standards.
contribution did not exceed the maximum allowable limit
of 5000 mg/l. The improvement in the organic load was
achieved by our consistent industrial monitoring, inspections
and through direct interactions with the relevant industries.
Based on the effective industrial effluent monitoring programme,
industries now pay a cost- reflective tariff amount. The revenue
generated contributes to the operation and maintenance of
the Municipality’s Wastewater Treatment plants.
Capacity Building and Skills Transfer
The maintenance work undertaken is inclusive of the overhaul
Our Bulk Sanitation staff endeavours to provide the transfer of
of failed pumps at all of the pump stations, and the repair
skills to operational staff at the wastewater treatment works.
and maintenance of valves.
It also includes the cleaning
This is done by on-site Rand Water Regional Operators.
of sumps and screens, as well as general housekeeping
During the year under review, Rand Water Bulk Sanitation
inclusive of cutting of grass and removal of weeds at the pump
developed a training schedule to cater to the specific needs
stations. Since our involvement with the maintenance of the
of the Emfuleni and Thembisile Hani Local Municipalities
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
103
staff at each of the respective wastewater treatment works.
of toxic trade effluent into the council’s outfall sewer during
The capacity building programme of the operators has
the course of the year. Rand Water recommended to the
become a daily task, with the goal of skills and knowledge
municipality to (i) install a standby generator as back-up
transfer being the focus. We also held a community awareness
electricity supply to the treatment works and (ii) to curb illegal
initiative during National Sanitation Week 2013, under the
dumping of toxic chemicals through the enforcement of trade
theme Sanitation for Health and Dignity, focusing on the
effluent by-laws.
impact of foreign materials in sewer manholes.
Rand Water as Implementing Agent for
Sanitation Infrastructure upgrades
Rand Water was requested by the Emfuleni Local Municipality
in April 2012 to implement various bulk sanitation infrastructure
projects at budgeted amount of R 34 295 473.40 which is
funded through Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) – funding
given to local authorities by the Department of Water Affairs
for the upgrade and/or refurbishment of their water and
sanitation assets. Included in this project is the installation of
telemetry systems at sewer pumps to minimise sewer spillage;
Westonaria Local Municipality
the refurbishment of gearboxes and the installation of mixers at
Sebokeng wastewater treatment works which will secure an
The Westonaria Local Municipality has shown an increase in
improvement of effluent quality and a reduction in electricity
population figures, and acknowledges that it has experienced
consumption. Funding for projects from MIG funds has seen
challenges in fulfilling its legislative and regulatory mandate
improvements in the manner in which municipalities manage
of ensuring compliance with effluent discharged from its
their assets.
infrastructure. These are for a variety of reasons including,
but not limited to, a lack of funding and human capacity
Sedibeng Regional Sewer Scheme (SRSS)
Rand Water has been appointed as an implementing
agent by the Department of Water Affairs to implement the
Sedibeng Regional Sewer Scheme. The Scheme will address
the overcapacity of wastewater treatment works and sewer
networks, and seek to improve their effluent quality discharge.
The scheme will be phase-in approach and will be subdivided as follows:
 Upgrading of Sebokeng WWTW to 100 Ml/day
 Upgrading of Meyerton WWTW to 15 Ml/day
 Construction of a new 150 Ml/d Sedibeng WWTW
 Construction of the Sedibeng Reclamation Plant
Thembisile Hani Local Municipality
and demand exceeding the capacity of the existing works.
We partnered with the Municipality for the extension of its
Hannes van Niekerk wastewater treatment plant. The project
cost for the extension of Hannes van Niekerk wastewater
treatment works which includes civil, mechanical and
electrical services is R275 million. The current capacity of the
Hannes van Niekerk wastewater treatment works is 22 Ml/d.
The estimated contributions of future developments anticipate
the flow in 2020 is estimated at 46.9 Ml/d, which
indicating an extension of 25 Ml/d. Since the geotechnical
investigations to assess the extent of the dolomitic conditions
determined that the best suited land available could only
accommodate 15 Ml/day; the excess effluent will be pumped
to the proposed new Zuurbekom wastewater treatment works.
The civil, mechanical and electrical works designs and tender
documentation for the 80 Ml/d new Zuurbekom wastewater
The partnership to provide bulk sanitation services to
treatment works has been completed.
Thembisile Hani Local Municipality started in 2009 for the
provision of operation, maintenance and capacity building
The Hannes van Niekerk Wastewater Treatment Works
services to Tweefontein K Wastewater Treatment Works.
project commenced in January 2012 and is expected to be
The overall effluent compliance of the works during the year in
commissioned by early January 2014. Rand Water together
review was 70.8%. This was mainly due to constant powers
with the Department of Water Affairs and the Municipality are
failures which the plant experienced and illegal dumping
in a process of finalising the funding model and the operations
104
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
and maintenance arrangements for both Hannes van Niekerk
in October 2012 for the refurbishment of its Phomolong and
and Zuurbekom wastewater treatment works.
Hennenman waste water treatment plants. The refurbishment
was on its Inlet Screws, Biological Reactor as well as
Brugspruit Water Pollution Control Plant (Acid Mine
Secondary Settling Tank. The project was completed and
Drainage Plant)
handed over to the municipality in June 2013.
With our capacity and technical skills in the water, wastewater
treatment and acid mine drainage processes, we have been
assisting the Department of Water Affairs on an ad-hoc basis
with the operation and maintenance of the Brugspruit AMD
Plant. The Plant is designed to neutralise 10 Ml per day of
High Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) acid water from the Southern
and Northern decanting points. The Plant is meant to improve
the quality of water discharged in the Upper Olifants Water
Management Area in the Western Highveld Region.
In an attempt to find cost effective solutions to acid mine
drainage challenges in South Africa, especially in the Western
Highveld region, Rand Water partnered with a Japanese
technology company in collaboration with the Department
of Water Affairs and the Embassy of Japan in Pretoria, to
introduce an advanced technology in addressing the issue of
AMD. The Embassy has provided the grant funding from the
Japanese government to the value of 20 Million Japanese Yen
(R2.1 Million) to supply the pilot plant in Emalahleni area with
the maximum treatment capacity of 12 m3/day of acid mine
water in Brugspruit Water Pollution Control Works
