The City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Cllr Herman Mashaba, has launched the new R152 million balancing tank at Bushkoppies Wastewater Treatment Works to improve wastewater treatment in Johannesburg.
The tank will improve compliance with effluent standards and allow for better control of the incoming flow of sewage to the Bushkoppies Wastewater Treatment Works, which has a catchment area including the southern suburbs of Johannesburg, Soweto east, parts of Roodepoort and the industrial zones in the south of Johannesburg.
Speaking at the launch yesterday, 11 November 2019, Mayor Mashaba said: “There has been growing densification in the area over the past 10 years, with smallholdings being transformed into new housing developments and office parks. This rapid growth has put enormous pressure on our existing infrastructure.”
“The City of Johannesburg is growing as people around the country and world come to the city looking for opportunities which also put some pressure on our infrastructure such as wastewater treatment plants. This project will assist to deal with growing volumes of wastewater, combined with storm surges during the rainy season, and meant the sheer volume of water reaching the works has exceeded our ability to treat it,” said Mayor Mashaba.
The new balancing tank will help balance the variations in the settled wastewater inflow to the activated sludge reactors, stabilising the liquid treatment process.
“Considering the enormous and growing demand for water and sanitation, Johannesburg Water is increasing its capacity at Bushkoppies in order to provide the first-class wastewater treatment works to cater for present and future increase in demand,” said Mayor Mashaba.
According to Fatima Chakana, the Project Manager from Johannesburg Water, the scope of the work included a reinforced concrete balancing tank of about 25000m3 in volume; motor control centre room; a pump station and various pipelines; an access roadway; mechanical equipment including mixers and pumps; and electrical equipment, control and instrumentation equipment, plus alterations to existing channels and pipes.
“Construction started on 16 February 2016 and created 76 jobs for locals. The main contractor also subcontracted two local contractors from the area as part of empowerment and skills development. The project complies with all environmental health requirements and standards,” said Chakana.
This project is but one of many that have reinforced the City of Johannesburg’s commitment to increased maintenance and expansion of its infrastructure following a R170 billion infrastructure backlog.
“The project will also help to protect our communities from environmental degradation, as seen in municipalities in the south of Gauteng. This is in line with my commitment to protecting our environment for future generations.
“The City will remain committed to providing all residents with quality water and sanitation services that meet the needs of the present as well as future demand,” said Mayor Mashaba.
