Q. With regard to water and wastewater applications, what is BKS’s core business function?

A. We provide the full spectrum of water engineering applications so that our clients can provide clean, safe potable water. Our water treatment services cover conventional and advanced water treatment, as well as membranes, reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon and ozone.In addition to treatment process design, we provide engineering services for bulk and reticulation water and sewage pipelines, pump stations, water towers, reservoirs, and a host of other services related to water resources development, water quality and environmental management to ensure that our designs incorporate appropriate technology and treatment solutions.

Q. How is BKS involved in the Blue and/or Green Drop Awards?

A. We are consultants for the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) and are responsible for assisting them with the Green and/or Blue Water Assessments. We have a thorough understanding of what the Blue and Green Water Assessments entail, and thus help water service providers (municipalities) assemble their Green and/or Blue requirements for the assessments. We also have a qualified Blue Drop assessor on our staff, Gerna Clifford, who is a chemical engineer specialising in water and wastewater treatment design. We’re able to contribute to the initiative’s success by ensuring that both the DWA and water service providers are aware of what is required and that the assessments are complete and provide true representations of water and effluent quality.

Q. Are you consultants to water and wastewater treatment works?

A. We are involved in all aspects of wastewater and water treatment from plant audits, feasibility studies, engineering and process design and construction monitoring, to catchment management, water use licence applications assistance and related environmental matters. Our experience and knowledge of the entire water and wastewater treatment process positions us as engineering consultants who can provide holistic, sustainable solutions for clients.

Q. What is your view on the Blue and Green Drop Certification process? Are the regulations set by the DWA within reason? How has this certification improved water and wastewater networks?

A. We believe the Blue and Green Drop Certification process is an excellent initiative from the DWA as it provides a basis for measuring the performance of our water and wastewater treatment works and processes, and for the measured improvement of services. The process also motivates water service providers and their staff to strive for excellence in service delivery and management because the results are published. It is also a key performance area for managers of the treatment plants and for municipalities.

Q. In the last three years, who have been BKS’s biggest clients in the water sector?

A. Our clients for water and wastewater treatment services are mainly municipalities, although we often undertake these projects for government departments, water service authorities, mines and other private clients. We are currently working on some very exciting projects, such as Witwatersrand Gold Fields acid mine drainage (AMD) project (in association with Golder), which entails defining, developing and undertaking the design, management and construction management of the short-term AMD solution and required treatment, pipeline and pump station infrastructure in the eastern, central and western basins. We are also currently undertaking the design, tender documentation, construction-monitoring and project management of a new extension to the Worcester Wastewater Treatment Works by incorporating biofilters in the BNR (Biological Nutrient Removal) plant to increase the capacity to 30 Mℓ/d (20 Mℓ/d extension).

Q. What water supply and treatment services does BKS have on offer?

A. Our water treatment services cover conventional and advanced water treatment, as well as membranes, reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon and ozone, and our services are: design integration and evaluation; process development; integrated design of all disciplines; operation, maintenance and training; condition surveys; appropriate technology; asset management and audits; telemetry, master plans and feasibility studies; and licence applications. In terms of wastewater treatment, we provide the following services: wastewater treatment studies domestic and industrial wastewater treatment; process design of WWTW; detail design of WWTW; modeling of wastewater processes; nutrient management and removal; appropriate technology; water reclamation; sludge handling and disposal; waste minimisation and by-product development; and operation and maintenance training.