The pilot plant will utilise advanced Reverse Osmosis
Desalination technology to treat the neutralised acid mine
water to potable and industrial grade standard. The pilot
plant is anticipated to be installed and commissioned at
Brugspruit Water Pollution Control Works during 2013 for a
period of four months. The lifespan of the pilot plant is 5 years
and due to its mobility, the pilot plant can be moved and used
in acid mine drainage treatment pilot studies elsewhere in
South Africa.
Mantsopa Local Municipality
Rand Water was appointed by the Department of Water
Affairs in November 2012 as an implementing agent for the
refurbishment of the Ladybrand water treatment works and
pump station and the Genoa pump station, in the Mantsopa
Local Municipality.
Matjhabeng Local Municipality
Rand Water was appointed by Matjhabeng local municipality
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
105
We understand that customer service is central to
the success of our business. Our Customer Value
Management Survey (CVM) and Service Level
Evaluations (SLE’s) are annual initiatives which we
undertake in order to measure and understand our
customer expectations.
The CVM survey seeks to measure the perception and
provision of bulk water supply services so that it can render
satisfaction levels of Rand Water’s customers, while on the
the services in an efficient, equitable, cost effective and
other hand the SLE’s measures Rand Water’s performance
sustainable manner.
against the Bulk Water Supply Contracts.
objective, we conduct annual Service Level Agreements
Summary of 2013 Service Level Evaluations (SLE’s)
Evaluation Score
2011
2012
2013
95.3%
97.0%
97.7%
Rand Water has entered into Bulk Water Supply Contracts
with all our customers to record the current and continued
106
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
In order to ascertain if we meet this
with all our customers. The above ratings indicate that Rand
Water continues to do well with the respect to the contracts
signed with our customers. The 2.3% non-compliance is often
due to situations outside our control; e.g. there are certain
areas where there is no spare water capacity to supply to
those customers, and Rand Water has no control over the
availability of raw water to supply its customers.
Customer Value Management Survey
Summary of 2013 Customer Value Management Survey (CVM)
Index Score Comparison
Categories
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
(n=134)
(n=69)
(n=119)
(n=152)
(n=150)
Overall product index score
86.2
92.6
86.2
88.8
96.9
Overall forward planning index score
82.9
87.4
86.3
85.8
71.1
Change
+8.1
-14.7
Overall water resource management index score
83.6
84.7
82.9
84.3
74.3
-10.0
Overall operations & maintenance index score
83.0
87.1
83.4
84.1
85.3
+1.2
Overall billing and administration score
82.3
89.6
80.8
81.2
89.7
Overall strategic competency score
84.0
89.6
86.4
88.2
92.2
+8.5
+4.0
Overall communication score
81.6
83.4
81.9
82.1
78.7
-3.4
Overall relationship management score
83.9
87.6
86.6
84.5
88.1
+3.6
Overall price index score
73.5
79.6
77.1
73.5
77.7
+4.2
Overall image score
85.2
89.1
85.9
85.5
86.2
+0.7
Overall Regional Account Executives score
80.0
84.8
81.5
79.6
85.5
+5.9
Overall emotional drivers index score
84.6
89.3
86.8
85.3
87.5
+2.2
Overall Customer Value Management score
82.5
87.1
83.8
83.6
84.4
+0.8
Largest increase
Largest decrease
The results of the CVM show that there has been significant
and Section 42 of the Municipal Finance Management Act
decrease in the areas of forward planning and resource
(No. 56 of 2003).
management index scores.
There has been a steady
improvement in the areas of product and billing and
Customer Service
administration index scores. These results indicate that there
Our Customer Service Centre is a critical touch point for the
are areas where Rand Water needs to improve on. Rand
businesses. During the year under review we have achieved
Water is currently focusing on improving its operations in
the following;
these areas. However, the overall customer value score has
seen a steady increase over the past five years. The industry
standards are rated at 83%.
The Rand Water Forums
Rand Water has established the Forums as a communication
vehicle with its customers. The Forums’ main objective is to
educate the customers on all water related matters and create
a debate around relevant topics. These would then influence
some decisions in the water sector. Rand Water customers
are encouraged to contribute to the forums as this will give
them a better voice in the water sector. Some of the topics
discussed include “Water Demand Management, Water
Quality Management, Water Leaks, Acid Mine Drainage” to
name a few. In addition to the topics discussed and debated,
Rand Water uses the Forums as a consultation vehicle for
tariff consultation in line with the Bulk Water supply Contract
 Resolved 79% of queries at first hand without
transferring them for technical assistance.
 Capping the abandoned call rate to below 13%, this
occurs when a caller hangs up before reaching an
agent.
 Upgrading the Microsoft CRM system to the new
version, enabling Rand Water to automatically
track and measure customer requests, incidents and
fulfilment so they can gauge how well the call centre
is performing and recognise where improvements are
needed. The potential result of all this is that customers
receive faster and more responsive service, and are
therefore more likely to be satisfied with the interaction
with Rand Water.
 Upgrading the Siemens Open-scape telephony system
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
107
The underlying purpose of Water Demand Management (WDM)
is to improve inefficiencies on the downstream side of the
supply chain, thereby avoiding more expensive supply side
upgrading and augmentation and simultaneously avoiding the
overloading of sanitation collection and treatment infrastructure.
In doing so, WDM would reduce the cost burden on the paying
pilot implementation). Phase 2 of the programme (Full scale
end customers which in turn contributes to the sustainability of
implementation) commenced in April 2012.
all Water Servics Institutions (WSI) in the water sector.
It is therefore imperative taht all WSI’s embrace WDM and
integrate it into their strategic planning and, most importantly,
starting implementing WDM without delay. This purpose of
WDM supports Rand Water’s Vison and Strategic Objects in
various respects.
The Department of Water Affairs has extended our
appointment as the Implementing Agent for the Hartbeespoort
Dam Biological Remediation Programme (Harties Metsi a
Me) beyond Phase 1 of the programme (development and
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rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
The following has been achieved through the programme to
date:
 Development of a complete biological remediation
plan for the restoration of water quality. This is the
first of it’s kind in in Africa to adopt an integrated
biological approach to address water quality issues.
 Pioneering of an inland waters buoy marker system
which has been adopted by South African Marital
Safety Authority SAMSA for implementation to all
inland water bodies;


