Plant capacity being doubled

Work is proceeding apace on an extension to the overloaded Sebokeng wastewater treatment works, which currently services a population of about 700 000 people in southern Gauteng near the industrial area of Vanderbijlpark.

The overloading of the works was addressed by the Emfuleni Local Municipality, which is responsible for the provision of services in the area, to enhance the development of the region.

Aurecon was appointed to develop an integrated, multi-disciplinary solution to the overloading issue, and was tasked with the design and construction monitoring of the extension works, comprising a new inlet works, primary settling tanks, two 50Mℓ/d biological nutrient removal activated sludge units and clarifiers, disinfection, sludge dewatering and drying.

The multi-disciplinary technical group provided a number of engineering services for the important project, including feasibility analysis, design of mechanical equipment and control systems, project management and contract documentation. The extension will double the current capacity of the WWTW and is due for completion in 2014.Upon completion the plant will service approximately over a million people in Gauteng.

Social and economic needs

Over and above the provision of quality services, it was considered vital for the Emfuleni Local Municipality and the Aurecon team to consider the social and economic implications of the project so as to maximise social and economic benefits, with particular emphasis on the provision of basic human needs. The result has been a collaborative team effort in working to ensure a safe and palatable water supply for the residents of Sebokeng and surrounding areas.