The upgrading and augmentation of the Johannesburg Water’s Olifantsvlei Wastewater Treatment Works Module-3 in the southern part of the City of Johannesburg is finally nearing completion according to the City.

The augmentation from the current capacity of 180 megalitres per day by 50 megalitres per day is intended to cater for increased growth in demand from population, higher densification, and will service an additional 50 000 new housing units as well as meet the stringent treated effluent compliance standards to mitigate contamination of streams and rivers in the catchment area.

The upgrade costs approximately  R170 million and consists of an activated sludge reactor, mixers aerators, recycling pumps, a flow divider, three clarifiers, a pump station, three electrical rooms, a monitoring building, inter-connecting pipework, paved roads, storm water drains and cable trenches.

According the project manager Russ Dodding, the Olifantsvlei Wastewater Treatment Works treats water and sanitation from three areas in its catchment including western parts of Soweto (e.g. Protea Glen extensions), southern and south-eastern parts of Johannesburg (supporting the Turffontein “Corridor of Freedom” as well) and Lenasia (e.g. Lehae). Construction commenced in October 2010 and is now 98% complete.

The Olifantsvlei Wastewater Treatment Works is one of six such facilities managed by Johannesburg Water. Through them, the municipal-owned entity treats all domestic sewage and industrial effluents released into sewers. Between them, they treat over 930 million litres of sewage daily.

As a result of the upgrading the Olifantsvlei Wastewater Works was awarded 1st place by the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) in its annual Isigidi Awards for the Best Operated Wastewater Treatment Works in the country.

–Joburg.org.za