Development of floating wetlands to compensate for
be handed back to the Department of Water Affairs who will
areas where riparian vegetation rehabilitation is not
continue the efforts currently being undertaken by the Metsi a
an option;
Me Programme
Implementation of foodweb restructuring is the first of
Feasibility Study into Effluent Reuse Options in Rand
Water’s Area of Service
such an initiative in the country. 232 tonnes of coarse
fish (carp and catfish) already removed;

Rand Water commissioned a study to identify the potential
Physical removal of biomass (algae and hyacinth) from
the dam water surface. To date 39868 m3 of algae,
97198 m3 of hyacinth and 2613 tons of debris have
been removed from the dam.
alleviate the pressure on existing water resources for potable
use. The study identified a significant potential for reuse
particularly in the industrial and mining sectors within the City
of Johannesburg and Rustenburg areas.
 All ‘waste’ material is recycled and reused for
beneficial purposes, therefore no waste is generated
by the programme.

of effluent reuse within its area of service in an effort to
Water quality requirements for different potential user groups
as well as bulk supply infrastructure requirements and
additional retrofitting on the customer side were qualified and
Pilot sediment dredging at the Crocodile River mouth
costed within 3 business plans. Written commitments to take
and bulk sampling of the “jelly layer” sediment at the
up the treated effluent as industrial grade water were also
dam wall.
obtained from potential customers to ensure the feasibility of
the project.
 Sustainable employment has been created for over
110 people from the local communities with intensive
training and development plans for capacity building.
 Intensive
upgrading
of
a
communication
and
awareness centre at the dam wall to facilitate
communication and awareness creation to various
stakeholder groups including schools.
The principle responsibilities of Rand Water as Implementing
Agent include:
1. Compilations and submission of business management
plans inclusive of training and social development
plans;
2. Coordination and management of the project activity
implementation;
Govan Mbeki Local Municipality Water Loss Project
Rand Water was appointed as an implementing agent
by the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality to assist with the
Water Demand Management interventions within the Govan
Mbeki Municipality area. Rand Water, Govan Mbeki and
Sasol entered into partnership where each party contributed
R1, 5 million each for the implementation of the project.
The project has been running since 2010-11 financial year
During the year under review the following was completed

Retrofitting of 3000 households in Embalenhle

Repairs of valves in various reservoirs in Embalenhle

Repairs of Emzinoni Tower that was leaking for more
than a year
3. Establishment of the necessary structures to facilitate
implementation;
4. Appointment of service providers;
5. Occupational Health and Safety;

Retrofitting of 500 households in Lebohang Township

A hydraulic model was developed for the Secunda
area
Metsimaholo Local Municipality Water Loss Project
6. Asset management and
Rand Water was appointed as an implementing agent by
7. Financial management
The project is funded by the Department to the value of
R125 million. It is envisaged that the programme will eventually
the Metsimaholo Local Municipality to assist with the Water
Demand Management interventions within the Metsimaholo
municipality area. Rand Water, Metsimaholo and Sasol
entered into partnership where each party contributed with the
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
109
development of a business plan to address Water Demand
Phase II: To assist the Ngwathe Local Municipality with the Management and identify necessary interventions.
During the year unde review the following was completed
 New nozzles and filter media for the following


