Constructed in 1977, the Hartebeesfontein Wastewater Treatment Works will be the first plant in Gauteng to feature groundbreaking wastewater treatment technology as it undergoes an extension. 

By Liesl Frankson

Located to the east of Kempton Park the Hartebeesfontein Wastewater Treatment Works is one of 19 plants operated by the East Rand Water Care Company (ERWAT).

The facility has a treatment capacity of 45 megalitres per day and services effluent from households in Kempton Park as well as industries from Spartan and Isando.

The plant is currently undergoing an upgrade which will see an additional 5 megalitres added to the facility’s treatment capacity using existing infrastructure.

The project, which started on the 3^rd of March 2015, is a collaborative effort between consulting engineers Royal HaskoningDHV (RHDHV) and EPC contractor to the water and wastewater treatment sector WEC Projects South Africa.

As the only company in South Africa licensed to supply and install RHDHV’s groundbreaking Nereda Wastewater Treatment Technology, WEC was appointed for the design, manufacturing, installation and commissioning of the new 5 megalitre treatment facility.

“This is a design and build project and we are very excited about it because it allows us to bring our engineering expertise to the table, which is a big value add on a project such as this,” says Ruth Oldert proposals engineer at WEC Projects.

Working with what you’ve got

The main challenge on the project…Click here for Part 2