Ceenex, a leading provider of water engineering solutions, recently handed over the new Mathyzensloop Booster Pump Station to Thembisile Hani Local Municipality (THLM). This state-of-the-art infrastructure supplies water to roughly 57,000 people residing within Kwaggafontein by extending the supply from the Bundu water supply system.

This new pump station is one of the largest projects completed by THLM. The Bundu water supply system, where the booster pump station draws its water from, is run by Ceenex.

“Considering our longstanding professional relationship with THLM which started when we were initially engaged to determine available surface water sources in the jurisdiction, we were again consulted to extend supply to Kwaggafontein. This would be done by constructing a booster pump station in Matheysenloop where the Bundu water-supply scheme terminated,” Kabelo Ringane, a Ceenex Project Manager, says.

The system works by pumping water from the waste-water treatment plant via a rising main into the two Boekenhouthoek B reservoirs which are interconnected by an existing pipeline to the Boekenhouthoek A reservoirs. A pipe then feeds the new 10Ml command reservoir and two water-retaining structures in Matheysenloop.

The new booster pump station has a capacity of 7,5Ml/day. It delivers water from the Bundu reservoir to a new water-retaining structure in Kwaggafontein via a 250mm-diameter OPvc pipeline.

The water infrastructure comprises three booster pumps. Provision was made for a fourth unit to bolster capacity should demand increase at a later stage. Two pumps operate simultaneously interchanging with the third unit to reduce strain on the system. The pumps are connected to backup power ensuring that loadshedding or unplanned grid interruptions do not affect them. The booster pump station is also equipped with an overhead gantry crane to handle heavy items for maintenance and repair. This otherwise straightforward structure also comprises an office, kitchen and ablution facilities.

Collaboration is key

Ceenex managed to complete the project within 16 months, 2 months ahead of schedule, which allowed THLM to bring urgent relief to the community earlier than anticipated. This timely success relied on collaboration, Ceenex contracted the Mbako Group to handle the mechanical work as well as Tshwele Logistics to construct the pipeline. These two contractors previously worked on the Bundu Water Augmentation Scheme with Ceenex, proving to be a powerhouse team.

“Already familiar with the contracting teams’ capabilities, we could anticipate challenges and take the necessary action timeously. Moreover, we worked well together to troubleshoot and find solutions to unforeseen challenges quickly. This helped to keep the project progressing according to schedule,” Ringane says.

Not without its challenges

Due to the mountainous terrain, the project required extensive chemical and conventional blasting to excavate the pipe trench. The environment also called for hydraulic hammers to break oversized material. The project implemented additional safety measures over and above the standard procedures because of communities close to the blasting sites.

Due to fluctuating water flow and stresses, some of the pipes also had to be restrained so that they remained connected. Nevertheless, Tshwele Logistics successfully overcame all civil-engineering obstacles.

As is the case with all Ceenex projects, an optimised life-cycle-centred philosophy was adopted in the design of the water infrastructure. This included the innovative use of fit-for-purpose materials to construct the booster pump station. KSB Pumps provide fast and efficient technical support as well as top-of-the-range pumps, which ensure longevity while reducing maintenance costs. As far as possible the project used locally sourced materials, even sourcing from within the Kwaggafontein and Mathyzensloop communities.

For example, top-of-the-range KSB Pumps were specified. Locally based, KSB can provide fast and efficient technical support to THLM to mitigate downtime. Moreover, high-quality imported valves that are supplied by a local company were deployed. This is considering that they comply with the ISO Valve International Standard, namely ISO – 5209 – 77. The use of high-quality equipment will ensure the longevity of the water infrastructure. This while also reducing maintenance and operating costs, one of Ceenex’s many water-engineering value propositions.

Community first

Notably, the project exceeded its socio-economic development targets for this project. All of the labour requirements were sourced locally. This provided over 60 employment opportunities, as well as skills development and training opportunities for community members. THLM actively engaged the community early on to proactively manage expectations, which ensured the community felt part of the project with zero cases of civil unrest. Keeping the community informed and up-to-date through transparent communication and procurement was key to keeping their trust.

The infrastructure handover was an important milestone for water security in THLM. The handover ceremony saw Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, the Executive Mayor of THLM Lesetja Dikgale, the Executive Mayor of the Nkangala district, T.D Ngwenya, Eunice Malekana -who represents Technical Services of the THLM Members of Mayoral Committee- Municipal Manager Dumisani Mahlangu, and THLM Councillors.

At the ceremony, Zeph Nkosi, THLM’s Project Manager, echoed the Department of Water and Sanitation’s motto “Water is life, but access to water and sanitation is dignity”, adding “and with Ceenex we delivered exactly that.”