17 bulk water meters were procured for all towns
following the following interventions:
treatment plants:
within the municipality
Koppies
Surveying of Zamdela and Sasolburg town was
Vredefort
completed and the meter chambers were designed
Ekurhuleni war on leaks project
We were appointed as an implementing agent by the
Department of Water Affairs in January 2012 for a period
 Repair of a leaking 200 mm pipe in Heilbron
 Repair of a leaking reservoir in Heilbron
 Repair of a leaking reservoir in Edenville
ending 31st March 2014, for a war on leaks project within
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. The objective of the
Repairs to the reservoirs and pipelines brought water savings
Project is to reduce the water losses and consumption at
of over 40 000 l/day
domestic level. This will be achieved through active leakage
control, leak fixing and retrofitting of defective fittings and an
extensive awareness campaign.
The total budget for the project is R10 million and was
allocated as follows:
The total budget for the project was R 651,000.
Investigation of low water pressure in Bedworth Park:
Emfuleni Municipality
Rand Water was appointed by the municipality to act as an
Implementing Agent for the investigation, analysis and solution
2012/13 R450 000 for compilation of the Business Plan
of the low water pressure problem in Bedwoth Park.
2013/14 R9 550 000 for the implementation of the
The main objective of the project was to provide the
recommendations from the Business Plan
municipality with a solution that would ensure long term
Ngwathe Emergency Project
Rand Water was appointed by the Department of Water
Afairs in December 2011 to implement an emergency
project within Ngwathe Local Municipality. The phases of
the project were:
 Phase I: To restore water to the town of Parys after
after the area had experienced water shortages due to
major pipe bursts at the treatment plant and pumping
main
110
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
sustainable minimum water pressures at peak times as per the
municipal by laws.
The project has since been completed the recommendations
made to the municipality
The total budget for the investigation was R 500,000.00
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
111
To meet business and organisational
challenges now and in the future,
organisations must maximise the
potential of their workforce by
engaging the hearts, minds, efforts
and energies of their human capital
talent. This is pivotal to success,
organisationally and individually.
112
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
Our Group Human Resources Portfolio is
strategically placed to ensure that it supports
and enables the entire organisation’s objective in
particular to driving a high performance culture and
to support growth.
Our recruitment and selection of individuals with
the right skills, at the right time in the right positions
will ensure that the organisation continues to
supply services according to its mandate by our
Shareholder.
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
113
In order to ensure that the employees, once placed
in the correct jobs perform at optimal levels, the
Human Resources Portfolio undertakes various
activities and programs such as the roll out of the
Performance Management System and Capacity
Building initiatives to all employees.
These and others are aimed at ensuring that the employees
are more aware of their role and contribution towards the
attainment of the organisational objectives and where there are
gaps these will be addressed through focused interventions.
Key initiatives undertaken during 2012-2013 Financial year:
 Roll-out of the Performance Management System to
Bargaining Unit Employees
 Launch of the Rand Water Academy
Other initiatives that have been undertaken by the Portfolio
during the year under review are; the Productivity Awareness
initiative, measuring Employee Engagement, rolling out of
Wellness Initiatives and ensuring that the Participative Forums
contribute to sound labour relations.
 Productivity Analysis
Talent Management
Training - Capacity Building
To ensure alignment to the strategic objective of a “high
Of particular note was the October 2012 launch of the
Rand Water Academy at the Zuikerbosch Purification
Plant. The Rand Water Academy has a dual focus
to ensure that Rand Water and the Water Sector are
appropriately capacitated with the relevant professionals.
Alignment of Corporate and Group Human Resources
performance culture”, the Capacity Building Department
is focused on capacitating employees within Rand Water
to meet these requirements. Capacity Building supports the
business by driving skills development through accredited and
credit bearing programmes that are designed to enhance
Rand Water’s human resources.
Empowering Rand Water to support the Presidential outcome
objectives
of “A skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive
It is in the best interest of the organisation if Corporate
growth path”, the Capacity Department is geared to create
objectives are aligned with those of the Group Human
a strong pipeline of technical skills through technical and
Resources Portfolio.
water related learner ships, Engineering and Science bursars,
Graduate in Training programmes, Internship programmes
and Apprenticeships. Our Capacity Building policy supports
This is captured in the figure below;
the organisation’s business strategy to increase its Graduates
Key Organisational Themes
Key Human Capital Themes
Achieve Growth
Attract, develop (grow) and retain our talent
Achieve Operational Integrity
and use best fit technology
Efficiencies and Effectiveness
Achieve a High Performance Culture
Positively Engage Stakeholder base
Maintain Financial Health & Sustainabliity
114
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
INFORM
Performance Management
Internal and External Stakeholder Management
ENABLE
ROI (Investment decisions, budget allocation)
and Interns innovative and operational efficiency by building
 Ensure alignment to the National Skills Strategy when
capability and capacity that will enable transformation and
focusing on some initiatives especially those aligned
business sustainability.
to functional and legislative requirements;
Legislative requirements in skills development are clearly
 Ensure design of customised programs to accelerate
upheld and executed through our Workplace Skills Plan
organisational change, agility and capability;
(WPS) and forms part of our skills development initiatives.
 Integration with the Employment Equity Plan to ensure
fairness;
This ensures the drive that Rand Water has a skills pool to
 Monitor, track and evaluate business impact of core
source from and is aligned with the Water Sector Skills needs.
capacity building initiatives to entrench culture of
Driving the business needs of our customers is evident through
accountability and measure return on training spend;
the Bursaries and Learner ships, where all areas of business
 Ensure alignment with the Water Sector Skills needs.
are considered. Capacity Building manages the ladder of
development of employees through a system of policies
Capacity Building reaches out, supports, and drives skills
and processes that ensures growth in employee’s skills and
development initiatives that speak not only to Rand Water, but
competency levels. It aims to:
also caters to the wider water sector. Rand Water, through a
number of annual programmes detailed in the below table,
 Support
growth initiatives as well as optimising
is committed to the development and capacitation of internal
business operations;
employees, unemployed individuals, graduates and other
 Ensure that business requirements will inform capacity
trainee categories that collectively represent it’s potential talent
building initiatives;
pool from which it can source current and future employees.
Career Expo’s and Campus Visits
Skills
Employed
Employed
Development
Projects
Female
TOT
Male
TOT
Female
TOT
Male
TOT
Grand
Total
Internal
A
C
I
W
80
7
7
8
102
A
C
I
W
92
3
4
3
A
102
C
I
W
A
C
I
W
2
2
2
2
208
77
7
12
12
19
12
12
39
0
0
33
13
33
Bursaries
External
Bursaries
Apprenticeship
5
5
7
1
2
10
ABET
16
16
14
2
1
17
0
Graduates/
12
0
19
1
20
12
1
Interns
Learnerships
65
8
1
5
79
53
1
1
10
65
6
Grand Total
166
15
8
13
202
166
7
5
16
194
46
Rand Water has a presence at Career Expo’s and Universities
as part of it’s awareness drives. The purpose of these
interventions are to expose students to the programs offered
by the organisation, potential careers within the organisation,
the application processes and the entry requirements per
category. For the 2012/2013 financial year the following
were undertaken:
1
1
0
7
14
1
48
52
1
1
0
15
166
54
498
Campus Visits undertaken annually during May and June
2013 at the Universities where RW bursars are studying:
 University of Pretoria
 Tshwane Univ. of Technology
 Vaal University of Technology
 University of Limpopo
 Cape Peninsula Univ of Tech
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
115
 North West University
employees
 University of South Africa
Management System to all levels of employees of Rand Water.
 Witwatersrand University
Talent Management initiated a program to create a Key
 Mangosuthu Univ. of Tech
Performance Indicator (KPI) library for employees, which will
Blue Drop - Water Treatment Technology
Water Technology Training (WTT), under Capacity Building is
currently overseeing the entire Rand Water Blue Drop Training
profile for Process Controllers (PCs) and Supervisors. This is
in accordance with the revised Regulation 17 of the Water
Services Act (No. 108 of 1997)/ Regulation 2834 (of 1985),
outlining that there shall be no person operating a water
treatment works without a Process Controller license. One of
the nine criteria for a Blue Drop Award is Process Management
and Control under which PC’sand supervisors should be trained,
registered and classified as per the Regulation 17 requirement.
In order to meet this requirement, Process Controllers should
be appropriately qualified coupled with relevant years of
experience. For the training cycle 2012/2013, WTT trained
56 learners comprising of 32 Process Controllers and 14
Assistant Process Controllers on the qualification Water and
Wastewater Treatment Process Operations at NQF Level 2 &
Water and Wastewater Process Control NQF Level 3. Through
the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) avenue, a further 39
Process Controllers were assessed. In total, 71 PCs (inclusive
of operators and supervisors) out of a potential 186 Process
Controllers underwent training. According to Schedule III of
Regulation 17, the Process Controllers shall acquire a shift in
their current class once they are certified and Rand Water PCs
depending on the “Class of works” must be classified as follows:
Zuikerbosch and Vereeniging: Class II to V, Zwartkopjes,
barrage, Zuurbekom: I to V
Performance Management
The Performance Management system has been rolled out to
all staff to enable and drive the strategic objective of achieving
a high performance culture. The Performance Management
Department has engaged and consulted with organised
labour at the collective bargaining forum to formally launch
the Performance Management System. Training was provided
to all bargaining unit employees and all employees have
contracted on a single performance management system for
the first time during the 2012/2013 financial year. Training
sessions were available in Zulu and Sotho to accommodate
staff who had difficulty in understanding the training in English.
This roll-out represents reaching approximately 1800
116
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
thereby
standardising
the
Performance
assist Managers and Supervisors in identifying common and
consistent KPI’s per job profile and level. The KPI Library aims
to:
 Create standardisation across all positions and levels,
 Remove subjectivity in the interpretation of KPI’s,
 Output and outcome focused results,
 Ensure alignment of the different levels by cascading
relevant targets to relevant levels.
In rolling out the integrated Performance Management System,
management has initiated generic cascading of strategic key
performance indicators and targets (Employment Equity, no
repeat audit findings, Black Economic Empowerment) which
were cascaded to the relevant levels of the organisation. In
order to create efficiencies we have merged the performance
management process with the short term incentive process.
Employee Relations Wellness
The Employee Wellness Programme in Rand Water is a
“comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and people system that
seeks to promote, improve, and optimise health, well-being,
and high performance of Rand Water employees”.
The Integrated Wellness model focuses on 6 dimensions of
wellness which are the key components of the framework,
namely physical, social, occupational, spiritual, intellectual
and emotional wellbeing.
One of its objectives is managing the impact of health and
psycho-social problems on company’s productivity by looking
at issues such as absenteeism and its financial impact,
medical care costs, insurance claims costs as well as other
indirect costs.
Prevalence of HIV/Aids
As part of our Wellness strategy, we provide HIV counselling
and testing (HCT) services, support, treatment and care
through our disease management programme as part of the
medical aid benefit for employees and their dependents.
Some of our HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns are done
during our Wellness Weeks and the annual observation of
the World Aids Day.
Our dynamic onsite Wellness Practitioners provide support not
only to infected employees who have disclosed their status, but
also to employees who are facing personal problems related
to HIV that are impacting on their work performance. Support
to HIV positive employees is given through counselling,
treatment literacy and healthy lifestyle education.
We currently have 125 active Wellness Champions who
work on a voluntary basis to assist their peers with information
and education sessions on HIV/AIDS and general health and
wellness issues. The champions are able to highlight areas of
Our corporate HIV/AIDS Triple Zero strategy as well as our
concerns at face value and assist in encouraging their peers
HIV/AIDS and other life threatening diseases policy are part
to participate in HIV and AIDS campaigns and other wellness
of the broad integrated wellness strategy. HIV and AIDS is
initiatives.
viewed no differently to any other lifestyle disease such as
diabetes, hypertension, etc. This stance is taken to eliminate
Rand Water undertakes the HCT campaign annually as
the perceived stigma of the disease.
part of its wellness services. The HCT campaign originally
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
117
undertaken to support the South African government’s national
This will further enable Rand Water to act swiftly and promptly
drive to encourage people to know their HIV status and to
in managing the effects of the epidemic on the business.
access counselling and treatment at the earliest possible
stage. This campaign is intensified in order not to lose the
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
incredible momentum of ensuring that HIV testing remains a
regular part of health seeking behaviour.
Financial problems are common challenges to all individuals
and do not only impact employees but their families as well.
During the year under review the campaign took place in
Severe financial problems of employees does not only affect
September to October 2012 and the results are indicated in
these individuals but the business as well, resulting in low
the table below.
productivity, absenteeism, low morale, stress related illnesses
and increased costs to the medical health scheme etc.
The table below indicates the overall prevalence rate per site
of the total number of staff who have tested. Rand Water has
Research indicates that at the end of March 2010, South
a prevalence rate of 11% which is less than the National
Africa had 18,22 million credit active consumers. Of these
prevalence rate of 12%.
8,37 million (46%) had impaired credit records (i.e. three
or more months in arrears with their instalments, judgment
Prevalence Rate per site
granted against them or subject to an adverse credit bureau
entry). A further 2,6 million (14,5%) were debt stressed (one
or two months in arrears with payments) and the above
research is no exception to Rand Water employees.
Our Wellness Programme, in partnership with the Capacity
Building Department, introduced the financial skills training
programme for the employees with the objective to empower
employees with personal financial management skills that
will enable them to manage their income and expenditure
patterns responsibly. The aim is to bring about positive
behaviour change in employees to live within their means.
The programme also assists the over indebted employees to
New infections
get out of debt.
To date, we have trained at least 40% of employees in
personal financial management. The training will continue
until October 2014 with the intention to empower as many
employees as possible about debt management, budgeting
and saving skills and also to assist employees who are overdebted.
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
The labour relations climate in Rand Water continued to
The above table indicates that of the total number of staff who
tested 44% are new infections, whilst 56 % are previously
known cases. This can be seen in a positive light in that the
Rand Water campaign of HCT is driving getting the message
through to employees and most employees are realising the
importance of testing and knowing their HIV status.
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rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
be calm, in spite of the uncertain and volatile climate in
the country. Parties at Amanzi Bargaining Council agreed
to plant level negotiation. Amanzi Bargaining Council is a
bargaining council for the water utilities.
Our workforce remains highly unionised. In 2012-2013,
83.33% of the organisation’s employees belonged to trade
unions and 16.66% are non-unionised. Almost 13% increase
139 of the 146 employees recruited at M-Q bands were
from last year’s 73.6%. Membership increased from 73.6%
ACI, which translated into 93.92% against a target of 75%.
during the financial year 2011-2012 to 83.33% during
Across the organisation the number of ACI stands at 2821
2012-2013. We have two recognised unions, namely the
out of the total staff compliment of 3214 which translates into
South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) and the
87.77%. The number of ACI appointments were 305 out of
United Association of South Africa (UASA). SAMWU accounts
the total number of 324 overall appointments. This translates
for 63.83%, while UASA is at 19.5%.
into 94.10% of ACI recruitment.
Trade Union Membership
The number of females at M-Q bands stands at a total of
373 which represent a 41.01% female population of the total
SAMWU
UASA
NO UNION
staff at the managerial levels. Across the organisation, the
number of females stands at 1005, or 31.05% of the staff
compliments. The number of females recruited at M-Q stands
76 which represent 51.35%. At the same time the number
of female recruits across the organisation was 143 which
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY
Rand Water continues unabated in its effort to ensure
that Employment Equity remains a strategic intervention
in achieving its obligations as set out in section 13 of the
Employment Equity Act, Act No. 55 of 1998. To this end, the
organisation has an Employment Equity Plan which ensures
that Employment Equity Targets are achieved.
constitutes 44.10%. In addition, Rand Water has resuscitated
the Women’s Forum, whose aim is to ensure that women
issues are fully attended to. The forum has a seat allocated
at the Employment Equity Forum. The improved drive towards
female recruitment at M-Q bands has significantly paid off.
Whilst the female population at that level stood at 26.07%
5 years back, currently the number has almost doubled.
The number of all staff at Management (M-Q bands) stands
at 907, of which 712 are African, Coloured and Indian
(ACI) which constitutes 78.50% of the staff compliment at
Managerial Levels. In addition to the information above,
However, unlike the male population, scarcity of the female
population in the engineering sector, in particular, presents
serious challenges not only to Rand Water, but the whole
sector in general. The tables below give an indication of the
above statistics.
Employment Equity Status as at 30 June 2013 (m-q)
Category
Band
Total Staff
Demographics
Demographics %
Recruitment
Recruitment %
Target %
ACI
M–Q
907
712
78.50
139
93.92
75
FEMALES
M–Q
907
373
41.01
76
51.35
47
Employment Equity Status as at 30 June 2013 (All Rand Water)
Category
Band
Total Staff
Demographics
Demographics %
Internal/external
Recruitment %
appointments
ACI
All Rand Water
3214
2821
87.77
305
93.92
FEMALES
All Rand Water
3214
1005
31.05
143
44.10
PWD
All Rand Water
3214
138
4.3
12
3.7
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
119
Technogirl
In its effort to ensure gender representation, Rand Water
This is done through a process of job shadowing (girl learners
embarked on a number of programmes. One such programme
are placed in companies and other organisations, under the
is the Techno girl. “Techno girl” is a Programme that focuses on
mentorship of people who work in these fields). Rand Water
exposing girls to careers in scarce fields and this is intended to
started the programme by placing 60 pupils who are in grade
increase the number of girls who take careers within these fields.
9 to be part of the initiative for the next 4 years.
The following table indicates the number of girls per area of operation:
Number of Girls per area of Operation
AREA OF GIRLS
NUMBER OF GIRLS
Operations
12
Maintenance
17
Process Quality
7
Strategic Asset Management
8
Bulk Sanitation
2
Scientific Services
14
Total
60
The table below shows a distribution of girls across Rand Water sites and the schools they come from:
Site/ Station
1.
No. of Girls
Bulk Water Distribution
2.Rietvlei
3.Panfontein
4.
Scientific Services
5.
Vereeniging Station
7
11
School
Erasmus Monareng Secondary School
Zakariyya, Daleview & Sakhisizwe Schools
3
Fundulwazwi Secondary & Moshate Secondary Schools
14
Reseidensia Sec, Tokelo Sec & Fundulwazi Sec Schools
9
Fundulwazwi Secondary & Moshate Secondary Schools
6.Zwartkopjes
8
Erasmus Monareng Secondary School
7.Zuikerbosch
8
Fundulwazi Secondary School
TOTAL
60
Employee Engagement
Further to the conclusion of our Employee Engagement Survey
Therefore, going forward, training will be filtered down to
in the previous financial year, the Employee Relations Division
employees, as individuals should also be held responsible for
conducted a series of feedback sessions based on the
their own satisfaction and contribution levels.
survey results. Training sessions were also held for managers
at various levels to help them understand and leverage the
critical roles they play towards fostering engaged employees
and teams.
Rand Water believes that employee engagement is not just
the ‘job’ of executives and management alone but that of
individual employees as well. In order to achieve improved
productivity and performance levels, engagement must be
built and entwined into the day-to-day operations of the
organisation and the functions of every employee.
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Ziyagezana Excellence Awards
The Board and Management of Rand Water have
displayed an unwavering commitment and support to
recognising and appreciating extraordinary effort and
contributions of employees, as the organisation celebrated
its tenth Ziyagezana Excellence Awards in December 2012.
The event marked the achievement of a significant milestone
for the peer-to-peer recognition programme, since its inception
in 2003.
The following individuals and teams received awards in the
6. Team of the Year - Bulk Sanitation
various categories as listed below:
7. Mover & Shaker of the Year - Fezeka Sotywambe
1. Employee of the Year – Kurt Scheepers
Management also awarded the following Special Categories:
2. Innovator of the Year – Salome Koekemoer
Best Contribution to Orderly Collective Bargaining – Costa
3. Boss of the Year – Simon Xaba
Raftopoulos
4. Wellness Champion of the Year – Regina Thapeli
Best Project: Contribution to the Empowerment of Women in
5. Chief Executive’s Award - The Rand Water Academy
Communities – Bantu Bonke Community Project
Team
2
1
3
4
6
5
Participation Co-Operation and Partnership
The Rand Water participatory framework continues to

HIV/Aids and other Life-threatening Diseases Policy

Guidelines for Ziyagezana Excellence Awards
Adjudication Committee Members
provide a relevant and practical approach for consultation
and information-sharing.
It is based on the principles
of transparency, mutual respect and inclusiveness and
accommodates the interests of both management and trade
Compensation and Information
Reward Approach
unions.
The Rand Water Total Rewards philosophy is underpinned by
Internal stakeholders are given an opportunity to mutually
the principle of viewing rewards from a holistic perspective
influence decision-making on policy matters that affect staff.
that considers employees as unique “whole” individuals.
For the year under review, the Stakeholders’ Forum reached
The main objective of the Rewards Philosophy is also to
consensus on the following:
ensure that there is an appreciation by all employees that

Wellness Policy
remuneration is not only about the hygiene factors of salary,

Death-in-Service Policy
bonus and benefits, but of all the other aspects of the work
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
121
environment that complement these eg
social benefits,
providers to deliver on supervisory initiatives. The Personal
challenging work, training opportunities, relationships with
Mastery and Team Effectiveness Interventions were delivered
peers and manager. This in keeping with generally striving
to empower Supervisors in discovering their respective values
towards a balance between the Remuneration, Benefit and
and beliefs with a view to enable them to link these to their own
environmental offering, and creating an attractive Reward
actions. This intervention further empowered the Supervisors
Environment.
to create a vision and action plan for both work and
personal life as well as create the new patterns of behavior,
Organisational Development and Design
attitudes, and actions and build effective relationships. The
Organisation Design
Team Effectiveness module was also successfully delivered to
In 2011, the board of Rand Water approved the reorganisation
and team management and individuals own leadership style.
of the Rand Water new structure in support of the Turnaround
and Growth strategy. The agreed implementation strategy
was to implement the changes in a three year time frame.
This financial year, the roll out of the second phase to
capacitate the organisation was completed specifically in the
SAM division to enable the Capex programme.
The additional business cases for other support environments
were completed and signed off to enable the required
capacity in view of supporting the growth initiatives.
Supervisors to enable customer focus teams, team leadership
This was delivered in view of excellence and effectively
managing team performance and customer excellence that is
aligned to the Rand Water model of excellence.
Change Champions Programme
The Change Champion Program was established with a
view to ensure ownership of continuous improvements within
the organisation as well as expose our employees to best
practices (locally and internationally) that consistently support
high performance culture.
Change and Transformation Initiatives
Achievements to date (Change Champions Programme):
To support the Rand Water strategy, that of Turnaround and
Growth, the ODD function has delivered successfully on the
Lesotho Highlands Water Project Study Tour
following transformation programs:
(12 – 15th March 2013)
Leadership Transformation Program
This Study Tour exposed the change champions to the
Leadership Charter
The journey continues in enabling the RW leadership through
the rollout of the Leadership initiatives in line with the adopted
Leadership Charter. The Leadership Charter provides leaders
with a guiding framework of the distinctive skills, competencies
and behaviour that Rand Water leaders need to demonstrate
in order to foster the development of an organisational culture
that supports the organisation’s vision and strategy.
Achievements to date (Leadership Interventions):
Executives, Senior and Middle Management Interventions
- Rand Water has partnered with The Gordon Institute of
Business Science (GIBS) to deliver on open leadership
programs, and Leadership initiatives. This initiative has
afforded the said leaders an opportunity to contextualise what
leadership means to Rand Water with some of the leading
speakers both from locally and globally. Rand Water has
partnered with Regenesys Business School and other service
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various aspects of the collective effort between South
Africa and Lesotho to give effect to water service delivery.
This supports the organisation’s strategic pillars: achieve a high
performance culture and positively engage stakeholder base.
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is highly recognised
as one of the largest and most intricate water infrastructure
construction project in the world.
International (France and Netherlands) Study Tour/
Benchmarking Trip (19 May - 2nd June 2013)
The international study trip exposed the team to a world
class water sector experience, with the view to broaden
their intellectual infrastructure knowledge around the areas
of business turnaround, transformation and change as well
as to expose them to world class systems, technologies and
different business models.
Change Management Tools Training
the Rand Water Growth strategy and aims to address the
organisational efficiencies as well as increase productivity
The Rand Water change champions were further empowered
levels and equip each and every employee with tools to
by the successful completion of the Change Management
manage their work environment effectively in order to attain
training through Deloitte. This training has equipped them with
the desired business efficiencies.
the relevant tools to facilitate the organisation transformation
initiatives as required. In an effort to inculcate creativity in line
The objective of this program includes:
with the Rand Water Innovation hub, the Change Champions
also spent a day exploring the Deloitte Innovation hub.
Analysing the current levels of productivity across the

organisation;
Productivity Analysis Program
The Rand Water Productivity Program was approved in May

Identifying potential productivity gaps;

Identifying opportunities for improvement

Implement a sustainable Productivity solution ;
2013. The establishment of this program is in response to
The implementation of the program will span over 3 years and comprises of the following implementation phases
Implementation Phase
Description
Plan and Assess
•
Analyse current levels of productivity
•
Understand the current state of the organisation
•
Define future productivity state
•
Identify productivity improvement opportunities
•
Develop implementation roadmap
•
Development of productivity accounting methodology
•
Development of productivity reporting tool
Implement
•
Define and implement a Productivity roadmap of how to achieve operational excellence
Monitoring and
evaluation
•
Embed productivity improvements opportunities and develop plans for sustainability
•
Benefits realisations and tracking
Design
Achievements to date (Productivity Program):
The Productivity Program Team was established in June 2013
with a view to drive the successful implementation of the
program. This is a joint effort and skills from Rand Water, KPMG
and Productivity SA. The launch of the program was signified
by the Chief Executives awareness communication to the entire
workforce within Rand Water. This communication entailed
the strategic intent of the Productivity program in line with the
organisation strategic objectives reflected in the Corporate
Business Plan. The GHRE further sensitised the entire workforce
through the publication of the follow up communiqué to unpack
the programme and how it will unfold and the various initiatives
planned throughout the life cycle of the programme. To ensure
the programme visibility and buy-in within the organisation, the
Rand Water Productivity team embarked on a campaign as well
as brand campaign.In order to enable the support and buy in
of the program within the organisation, the Rand Water key
leadership (comprising of PIC members, general managers as
well as Site Executive Managers) were engaged to solicit buy
in, obtain their respective inputs as well as expectations of the
program in the context of their respective business areas. Critical
stakeholders including the Unions have been engaged through
the PCP structures. In line with the program implementation plan,
the program team has also successfully defined a project plan
and a project charter that will guide the successful delivery of
the program.
The benefits to be realised are:
 To ensure that Rand Water realises
the business
efficiencies;
 To ensure that the Total Cost of running the business is a
true reflection;
 To ensure that the productivity gains are shared with all
the stakeholders;
 Realise a Productivity base Culture in support of the High
Performance Culture as articulated in the Rand Water
Strategy.
rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
123
Rand Water Acacdemy
The Vision of the Rand Water Academy is to be the first-choice
hands-on skills and experience, required for many jobs and
provider of Global solutions to the water and sanitation
businesses. As South African businesses and organisations we
sectors by addressing key human resource, technological and
have a greater responsibility to remove these barriers. Our
process challenges that on a daily basis plague the sectors.
country’s youth can always do with a bit more care, a bit
How is Rand Water responding to the skills development
initiatives emanating from the presidential outcomes?
In his previous State of the Nation Address, President Jacob
Zuma reported that the unemployment rate had declined.
While our gains in this regard are nominal, they are still
note-worthy. During 2011, a total of 365 000 people were
employed. This is the country’s best performance since the
recession of 2008, he said. “But, we are not ‘out of the
woods’ yet and still face the triple challenge of unemployment,
poverty and inequality.”
more stability, a bit more hope, and the beautiful thing about
hope is that it allows us to see a way through chaos and
complexity, believing that things will be better in the future.
To assist in the creation of employment for young qualified
graduates, our Graduate Internship Programme: Water and
Waste Water, is providing skills, experience, professional
registration and employment for 120 previously unemployed
graduates.
Which professions is the programme intended for?
The initial professional disciplines recognised by the Rand
Water Academy are for Engineers, Scientists, Artisans
Rand Water fully supports the observations made by the
and Process Controllers. The recipient institutions of these
President, says Wayida Mohamed, Group Human Resource
graduates will be water services authorities in the Gauteng,
Executive at Rand Water. The President has portrayed a
Mpumalanga and Free State provinces. The project period is
realistic representation of the state of the country, as well as the
three years, with eighteen months of training at Rand Water
attainable goals set for the year ahead. Rand Water has taken
and eighteen months at the recipient water services authority.
up one of the challenges of combating unemployment in the
country and is hosting a National Treasury funded project called
the Graduate Internship Programme Water and Waste Water.
Entry into the workplace is filled with barriers. Many young
graduates remain unemployed because of their lack of
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rand water integrated annual report 2012-13
What are the benefits of the academy in the medium-to
long-term?
One of the remedies being developed by Rand Water for
the water and sanitationSector is a Rand Water Academy
(RWA). The far-reaching benefits of such an Academy at a
local, continental and global level will have huge benefits in
the medium-to long-term.
water
 Poor water management that affects economic
development
We understand that the pursuit for resource development,
 Unpurified water, which can lead to epidemics
empowerment and transformation within the water and
 Little or no sanitation systems
sanitation sector is never-ending, Mohamed says.
 Poor management of assets/ infrastructure water
systems
As a result, the RWA will evolve over a period of years into a
world-class institution that will become a first-choice provider
 Limited qualified professional resources to undertake
sector objectives.
of solutions to Rand Water and the sector that endure critical
water and sanitation challenges on a daily basis.
Rand Water, through the establishment of the Academy, can
play a pivotal role in skills and capacity development given the
The primary function of the Academy relates to assisting in
global standards that the organisation measures itself against
combating unemployment and skills challenges timeously. In
and surpasses. The RWA sets out to address the critical skills
addition, it will provide the best candidates to business and
issues that affect the South African water and sanitation sector,
hence, contribute to the productivity of the company and/or
as well as the broader continent.
related companies.
The focus of the academy could extend beyond a skills transfer
Through the collective efforts of government and business we
focus and could incorporate various other models, including
can, begin to write a new story about South Africa in the
technology development, research platforms and centres of
story of how we can drive away unemployment and reduce
competence and excellence status. In line with one of Rand
economic inequality and poverty by working together.
Water’ s strategic organisational objectives and its 2030
Vision, which is to have a high performance culture and to
Who will this Academy cater for?
specifically build capability and capacity to meet changing
organisational requirements, the concept of an academy
Rand Water business, the water and sanitation sector, both on
could be the special purpose vehicle to drive and sustain that
a local and international level.
strategic objective.
About the Rand Water Academy
The Rand Water Academy is borne out of a few key
strategic needs both at a national and political level, and
an internal Rand Water need to systematise the various
The Rand Water Academy will progressively be realised
through specific phases of development incorporating five
key concepts:
A Centre of Excellence
pockets of excellence in training and development operating
independently across the organisation into a single integrated
Addressing one of the key challenges of Process Controller’s
unit.
classification based the Blue and Green Drop incentive-based
regulations.
This move to integrate and create efficiencies signals the
broader intention to pursue a sector-wide influence within
(and among sector partners) and outside of the borders of the
Republic of South Africa.
Within the African continent the issues are far more demanding
looking at critical areas of:
 Low or no capacity to source and purify drinking
water
 In some African countries there is a high sources of
Achievements to date
Establishment of a center of expertise for process
controllers at the Zuikerbosch pumping station in
Vereeniging.
Forty Process Controllers are currently employed and
are being trained at the centre of expertise
Setup of basic water and waste water laboratories
for basic process controller training at the Rand
Water Academy.
water yet no efficient standard to purify into drinking
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